14 years ago

Consider yourself a color expert? Help! Which would you say is more accurate:
(1) When two very similar colors are placed next to each other, their DIFFERENCES will be exaggerated, or
(2) When two very similar colors are placed next to each other, their SIMILARITIES will be exaggerated.

For example, I have a room that is painted very light gray (basically white) above a chair rail, and a near-black with subtle blue undertones below the chair rail. I have purchased West Elm's velvet drapery panels in "Regal Blue", and I fear they are a tad darker in person than I was expecting and may be very similar to my near-black walls.

The similarity may not be problem, I'll have to see how I feel about it when they're hung. I had intended for them to be related, but distinct. I just don't know if there is a general rule in regards to this and I was curious to hear your thoughts.

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Comments (4)

bepsf
14 years ago
Remember that not only do you have color differences, but you have differences in texture: a painted wall that is the exact same color as a velvet fabric will still appear different...
...and that same painted wall will appear different from wall to wall and area to area as light and shade moves around the room.

IMO - You're overthinking it and it will be fine.
TanCalGal
14 years ago
Your DR sounds very interesting. If you are not happy with your purchase: you can make friends with a seamstress & remove the bottom 12-24 inch fabric and use something else
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If curtains are at far end you could paint that wall entirely white
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kdoyle196
14 years ago
imo, their differences will be exaggerated. For example, hold up a bright white paper next to your (not quite white) teeth and the difference in color will be striking. Your curtains will probably still appear to be distinctly blue when placed next to the black.
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PaintColorHelp.com Dallas
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
So long as blue is your intended accent color, and you are not going for a high-contrast look, I really see no problem. I've done drapes both ways: where they are tone-on-tone with the wall, and where they are a deliberate, dramatic contrast (violet against pale yellow; gold against silver.) Both approaches work. Typically, drape color only becomes a problem when you have two neutrals that are a lot alike, but just "off" enough to look mismatched. Just hang a panel and see how it feels. Lighting will make a difference, too. What appears as two colors during the day may all look black at night.