Amber B Design Studio

Interior Design & Decoration for the South Florida region

  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Portfolio
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Contact

Creating Contrast in Your Rooms

January 14, 2013 by Amber Filed Under: design, paint colors, painting, painting tips, personal design style Leave a Comment

I received an e-mail recently from a reader, asking about my dining room transformations and how to choose the best color in your space. I thought it would be a great post to present on the blog and open up the discussion with all of you! My original paint color in the dining room was Bungalow Gold by Eddie Bauer. While I enjoyed the color for a while {7 years, to be exact!}, I needed a change. So, I decided to stencil one wall, after receiving a free stencil for a product review.

While the stencil was fun and something new, I still wasn’t feeling it. I realized the main reason why, was because there was not enough contrast in the room. The oak floors blended with the table, which blended with the walls. I have been meaning to make some of my spaces lighter and brighter, and I knew this was the room to start! This space did not need another warm tone… it had too many, already. What this space needed was some contrast. It needed a cooler color in the blue/gray/green family. Fast forward to my decision… and we have Halo, by Benjamin Moore. I love that it appears almost white when the sun is shining, yet provides that cool tone of gray/green that this room needed. I know I have already shown the dining room reveal here, but I thought it was also worth mentioning why this color was chosen and how to achieve contrast in your home. Here is the new paint color:

For me, adding a cooler color helped to break up all the similar tones, and I am so much happier. The paint brush can be put down, for now!

How about you, do you like more of a contrast, or similar tones throughout?

  • Tweet 0
  • Share 0
  • +1
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Comments

  1. Simply LKJ says

    January 14, 2013 at 5:02 pm

    I love the new color. Our home is painted similar tones throughout, 3 shades all of the same color strip, and while I love being able to move things around easily I am a bit ready for a change somewhere.

    Reply
  2. Kim@Chattafabulous says

    January 14, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    I am definitely up for some contrast. I just did a paint consult for a client whose home had yellowy oak floors, gold walls, brown and red accents and I suggested Ben Moore's Arctic Gray to balance out all those warm colors. She was very nervous about it and I haven't been back to see it yet but I know it will work perfectly!

    http://www.chattafabulous.blogspot.com

    Reply
  3. My Garden Diaries says

    January 14, 2013 at 8:11 pm

    It looks lovely! I need contrast…always! I did the same thing with my living room because everything felt like it was the same color. Great work!

    Reply
  4. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says

    January 15, 2013 at 2:44 am

    I like that you broke up the warm tones…..the cooler color looks fabulous! I recently realized this is what was wrong with my last home, decor-wise. Too many warm tones…..balance is such a good thing to the feel of a room.

    Reply
  5. Sarah Michaels says

    January 15, 2013 at 7:35 am

    Thanks for the post! It's always great to get a window into another designer's thought process.

    Reply
  6. Lisa Gabrielson says

    January 15, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    That wall looks amazing!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Amber... a wife, mom and interior decorator. I am the writer of Simple Dwellings and the designer behind Amber B Design. Blog topics are all things design, with the occasional DIY attempt! Thanks for stopping by.Read more...

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

@amberbdesign

amberbdesign

Most of my favorite design colors to use in projec Most of my favorite design colors to use in projects come right from nature! #coastalliving #palmbeach #loveyourhabitat
Whenever I’m looking for coastal design inspirat Whenever I’m looking for coastal design inspiration, I take a walk around Palm Beach. This week is perfect for that! #designinspiration #coastalliving #palmbeach #loveyourhabitat
Can you believe it… I wrote a blog post!!! 😂 Can you believe it… I wrote a blog post!!! 😂 Head over to my blog (link in bio) to see what’s been going on with all things Amber B Design, including this bookcase beauty in the office of #ProjectClassicLiving #amberbdesign #coastalliving #myballardstyle
In my last post, I hinted at a new plan for the li In my last post, I hinted at a new plan for the living room. Now that the ladder has been relocated to the family room, this corner is definitely in need of some height. I almost went with the idea of a tree and while I love it in other homes, I just didn’t see it here. So I went on Pinterest in search of inspiration and @studiomcgee to the rescue! I love the idea of a pedestal with a vase and maybe some branches, instead of a tree. I can switch up the accessories on the pedestal and I think it’s the winner! Inspiration in the next slide. #amberbdesignathome #coastalliving
I have always liked to shop around my home, moving I have always liked to shop around my home, moving things to different rooms and making them feel like new accessories. It breathes new life into a space, even with subtle touches. I switched the living room and family room table lamps and I like the larger scale lamp in here! I have fun plans for the living room, which I’ll share soon. Happy Friday!! #amberbdesignathome #loveyourhabitat #SMmakelifebeautiful #howyouhome #bhghome #hgtv #coastalliving
Once the Christmas tree is down, I always feel lik Once the Christmas tree is down, I always feel like the room is so bare. This year, we had it to the left of the television and I really feel like that space is now so empty. I tried the living room ladder in its place and I love it! But the living room needs it there too. What to do?! Maybe a tall plant in one of the spaces?! Two ladders within feet of each other?! 😂 #amberbdesignathome #coastalliving #howyouhome #SMmakelifebeautiful #loveyourhabitat #bhghome
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Blog Posts, Straight to Your Inbox

Popular Projects

Blog Love

  • Addison’s Wonderland
  • A Thoughtful Place
  • Alison Giese Interiors
  • Amber Interiors
  • Bailey McCarthy
  • Caitlin Wilson
  • Chris Loves Julia
  • Classic Casual Home
  • Cottage and Vine
  • Design Indulgence
  • Dwell by Cheryl
  • Eddie Ross
  • Elements of Style
  • Emily A Clark
  • Emily Henderson
  • Gallery No Eight
  • Hi Sugarplum
  • House of Jade
  • Jana Bek
  • Juniper Home
  • Kate Marker Interiors
  • Lucy Williams
  • Monika Hibbs
  • Our Fifth House
  • Pencil and Paper Co
  • Rachel Parcell
  • Rambling Renovators
  • Pure Style Home
  • Sita Montgomery
  • Studio Mcgee
  • The Makerista
  • The White Buffalo Styling Co
  • the Zhush
  • Traci Zeller
  • Young House Love

Copyright Amber B Design© 2023 · Design by Britt Douglas