Colour confidence

We manage household budgets and multi-national corporations, we run carpools and business schools, we're politicians, bakers, lawyers, mothers, volunteers, and doctors but when it comes to making a commitment to colour, the task seems insurmountable. We long to be adventurous and free-spirited but something's taking the fun out of decorating. Whether it's the fear of judgment or a painful memory of the last colour gone wrong, you can regain the colour confidence you were born with, way back when you used all the colours in the crayon box.

Surrounded by colour

Owing to the sheer volume of surface, wall colour has tremendous impact on a room's atmosphere. Before selecting which colour to feature, determine the overall mood you'd like to create. Harness high-energy colours such as Chinese red, Ming gold, and pumpkin when drama is desired. Seduce with simmering shades of smoky charcoal, mauve, and pewter. Play up prettiness with blush pink, oyster, and icy blue. Pale, warm colours such as ivory, bisque and salmon help to enhance sunlight while deep colours create a sense of coziness and comfort.

It's best to establish a colour scheme for the whole house (or at least the main floor) at the outset. Colour guides the eye through an interior, emphasizing how rooms flow into and out of each other. A mid-tone khaki wall colour in the living room looks fetching when viewed from a putty coloured entrance way. Further on, Prussian blue envelops a formal dining room. A consistent trim colour can emphasize the connection between rooms.

It's also important to consider a room's location in determining appropriate colours. For example, a north-facing room will never be "bright and full of light", so concede to surroundings and choose a paint colour that enhances a more suitable feeling such as cozy, intimate, or dramatic. By the same token, you may decide against painting a southwest facing family room in chocolate brown; the deep colour will absorb a good deal of sunlight and may appear "gloomy".

Emphasize the positive

The right combination of colours can reinforce a noteworthy design element such as a fireplace or bay window. Paint the feature in the room's lightest colour, since light colours visually advance, thus appearing more prominent than their darker counterparts. Then, paint surrounding areas in a darker colour. If the room is small, keep contrast to a minimum; aim for a colour that is in the same palette - a pale celadon and a deeper sage for instance. If the room is large, then you'll create real impact with high contrast such as navy and cream.

At a loss? Then, look to nature for inspiration; her palettes are varied and subtle. A garden may have many shades of green, the beach many shades of gray, but the multiplicity of tones and textures harmonizes while giving the natural palette its depth.

Kimberley's tips for no-fail colour

Here are five of my favourite no-fail ways to revitalize neutral interiors with colour. Try one or try them all, you've got nothing to lose by the blahs.

1. Backsplash. Most kitchens today feature neutral cabinetry, counters, and flooring - a smart approach when long-term appeal is desired. However, this safe bet approach to decorating is unlikely to produce a truly dynamic setting. If your kitchen is in danger of "boredom through beige", dazzle the eye with a colourful backsplash.
2. Pillows and throws. In living rooms and family rooms, colourful pillows and throws instantly energize a room. This is a great way to update an interior and make it feel more current. Indulge in the season's selections of pinks and oranges or embrace the apple green you've longed for.
3. Artwork. I always say that the difference between good design and great design is passion. Artwork can provide this elusive element while injecting an interior with your own personal stamp. Don't try to "match" artwork to furnishings; let the pieces you choose stand out.
4. Small appliances. One of the hottest trends in kitchens today is the addition of colourful small appliances such as mixers, blenders, toasters, and even espresso makers. Look for taxi-cab yellow, tangerine and fire-engine red to infuse this hardworking room with verve.
5. Area carpet. Like artwork, the right carpet can dramatically improve the style quotient of a room. A jolt of watery blue, celadon green or spicy cinnamon will enliven even the most neutral interior. And often, a multi-hued area carpet provides the colour inspiration for other decorating decisions.