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By Michelle Wagner
Whether warm, bold, earthy or beachy, nothing can set the mood in a room like color and interior decorators can help clients find the perfect colors to make their home their haven.
“When customers ask me about color trends, I answer that the trend is color,” says Barry Ambrose of Ambrose Furniture in Kitty Hawk. “It’s such a great time to be decorating because lots of color is the trend and there are no hard and fast rules. You can be as bold as you dare to be and the results can be amazing.”
“Color is a very important element to consider when designing kitchens and bathroom because it influences our moods,” said Nikkea White, the kitchen and bath designer at Griggs Lumber in Point Harbor.
White, who has been designing kitchens and baths on the Outer Banks for five years, has a degree in Interior Design from East Carolina University. She said that color can create a feeling of more or less space.
“Using light colors make the room feel more spacious, airy and brighter,” she said. “A good color scheme is to use colors found in nature. Neutral colors paired with almost any color to accent work well.”
For example, reds quicken the heart rate and increase appetite while yellow is a happier, warmer color. Blue promotes feelings of tranquility and peacefulness. White has a clean look but can be cold and sterile. She added that complementary colors can bring drama and energy to décor.
“Since cabinets usually make up most of the cost of a kitchen, it is better to stay with neutral cabinets,” she said, adding that countertops and flooring should also be neutral. “Due to expense it is best to stay away from trendy colors on those items.”
Tiffany Sisolak, the head designer with Exotic Home in Kill Devil Hills, agrees. She recommends staying neutral on basic pieces, anywhere from dark to light, and purchasing quality pieces and furniture, then working in your accent colors.
“Color is a trend and trends come and go. A lot of people ride that wave. It’s easier to get off of that if you start with a good base.” Then, by changing your artwork and accents, you can change the look and feel and “that’s what is going to keep your design fresh, different and unique.”
“And especially in a rental home, updating is inherent because things only last so long – soft goods, bedding, lamps, and artwork. Although a lot of times artwork is okay because there’s less wear-and-tear. It’s not handled as much.” Then she grinned, “But, the bedding….”
“Slipcovers are a great way to go for people who want to stay current with trends,” she suggests.
Michele Desgain of Haynes Furniture in Kitty Hawk says that if she finds that customers are stuck on choosing a color, she asks them to pick two of their favorite shirts or a favorite item in their home and work from that.
Desgain said that along the Outer Banks, especially on the oceanfront, beach colors are popular. “Navy blue, yellow and white are staple colors of the Outer Banks, she said. “And they are a good palette to work with.”
When decorating for a second home at the beach, there are several things homeowners should keep in mind,” says Brian Cerza of Outer Banks Furniture.
“Decorating for a second home at the beach is a different proposition than decorating for a year-round residence,” Cerza said, adding that at home people tend to pick out neutral tones that they can live with for a long time. “Those more neutral backdrops on our furniture, paint, and carpets will be more adaptable to changing styles as we make updates.
“At the beach, however, life is different,” he continued. “This is where people come to get away from the normal, the neutral. Since a second home is usually only lived in for a week at a time, either by you or your renters, that week should be fun.”
Cerza said that brighter colors and bolder patterns in the house add to the vacation. “While we may be timid about lime green and tangerine at home, our beach house is the perfect place to let those inhibitions go.”
Cerza added that colors definitely affect our mood.
“There are countless studies that demonstrate the effects different colors have on us in different settings. Green, for example, signifies life, youth, hope, and vigor. It also has been shown to improve vocal performance. That’s why TV studios and performing arts theaters have Green Rooms,” he said.
“Orange, believe it or not, has a calming, relaxing effect, as it reminds us of sunset. Blue feels clean, pure, and refreshing. Blue is comfortable for just about everyone because we are surrounded by it in the sky and in the ocean,” Cerza said.
According to Cerza, red promotes conversation, which makes it a great color for dining rooms. “When you are deciding on colors for your furniture, paint, rugs, or even dishes, think about how those colors make you feel, and don’t be afraid to try something different.”
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