The primary contribution of the architectural color consultant is to define an effective background…potentiating the work of architect and interior designer while supporting the client’s personal preferences for the tone and feel of the space.
Thoughts on a color process
Seeing – Scientists have stated the human eye can see over 6,000,000 hues. One national paint company claims 1,000 colors on their printed chart and over 1500 on their web list. If we assume 1,600 colors on their app, plus darker and lighter versions, we would have 4,800 identified colors…that still leaves 99.9% of our potential color experience not considered.
Possibilities – Most room elements have limited color options. Selections of stone, tile and fabric will determine certain colors. An open approach to wall color is the most effective way to pull the room together.
Building – Color does not really fit on a wheel. It is better understood as being within a series of spheres. Hues move within this map by four methods – primary variation, shading, tinting and the adjustment of chromatic intensity through complementary blending. Understanding how a color changes and why a specific change would benefit the project are important…as frequently, subliminal level changes in pigment mix can greatly improve a hues project compatibility. Building a project specific color will yield a better result than selecting an attractive color from a chart.
Tuning – Tuning requires additional applicational considerations of scale, texture, lighting and surface reflection. Elements influence each other. Colored walls create visual echoes as rebounding light, in varying degrees, becomes colored light… amplifying perception of the original color. This is why a color beautiful on a chip can be overwhelming as a room. Given this interaction, wall colors can be developed that enhance preferred associations, as well as suppress the perception of an undesirable emergent hue.
Insight on color perception and pigment manipulation came from executing the color mixing exercises of Josef Albers under the instruction of Dr. Kreilick at The University of Wisconsin, School of Fine Art. Understanding of the additive – subtractive qualities of colored light by personal study.