Understated Elegance

Bland? Boring? Not today's neutrals. Their mix of values, of warm and cool tones harmonizing together as they do in natural stone, represent a subtle rainbow compared with the safe off-white palettes of yesteryear.
Sherwin-Williams' cool grays, such as pale Krypton and deep Cyberspace, are making a comeback after a noticeable absence, says Ralich Spak.
And technology brings a whole new dimension to neutral palettes, adding light and inner luster with textures and finishes we could never have imagined previously.
"Technology has come so far since neutrals were last in the spotlight," says Ralich Spak. "There are wall coverings that look like fish scales, LED lighting that adds texture and dimension, even leather with a luminescent quality."
The Milan Furniture Fair was a-shimmer with metallic finishes and crystal-embedded textiles, Eiseman notes. "Years ago, if crystals were in the fabric, you would feel them. Now technology allows a flat finish that still sparkles."
The range of products with chameleonic colors is rapidly expanding, says Jill Morton, CEO of Colorcom. "We first saw it in the automotive industry, with complex grays that shift from silver to lavender. Once we see it in one arena, we look for it in others."
Technology is redefining luxury for the mass market, Eiseman says. "Luxury today doesn't necessarily mean the most expensive textile. Today you can create a very sumptuous fabric that is synthetic but still looks natural. Technology is allowing us to have more."

Practical Beige SW 6100

Pacer White SW 6098

Krypton SW 6247

Ivoire SW 6127

Rice Grain SW 6155

Harmonic Tan SW 6136

Mega Greige SW 7031

Warm Stone SW 7032

Java SW 6090

Cyberspace SW 7076

Design Tip- 08

The 8' Rule:

Contrary to what you may have heard, white can actually make ceilings appear lower in rooms with low ceilings, and make them seem even more distant in rooms with high, lofty ceilings.Based on this, there are some good general rules to follow when selecting paint colors for your ceiling area:

If your room has ceilings that are 8' high or under, paint the ceiling a shade or two lighter than the color of your walls.

If your ceilings are higher than 8', paint them a shade or two darker than your wall color. Following this advice will help give an illusion of space to a low-ceilinged room, or add a feeling of coziness to rooms with higher ceilings.Leaving the ceiling white, while painting the walls with color, can occasionally make a room seem unfinished. Adding just a touch of color to a ceiling can bring a certain intimacy, as well as give the space a much more finished and refined look.

Design Tip- 06

Try a New Hue
Ready to take the plunge and saturate a room in an exciting new hue? Before committing to expensive upholstery or fixtures, try living with it in small doses first. Decorative pillows and throws can provide good clues in the living room while a new tablecloth can serve the same purpose in a dining room or an eat-in-kitchen. In a bedroom, the same can be accomplished with a new set of sheets. The bottom line: Start slowly and work up to the level of color that you're comfortable with.

Design Tip- 05

Cooling Off
Just as warm colors can raise the temperature of a room, cool hues can drop it by a few degrees. Think of solarium, surrounded with windows, that's almost too warm to appreciate. Or maybe a second floor office or attic-bedroom where the heat consistently rises. In these cases and others like it, cool colors can come to the rescue, especially those on the lighter side. In the blue family, consider the color of the sky. Or look toward the colors of the Caribbean-in their palest from at the water's edge and gradually getting darker as you move farther out. To take another cue from Mother Nature, consider assorted greens, as well. Leafy greens have springtime-fresh appeal, while celery shades are more subtle. In all cases, through, couple the cool colors with at least a touch of icy white; it not only will give you a crisp finish but will also provide more chill to the space.

Design Tip-04

Turn up the temperature
Do you have a north-facing room that seems to have a chill even during summer? Or one with minimal windows, restricting the amount of sunlight that it gets? Without touching the thermometer, you can raise the temperature of a room with color. Just look at the warm side of the color palette and use it to your advantage. Consider yellow, for instance. In its most vibrant form, it can add visual warmth to even the coolest space. To take the concept a step further, consider red. Not only does this hue have the ability to add heat but it provides plenty of drama, too. Likewise, the orange hue that you associate with the fruit is only one of the tints and shades you can use in a room. In pale cantaloupe colors and cinnamon shades, it adds an element of excitement. And in the form of peach or apricot, this color is perfectly suited for a living area. The latter two hues, "cosmetic colors" naturally complement skin tones, adding a warm glow to everyone in the room.

Unexpected Colors

Yes, the traditional blues, whites and neutrals carry their own sense of beauty and charm. Yet sometimes, the right color scheme for your home may be one you'd never expect—like the unusual color combinations presented here. They can open your eyes to exciting new possibilities.

A bright new look in the dining room
Here's a visually stunning contrast: complement your traditional antique-styled furniture and accessories with the lively and playful color, Hint of Honey. It's an unexpectedly exhilarating new take on a traditional dining room.

Bring hearty warmth to your kitchen
Who says a kitchen has to be basic? This bold Outlands Upholstery Red color offers a unique combination of warmth and strength, excitement and elegance. Use it as a primary or accent color to beautify your kitchen.

A color as playful as your kids
Why shouldn't a bathroom reflect the lightness, whimsy and fun of the kids who will use it? This Ocean Sigh color brings that playful feeling to your kids' bathroom.

Royalty in the bedroom
Stately, elegant, refined. This Winter Amethyst color brings it all to your bedroom. Highlighted brilliantly by a white headboard and furnishings, this bedroom achieves an unexpected warmth and stateliness.

A peachy start to your day
Fruitfulness and fire. Passion and whimsy. These are the feelings evoked by this unexpected color, Peach Taffy. Used as an accent or primary color, it can brighten, enliven and invigorate your home.

Source: valspar.com