BEIGE, WHAT IS IT AND IS IT FOR YOU- PART 2

BEIGE, WHAT IS IT AND IS IT FOR YOU?

PART 2

Neutral and Safe

What is Old is New!

Beige is a pretty safe collection, so there are lots of places in the home that it can go.  The Benjamin Moore, company has a number of colors that use the word beige in their names.  Let’s see how they work.

 To begin with Benjamin Moore has a very robust off-white collection that offers 140 colors to choose from.  The undertones can run the spectrum of color so, yes, it

Can certainly tug at our emotions and bring forth color associations each of us subscribes to.  In other words, it’s not just background music—it can change and impact the personality of a room.

 The beauty of beige is that it can have the influence of a red, a yellow, even hints of blue.  The tonality of different beiges allows them to work into many rooms and environments.  It feels familiar and livable, often offering change without drama.

  Finally you have your cake and eat it, too!  If you want beige to ‘pop’, it’s simply a matter of color in context.  Create a dramatic contrast of color saturation to bring attention to each color individually.  For example, Benjamin Moore Soft Beige (2156-60), partnered with a color that is brighter and whiter like White Heron (OC-57) or deeper and cooler like (Green Tint 2139-60)or warmer and toned like (Seaside Sand 2110-40).  All these potions create a distinct contrast in combination, bringing out the actual color of the soft beige.

  A benefit of it being a neutral is that it can resolve an argument between two other colors that don’t seem to go together.  If they both go with beige, no one has to have issues with them.  Beige is a neutral that can either blend colors together or really make a statement.  It can be used to blend colors that are conflicting in the room on the drapes, the curtains and perhaps pillows.  It can make a statement in being the cool background color to display art or it can be a bold contrast with intense colors everywhere else.

It can also make an appearance as a supporting role to other colors to help them pop out.  Some people recommend using contrast.  If you want to create a more soothing space, try using neighboring colors on the color wheel.  Use blues, greens, and a beige with hints of these cooler colors for a calm and interesting look.  Try this, Benjamin Moore (Gossamer Blue 2123-40), (Feather Green 625) with (Moonshine OC-56)

  If you want to spice it up try partnering the blues and greens with a warm beige with undertones of red, yellow, or orange.  Combine (Gossamer Blue and Feather Green with Hillsborough Beige (1033

  Another good thing about beige is that it will work with something old and something new.  You can use it to tie together the 1950’s and the 21^st century.  Beige can take a room that feels chopped up in color choice or different design and blend it all together.  Yes, from traditional to contemporary beige is a popular color choice.

  Beige can be a calming addition for the bedroom, bathroom, spa or can create a larger room visually by painting the walls this light shade.  If you are not careful though, the beige can wash a room out and make it feel empty or cold.  (We don’t want that).

  Next, choose a great color for the walls and then pull in beige for the ceiling. But once again, watch out, using beige on the ceiling and the floors will give you a tunnel effect. (we don’t want that either).

  Well, is this enough for you to chew on for a while?  Much more can and probably will be said about beige.  It has been around a long, long time.  Though the name will continue to be used I am sure that the color that it is attached to will change.  So you will have to re-paint from time to time. Today’s beige will be yesterday’s beige is a short time.

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As Always “Happy Painting and Decorating”

Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.

Ken Rader---serving Fayetteville, Arkansas and the Northwest Arkansas area since 1987.