Chromatic grays. What are they?
They're the perfect way to use bold color
without it looking garish.
Like the mustard chair from Anthropologie.
It would be great in lemon yellow, but
it just might begin to irritate you after a while.
Chromatic: adj. - Pertaining to color.
Gray: adj. - of a color between black and white; having a neutral hue.
Hence a Chromatic gray is a grayed down color.
But that does NOT mean dull or boring.
Chromatic grays can be bold, deep and rich...
or pale and ethereal.
or a mix of darks and lights.
They can be modern...
or they can be traditional.
How do you pick a pleasing palette of
chromatic grays?
Simple. There is a foolproof method:
Find a fabric swatch or item that you love.
Pick up a variety of paint swatch samples in the color families.
Start matching. Sometimes you're surprised at how gray
a color actually can be! Most colors are chromatic grays.
There are relatively few saturated colors around.
Why do we like chromatic grays?
Chromatic grays are easy on the eyes. Literally.
Bright saturated colors are almost jarring to behold.
Eyes need to "rest" from them or to compensate
for them by optically creating a complementary color.
Stare at a bright orange or yellow object for a few minutes.
Now, look at a white wall. What do you see?
Most likely, a complementary color. It's your brain's way
of mellowing out the intense color.
Even though we all are in a current love affair with
all white, gray or monochromatic taupe rooms,
some times you just need some COLOR!
Chromatic grays are the safest way to use bold color.
Close value chromatic grays are practically foolproof!
Close value means they are the same degree of light or dark
like pastels, dark jewel tones, medium tones, etc.
Next time we'll talk about using a chromatic gray palette with
a pop of intense saturated color for "umph!"
Meanwhile, let me know if you have any questions!
Word for the Day:
“You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent,
of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen,
embroidered with needlework.
Possibly linking with:
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Sunday
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Sunday’s Best
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Nifty
Thrifty Sunday
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Sister
Sunday
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Just
something I whipped up
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Creative
Me Link Up
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Monday
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Metamorphosis
Monday
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Making
the World Cuter Monday
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Motivate Me Monday
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Masterpiece Monday
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The More the Merrier
Monday
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Manic Monday
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Just a party with my
peeps!
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Show Me What You Got!
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Tuesday
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Nifty
Thrifty Tuesday
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Cowgirl Up!
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Be Inspired
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Wednesday
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Share the Love Wednesday
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Wow
Us Wednesday
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What’s it Wednesday
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Show
Me What Ya Got
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Thursday
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Suzy's
House Party
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Share
Awesomeness Thursday
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Thrifty
Thursday
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Thursday
Favorite Things
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Home
and Garden Thursday
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Share
Your Cup Thursday
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Live
Laugh Linky
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Friday
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Feathered
Nest Friday
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Frugal
Friday
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Frugalicious
Friday
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Inspiration
Friday
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Free
For All Friday
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Spread
the Love
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Delicately
Constructed Friday
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Saturday
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Saturday
Nite Special
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Get
Schooled Saturday
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Show and Tell Saturday
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