If you have tile or stone that already has 4-5 colours in it. . . and sometimes (I know if you’re reading this it was already there and you have to live with it) the countertop also doesn’t relate to the flooring (like in this bathroom below). Do NOT then pick a wall colour that does not relate to a single thing in your bathroom! By the way, same rule applies everywhere else too!
For example, in your living room, the first place to look to see which colour you should choose for the walls is your drapery, sofa or carpet. Wall colour (because there is so much of it) should pull your space together, therefore, the biggest elements of a space should be repeated in the paint colour. There are always going to be exceptions to each rule depending on your taste and preferences, so consider this as a guideline.
Prior to the rich caramel/brown colour (BM HC-74) I chose for this clients powder room (which now relates to the Travertine floor), it was painted a gold beige tone (chosen by the last homeowner). I am so sorry I did not take a ‘before’ photo. The goldy beige colour read as a greeny/yellow in this room which did not relate to the Travertine or the Marble Counter (which was more orange/yellow as you can see).
Flooring and counters in kitchens and bathrooms should relate in some way to each other; however when they don’t I recommend using paint colour to tie the space together for the best effect. When choosing a colour for your kitchen or bathroom, your tile or countertop is the first place to look for the colour (especially when they are not solid) otherwise it can look like you moved in, decided you hated the granite or tile, and specifically chose an unrelated shade because you didn’t want to see more of it on the wall (which could make it jump out more, so be careful if you are doing that!).
Colours that are married usually look more harmonious than colours that are simply meeting for the first time!
Are your colours married or have they just met?
If you want your home to have atmosphere including colours that flow to fill you with happiness every time you walk in. Contact me by email info@mariakillam.com for on-line rates or call me at 604.318.9725 if you are local.
Related posts:
Colour is Context
Slate or Porcelain Tile in the Bathroom
The Right Way to Create Flow Using Colour
How to Know if the Tile you have Selected has the Right Undertones
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