Color and Emotions

 “Often we are not aware of the effects the visual world has on our senses and our feelings.”

Certain colors can evoke a strong emotional response, and clever use of light can enhance or subdue a mood. So before you decorate, take the time to first consider how you want to feel in the room, and spend some time there before you decide on the final palette.

Paint some test colors on the walls and observe how they change from day to night, and lay some fabric over a chair in front of the painted wall to see how the two colors and surfaces react with each other.

For example, in a home office that benefits from lots of natural daylight, you may wish to use a cool sky blue as the main color in order to stimulate clear thinking and a peaceful atmosphere. Yellow is a great color to use in a kitchen, and creates a citrus fresh wake-up, or if a warmer tone is used, a cozy family space.

If you decide on a passionate, hot scheme of red tones for the living room, then consider surfaces and fabrics that will enhance this sensual mood. Choose a high-gloss lipstick color for the woodwork and sumptuous velvets and smooth satins for the upholstery. Low level candlelight is sure to finish this mood off perfectly.

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Interior Design and Decorating for Fireplace Seating Charlotte NC

The fireplace is often the focal point of a living room requiring proper seating arrangement to complement its charm and purpose.

A gracious fireplace is the ideal focal point for a living room. Its architectural presence commands attention, its warmth is a comfort in cooler weather, and it provides a natural anchor for the main seating arrangement. An impressive feature, it also allows for several options when it comes to arranging living room furniture.

Formal Interior Design & Decorating - The most formal arrangement is to place an identical pair of sofas perpendicular to the fireplace. That creates a strong, immediate impression and emphasizes the mantel's role as focal point. To finish the conversation grouping, you might place two chairs facing the fireplace. Add a large area rug, a central coffee table and end tables to complete the scene. If there’s sufficient room, a pair of footstools positioned directly in front of the fireplace would be great. They could be called into service during larger gatherings and will fill the visual void an empty fireplace leaves in the summertime. This classic floor plan works for traditional and contemporary interiors.

Semiformal Interior Design & Decorating - In similar though more casual style, position one sofa perpendicular to the fireplace but arrange a pair of chairs rather than a second sofa opposite. That works well if the chairs are placed between the living and dining room or entrance, as it may be preferable to look toward two chair backs and an interesting end table rather than toward a full sofa back. It's most common to upholster the chairs in a fabric that coordinates with the sofa, rather than match it exactly. To finish the conversation grouping, add two different chairs or perhaps a daybed or bench. The latter option leaves the view to the fireplace unimpeded and provides flexible seating a person can face the mantel or turn his or her back to it. This setup is ideal if your living room is large enough to accommodate two separate seating areas.

Casual Interior Design & Decorating - For an even more casual arrangement, use only a combination of chairs. Have oversize chairs face each other, providing a tête-à-tête area a private conversation between two people. An upholstered ottoman will make it a go to spot for reading and relaxing. If more seating is required, you could have four chairs facing each other, with a bench facing the mantel a flexible arrangement particularly suited to those who love to move living room furniture frequently. You might go for a standard coffee table and choose a taller game or library table. Although the taller table would block the fireplace from view, it would provide a cozy perch near the hearth, an ideal spot for a comfortable dinner or an exciting game of cards.

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