Use Greens & Golds For Interior Painting

Green and gold make a statement in interior decor.

Green and gold are a natural combination for decor, whether it's formal olive green with aged gold accents or the relaxing green of nature set off by flower-blossom yellow. Decide what level of formality you want in your decor, and choose shades that enhance it. Gold leaf might look out of place in a breezy, cheerful room, but it can fit right in with imposing architecture and leather-bound books. Focus on one shade as your primary tone and use the other to accent it. Repeat the tones in furnishings and accessories to tie the room together.

Instructions

1. Match the tones in your existing furnishings. Choose a cushion or fabric swatch that contains the green and gold tones you want to use in your room. Take it to a paint store and look for color chips that match your item. If none of the available colors is just right, many stores can mix custom colors to match your color scheme.

2. Ask for paint samples in the shades you have chosen. Some stores offer free samples, and others charge a nominal fee. If there are no samples available, purchase the smallest can available, usually a quart. Paint a 4-foot-square patch on the wall of your room and live with it for a couple of days, looking at it in natural light and artificial light at different times of day. The paint will very often look different on the wall than it does on a little color chip.

3. Paint the bottom third of the wall in warm gold and the rest of the wall in green. Install a chair rail where the two colors meet to create the appearance of custom wainscoting. If you have adjoining rooms, paint one green and the other in a complementary gold shade to create a visual distinction between the rooms.

4. Brush a light coat of metallic gold glaze over a ceiling medallion or other architectural feature to draw the eye with a subtle shimmer. Use metallic gold paint to accent finials, fireplace trim or picture frames. A little metallic paint goes a long way, so use it sparingly.

Tags: match your, metallic gold, want your, your room