I am absolutely not artistic so when I was preparing for my interview with Jill Kirsh about her color system for clothes and makeup and I saw what a dramatic difference a little color made, I started to wonder how it would affect our events. I wondered what could we do with color to make our celebrations more of what we want.
So I started poking around on-line and was amazed at some of the great things you can do and how you can transform a space or create a feeling through the colors you choose. You can make your event feel more fun, more dramatic, or more relaxing simply through your color choices.
So whether you’re wondering how to decorate for a graduation party, a baby shower, a wedding or your favorite holiday it all starts with theme and color. The theme is optional, you can choose to create one or not, but color is key no matter what else you do. Color gives an event it’s look and its feeling, it can even take the place of a theme.
When you’re ready to plan your event, begin by choosing your theme. Once you have a theme, or if you choose to skip the theme, it’s time to choose your colors. You’ll want to pick a main color and one or two accent colors. The key then is to have a harmonious combination. This happens by choosing colors that look good and feel good together.
Fortunately the process for doing this has been simplified for those of us who are not really artistic, and it all goes back to the trusty color wheel. Essentially there are three ways to go: monochromatic color schemes, analogous color schemes, or complementary color schemes.
In a monochromatic color scheme you’ll choose just one color then use various shades of that color. These schemes are easy to put together and tend to be soothing. Just be sure to choose shades far from each other on the spectrum so that you have some contrast.
In an analogous color scheme you’ll choose three colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel. This type of color scheme feels very harmonious, like things feel in nature. Choose one color to dominate then use a second color to support it and the third as an accent color.
In a complementary, a.k.a. contrasting, color scheme you’ll choose a main color then select the color directly opposite it on the color wheel as the accent color. This scheme is more vibrant and has more punch. The classic example is Christmas colors of red and green. They look great together and one gives the other a bit of pizzazz. This scheme can be carried out with three colors as well. Simply choose three colors on the color wheel that make a triangle such as red, yellow, and blue or purple, orange and green. This is known as a triad color scheme and it packs a big punch; think Mardi Gras and other vibrant events. When using a complementary color scheme be sure to have one color dominate and use the other color(s) simply as accents.
Once you have your color scheme identify your main color. This is the color which will be most used and most visible in everything from your invitations to your decorations. You’ll use your main color for your table linens or the background on a banner. You may use it for the background color of your invitations or the overriding color in your flowers or balloons. It’s the color you’ll be using the most and in large blocks.
You’ll use your supporting and accent colors in smaller ways. On your tables they can be used for the napkins, place cards, favors, charger plates or center pieces. In your tablescapes they can be used in runners, corner ties, or center pieces. They may be in the flowers you choose or some of the glass beads you put in the bottom of a vase, in candles or ribbons, the lettering on a banner, or a design on your invitations. The accent color helps to make things pop and it can be used to draw your guests’ eye to something.
Color is fun and it makes a statement about your party so choose something that works for you, and above all else, that you like.
This post really got me thinking, thanks Sandy! I’m starting extra early on planning the best Caroling Party every. So the complimentary color scheme is already set for me – red & green – da. But whish one will be the feature and which one the accent? Hmmmmm? And my furniture is purple. Seat covers?
Plenty to think about, thanks again :)
Kitty, I’m no decorator but seat covers would be great. What kind of furniture are you talking about; sofas or dining room chairs? If you entertain often covers in a neutral color could help you with many different themes and color schemes. Another fun choice, depending on the style of your chairs, would be to purchase a long length of material in your Christmas theme to cover the seats and tie a big bow around the chair backs.
OR…with the purple furniture you could change your theme to non-traditional holiday colors. If it’s a deep purple you could play it up and add lots of silver and white for sparkle.