Designer's Top Wood-Paint Combo to Avoid
Digging into the artistic mind of DC-based designer, Laura Hodges, we found a wealth of practical insights on how to incorporate color into a space, especially for those who prefer the safety of white. Hodges emphasizes that you shouldn't be scared of color, instead opting for smaller, more manageable touches such as artwork, pillows, or even a splash of color on the ceiling.
We chatted with Hodges about her inspiration, the impact of accessories, and a few unexpected ways to use color. She revealed that her color choices are frequently influenced by emotions, wardrobes, and artwork, encouraging us to explore shades of green for those loving neutrals. Artwork, she maintains, shouldn't match a room, but rather it should resonate with our emotions and guide us to brighter shades. Throw pillows and patterned rugs can also offer a playful way to introduce color into a more neutral space.
One of Hodges' unconventional tips is to paint the ceiling in a room an unexpected color, like magenta pink. This adds visual interest without overwhelming the space, serving as a subtle surprise in your peripheral vision. When choosing a palette, she suggests using a piece of furniture or fabric as a base and pulling complementary colors from there.
She strongly advises testing swatches in natural and indoor light to ensure color accuracy. Her message about decorating with wood is clear, favoring warmer tones, such as mahogany or walnut, that work well with most colors. Creating a harmonious balance between white and wood elements can be achieved by using a warmer white, adding texture, and embracing biophilic design trends.
As for her best color makeovers, Hodges recalls a bold powder room in dark burgundy and a condo transformed by white walls to emphasize artwork like in an art gallery. She also shares her eagerness to use a caramel-y yellow, aiming to elevate neutral palettes with warmth and a touch of luxury. At the end, Laura Hodges' philosophy is all about creating inviting spaces through nature-inspired textures, smart layering, and embracing color in subtle, transformative ways.
- Laura Hodges recommends exploring shades of green for those who love neutrals, as her color choices are often inspired by emotions, wardrobes, and artwork.
- To add visual interest in a room without overwhelming the space, Hodges advises painting the ceiling an unexpected color, such as magenta pink, which serves as a subtle surprise in peripheral vision.
- When choosing a palette, Hodges suggests using a piece of furniture or fabric as a base and pulling complementary colors from there, and she strongly advises testing swatches in natural and indoor light to ensure color accuracy.
