Color systems

Sep10

The various color systems and their codes can be a real labyrinth for laymen. Which one is used and when? What do these codes show us if we don’t see the color itself? Without limitation, here is a short guide about it, using Duck Egg Blue as an example.
RGB (Red Green Blue): this is a color mixing standard used by monitors, displays and TV screens. It shows the amount of these three components (red, green, blue) in the mixed color. This is an additive color mixing method. Their value can be between 0 and 255. If all the three is 0, the result is black, if all the three is 255, that gives white. The RGB code of one of the shades of duck egg blue is: 165, 186, 177.
CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow Key): it is used in pressed materials, it is a subtractive color mixing method (the mix of the similar amount of the colors effects black). The individual colors are applied on the paper as small dots in a grid. Mixing is solved by traversing the grids. This way the dots just partly cover each other. The code contains these traversing angles. Duck egg blue is: 11 0 5 27 in this system.
NCS (Natural Color System): it is used for mixing wall paints, colors are programmed in the mixing machine by this protocol. It contains numbers which mean rates in %: first pair of numbers=darkness (how close the given color is to black), second pair of numbers=color intensity/saturation, third pair of numbers=the rate of the second color in the mix. It contains letters which mean the contained colors: B=blue, R=red, Y=yellow, G=green and N=neutral. The S=standard at the beginning of the code. Example: S 3010-B90G (duck egg blue). 30=darkness, 10=saturation compared to the main basic color, B=blue, 90=%G, G=green.
PMS (Pantone Matching System): it is the standardized color system of Pantone company, it is general and universal, namely by using this code, the color of any product (fabric, plastic, paint etc.) will be the same as the desired all over the world. Logos of greater companies, flags of countries, symbols of associations etc. are defined by this method. It is different from the above mentioned that it contains completely artificial colors also, for example neon colors or metallic colors. All the colors get a three or four digit number code beside their fantasy name. The color is similar to duck egg blue: 5507 C
RAL (Reichs-Ausschuß für Lieferbedingungen und Gütesicherung): it is a German color system used in Europe. Its code is a four digit number. The first number indicates the color group to which the given color belongs: 1xxx yellows, 2xxx oranges, 3xxx reds, 4xxx purples, 5xxx blues, 6xxx greens, 7xxx greys, 8xxx browns, 9xxx whites/blacks. For example, colors of traffic signs are defined by this, but most of the producing companies (door, window, radiator etc.) use this when defining their color range. The RAL color nearest to duck egg blue is 7038.
Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the proper colors for your home.

Barn

Sep5

Old barn transformed to a new home – it is worth to rescue

Upholstery decorations

Sep3

Upholstered furniture is often custom made also, mostly because of the lack of space. In this case, we generally settle for discussing only the sizes, materials to be used and their colors with the manufacturer. However, only a few people think about adding some plus to the planned furniture which makes it really unique and an ornament of the home. In the palette of classic styles there are accessories which deserve to spend the time with.
Bolting decoration is for highlighting the contour of the furniture and for hiding the upholstery joints. Nowadays the metal bolts are not individually nailed in but can be purchased in a band. There is a version in which just every fifth or sixth bolt is real, the others between have no spikes. We can choose among several colors at professional upholsterers (e.g. antique copper, black, matte silver, golden).
Keder is also for highlighting the contours and suggests professional workmanship. This is actually an embossed, sewn hemming. An edge with a different color than the upholstery provides an elegant look. We can even play with it, for example if the sofa and the armchairs are the inverse in color of each other. Namely the upholstery of the sofa is similar to the keder of the armchair and vice versa.
The fringy passementerie on the bottom of the seating furniture hides its legs. This commonly harmonizes with the color of the upholstery. Its length depends on the height of the leg of the furniture. If is the legs are not so decorative, it’s worth to apply this: the sight will be more complex, however the cleaning ability remains.
Trimmings are a woven, maybe embroidered decoration ribbons which are placed on the joining of the wooden frame and the upholstery. They are applied mostly on chairs, having also decorating and covering functions. They usually harmonize with the color of the upholstery except when the aim is to show the contour of the furniture.
Deep buttoning is known by Chesterfield furniture. Upholstery fabric is sewn in the cushion and fixed on the back. Button is sewn after this in the hole. This is mostly a handmade procedure. The button is covered with the fabric of the upholstery. It is very spectacular in the case of leather and fabric also.
Ask for help of an interior designer for similar solutions and designing unique furniture.

Petrol blue

Aug31

Petrol blue is a dark, greenish hue with a tint of grey, named after petroleum.

Box beds

Aug29

Old arty box beds

Far East

Aug27

The Far East always seemed to be a mystical world for European people. The very different cultures were highly attractive at the same time. Many people desire for enjoying the mood of an oriental holiday in their home also.
Japanese style is based on Zen which is a type of Buddhism. It is characterized by nature centered, calm and undisturbed harmony. There are no surplus things in homes, everything has clear lines and is practical. Walls can be slided frequently, this way the spaces can be separated or opened up again. Furniture is low (futon, seating cushions), lighting is modest. Neutral colors give the base: beige colors of bamboo objects, dark browns of wooden materials, off white of rice paper. Pop of colors can be applied to them but only in a small amount. Bonsai trees and living bamboos bring in the nature. The total effect can be accomplished with a mini Japanese garden. For breaking neutral colors, a cherry-red kimono as wall decoration or traditional household objects (e.g. tea set) as decoration elements are good solutions.
Indian style interiors will impress you first with their vibrant colors. The bold spice-colors (curcuma yellow, cinnamon brown, paprika red etc.) and colors of precious stones (e.g. emerald, sapphire and ruby) are daringly used together. Richly carved, dark brown furniture mirrors and brass accessories, colored wall are typical of this style. The four-poster bed is a good choice for creating this mood at home. Symbols are deepening the anyway stirring sight: Buddha, elephants, lotus flowers. The big cushions embroidered with beads and small mirrors are used instead of chairs also. Curtains can be made of traditional saris but they look good as bedspreads also. Modest lighting fits for this, it can be a lantern or many candles.
Balinese style brings a real tropical island in our home. It is a calm and modest style. Houses are open to the forest or to the ocean. The space is big and airy. Brown of teak dominates the interiors. It is used not only for floor covering and furniture but for making marvelous statues also. Nature has primary role here too. Water and plants are essential accessories for creating the style. White fabrics break the monotony of neutral colors. Four-poster bed, soft muslin curtains and natural stones in the bathroom complete the sight. Tropical flowers provide bright colors.
These above can be implemented in our home also. However it is important to customize the styles to the features of the estate or else it can be easily overwhelming or scenery-like. Ask for help of an interior designer for implementing.