© San Francisco Chronicle, 2002

 

Question: Presently, I have an adjoining living and dining area. My furniture is upholstered in taupe color ways; it is very tonal. I have light wood furniture pieces. In your opinion, what color should be applied to the walls to "bring out" the furniture?

Valerie
Benicia

 

Answer: In our hectic and emotionally challenging world it's very soothing to come home to a tranquil environment that embraces you when you walk in the door. A home that is designed in a "tonal" theme is the perfect starting point to create that oasis.

For those not familiar with the term "tonal" as applied to decorating, it means that a room is designed using variations of a single color throughout all the major elements of the room. The furniture, walls and carpet or area rugs all share the same basic color and utilize tones of it for interest.

This tonal room is a perfect way to show off antiques and art.

Antique collectors know the benefit of tonal spaces. Prized pieces are showcased, exuding beauty and creating visual interest. Art collectors also understand how important the tonal approach is to spaces: The art beckons the viewer instead of the room itself. For non-collectors as well there are many benefits to a tonal room: It's soothing, easy to live in, and can be a timeless approach to decorating.

The downside of a tonal room is that if you don't give the eye something specific on which to focus, the space can be dull and boring, or it looks as if there was a lack of imagination or a fear of designing with more dynamic colors.

The real challenge with tonal rooms is how to create a dynamic living space using the basic elements without the benefit of multiple colors to support your design theme.

Start with the biggest elements that are fixed in space: the walls and floors. There are two directions you can take with them in your tonal color choices: lighter or darker. Lighter makes the space seem bigger, darker makes it smaller and more intimate. Either way, this tonal solution is applicable no matter what color palette you're working with in the space.

Normally, choosing a wall color can be challenging because there are so many choices. But in a tonal room the process is simplified: Use a color that's in the same family as everything else and automatically eliminate other colors in the spectrum.

If the carpeting is wall to wall, use the same strategy with carpet colors. Small patterns in the carpet add visual interest but might date the room in a few years. If the floors are wood, the stain should not be too stark in contrast to the walls. For interest, consider making the first visual statement with Oriental carpets or subtly patterned area rugs.

Next are window treatments. The first consideration should be to address functionality; i.e., provide privacy, screen sunlight, etc., and next to frame, or eliminate, the view. Again, select drapery fabrics and window coverings that complement the color way of the room without being intrusive design elements themselves. Keep it soft and minimal.

In our example the furniture is already determined so the next and most important decision is how to accessorize the room so all the aspects pull the design together to make the room's appearance seem purposeful, interesting and dynamic.

Art is an extremely important element in a tonal room. It immediately makes a statement and brings the eye to rest. Bear in mind how the art is placed with regard to the architecture. For example, a tall, vertical piece hung over a mantel will draw the eye up toward the ceiling and the room itself will become irrelevant. Not the desired effect, so place it lower in the space.

Next, select one other color to add to the room for the basic accessories. This is the secondary color.

Accessories can be changed seasonally to give you even more options. For example, the deeper jewel tones like plum, burgundy or cinnabar are wonderful colors to use in the autumn, and lighter colors like lilac, coral and celadon green are good spring colors.

Use this secondary color in throw pillows, a lap robe, a vase with flowers, candles, etc. Be consistent with this color to maintain continuity and create cohesion.

In all styles of decorating wood adds warmth, as do gold-colored accessories. Silver-colored metals are cooler, so use them carefully or the room might appear too cold, unless they're silver candlesticks, in which case, group several together to add warmth and sparkle.

To create the finished look to your decor, add interesting pieces like small decorative boxes, antique collectibles and sculptures that can be placed on the mantel, table tops and shelves. These add texture, color, and personality to the room.

It's hard to go wrong if you remember that tonal rooms are a wonderful jumping-off point to showcase beautiful accessories and art. Make your design decisions with this in mind and even the most modest home will have style and elegance.

 

 

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