Have You Heard the Hues? 15 Colours You May Not Know About.

By Charmean Neithart: Houzz Contributor. I love interior design and all things houses. It has been my great privilege to create spaces over the last eleven years to a varied and loyal clientele

 

You never know when you might need to pump up your vocabulary. With the holidays fast approaching, you might soon find yourself in a friendly game of Scrabble or having cocktail conversation at some swanky party. Why not impress your friends and random strangers with extensive color knowledge?

In my work week, I get introduced to colors that I have never heard of fairly regularly. I like to learn about them because there is usually some history lesson involved, and it helps me to understand the undertones of color. For example, there are hundreds of shades of blue. If a blue fabric is described as smalt, I would know exactly what to expect even without a visual. Here are some colors you probably have never heard of but will love to get to know.

Kim Armstrong

Smalt is a deep blue pigment typically used in ceramics. Smalt is a glass that is created when cobalt salts are added to molten glass. It has a very subtle purple undertone but is better described as a pure blue. Much like cobalt, it has a luminescent quality, making it look backlit. This wall is a good example.

amanda nisbet

Byzantium is a vibrant shade of purple that can be confused with fuchsia. While fuchsia is a bold color derived from pink, byzantium is derived from purple and is deeper. A natural for sharing the stage, byzantium looks great with yellow, gray, blue and black.

Design Associates - Lynette Zambon, Carol Merica

Cordovan is a rich shade of burgundy/brown, most commonly used to describe leather. These leather sofas are a perfect example of cordovan. The name originates from the city of Cordova, Spain, which is known for its production of fine leather.

Jeffers Design Group

Vermilion is a bright red to reddish orange. These gorgeous lamps are a classic shade of vermillion, which is also called Chinese red because it's used in making Chinese lacquerware.

Ply Gem

Sienna is a reddish brown earth color. The color originates from Siena, Italy, and describes a clay that consists of iron oxide and manganese oxide.

Charlie Simmons - Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd.

Gamboge is a deep mustard yellow. This color gets its name from the gamboge tree, which excretes a sap that is mustard yellow. This pair of sofas is the perfect shade of gamboge.

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

Fulvous is ultimately a variation of brown but can be described as having yellow undertones, like these painted walls. Fulvous is inspired by the feathers of ducks and birds.

Digs By Katie | Katie Leede & Company

Pavo is an electric blue that refers to the feathers of a peacock. Best described as between royal blue and deep turquoise, pavo is seen here in the sofa pillows.

Jason Arnold Interiors

Verdigris is a shade of green that describes copper when it is exposed to a moisture element. This vessel sink is a classic verdigris, which has been known to represent nobility.

Z Gallerie

Aubergine is a deep brownish purple inspired by the exterior color of an eggplant. I love to see a bold aubergine with gray or turquoise.

The Sky is the Limit Design

Lichen is a murky shade of gray/yellow green, like in this kitchen wall color. Lichen recently received attention as Pantone's top color for fall 2013. This mellow shade of green is inspired by the plant-like fungus that grows in shady spots especially around tree trunks.

Malachite is a vibrant green that is very similar to emerald. The main difference is the undertone of gray, which emerald does not have. Malachite is an earth color that scientifically is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral.

Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

Aureolin is a bright, vivid yellow that's also sometimes referred to as cobalt yellow. Here is aureolin in art and flowers. This sassy shade of yellow looks great with blues and grays.

Harrell Remodeling

Bole is a brownish-red hue that really looks like chocolate to me. I think bole, seen here on the walls, looks great with other neutrals and black.

Laura U, Inc.

Fallow is a tannish brown and is inspired by the light brown fur of a deer's back. This gorgeous shade, selected here for the carpet, pairs well with white and black.

12 Ideas to Make a Great Entrance

Set the right tone for your house right off the bat by creating an entryway that caters to function but speaks to style

By Charmean Neithart: Houzz Contributor 

You get only one chance to make a first impression. That old saying applies to houses as well as people. It doesn't matter if your house is big or small; the entry can set the tone for the full house experience. I may be guilty of being too emotional about houses, but I love the way a house can evoke a feeling. Decorating is my preferred vehicle of expression; much like music or literature, thoughtful design can create a mood.

So picture your entry as the first few notes of a great song or the opening line of a poem. Ensure that it makes a good first impression. Make a statement that will entice guests to look further or will welcome loved ones home. Here's how to say, "Come on in and make yourself at home." 

 

Scott Sanders LLC

Casual is good. Make your house urge guests to come on in and hang their hats. Put them at ease by creating an informal vignette of well-used furniture and a place to hang items like a hat or sweater. This wooden bench with its scratches and patina adds character while creating a sculptural base for a row of hooks.

 

Patrick Sutton Associates

Traditional still really works. Just plain old simple and pretty may be all you need. The caned bench is at the center of the symmetrical vignette shown here — pretty enough to look at, but not too fussy to sit on. Consider hanging a grouping of prints in a pyramid formation to draw the eye up.

 

Crisp Architects

Utility can be nice to look at. If activity is your thing, and your day is about getting to the next thing on time, then just create mission control in the entry. Add color with a bright color, throw down a great rug that can take lots of traffic and include all the things that will allow you to exit the house with ease.

 

ZeroEnergy Design

Yes, we're all so vain. Hang a mirror right in the entry so you can do a last-minute hair check as you run out the door. If you have a small entry, the reflection from the mirror will help expand the area and add the impression of more light.

 

Schwartz and Architecture

Define the space. Does your entry open onto a large room? Create an entry area with bookcases, cabinets or a screen. Open shelves can be used for accessories, keys or family photos.

 

Cecilie Starin Design Inc.

Splurge on a living flower arrangement. Potted orchids or other flowering plants can be pricey, but they last longer than cut flowers. Some orchids if watered properly can last two months or more. They can really make a welcoming statement with color and scale.

 

Haute Design

Three perfect pieces. My favorite entry trio is a fabulous rug, a perfectly scaled console and great lighting. I suggest getting the best rug you can afford for your entry, because nothing warms up a home like a rug. Go bold with lighting and take advantage of three-way lightbulbs for light control during the day and evening.

 

Tony Crisafi / Drex Patterson

Display a collection. Notice the pottery collection front and center on the console. What better way to make a statement than to show guests an area of special interest?

 

Link Architecture, PC

Try this trick for narrow spaces. If you have a narrow entry, consider a wall-mounted piece of furniture. This shelf is just chunky enough to anchor a mirror and provide a display area. Adding textured split-face material on one side is a great way to trick the eye into seeing a larger space than really exists.

 

Katerina Tana Design

Make a color statement. Bold color in small doses can be fun and shocking in an entry. Although I'm not big on color matching, I do think it makes perfect sense here. Find a great rug and create your palette from there; it's much easier than the other way around.

 

Neumann Lewis Buchanan Architects

Place a table right in the middle. This works with all sorts of tables — round, rectangle or square. The entry is a great place for an antique table that's too precious to use every day for meals but perfect for a plant or flower arrangement.

 

Jennifer Weiss Architecture

Get charged up. Electronics are just a fact of life. Embrace cord management with a good-looking charging station right in the entry. This works particularly well for townhouses or lofts with an entry level on the bottom floor and public spaces and bedrooms above.