Does Your Home Need a Colour Consultant?
Engaging a colour consultant could be one of the smartest moves you make, to help your home to look its best
Janet Dunn
24 May 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former NZ House&Garden writer and stylist, and avid interior design enthusiast. Ex-restaurateur and caterer, with a Professional Certificate in Gastronomy, University of Adelaide.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former NZ House&Garden writer and stylist, and avid... More
As exciting as building or enhancing your home is, an avalanche of decisions can lead to choice overload. As a result, you may find yourself floundering in a sea of uncertainty and frustration, with sometimes costly or disappointing results. A big part of most decorating decisions is the question of colour. Colour consultants Judith Briggs from Colour Consultants Australia, Jacquelene Symond of The Colour Agency, and Jennifer French of Inside Out Colour and Design reveal how they use colour to bring harmony to their clients’ homes.
What does a colour consultant do?
“When people think of a colour consultant, they are usually just thinking paint colours,” says Briggs. “But paint colours interact with many other factors: tiles, timber, floors, sofas, window coverings, and more. I look at all these, plus the style of the property, how it’s affected by light, and other factors that may interfere, as well as the client’s personal style and preferences and their lifestyle needs, before I formulate a colour scheme.”
“When people think of a colour consultant, they are usually just thinking paint colours,” says Briggs. “But paint colours interact with many other factors: tiles, timber, floors, sofas, window coverings, and more. I look at all these, plus the style of the property, how it’s affected by light, and other factors that may interfere, as well as the client’s personal style and preferences and their lifestyle needs, before I formulate a colour scheme.”
Tailoring a colour strategy unique to a client’s needs is how Symond describes her role. “My clients engage me specifically for colour recommendations, both interior and exterior,” she says. “This can be anything from paint, carpet and benchtops to cabinetry, carpets, curtains, and basic soft furnishings. For exteriors, it may be paint, paving, cladding and other exterior materials.”
“The colours on the exterior of our homes greatly affect its real estate value,” adds Briggs. “It’s the first impression people get from the street.”
“The colours on the exterior of our homes greatly affect its real estate value,” adds Briggs. “It’s the first impression people get from the street.”
By using her trained eye to assess clients’ home environments, and after extensive discussions, French says she can then guide clients to colours that all work together, with nothing jarring. She builds a colour scheme based on client preferences, their reactions to certain colours, existing materials and, most importantly, the homeowner’s personality.
Create a spot on colour scheme
Create a spot on colour scheme
What skills does a colour consultant have?
Our consultants are all diploma graduates of the International School of Colour and Design. Briggs is national president of The Colour Society of Australia. Symond is also an Associate Member of the International Association of Colour Consultants – North America, and is the only accredited member residing in Australia.
Our consultants are all diploma graduates of the International School of Colour and Design. Briggs is national president of The Colour Society of Australia. Symond is also an Associate Member of the International Association of Colour Consultants – North America, and is the only accredited member residing in Australia.
Something our experts have in spades is passion for their chosen profession. “The more I delve into the use of colour, the more I learn and the more passionate I become about it,” says Symond. “During my training, I found I had a good colour ‘memory’ and a passion for learning about colour psychology. I’m currently studying with a view to researching in that field.”
Briggs has always been fascinated with colour. She says she wants people to experience the joy of colour, and be inspired to have more of it in their lives. The author of Bye Bye Bland: How to Create Sensational Spaces Using Colour, Briggs says her mission is to help people get in touch with their colour personality and embrace colour with confidence.
Why is colour so important to us?
“Everything in our homes has a colour,” says Briggs. “Colour is a subconscious language, an integral part of design, although its impact is underestimated – nothing transforms a space like colour. It brings value to our physical and mental wellbeing, as well as aesthetically. We see with our brains as well as our eyes, and colour lifts our mood, energises or relaxes us and it expresses personality.”
Mood-boosting colours for your home
“Everything in our homes has a colour,” says Briggs. “Colour is a subconscious language, an integral part of design, although its impact is underestimated – nothing transforms a space like colour. It brings value to our physical and mental wellbeing, as well as aesthetically. We see with our brains as well as our eyes, and colour lifts our mood, energises or relaxes us and it expresses personality.”
Mood-boosting colours for your home
“For me, there’s no life without colour, and the human response to it is a fascinating subject,” says Symond. “Colour is the first thing we see and it’s a critical factor in creating mood, image and a productive atmosphere that can elicit a positive or negative response.”
In French’s eyes, we are only comfortable when surrounded by colours we love. “We all respond differently to colours, so finding the right colour that gets the right response is imperative for a comfortable home.”
In French’s eyes, we are only comfortable when surrounded by colours we love. “We all respond differently to colours, so finding the right colour that gets the right response is imperative for a comfortable home.”
What’s the process for a colour consultation?
Briggs says she never just gives her clients some colours. “Every project is unique. I assess a client’s personality, likes and dislikes, lifestyle, as well as all the physical aspects of the home.”
Once she has formulated a colour scheme, Briggs provides samples and a detailed specification report the client can then hand to their painter or builder. Although many projects start as simply paint colour advice, they often extend to a full decorating service, involving sourcing products and shopping excursions with clients.
Briggs says she never just gives her clients some colours. “Every project is unique. I assess a client’s personality, likes and dislikes, lifestyle, as well as all the physical aspects of the home.”
Once she has formulated a colour scheme, Briggs provides samples and a detailed specification report the client can then hand to their painter or builder. Although many projects start as simply paint colour advice, they often extend to a full decorating service, involving sourcing products and shopping excursions with clients.
Getting to know a lot about a client is crucial to Symond’s process. “The personality of the client always affects the advice I give. When we have briefings, I ask about things like colour preferences, and the mood and feel they’d like the space to have.”
Symond meets a range of clients, from “ones scared to use anything but white, to those crazy about colour,” she says. Her favourites are the clients who have prepared for the project by offering something – maybe a cushion or a piece of artwork – that they like. “It helps get an insight into their character and what they are looking for.”
Symond meets a range of clients, from “ones scared to use anything but white, to those crazy about colour,” she says. Her favourites are the clients who have prepared for the project by offering something – maybe a cushion or a piece of artwork – that they like. “It helps get an insight into their character and what they are looking for.”
Do colour trends influence your advice?
Although personality makes every client unique, colour trends sometimes have a bearing on choices, so our consultants keep their fingers on the pulse. Says Briggs, “Over time, we get tired of the same colours and seek change. As colour consultants, we are early adapters of trends and can introduce new ideas for clients to consider. But really, it’s the element of personality that informs the advice, rather than a colour’s current popularity.”
Key colours for 2016
Although personality makes every client unique, colour trends sometimes have a bearing on choices, so our consultants keep their fingers on the pulse. Says Briggs, “Over time, we get tired of the same colours and seek change. As colour consultants, we are early adapters of trends and can introduce new ideas for clients to consider. But really, it’s the element of personality that informs the advice, rather than a colour’s current popularity.”
Key colours for 2016
French says her clients usually don’t want or need to jump on every colour trend, but says what’s in fashion can affect what is available. “With grey rather than beige being today’s popular neutral, there’s a much wider choice of accessories and materials geared to a grey palette.”
“I’ll use the latest colour trend if requested,” says Symond, “but I focus on the client’s uniqueness and my assessment of their personal style.” When asked by Houzz to bet on the 2016 Pantone Colour of the Year, (which turned out to be two, Rose Quartz and Serenity), Symond says, “I managed to get one right!” Read Symond’s advice on using these shades.
“I’ll use the latest colour trend if requested,” says Symond, “but I focus on the client’s uniqueness and my assessment of their personal style.” When asked by Houzz to bet on the 2016 Pantone Colour of the Year, (which turned out to be two, Rose Quartz and Serenity), Symond says, “I managed to get one right!” Read Symond’s advice on using these shades.
When should a homeowner call in a consultant?
“The earlier the better,” was the general response to this question. In a new build, once the client has already chosen some finishes, Briggs says she has to work around them. “This can restrict what the rest of the colours will be. If we consult early, we don’t find ourselves backed into a corner later in the project.”
French advises early colour consultations to ensure coordination of all components, exterior and interior, and to give clients peace of mind and confidence in the end result. “Some councils require external colours when a Development Application is submitted,” she adds.
“The earlier the better,” was the general response to this question. In a new build, once the client has already chosen some finishes, Briggs says she has to work around them. “This can restrict what the rest of the colours will be. If we consult early, we don’t find ourselves backed into a corner later in the project.”
French advises early colour consultations to ensure coordination of all components, exterior and interior, and to give clients peace of mind and confidence in the end result. “Some councils require external colours when a Development Application is submitted,” she adds.
Being a colour consultant seems like a fabulous job – is it?
As much as she loves her job, Briggs says it’s not as glamorous as people think. “I’m often walking through rubble or up a ladder – I keep a pair of boots in the car!” A happy client is French’s greatest satisfaction. “I love my job,” she says. “It’s so rewarding to have a client run with my suggestions and be thrilled with the result.”
Symond is passionate about her world of colour, “except when a painter used a cheap paint,” she says. “He tried to mix his own colour and painted a client’s house pink!”
TELL US
Have you used a colour consultant? Share your experience in the Comments.
MORE
Is Colour Setting the Right Tone in Your Home?
5 Fool-Proof Steps to a Spot On Colour Scheme
Gorgeous Exterior House Colours That Break the Rules
As much as she loves her job, Briggs says it’s not as glamorous as people think. “I’m often walking through rubble or up a ladder – I keep a pair of boots in the car!” A happy client is French’s greatest satisfaction. “I love my job,” she says. “It’s so rewarding to have a client run with my suggestions and be thrilled with the result.”
Symond is passionate about her world of colour, “except when a painter used a cheap paint,” she says. “He tried to mix his own colour and painted a client’s house pink!”
TELL US
Have you used a colour consultant? Share your experience in the Comments.
MORE
Is Colour Setting the Right Tone in Your Home?
5 Fool-Proof Steps to a Spot On Colour Scheme
Gorgeous Exterior House Colours That Break the Rules
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To my eyes - with the possible exceptions of photos 1 and 3 - all these look designed for punchy magazine shoots and not at all welcoming or relaxing, which is how I want my home to be.
Hi Maudiej, we all resonate with different colour tones. What is exciting or enjoyable for one person maybe jarring for another. That's why it's important to know your colour personality so you can create the right ambience for you. If you want to know more about this, I written a book about it. See more at www.judithbriggs.com
Thank you for including Grace Blu in this article.