Nothing To Fear When You UseThe “Rule Of Threes” (NAPSA)—Even though neutrals are time-honored favorites, color is making a comeback. If you’re thinking about decorating a room in your home, or just want to add a splash of blue, green or teal to your neutral palette, selecting the right colors can be one of the most intimidating stages of the decorating process. But it doesn’t haveto be. The “Rule Of Threes” One of the easiest ways to begin building a color schemeis by first establishing a primary source of multiple colors for the room. Since it can be the most prominent piece of furniture in a room, your sofa may be a good place to start. Is it multi-colored? If so, then it can serve as the foundation of your color scheme.Ifit is can appear bright and intense a room that youlove. area, but the same color may appear dull when usedscarcely or moods. So, the colors you choose to ple and practical decorating your emotions. For example: red stimulates, empowers and ener- rooms that have a balanced and “A lot of people are intimidated by color, so they gravitate toward Therule can be applied easily to overwhelming,” says Daniels. when used generously in a large a solid color, the color scheme you in a small area. “The ‘Rule of Threes’ is a sim- that you purchase as part of your guideline for anyone who wants to design a color scheme,” says Margi Daniels, ASID, La-Z-Boy design consultant. “It ensures that even novice decorators create of art, new furniture or an area rug. These things serve as focal finished look. And it takes all the worry out of the process.” color scheme. After you have chosen your an existing room or when shopping choose should incorporate that color, as well as complementary colors. Your color source may be a piece that is already in the room or decorating project, such as a piece points from which to build your color source, identify the three major colors and repeat each of those colors throughout the room—onthewalls, in the window treatments, upholstery, accent pil- lows, floor coverings or artwork—a minimum of three times. This is called the “Rule of Threes.” Select your favorite color from the three major colors and use it on main areas of the room, like the walls or carpeting. The two remaining colors will help accent the main color. Be sure to pay attention to the proportions of each color used in the room. Color for new upholstered furniture. A room that currently is decorated in neutral tones of beige, ivory or gray can be brightened simply by using the color schemeasa start- ing point, then painting the walls, adding throw pillows and hanging new curtains, for instance. When shopping for furniture, bring along swatches of fabric, wallpaper or paint. You can then match them to the right style of furniture for your room. Using the “Rule of Threes,” and determining your color scheme at the beginning of the design process, ensures that you will end up with Don’t Be Afraid Of Color Color has the ability to create surround yourself with will affect gizes an area; yellow brightens, cheers and visually expands a space; blue calms, soothes and cools a room. neutrals because they find the process of choosing a color scheme “Following the ‘Rule of Threes’is a great way to get over your fears and create the room of your dreams.” For more information about decorating and home furnishings, call 1-800-MAKE A HOME to receive a free La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings Kit. The kit includes easy-to-follow steps for room planning and decorating, product information, definitions of com- mon homefurnishings terms, a grid and ready-made furniture templates so you can develop your own floor plan. For more decorating ideas, visit La-Z-Boy’s Web site at www.lazboy.com.
