This post is sponsored and contributed by Amelia Vallone Interiors by Decorating Den, a Patch Brand Partner.

Home & Garden

The Reston-Great Falls Interior Design Corner

The Art of Color: How to Choose the Perfect Paint Palette

Amelia Vallone Interiors by Decorating Den's profile picture
Amelia Vallone Interiors by Decorating Den, Brand Partner
|
An elegant transitional dining room characterized by clean lines and a palette of earth tones. The deliberate omission of a rug emphasizes the refined grain of the natural wood flooring. Decorating Den Interiors Dream Room)
An elegant transitional dining room characterized by clean lines and a palette of earth tones. The deliberate omission of a rug emphasizes the refined grain of the natural wood flooring. Decorating Den Interiors Dream Room) (Amelia Vallone Logan)

This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.

Welcome to the Reston–Great Falls Interior Design Corner

Each month, the Reston–Great Falls Interior Design Corner will be featured in The Reston, Oakton, Vienna, and McLean Patch. These articles are dedicated to making home improvement projects more enjoyable, efficient, and less stressful—while helping you avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes.


The Power of Color in Interior Design

The difference between a good design and a great design often lies in the use of color. Like the air we breathe, color surrounds us, filling our lives with energy and influencing our moods and emotions—often in ways we do not consciously realize.

The way colors are combined in a space can make us feel relaxed, anxious, or energized. Color is one of the most flexible and impactful tools in a designer’s arsenal. Regardless of budget, it can create dramatic effects and transform a room instantly. Conversely, even the most luxurious materials—such as fine marble or exquisite textiles—can appear discordant or unattractive if paired with an unsuitable color palette.


The Subtle Complexity of Paint Undertones

White paint may appear simple, but it is rarely pure white. Most shades carry undertones of yellow, gray, blue, green, or red—delicate shifts that can determine whether a space feels harmonious or disjointed.

Figures 1–3 illustrate how the right choice of white establishes balance within a room. In each example, the selected paint interacts seamlessly with the surrounding palette, architectural style, and natural or artificial lighting. This interplay ensures that the design feels cohesive and intentional, rather than flat or sterile.

These spaces also reveal the power of contrast. Stronger contrasts can create drama and sophistication, while softer contrasts bring a sense of calm and warmth. In one case, the same paint color appears strikingly different in two rooms with different orientations, highlighting how natural light can completely transform the perception of color.

In one case, the identical paint color presents an entirely different appearance in two rooms with distinct orientations, demonstrating the profound influence of natural light on color perception.

Ultimately, the selection of paint color should be regarded not as a minor detail, but as a decisive design element. It shapes the mood, atmosphere, and visual unity of an interior, underscoring its significance in the overall success of a design.

Figure 1: An elegant dining room with furniture, lighting and wall colors were carefully selected to create warmth. The absence of a rug highlights the wood floor’s grain. The same accent paint shifts in appearance depending on room orientation and natural light. (Decorating Den Interiors Dream Room)

Why Choosing the Right Color Matters

Color is one of the most complex and critical elements in interior design. Striking the right balance can make or break your color scheme.

Figure 2 shows a living room in a neutral palette with soft lavender accents. The wall paint, though similar to that in Figure 1, carries different undertones. Metallic champagne finishes and restrained use of darker tones add subtle contrast without overwhelming the space. (Decorating Den Interiors preferred supplier image)

Over the coming months, I will address essential principles for creating a harmonious palette. These principles draw upon both color psychology and professional design methodology.

Clients often approach me with two recurring requests:

  • “I want to bring some color into the room.” This usually reflects a space that feels monotonous or visually flat, often resolved with thoughtfully chosen accent colors.
  • “I just need to pull the room together.” This suggests an underlying lack of balance or cohesion—a more complex challenge that may require a comprehensive redesign of the color scheme.

My goal is to help you create your ideal color scheme that is not only visually appealing but also personally meaningful and enhances the architectural context of your home. Lighting conditions and personal experiences shape how we perceive color. A shade that is fashionable might still be wrong for you if it triggers negative associations.

Where Color Lives in a Room

Colors exist in multiple design elements, each carrying different visual weight:

  • Walls and Ceilings – These occupy the largest surface area and set the mood for the entire space. Paint, wallpaper, tile, or stone become the backdrop of the design.
  • Floors – Flooring materials reflect and absorb light differently. Glossy hardwood, matte planks, carpet, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), or porcelain tile each alter how wall colors appear.

When selecting wall colors, consider their interaction with light, flooring, and surrounding materials.

Figure 3: A modern country–style family room featuring contemporary leather furniture, a dark wood floor, and a wood ceiling with exposed beams. Crisp white walls provide contrast, while the saddle-toned leather sofa and warm wood ceiling infuse the space with comfort and warmth. (Decorating Den Interiors preferred supplier image)

Frequent Color Selection Mistakes

A number of costly errors occur when color choices are made without adequate planning or professional guidance. Common pitfalls include:

  • Selecting a color solely because it was appealing in a friend’s home.
  • Reapplying a color from a previous residence without testing it in the new environment.
  • Selecting a paint color before upgrading or adjusting lighting.
  • Attempting to replicate a color from a magazine without considering light, scale, and context.
  • Making last-minute selections under contractor pressure.
  • Substituting a designer-specified color with a lower-cost alternative without testing the results.
  • Forgoing professional consultation to save money—only to incur greater expense correcting unsatisfactory results.

Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing Paint Colors

  1. Room Orientation – The direction a room faces affects how natural light changes throughout the day.
  2. Lighting – Both natural and artificial light dramatically influence how colors appear.
  3. Personal Reactions – Consider how each color makes you feel, and avoid those that trigger negative associations.
  4. Testing – Always sample colors in the actual space before committing.

Investing in Professional Expertise

Selecting the perfect paint color is a nuanced process. Done well, it enhances the beauty and value of your home. Done poorly, it can result in costly repaints and lingering dissatisfaction.

A professional color consultation ensures selections are harmonious, suited to the home’s architecture, and tailored to your lifestyle and preferences.

Allow us to assist you in creating a home that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant—one carefully chosen color at a time.

Contact Amelia Vallone Interiors

Stay inspired—subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive interior design tips and ideas to transform your home.

Newsletters

Newsletter Archive

Discover more inspiration by browsing our previous Reston–Great Falls Interior Design Corner articles. Have a topic in mind? Email your suggestions to ameliavinteriors@decoratingden.com—I’d love to feature them in future editions

The Reston-Great Falls Interior Design Corner- Previous Articles

Join us at Amelia Vallone Interiors for complimentary events—both virtual and in-person—on color trends, window treatments, bathroom design, and more! Click here to view our schedule and check the Patch Calendar for details.

Amelia Vallone Logan, Ph. D.
Interior Designer
ASID Allied Member

Follow us on social media

Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube

This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.

This post is sponsored and contributed by Amelia Vallone Interiors by Decorating Den, a Patch Brand Partner.

More from McLean