There’s a reason so many Portland condos remain stark white or a sandy neutral long after a family moves in. Most people are simply a little afraid to dabble in color. This can be especially true if you’re interested in preserving the mid-century modern style by sticking with a traditional color palette that existed long before your lifetime.
That said, you needn’t go too far out of your comfort zone or risk painting an entire room in order to experiment with color in your home. Choosing a bold accent color or two can transform the look of Portland modern homes and classic architecture alike. Here are a few tips to transform your home interior from bland to bold.
Select a Neutral Base Color
Before you start adding accents willy-nilly, you should start with a neutral base. Naturally, your walls are already painted and your flooring is installed. You probably have plenty of furniture, as well.
That said, you should choose a neutral base color that will set the stage for your intended accents. For example, you might want to go with a warm, sandy wall color if you lean toward warmer colors in general (reds, oranges, and yellows). If you prefer a cooler palette (greens, blues, and purples), a cool base, like a gray, might work better.
Of course, there are also warm purples and cooler reds. However, if you’re just starting out experimenting with color, it’s probably best to stick to the basics before you start branching out.
Understand the Palette
The mid-century modern color palette is rather specific. As with any era or style of design, certain colors and palettes were trending at the time. The colors you find in modern Portland lofts are going to be very different from the mid-century modern palette.
A good way to get a feel for the palette is to do some research. You can not only find suitable palettes online, but you can also look at photos and other media from the time. This will help you to choose accent colors that are ideally suited to your mid-century modern home.
Stray from the Formula
I don’t want to say “forget everything you just read” because there are reasons why design rules exist. Instead, content yourself with bending the rules a bit. These days you needn’t adhere to a strict style guide anymore.
You can mix and match styles and eras to create a unique home interior that is just right for your personal style sensibilities. If you’ve chosen a mid-century modern home in one of many excellent Portland neighborhoods, you might want to stick to tradition on the exterior. When it comes to choosing your interior palette, experiment and have fun with a variety of bold accent colors from any era.