I Want Color To PoP (Tart)!

I'm sure you've heard people say, “I want a color that pops!” and I'm sure you've said it a thousand times yourself. I know I have. So what exactly happens when color “pops”? Let's talk.

Color that pops is just referring to a visual and not a sound of course. Pop is just when you can see a high contrast between two colors and this can be seen in my Peppermint Patty post on dark brown and white.

Looking at the Pop Tart, the prop of choice today, you can see some neutral tans and a navy. So where's the pop? The pop comes in when you add white. See the high contrast? It's almost like looking at black and white.

So how do you work these contrasting colors in your home? Easy! If you're working with a dark color such as the red seen in this picture, make sure you have a bright white ceiling, white columns, trim or chair rail and there you'll get your “pop” of color.

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Now this is a nice example. Here you have a black wall next to white which of course will pop but look at the bright green door? Is that a dark color? No. So here you have it - not only will dark colors pop with white but bright bold colors will also.

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Hope you enjoyed a little information on color that pops. If you need help with your popping colors, I'd be happy to help. Donna Frasca, Color Specialist in Charlotte.

How To Work With Bright Color

How do I use bright color?

I was looking at this picture and was wondering how to incorporate these peppers into a color scheme for the home. 

If you have a strong color you love by all means use it but just as accessories to start. I was thinking if it were used as wall color, it may be a bit too much. Here's what I've found in the very colorful Crate & Barrel store:

Like strong color? 

Try it on bedding and sleep on it. You can decide in the morning if you like it.

For a small splash of color, small accessories are perfect for big color choices.

Getting a little more daring with a curtain of color!

Subtle bits of color really soaks up the look!

Look at all this fabulous color I found in about 5 seconds flat! That's the thing I love about Crate & Barrel. You can find amazing color without getting gaudy or tacky. Sometimes it's hard to combine the two.

Now getting back to bright color. We may love the color but sometimes, even for me, the color may be just too bright. So when you find a color you love, where is the best place to put it? Will you tire of it in the bedroom? Can a color this bright be relaxing enough for a bedroom?

I'm not sure if I'd put a hue this bright in a bedroom  - at least not for a main wall color. However, look how nice it is just on the bedding and even in the rug. I suppose if you're a teen girl this would be perfect but for the most part, a more subdued color would be best.

So to recap, if you like a really bold color and you're not sure where to put it, take it in baby steps, one step at a time and in small doses until you feel comfortable with it.

Chocolate Lovers' Series: Peppermint Patty

Black and white. Opposites. Dramatic. Classic. Sharp. Striking. Beautiful and any other word you can describe these two colors that can be seen in the Peppermint Patty.

Actually, it's not exactly black but a very dark brown, almost black which is just as striking. So today, I'm talking high contrast color.

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How perfect is this bedding to capture the Peppermint Patty look?

This color scheme is beautiful for bedding but would you put such a dark hue on your wall? Black/brown is trending well as main wall color somewhere I'm sure - I personally prefer to use it in accessories instead of wall color or

… with furniture …

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… with fabric …

Schumacher

… with texture …

… and art …

Fine Art America

and of course, great color …

Like these Sherwin Williams colors? Try

Andrion and Incredible White