Janice Blake, Contributor

Mona Estate - Contributed photos

When I drive around these days I find that more and more people are really displaying their sense of adventure through colourful schemes for their homes - on the outside as well as on the inside. Some are dramatic, others subtle. The great thing is, adding colour is not an expensive venture, and it has the ability to transform a space, even makingexisting furniture look like they are brand new!

Colour plays an important role in interior décor and design once design goals are set. Is it to create a mood? Do you want a space to look bigger, or smaller, ceilings higher or lower? Do you want to turn up the heat, or cool it down? These are some of the magical ways colour works. Other important roles are:

Creating focal points or

divert attention

Bring a space together

Break up and define a space

Set emotional tone or ambience.

The projects featured in this article were done by EcinaJa Lifestyle Consultants, whose goal it was, to bring colour into these spaces, along with balance, rhythm, emphasis, harmony and scale with each customer's existing furniture and décor as best as possible.

Take a look at some of the colour choices made in the pictures on this page.

Calabar Mews - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

The owners of the estate in Smokey Vale wanted to bring a warm energetic mood in the dining area; making it a place for conversation and lightheartedness while dining with friends and family.

On the other hand, the owner of this estate in Mona created a focal wall which draws attention to the painting hung in this living room. Warm hues with lower intensity help to create a cosy retreat.

At Calabar Mews, the intention was to make a small space feel larger by using muted tones in the living room, flowing up the stairway. Bold colours were used upstairs in the hallway to create drama.

A light shade of purple coupled with chocolate brown drapery and wall accents make this bedroom a cool retreat.

Colour and Mood

Red, yellow and orange - lighten the mood; increase energy, are associated with warmth, heat and activity, bring an intimate feel to a space. Loved by extroverts!

Blue, green, purple - balance and refresh; have a cool, relaxing effect; create an illusion of distance; calm and restore; serenity

Brown,beige, grey, white - unify spaces; good for use on woodwork and trimming; used for cooling down warm colours.

Email: janiceblake@ecinaja.com