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FURNISHINGS : Don’t Be Afraid to Show True Colors When Decorating

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In the area of home design, the ‘90s might well be dubbed the Decade for Darwinism: Only the strong shall survive, reports Better Homes and Gardens Window & Wall Ideas magazine.

This holds especially true in the arena of color--one of the most crucial decorating elements.

With the home furnishings market up to its chair rails in newfangled products, fancy paint works, and a seemingly endless number of styles and ambiences, there’s little room for the timid or insipid.

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Playing it safe with neutrals or minimal color may well mean playing to an empty house: The audience’s attention is being riveted to rooms infused with brilliant color.

Using color with confidence doesn’t have to mean going from conservative beige and off-whites to rooms that are revitalized entirely in red, however.

The world of color can be entered with steps, not just leaps. Here are some suggestions for starters:

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* Begin small, injecting shots of bold color with folk art, quilts, throw pillows, or area rugs.

* For maximum impact that won’t strain the budget, paint entire walls a solid color of choice.

* Decide what emotional effect the family wants. Color magically communicates with us on a physical and emotional level, influencing not only the overall look of a room, but also the moods of the people within it.

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Everyone responds to specific colors differently. To some, bold red may be energizing; to others, it’s simply nerve-jangling. Some people may think of blue as cool and calming, but certain shades can be electrifying, too.

Yellow is usually thought of as a warm color, but it also invigorates, bolstering sagging spirits like sunshine. Generally speaking, bright hues fight “blue moods,” while neutrals soothe the spirit.

Because the primary colors--red, yellow, and blue--are color in its purest form, they have the greatest emotional impact. Primary yellow, for example, creates a stronger sense of happiness and cheer than a yellow tone that’s diluted with white.

* Remember, too, that different moods are desirable in different rooms: A quiet study or sitting room calls for one mood, a game or dining room another. Choose the color accordingly.

* White underscores every other color used in a room, so be sure to use its character judiciously.

* Consider natural and artificial lighting. Incandescent light tends to warm a space, while fluorescents visually cool it down.

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