Warm vs. Cool Colors: What’s Your Stenciling Preference?

Cutting Edge Stencils Shares Some Basics on Warm and Cool Colors

Welcome back, my stencil lovin’ color enthusiasts!  Cutting Edge Stencils wants you to take a good look around your house and let us know which colors you see on your walls.  Do you see mostly reds and oranges or are you spotting blues and greens?  Or do you have a house full of beige because you’re totally scared to select any color?  Have no fear my color loving friends!  Today we’re going to go over some color basics and show you two awesome stenciled dining rooms using completely different color palettes.  Both spaces are stunning but one was done in a cool gray while the other one was painted in a warm gold.  Now before you pick your favorite, lets go over a few things…

What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter?

In the very simplest terms, warm colors are lively while cool colors are more calming and relaxing. Warm colors are typically reds, oranges, beiges and yellows while cool colors are typically blues, greens, greys and violets.  Easy enough, right? If you’re more of a visual person then this awesome color wheel says it all.  The colors on the left are considered cool while the colors on the right are considered warm.

Image found here.

So knowing the difference between a warm color and a cool color can help you choose color combinations more confidently.  It’s also best to choose a side and stick with it. So if you’re looking to create a warm and inviting space then choose colors from the warm side and keep to the palette.  Unless you’re going for a funky and fresh look, try not to mix warm and cool hues. Got it? Good!  OK, now let’s take a look at those two dining rooms we were telling you about.

Meet Kerri, the crafty DIYer blogging about everyday life over at Life After the Army.  She and her husband recently purchased a new home and have been renovating one room at a time.  She started with an off-white dining room that had a chair rail, crown moulding, tray ceiling, and a light.  Kerri had a vision for her new dining room and it involved a cool color palette and a gorgeous damask stencil.  Her husband, Justin,  painted the room a medium-tone gray similar to Benjamin Moore’s cinder AF-705.   It is a fashionable neutral that is great to use as a base for a stencil. Then he stenciled the Anna Damask pattern in a color similar to Benjamin Moore’s chantilly lace 2121-70. Let me stop for a minute so you can pick your jaw up off the ground!  It’s an absolutely stunning dining room!

I’m sure you’re thinking this gray dining room looks huge, right?  Well it might be but Kerri selected colors that expand her space.  Cool colors are known for making a space appear larger.  They’re also known for their calming and soothing qualities.  We can just picture her tranquil family dinners in her stenciled space.

Does that cool color combination have you craving warmer climates? Then you might prefer warmer colors.  Let me introduce you to the masterminds behind, Luxe Walls Carl and Beth.  Carl was contacted by a couple, who had painted their dining room metallic gold and black.  It was pretty, but it lacked something.  The homeowners liked the look of wallpaper but were worried about the ease of changing it in years to come.  Carl suggested they look at an allover stencil pattern.  They fell in love with the Verde Damask stencil pattern.  For the base coat, Carl left the metallic gold paint (the color is similar to Benjamin Moore’s morgan hill 189).  Its warm, orange tone provided the inviting and cozy feeling that the homeowners were seeking.  Carl then stenciled the damask pattern in Faux Effects Setcoat royal taupe.  It’s a smoky, seductive shade of brown that worked well with the base color.  The stenciled color combination is just gorgeous, isn’t it?  We sure think so!

Which dining room do you prefer: the cool gray Anna Damask or the warm golden Verde Damask? We’d love to read thoughts in the comments below!

Can’t get enough stencil fun?

• Shop our stencil designs and find the perfect stencil for your dining room project!
• Follow us on Pinterest and Instagram to see awesome inspirational photos!
• Have you completed a stencil project? Come share it on Facebook!

Thanks for reading, and happy stenciling!
Michelle and the Cutting Edge Stencils Crew