Have you ever wanted help choosing a perfect paint color but didn’t need a full service designer? Consider calling an interior redesigner. Interior redesigners offer a new type of design service that specializes in adding those finishing touches that make all the difference!

To give you an example of how a redesigner might work with you on your color consultation, here are several techniques I use to help my clients:

1. We choose one or two of your favorite colors already present in the fabrics in your room. If you are starting with an empty room, we establish your new color scheme by looking at completed rooms you love in decorating magazines. You can also take pictures of model home rooms you like or even go online and search websites that show thousands of photos of professionally decorated rooms. The are there for the purpose of giving you ideas for your home.

2. Then we look for paint in matching, paler, deeper or muted versions of those colors. If you choose neutral colors (i.e., wheat, stone, white, etc.), they can flow into adjoining rooms as well.

3. Next we use the paint to create a large, portable "paint chip" by painting a 3’x4’ piece of "Foamcore" board (available in art & craft stores). The reason we do that instead of painting lots of patches of colors on the wall is you need to see the color next to anything major that is staying in the room(s) like the flooring, furniture and artwork. You also need to check the color in low-light and high-light areas of your rooms both at night and during the day.

4. We then simulate that color in your room by using your paint chip as a backdrop for a vignette: I’d arrange an upholstered chair, a side table and a lamp, a plant and a few accessories. I would even hang a small picture on the "wall" to complete the illusion. Live with it for a few days if you are not sure...I recommend living with it even if you are sure!

5. Then, we step back and see what the effect is. It’s a very realistic way for you to see the color. Avoid just using the small color patches on the wall to test as all you can determine is how the color looks next to the others and the original color on the wall, and nothing else. Plus, surrounding colors will throw off your perception of each test color. Use the vignette instead, and if you love how that looks, you’re just about assured of loving the entire room feeling that way!

6. If the color isn’t quite what you want, we can still use that information to make further decisions. You will always know why you don’t like it. For instance, the yellow may have too much olive in it to your eye, so we go back to the paint chips and pick one that moves more towards a true yellow.

Don’t get discouraged if you need to test a few times to get the right color. It doesn’t mean you (or your decorator) have not made good choices to begin with. It may simply mean that the paint chips are not created with real paint but are made with printer ink and so are just a facsimile. In the end, it is worth it to go through the testing process to find the paint color you will love living with.

The best part? Find the perfect wall color for your rooms and your furnishings will feel right at home…and so will you!