Soft focus

Color is always a useful decorating tool, but it also has a role to play in defining key architectural elements, as this project illustrates.

The vacation house, designed by architect Jim McCalligan, features a large great room with windows capturing extensive country and ocean views. To enhance the sense of openness, the ceiling follows the lines of a concentric, vaulted hip roof. It also features a continuous soffit, edged with cherry wood.

The underside of the soffit is painted in a soft olive green shade, custom mixed by Kelly-Moore paints. The main walls and ceiling in the great room, and elsewhere in the house, are a custom off-white shade with a hint of green also a custom mix by Kelly-Moore paints.

"The two-tone scheme creates a definition between the different ceiling elements," says McCalligan. "It helps accentuate the architectural features and adds visual depth. The darker shade has the effect of bringing the soffits forward, while the lighter color makes the walls disappear into the background which is an appropriate way to frame the view."

The architect says the colors also balance the richness of the cherry wood edging and beams. A darker olive shade from Kelly-Moore features on some door jambs, and on the baseboards, where it complements a light bamboo floor.

McCalligan says he frequently chooses Kelly-Moore paints for his projects.

"I can always get the exact shades, and the staff are very helpful and accommodating when I need a particular sample," he says.

For information on Kelly-Moore colors and paint types, contact Kelly-Moore Paint Company, freephone 1 888 KM Color (562 6567). Website: www.kellymoore.com. To contact architect Jim McCalligan, phone (707) 578 4525.

Story by: Trendsideas