198 INTERIOR FINISHING

Background colors can be utilized to remedy some undesirable
conditions. Where walls are imperfect, light blue, light green,
flesh color, or ivory is recommended; white or lemon-yellow
exaggerates irregularities. In dark rooms, white, flesh, peach, or
yellow is most desirable for the reflecting qualities. A room too
large for the furnishings should usually have walls of warm, ad-
vancing colors. Unless it is dark, a small room should have cool-
colored walls, with ceiling and wood trim to match. A room that
is too high would be improved by a contrasting dado, a contrast-
ing ceiling, or a drop ceiling. Wide horizontal stripes can be
painted on walls that are too high; vertical stripes, on walls that
are too low or too long. The use of painters' tape insures straight
lines. An old room with unrelated textures and cut-up walls can
be unified by covering the wall paper, wood trim, dadoes, cornices,
and fireplace brick with flat washable paint in one subdued but
definite color, such as French blue.

Neutral colors such as white, off-white, gray, beige, brown, and
natural color are good safe colors for backgrounds. Brown or
dark gray should be accompanied by a generous quantity of white
for contrast. Cream and tan are rather commonplace.

Positive, cleary -fresh colors that have been neutralized somewhat
without loss of clarity or character are highly desirable for back-
grounds. Grayed lime, grayed pink, grayed peach, light slate-
blue, light turquoise-blue, sky-blue, sage-green, pale lemon-yellowf
and golden yellow are excellent wall colors, combining easily with
other colors. If every article in a room is exactly right in color,
dark blue-green, clear medium blue, cherry-red, or chartreuse
walls are beautiful. A person who can paint her own walls or can
have them done every year should certainly make use of some
positive colors.

When a color arrangement is planned for a definite room, the
backgrounds and furnishings should be considered together. Usu-
ally the entire scheme is based on the color of a fabric, carpet, or
wall paper which unifies the total effect. This subject is developed
toward the end of Chapter 3. Clear colors should not be chosen
as backgrounds for dingy, shabby furniture. Patterned wall paper
in medium soft tones is most kindly to old possessions as it attracts
attention away from them, even while it blends with them. Such
a background is also kindly to middle-aged figures.