Confused on what fabrics to choose for that sofa or headboard you've been eying? Loosing sleep over color schemes? Too many shades of white driving you bonkers?
Here's a simple tip....pick something that looks great with your skin tone. If you have olive complexion...you wouldn't wear a beige shirt. And if you were a redhead...I'm hoping you don't have shades of pink collecting in your closet.
I follow the same strategy in picking our upholstery for clients, as I would in advising on their wardrobe. Subconsciously (and consciously for many) fabrics that compliment your skin tone will make you feel at ease with your space....not to mention make you look great while you hold court on your sofa at a dinner party.
So, let's begin. First...
Determine Your Skin Tone
People and skin tones can be divided into "seasons," depending on their skin tone. So, let's figure out which season most accurately describes your complexion.
"Winter" complexions have blue or pink undertones. Skin can be pale white, yellowish-olive, or dark. Winter people are generally brunettes, with deeply colored eyes. Many Asians and African Americans fall into this category.
"Summer" complexions, like Winter complexions, have blue or pink undertones. Skin is pale and pink. Summers are often natural blondes or brunettes with pale eyes.
"Autumn" complexions have golden undertones. Many redheads and brunettes with golden brown eyes fall into this category.
"Spring" complexions have golden undertones and are usually creamy white or peach. Spring people generally have straw-colored or strawberry red hair, freckles, rosy cheeks, and blue or green eyes.
SELECT FABRICS TO FLATTER YOUR SKIN TONE.
"Winter" should wear colors that are sharp, stark and clear. White, black, navy blue, red and shocking pink all go well with winter complexions. For lighter colors, wear icy tones rather than pastels. Avoid subdued tones like beige, orange and gold.
"Summers" should choose pastels and soft neutrals with rose and blue undertones. Lavender, plum, rose-brown and soft blue suit summers well while black and orange do not.
"Autumns" should select colors with golden undertones, like camel, beige, orange, gold and dark brown. Avoid colors with blue tones, like navy.
"Springs" can wear warm colors like camel, peach, golden yellow and golden brown. Avoid dark, dull colors.
Tips: It may be complicated to discriminate Summer from Winter, and Autumn from Spring. Remember that winters are typically brunettes while Summers may be natural blondes. Springs often have pale eyes while Autumns have darker eyes.
