Color Selection
Early on in our renovation process, the committee made the decision to use a professional interior designer for color selection in various pieces of our renovation. It turns out, that was a great decision. We’re working primarily with Lee, a designer on staff at Carmina Wood Morris. She came and walked around our facility, snapping photos of existing carpet, paint, furniture and other décor. Before we get to the color scheme, here’s what she had to say about why she chose these colors:
Selecting color is rarely a solitary action, in itself color is reflective and dependent on the colors, materials and lighting that surrounds it.
Careful consideration of all the materials and colors that would impact the new color scheme for the sanctuary was taken into account before presenting a new color palette for review. We wanted the new paint to highlight existing architectural details such as the wood ceiling, stained glass and plaster fins flanking the Altar.
The warm colors reflected in the wood tone of the ceiling as well as the pews and the variegated slightly cooler grays, beiges and mauves found in the brick, lead us to seek out a soft color that was in contrast to these tones, yet complementary in hue. We also took inspiration from the colors found in the stained glass, translating those colors into a “watercolor” version of the blue/green.
Ideally the new paint colors would stand alone in contrast to the surrounding palette-focusing one’s gaze forward to the Altar, while also providing a soft background for contemplative thought and prayer.
After meeting with Lee and exploring one alternate option, we quickly realized her first choice was what we wanted to go with. We like the rationale and it just feels right. We hope you like it as well! Hallways and “public” spaces will be done in three different colors. The worship center will have six total colors, five in the blue family and one in the tan. The tan in the worship center is the same tan found in the hallways, thus tying the spaces together.
Please note that the colors you see on screen will vary slightly with the actual paint choices. Printed copies will tend to be darker than the actual paint as well. Without further verbiage then, here are the pictures:
The darkest blue/green is on the wall with the cross and the paint gets lighter with each successive column as you move away from the center.
The blue along the ledge connects the back to the front. The tan along the back compliments the organ and ties the paint job into the hallways scheme.
One view of the lobby area.
Another shot of the lobby. Columns will be in the darkest tan. Most hallways and walls will be in the lightest tan, with a middle tan as accent on sections facing down.
The hallway colors will also connect nicely with the color selection in the Hall of Joy.
So, what do you think? Let us know in the comments!
August 26th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
LOVE IT. I am so excited about this direction, especially in the sanctuary. Thanks, Renovations Committee for thinking outside the box.
August 27th, 2009 at 5:57 am
Thanks for your comments Sue. We looked at several schemes and all agreed this one was the best of the best.
August 27th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Jason, thank you for the great post and the overall reationale of how we arrived at this color scheme. It is very helpful for folks to be aware of the processes and methodology we use in our various decision making and evaluation efforts.
August 27th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Hey, just to clarify about the color of the ceiling in the narthex area. Even though in this photo it looks light blue, the ceiling is actually white. right?
August 29th, 2009 at 6:46 am
I was wondering that too, Marsha. The colors are really hard to discern on the computer – at least on my screen. I appreciate the descriptions for each picture.
I’m also wondering what was discussed in the way of lighting for the sanctuary. Current lighting is still somewhat dim and I would think that would be a concern/discussion point when talking color.
August 30th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Marsha and Eric, thanks for asking about the color of the ceilings. The pictures on the site are somewhat affected because they were computer enhanced. Tim has confirmed that the ceilings will remain the current color.
August 30th, 2009 at 4:36 am
Eric stated current lighting “still somewhat dim”. It was not really discussed when the designer presented the scheme. She did not mention it.
Hopefully, it is actually brighter in the last year or so, especially now. We replaced all the bulbs for the altar; changed the cove lighting to high intensity florescents; and last week we cleaned the outside of the stained glass and completed their replacement of the faded, yellowed coverings with clear plexiglas.
Not sure what the next alternative might be except theater lighting for special events/broadcasting BUT that is a whole nuther level of ministry.
September 24th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Why do the colors in the chancel have to be changed? What are we trying to accomplish? The present white has always made the chancel look bright and airy and compliments the darker shades of brown in the wood and bricks of the building. I don’t like to be negative, but I personally do not like the blue color in the chancel. I was on the building committee when the church was built in 1964. Part of the beauty of the chancel is the stained glass windows and the rainbow of colors reflected on the vertical pillars when the sun shines in the morning. I’m afraid that effect will be lost on a blue background. Also, the apparently darker hue of blue on the surface behind the cross tends to diminish the prominence of the cross. The blue also may clash with the red and green of the paraments, and particularly with the colors of the flags draped on the face of the balcony. If you want the blue have it be the lightest shade possible. Just my humble opinion.
September 28th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Paul, thanks for your questions and comments about the color selections for the interior painting. As you can see from the commentary accompanying the pictures we posted, we as a committee wanted to be sure we were choosing colors that would enhance the whole interior. This was why we used a professional interior designer. We will certainly discuss your concerns at our next meeting and we do appreciate your comments. In response to your concern about diminishing the prominence of the cross, we are looking at back lighting around the cross. We have also been working hard on replacing the current screen that obstructs the view of the cross.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:16 am
[...] been about a month since we posted the new color scheme for our facility, both here on the The Lord Builds and in the lobby. We’re just about ready to begin painting [...]
October 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Is there going to be new carpeting? I just wondered how the new color scheme will match the existing carpeting.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Lynn, Good question on carpet colors. We have no current plans to replace any carpeting. The interior designer who worked on the paint colors took care to make sure that the colors would enhance all the natural materials in the church as well as the existing carpeting.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Can someone be more specific about the replacement of the screen? It was looked at a few years ago and it was decided that the only option was 2 much smaller screens on the sides. I would hate to lose the current size of the screen, some of the work done on the presentations is amazing and it would be difficult to continue with this if the screens were to shrink considerably.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Joe,
Good question about the screen. I’ve just realized we haven’t posted anything about that project yet, so I’ll put up a post in the next day or two with all the details and discussion we’ve had around it. I’ll shoot you an email when the info is up.
October 9th, 2009 at 9:40 am
For anyone else wondering about it, the post about the projection system is now up.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I love the new colors in the Sanctuary. They are very warm and soothing. I never gave the screen much thought until the new colors but I can see the point about not seeing the cross and that IS important since that is the reason we are there. I know the committee will come up with the best solution because all is for His glory.