Color and the relationship of one color to another are easier to understand if you have a color wheel, an arrangement of 12 colors in a circle in the order of the spectrum. Colors are defined as primary, secondary or tertiary (see color wheel below). Primary colors are those that make every other color in the spectrum: red, yellow, and blue. Secondary colors are those that are equal combinations of two primary colors: purple (red and blue), green (blue and yellow), and orange (yellow and red). Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary and its adjacent secondary color in equal proportions (red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-purple, and red-purple). According to color theory, a good combination is one that uses two colors opposite each other on the color wheel, three colors equally spaced around the color wheel, or two pairs of colors (a total of four) opposite each other. A few more things to know: Primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) make a bold statement in any decor. Secondary colors (green, orange, and purple) can be engaging, but they sometimes need to be shaded to work together. Tertiary colors (blue-green, yellow-green, red-orange) can combine for a very sophisticated look. A monochromatic -- or one-color -- scheme can be interesting if you use several shades of the same color. Colors that sit side by side on the wheel can be harmonious when used together. An example of this is red-orange and orange. Combining a primary color (red) with a secondary color (purple), can create an unexpectedly exciting space. NEXT: See It First, Paint It Later BACK: Beyond Paint -- Floors, Furnishings, and More HOME   |  ARTICLES   |  CRAFTS |   BOOKS   |   APPEARANCES   |   ABOUT   |   CONTACT All text and images ©2007 by Sharon Hanby-Robie.