Color sings. It picks us up and cheers dark winter days. It can take an ordinary space and transform it into a fiesta of happy. Few cultures put color to better use than those living south of the border. There, vividly bright paint brings walls, plants and flowers into a whole new light.
Rose-red walls make a stunning backdrop for this garden’s beautiful pink blooms.
Photo Credit: Maureen Gilmer
Rich royal violet-blue walls accented with canary yellow painted Mexican furniture makes for an amazingly colorful courtyard!
Photo Credit: Maureen Gilmer
The vivid burnt orange background makes every little pot and plant in this container garden stand out sharply.
Photo Credit: Maureen Gilmer
You can use interior paint treatments on your outdoor walls to give them more depth than a solid, one-dimensional color.
Photo Credit: Maureen Gilmer
You, too, can get inspired by the Mexican use of color to turn an impossibly neutral landscape into an artistic garden with just a few gallons of paint. For under $100, the financially-challenged gardener can completely change the character of any space!
Before you begin, know that architects use a certain technique to arrive at the exact color for a new building: They do a study by painting large squares of the proposed colors on an east- or west-facing wall in full sun. They observe it at all times of day to see how each color holds (or doesn’t). They also experiment with various combinations of base and accent colors.
Doing a paint study of your own means you don’t have to make that big color decision based on a few tiny paint chips. Take the colors you love and test them in sizeable patches on your own walls or fence. Making choices this way instills confidence in final color selection.
Another thing to remember is that with intense color, a little goes a long way. You may choose to paint just one wall or a series of planes in varying hues. (This is currently the craze with remodels of mid-century modern tract homes that are being revitalized with color.) Also, don’t hesitate to experiment with what you know about faux finishes indoors and apply them with exterior paint in the same way. These variations can create an attractive patina that blends in softly with its surroundings.
The colors you pick– whether hot or cold – will influence how you feel when you’re living within the space. For example, deep Frida Kahlo blue, purple-lavender or turquoise are gorgeous cooling colors that evoke dreamy moods. Varying shades of passionate red, rose and orange are more festive for areas used for entertaining. Painting something in the distance with one of these bold colors will make it jump out of the landscape.
No matter what colors you choose, it’s what you put in front of that painted wall or fence that makes the composition sing. To get it right, know that complementary colors are those opposite each other on the color wheel. When paired, these hues visually vibrate, which is the key to a dynamic garden. That’s why a burnt orange wall makes such a perfect background for dark green foliage. Yellow flowers and gold-variegated plants bounce off blues in just the same way.
Another trick of Mexican-garden creators is to ensure the colors are still exciting in the off-season. When there are no flowers, they use colorful accents that stand up to the weather and don’t fade. Ceramics are the most affordable choice to play off colored walls. From brightly painted pottery to beautiful iron-framed mosaic tile scenes, accent pieces are your secret weapon for keeping the excitement going season after season.
Whether you’re on a tight budget or you just want to express yourself with experiments in garden color, forget what your mother said about what matches. Hike down to the paint store and go for the bold brights that light your fire, then take an excursion into Mexicolor for a penny-pincher’s instant garden makeover.
