Colors for Every Mood
How does color affect you? Do you experience a calming peacefulness in a in the color called “Floating Lily Pad” or an overly anxious uneasy feeling when surrounded by the intensity of “Bonfire Flame." Color definitely triggers emotional and physical sensations within each and everyone of us. Our perception of a particular color affects what sensations are triggered. It is essential to become aware how certain colors impacts us and to tap into those sensations we find comforting or exhilarating at home and in the office.
Sensational Color
Designing with Blue
Originally found in Europe during the 12th Century the combination of natural ultramarine and lapis lazuli made it an extremely precious paint limited only to picture painting. Blue conveys a comforting homey feeling. In its pure form blue can be overwhelmingly formal, best to use sparingly. Choose the redder or greener blues in “Periwinkle” and “Turquoise” that are warmer in hue and more soul stirring.
Designing with Green
Napoleon relished a bright green he favored so intensely that it covered the walls of all his stately quarters. The most visually accommodating color of the spectrum when the hue is closely related to the color of nature. The yellow green of Summer leaves and grass promotes new growth within us and rejuvenates our senses.
Designing with Yellow
A color that has spanned across history since the Empire Period of the 19th century. Varied shades of yellow became popular in the 20’s, 30’s and again in the 50’s contrasted with a trendy black and grey combination. Refreshing as a sunny day, yellow consoles the spirit. Paler shades of yellow are settling on the mind while the deepest of yellows envelop us in exotic richness.
Designing with Orange
Art Nouveau was characterized by the darkly saturated yellow orange color schemes from this time in the early 1900’s. The pop colors of the 60’s also combined orange with hot pink and green. The orange family has a vast tonal range from “Whisper Soft Peach” to an “Autumny Amber“. A people friendly palette, skin tones are enhanced with a healthy glow from an orange based color scheme.
Designing with Red
The Egyptians mixed varying shades of reds with earth toned pigments in the frescos they painted on walls depicting their daily lives. During the Victorian era, 1868 house painters combined crimson with burnt sienna and blue to come up with the color of the time, “ Maroon“. The color red will surely raise your blood pressure in its full intensity. When toned down to a deep “Cinnabar” or “Arabian Red” the room conveys a rapturous elegance.
Designing with Purple
The color of majesty and power since the earliest of times. “Royale Blue” a deep purple with blue undertones was found mostly in fabrics and objects of art. The popularity of purple became vogue with the color “ Mauve” during the Victorian period and again in the 1980‘s. An unexpected off-beat color, paler purples have a restful glow of dusk perfect for meditation. The deepness of the purple palette is “Eggplant” a color unmatched for its dynamic presence.
Designing with Neutrals
During the Palladian Period, 1720 the color “Stone” was ground in nut oil and applied in layers to woodwork and walls. It was the complimentary color to “Pea Green” the must have color scheme of the time. Beige, Taupe, Brown, White, Grey, and Black are the alternative to color. A palette using three or four neutrals in combination is for the most discriminating of tastes. The Look is sparse, urban and understated emulating the bare essentials to a minimal living space.
