In Living Colour: Selecting The Right Mood For Your Rooms
Could it be that colour is a universal language we all intuitively understand and react to? Is it more than aesthetics? Realizing your own colour sense is intrinsic, so it can it be leveraged to affect your emotions and even your behavior.
As an artist, the science behind colour and how to use it in an aesthetically pleasing palate should be innate. However, it always amazes me, even when all these elements are working artistically; my clients usually select the painting or project that captures their emotions. My instinct, that colour is profoundly important, was confirmed from my experience in working in art and design. Clients react to particular colours and this behavior may be more deeply rooted in our psyche than it appears.
Apparently, psychologists agree and they suggest that you use colour to your advantage, in creating an emotionally healthy home. You will also want to keep in mind your colour associations. If you grew up in a blue and white painted kitchen, and have great memories of the food and conversation that took place there, blue and white may be the best colours for you. We all have our favourites colours.
Now I am not suggesting that you paint each room in your home a different colour, but you may wish to consider the function of each room when selecting your colour. Let’s explore a couple of rooms
Master Bedroom
The bedroom is where you go to relax and sleep. Consider watery or dusty hues in blues, greens, lavenders or greys because they evoke a calming feeling. If you wish to make more of a statement, think deeper and richer hues of those colours. The darker the hue, the more pronounced the relaxation effect.
Bathroom
Tones and hues of white are selected in large part because they connote cleanliness and purity. Tones of greens, blues and turquoises also create a spa like atmosphere, providing a retreat.
The best rule of thumb to prevent you from choosing the wrong paint color for your walls comes from both famous home stylists as well as Barbie Rattray, the paint advisor at the local Home Depot. It is sensible and strangely obvious… “If you would never wear a particular colour of clothing on your body, don’t paint your bathroom or any other room in your home that colour!
Living Room and Foyer
If you wish to stimulate conversation choose warm tones over cool. These tones liven up the room and encourage people to sit and chat, as the warmth of the tone promotes connection between people.
About Red
According to Sherwin Williams “there is no mistaking the power of red”. It’s fast, sporty and fiery. But, it can also be as soft and delicate as a begonia in bloom or have the grounded, earthy appearance of a fired brick”. I use red in my painting to direct the eye around the canvas and use it in my interior rooms to move the eye around the room.
Using red in your workout room may be a good choice to get you moving. The restaurant industry has long recognized the appetite-stimulating power of red décor. But look out if you’re watching your weight: in addition to stimulating conversation, red may prompt you to eat more, so if you are on a diet you might want to keep red out of the kitchen.
Surround yourself in the colours that you love and make you feel happy because it could have effects on your well-being. If you’re happy with the colors in your home you will radiate this sense of wellbeing to your family and your guests. Paint on…
By Louise Lambert
Westside Weekly, Wednesday, June 8, 2016