 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Psyche of Color SelectionCOLOR & LIGHT
What is color?
Color is a different wavelength of light. It has been established that red waves are the longest at 1/35,000 of an inch from crest to crest, while violet waves the shortest, measure 1/67,000 of an inch.
What are the primary colors? Red, Yellow and Blue all other colors are made from a combination of these three, black and white are added to provide a shade or a tint.
Hues are colors that are created from the primary’s. In addition to hues, color is measured in terms of it’s value and Chroma.
Value is the measure of a colors lightness or darkness, the higher the value the lighter the color vs. the lower the value the darker the color, pastels are high value colors vs. low value colors are more more light absorbent which will make a surface look smaller.
The question is with interiors what the homeowner has to ask themselves is, what is the goal that they want to create with the wall-covering? To lighten or darken a room? Perhaps make a room look larger or smaller.
Color is subjective and can effect emotions. The following is a brief synopsis of the psychology of color;
Red, has a great deal of emotional impact, it stimulates the pituitary gland, appetite and increases heartbeat and blood pressure, therefore encouraging action and aggressiveness. Red is the color of love, passion and sexuality.
Yellow, is the most visible and therefore draws attention “bright yellows have been
Blue, The color of the sky and the ocean, is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue is very popular in the U.S., different shades and tints of blue produce different emotions. Pale blue (a tint) is felt to encourage fantasy and a feeling of cool and calmness. While Navy blue (a shade) is thought to represent trustworthiness and stability. People respond unfavorably to blue around food (there is no natural blue food), so it does not work well in dining areas. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.
Orange, is responded to as cheerful and friendly, muted orange is viewed as informal and is especially successful where people gather, such as family rooms.
Green, is the color of nature therefore considered relaxing and restful, therefore a great color for work, study and relaxation environments. Jade green is considered welcoming, a mid-tone green is responded to well around food and rich, dark blue-green is considered a very prestigious color.
Violet, is a power color and the color of royalty it connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial. However muted red-violets and mauves, are responded to favorably by upper socioeconomic groups.
Brown, Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. It is an excellent color around food, and in its various values is good for both work and living environments. Light brown implies genuineness, Terra cottas are best in informal rooms, high value browns (beiges) are considered neutrals and will coordinate easily with most other colors. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite colors.
Gray, encourages creativity and denotes class and exclusivity. Grays, can be either warmed with (yellows, reds) or cooled with (blues, greens and violets).
White, White reflects light and is considered a summer color, it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colors. Therefore a good choice for food and precision environments such as kitchens. It can be harsh in bright climates and will gray in overcast weather. Off-whites (such as Navajo white) are better suited for these conditions.
Black, Black is the color of authority, power and sophistication. it will enhance any color it is coordinated with since it visually recedes.
The Effect of Color On Room Placement
“While there are no absolutes when it comes to selecting colors for rooms with different exposures, generally, the less daylight a room receives, the lighter and brighter the colors should be. Likewise, a room that is naturally light should be done in a color scheme that features darker and grayer tones, and it is important to remember that the intensity of light changes as the day progresses”.
The following are some color decorating suggestions;
Eastern Windows will greet the warm morning sun, so a cheerful mid-tone slightly muted, of a warm color like yellow is perfect. (I recently painted my kitchen and breakfast nook, which are on the eastern side of my house a tinted yellow. What I really like about it is that as the day progresses the natural light changes the values of the color, giving it a lot of character).
Southern exposures invite in bright midday sun which washes out color. In desert climates (such as ours) there is the added problem of glare. To counter these effects, select muted, cool mid-tones and neutrals. Remember bright sunlight weakens color, it does not intensify it.
Northern exposures never receive direct sunlight, North light is cool and bluish, so warm, light tints accented with bright, warm colors are recommended.
Western light is warm and resonant, but not as intense as light from the South. Choosing a cool palette of light values for this exposure with accents in the blues and red-violets is recommended.
Many rooms have dual exposure, therefore the color selection should depend on the time of day the room most likely will be used.
East and West, let’s say you had a room with these exposures and you pulled the blinds in the morning and closed them in the afternoon. The appropriate solution would be to use warm golden tints for the Eastern exposure balancing them with a cool tint to the violet side. Or allow a cool tint to dominate and accent with warm mid-tones. South and West This is “hot” light. Use a cool calming palette, perhaps monochromatic with a mid-tone dominating to absorb glare.
North and East Choose soft, warm, light values
North and West Light neutrals to the warm side are best since the cool northern light will predominate most of the day and the west light will tend to “gray” or further neutralize the color.
North and South The south light is the strongest. Use cool color to predominate, but accent with some spicy, warm, complementary tones.
South and East This is bright, warm light for most of the day. Use rich, cool colors that are slightly muted, and minimize any surface glare by using flat finishes and textures. Color can visually warm or cool a room, lighter colors can make a room look larger while the opposite is true for darker colors. In the same sense a light color will help a low ceiling look higher and a dark color will visually lower the ceiling. When spot testing for color, a small color sample usually looks lighter than the same color applied over a large area.
Perfect Painting Weather
As part of your pre-painting preparation, check the weather forecast. The perfect conditions for painting are a mild day with temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees, little or no wind, and low humidity (although I have personally painted in temperatures as high as 105 degrees using flowtrol a paint additive that increases the viscosity of the paint which keeps it from drying to fast. Avoid painting if rain or very high humidity is predicted within 24 hours. Stop painting early enough for the surface to dry before evening dew sets it. Whether you're coating a new substrate or repainting an existing one, it pays to use the correct products and procedures.