First Petal of Design: Color

What is it about color that attracts or repels us?

It has been said "the eye is the light of the body." Just like Pavlov's dog, our brain is going to trigger physical responses to certain sensory intputs. In this case, the spectrum of colors can and does illicit an output of sensory responses ranging from joy to sadness; I call this color instinct.

The following research details our emotional connection to the colors of the spectrum. Remember ROY G BIV from elementary school science? You always knew it would be useful. (Just wait, next month I will tie in graphing linear equations to kitchen re-designs..ha ha).

The Prism of Light and Emotion

Red: Energy, passion and drive
Orange: Elicits compassion and facilitates conversation
Yellow: Clarifies thought and raises optimism
Green: Feelings of love, well-being and encourages hospitality
Blue/Indigo: Encourages confidence and promotes serenity
Violet: Feelings of introspection and resolve
Black: Small amounts add drama and contrast but too much can bring sadness or despair
White: Illuminates a space an makes it seem cleaner and larger while providing contrast
Gray: Increases productivity *

What emotions do you want to feel when you enter your room? Now you have a guideline to use in the color spectrum to guide your color choice. The intensity of the color will produce the same intensity of emotion. Invigorating colors such as reds and oranges work well in family rooms and dining rooms because they stimulate emotion and conversation. Blue is a color that works well in a bedroom, library or office because it is calming and confident. I love green in high traffic areas like family rooms and kitchens especially with neutrals and whites not only because those rooms are where we spend most of our time as families and what better place to encourage nurturing and growth, but also because it connects us with the outdoors. Don't forget the value of taupes and grays as a neutral pallate on which you can paint your desired emotional response.

Once we consider these "colors of emotion" we have to employ them with the right technique.

• How light or dark do you want the room to be?
• If the color is paint for the walls, it is always a good idea to paint a small area first and see how the color works with the amount of light in the room.
• Don't forget that light is a necessary element in color. You must consider the amount of natural and artificial light a room will receive when selecting colors because color will change based on lighting.
• Contrast between color applications in the room adds drama and contrast is a good thing! Don't be afraid to make stark contrast!
• Complimentary use of color applications provides the foundation of your room. Most elements in the room should compliment one another with minimal contrast.
• Balance the color use within a room. Color applications create lines for the eye to rest on. Do your lines balance out? Is there centrality? You can create this by having a central focal point such as a sofa, coffee table, fireplace, etc. flanked by equal objects.
• Balance the use of color throughout the whole interior space. Does your house feel like Romper Room as you move from room to room or does each room work with and compliment the adjoining rooms? Your home will feel much larger if you will allow rooms to work together instead of making each an independent space (especially with regards to wall color). If you don't want every room the same color, try using different strengths of the same color. Full strength works well in rooms with more light. Foundational colors don't have to match but they do need to be similar.

Now that we have thought about color, how do we use it to contrast, compliment and balance our interior space?

We give it application in the form of walls & trim paint (use a low or no voc paint if you can because they don't contain volatile chemicals and will not smell while wet), fabrics (upholstered furniture, pillows and window treatments), accessories (art is one of my favorites and it should make a statement!), rugs and flooring.

For example, you may want your walls, window treatments, upholstered furniture and flooring to compliment one another while providing contrast with a fabulous large oil painting centrally located. Small bits of contrast color could be added in the form of pillows (or even just pillow trim), fresh flowers (a large glass container bulging with lilting tulips is my favorite), candles or decorative items (such as an antique platter).

Have fun with color and always keep in mind that less is more! Keep contrast simple and use complimentary colors in adjoining spaces. By doing this, you will set the groundwork for a timeless and elegant home you will love to come home to!

If you get stuck, I am happy to help you in the design process!

We will cover our next petal of design: LIGHT on May 7th.

Eizabeth Kennis, LEED AP

*Marberry, Sara O.. "The Power of Color." New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: 1995.