THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOR - part five

Green represents life, nature, a feeling of calmness, friendliness and freshness.

It is sensuous and alive; it is dependable, steady, soothing and healing.

It represents newness and re-generation.

It is the most pervasive colour in nature and symbolizes Mother Nature,

the green movement, and ecology.

Deep greens signify money, prestige and power.

Green is a healer.

Suicides dropped 34% when bridges were painted green (Lion's Gate Bridge in Vancouver.)

Green gives structure and boundaries to the environment and is a colour of replenishment.

It is a good colour for rooms that you wish to create a mystique of relaxation

as it gives one space and time to re-balance.

It is frequently chosen because of its versatility and limitless variations.

Greens go well together and green laced with white can be the crispest,

springiest look of all.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOR - part four

Yellow gets attention easily.

It is no coincidence that bees have yellow stripes

as the colour warns other insects and animals

to "stay away."

It symbolizes energy and sunlight

and is associated with springtime,

cheerfulness and optimism;

however, some shades of yellow are associated

with uncertainty and restlessness

by certain personality types.

It is the colour of ideas and dreams

and stimulates creativity and confidence.

It suggests gaiety, joy and merriment.

Yellow is the psychological representation of daytime.

(Night time is dark blue.)

as it is the most reflective of all

the colours in the spectrum.
On the downside, and especially if you're a country dweller,

you might want to take note that it attracts houseflies;

on the upside, it stimulates the left side of the brain

for logical thinking,

so it may induce some very pragmatic thoughts

on how to get rid of those pesky varmints!
It is an excellent colour for home offices

as it helps you to absorb information

and stimulates short-term memory.

Not only will you know more,

but you'll remember why!
In the kitchen, yellow is wonderfully stimulating.
In Alaska, were winter nights seem to last forever,

it is recommended people spend two hours a day

in a bright yellow room to prevent

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

which is depression caused by lack of exposure to sunlight.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOR - part three

Orange is a combination of red and yellow and bears the characteristics of each.

It is lively and warm and symbolizes a strong personality,

as well as adventure and excitement.

It is popular with children because it is fun, creative and cheerful.

Orange stimulates the appetite and is known to affect the glandular system.

It produces a balance of emotions and increases positive thinking.

Darker, more muted oranges invite a person to relax and stay awhile.

Burnt orange is a good choice for living and dining rooms as it promotes sociability

and brings a conversation to an intuitive level.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOUR - part two

RED

Red is on objective colour and is associated with danger and alerts us to pay attention.

It is the strongest colour in the spectrum and is intense, impulsive, active and aggressive.

Red speaks of love, lust, passion and not unexpectedly will increase blood pressure.
Red is best used in splashes or as accessories.

It is a great colour for activity areas or for an entrance lobby.

It indicates excitement and liveliness within a house and so would work well

in a kitchen since it is a natural gathering area

where you want to encourage interaction and congeniality.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOR - part one

Colors are very much a matter of personal preference -

and so take note that the colors we use in our homes

will have an effect on our emotions every day.

All colours influence us in very subtle ways:

psychologically, emotionally, and even spiritually.

They stimulate us to be more receptive, energetic, romantic, and creative;

and conversely to make us feel tired, depressed, agitated or aggressive.

Below, I offer some choices for you to consider when you're poring over

those numerous color chips in search of the perfect decor.
Much of the time the colors that we choose are problematic

for us only because they're in the wrong room.

How often have you played a scenario some­thing like this,

"I absolutely loved Sonya's red kitchen -

that red is just the perfect color

and so I used the same color for my bedroom.

But now, I just hate it!

And yet, every time I'm in her kitchen I fall in love with it all over again.

It just doesn't make any sense."
In actuality, it makes perfect sense.

Red is rich and lively and connotes excitement and conviviality -

something you definitely want to encourage in a kitchen,

but not necessarily in the bedroom -

unless you're starring in a Sex and The City episode.

The redincreases your vital signs and makes you "uber-aware" -

the delicious aromas, the ambience of your friend's kitchen

may not be what you want in a bedroom where you wish to relax and unwind.

(It is no error in judgment that bordello rooms are red!)

So, take your friend's red paint suggestion that you love so much -

paint your own kitchen walls with it, for instance,

and you'll find yourself suddenly liking the color again;

equally, now that your bedroom is painted a more serene colour

you won't be dreaming of murder and mayhem.