| The biggest influence on the human state of | | | | challenged by "string"), and the standard |
| mind with the possible exception of the | | | | neutral colour for new dwellings is still the |
| weather is colour. We are surrounded by | | | | veritable magnolia. Subtle, muted wall |
| references: "a red rag to a bull", "blue with | | | | colours (like off white and taupe) are fine, |
| cold", "green with envy", "in the pink". The | | | | and very easy to live with. But contrast and |
| psychology of colour and how colour affects | | | | enliven them with bright highlights in your |
| human behaviour is now a serious course of | | | | accessories and upholstery. Consider a |
| study at universities. Hospital rooms, | | | | multi-coloured rug, some coloured ceramics or |
| classrooms, fast food restaurants and offices | | | | glassware, vivid prints or paintings, or |
| are painted in colours to influence the | | | | squashy cushions in jewel tones. The overall |
| behaviour and mood of the people who use | | | | effect will be airy and soothing yet the |
| these spaces. Even the products on the | | | | flashes of colour can bring in your |
| shelves of your local supermarket have been | | | | personality and be your signature touches. |
| packaged in colours carefully chosen to | | | | |
| attract your attention and encourage you to | | | | Strong colours are best confined to the rooms |
| buy. So why are people so hesitant to use | | | | that have less usage. Hallways and cloakrooms |
| colour in their home environments? Why is the | | | | are ideal spaces in which to experiment. No |
| neutral space currently the ideal? Why are we | | | | one spends much time in these rooms, so you |
| afraid of colour? The first step to | | | | can afford to be bold. Just because these |
| relinquishing fear in the use of colour is to | | | | spaces may be small or narrow, don’t |
| understand the psychological effects it has | | | | be afraid of using vivid colour. Sometimes a |
| on us. Red is known to stimulate the appetite | | | | tiny cloakroom is just a tiny cloakroom, and |
| - so it’s an excellent colour for | | | | no amount of white paint is going to change |
| dining rooms. Both blue and green are fresh | | | | that. |
| and calming. They are the colours of nature | | | | |
| and could be popular choices for bedrooms. | | | | Why not emphasis its bijou proportions by |
| Yellow and orange are energising like the | | | | painting the space dark burgundy or navy and |
| sun, so are good choices in rooms where your | | | | use lots of white (in the sanitaryware and |
| energy may need boosting - the kitchen | | | | towels) as the accent colour? A touch of aqua |
| perhaps. | | | | might be the finishing touch. Be like a chef |
| | | | - a dollop of coral, with a swish of |
| Orange in its toned down terracotta form can | | | | aquamarine and a pinch of jade may be exactly |
| be ideal in a home office; it has the | | | | the right recipe for your room. |
| energising effect of both red and orange but | | | | |
| isn’t so bright that you won’t | | | | The important thing is to consider the |
| be able to stay at your desk! Many | | | | quantities. Decide on your main colour and |
| contemporary television programmes have made | | | | then add carefully selected accents. |
| a virtue of the use of bold colours in wild | | | | |
| combinations: violet and lime green; | | | | Consider the texture of your colours. A |
| turquoise and red-orange; orange and fuchsia. | | | | bright red dining room can be toned down by |
| But be careful about casually throwing | | | | the application of various glazes so that its |
| colours together. | | | | vibrancy is turned to a rich burnish. Bright |
| | | | yellows can be colourwashed over a white base |
| Violet and lime green will work because they | | | | to wash them out. In both cases the original |
| are complementary colours - they are opposite | | | | character of the colour is maintained and |
| each other on the Colour Wheel. | | | | only its brightness is muted. Colours can be |
| | | | layered for unusual effects. A piece of |
| Likewise turquoise and red-orange. You would | | | | inexpensive pine furniture can be transformed |
| think that orange and fuchsia would clash, | | | | by distressing it - painting an undercoat of |
| but because they sit next to each other on | | | | blue, an overcoat of white and then sanding |
| the Colour Wheel, they are a colour harmony. | | | | off the white paint on its corners and around |
| It is worth investing in a Colour Wheel | | | | its handles to make it look like its an |
| (available from most good art shops) to help | | | | antique. |
| you see how colours sit with each other | | | | |
| before you splash out on several gallons of | | | | If you’re stuck for ideas when trying |
| grapefruit yellow and olive green paint for | | | | to decide what colour scheme to choose for a |
| the bedroom. | | | | room, look at the furniture and objects you |
| | | | want to use. You may have a painting or a rug |
| And really consider carefully whether a | | | | that can act as your inspiration. Many |
| violet and lime green living room is | | | | interior designers build up complex colour |
| something you can live with. | | | | schemes from just one item. Look around you - |
| | | | even an old purple vase or the faded red |
| This does not mean to say that dramatic | | | | covers of a collection of books can be the |
| colours do not have their place. Far too many | | | | starting point of a whole room scheme. |
| houses are decorated in various shades of | | | | |
| beige (I think "taupe" is the current | | | | Have fun with colour. Be brave! Be bold! |
| fashionable term although this is being | | | | |