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Maybe kitchens should be painted red
It is time to write about color again, as it continues
to be the most frequently discussed topic with my clients.
What does your favorite color say about you? How do
you feel when you walk into a red room? How about a
green room? It is not a coincidence, for example, that
many hospitals use green on the walls to help relax
their patients. And have you noticed the colors red
and orange in many restaurants? They know that those
colors are appetite stimulants. Let's explore the fascinating
subject of color psychology.
Red... signals excitement and sexuality. In addition
to stimulating appetites, red can even improve your
sense of smell as well as cause other physiological
responses such as increased heart rate and rapid breathing.
Red rooms are dramatic and provocative. Used as an
accent color, red can provide a much needed jolt of
energy and life. Imagine a black and white living room
with a vase of bright red flowers. Other energetic
colors in the red family are fuchsia and magenta. If
those are too intense for you, try burgundy, which
is rich and elegant, or brick red, which is earthy
and warm.
Orange... appeals to a very large number of people
and is associated with warmth and contentment. Like
red, orange is also an appetite stimulant. In business,
because of orange's broad appeal, it can be used to
make an expensive product seem more affordable. Is
there a "big box" home improvement retailer
that comes to mind? In it's pure form, orange is playful
and whimsical. Other colors in the orange family are
copper and terra cotta. For a really interesting color
combination, try pairing copper with purple.
Yellow... is the ideal color for dark or dreary rooms,
and people often love yellow kitchens. Yellow is cheerful,
friendly and outgoing. Warm yellows can be familiar
and comforting, reminding us of beautiful sunsets and
wheat fields. Gold, an elegant member of the yellow
family, can add formality, prestige and opulence to
a room.
Green... is the most popular decorating color. Because
of its ties to nature, green is a most restful color
and is successfully paired with a wide variety of other
colors. Dark green is masculine, traditional
and implies wealth. Earthy greens like moss and sage
are quiet, soothing and neutral.
Blue...is named by most people as their favorite color.
The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is calming
and peaceful. Light blue is a wonderful bedroom color.
Bright blues are energetic, vibrant and happy, while
dark blues exude professionalism, conservatism and
dependability. Business consultants recommend wearing
a navy blue suit to a job interview.
Purple...combines the vibrancy of red and the tranquility
of blue. Historically, purple has been the color of
royalty, and it connotes wealth and luxury. Purple
is also associated with the exotic and mystical. Red
purple is sensual and exciting. Eggplant and plum are
regal and elegant. Lavender is delicate and sweet.
Purple can add a unique touch to your rooms.
This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper
Group papers on Nov. 26, 2005.
Go
back to the list of decorating columns.
All articles copyright 2003-2008 Anna
Jacoby.
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