Color is the most powerful decorating element in
our homes. Color is memorable and above all personal. An
understanding of color can really help us achieve the goal of a
pleasant, personal and comfortable home. There are hundreds of
options but only one decision maker, that matters and that is You.
The people who eat and sleep , entertain , play and rejuvenate in
the spaces are the ones whose well-being is affected.
If we understand the basics of the color , then we can make a
perfect color scheme. The colors are divided into three
categories-
Primary color- These are the three basic hues ,
red , blue and yellow. They are the foundation of the color wheel
and all other colors are derived from them.
Secondary color- When two primary colors
are mixed , they form a secondary color . They are orange , green
and violet.
Tertiary color- When two
secondary colors are mixed , they form a tertiary color , like
citron , olive , russet.
THE COLOR WHEEL- The color
wheel is a complete picture of all the colors available , once you
understand this , there will not be any problem in forming any
color scheme. In the color wheel at the right , the primaries form
a triangle with equal sides with in the circle , and the
secondaries form another triangle opposite to that. Each color has
a 'complement’ which is located directly across from it on the
wheel. Thus , green is complement of red, orange is complement of
blue.
A perfectly balanced color scheme might use equal parts of three
colors which are equidistant on the color wheel . Interior
designers often compensate for intensity by either tinting (adding
white) or toning ( adding black ) or by graying (adding
complementary colors ) . In these way they create contrast through
a change in value (lightness and darkness ) or intensity (
brightness and dullness ) . With even this limited information ,
it is easy to see how the possibilities for combining colors are
infinite and inviting. Using the tints and tones ,the total effect
is lively and pleasing but not overwhelming , a beautifully
colored room. Now here are some of the colors with their effects
and the nature they depict and the places where they are suggested
to use.
RED : Red is the most dramatic, emotional and
active of the three primaries . It is an especially versatile
color in its effects , enlivening interior spaces by creating
excitement , warmth and elegance . The use of red suggests a bold
and confident attitude. It is used in those areas where one needs
excitement like the bars. It is less often used in sleeping area
because of its energizing quality. The complement of red is green.
BLUE : Blue is the only colors which is the most
universally equated with the beauty. Blue is timeless , linking
the present with tradition and lasting values. It is the most
versatile in expressive values. Psychologically, blue is
associated with tranquility and contentment. In interior design ,
softer and lighter blues are generally preferred for the larger
areas.
YELLOW : It is a powerful color , both light in
value and extremely intense in its purest form. It evokes a sense
of energy and excitement. Yellow is a perennial favourite in
interior design , combining with greens to provide the natural
freshness and with red for gaiety and richness.
GREEN : Green is the most common choice of the
designers. It is often used as a dominant room color . Green goes
with every other color and makes it a natural neutral. It
represents the greenery of the nature and thus provide the room
with liveliness.
VIOLET : It seems to be a color of emotional
contrasts. Its paler tints are unabashedly romantic, fragile and
quiet feminine . It enjoyed the popularity in the Victorian era
and now as pure colors emerge again , beautiful violet is certain
to be a player.
ORANGE : It is amazingly versatile , capable of
emitting great energy in its purest form and as an earth tone , it
evokes warmth , comfort and reassurance. Nowadays , the lighter
orange , popularly known as peach is common in use as it gives a
cool effect.
PASTELS : Pastels are simply lighter tints of any
hue , white added to red yields pink and light pink is a pastel.
There is not any particular definition for a pastel color but when
colors become so light that they almost seem to be white , they
are pastels. The pastels are becoming more and more popular as
they crate the most sober and elegant look.
NEUTRALS : Using neutrals does not mean not using
color . Any low intensity color that is used as a background for
other accent colors , features , furniture and objects in a space
can be classified as neutrals. Neutrals are practical and by
changing accessories and fabrics the look of space can be
dramatically altered against the same neutral background.
Enjoy color , take these tips from the professionals and then you
can become creative. You must think about the people in your home
who matter the most for you and then imagine the things you do
together and then finally go for a final color scheme.
Color has a profound effect on our
mood. In clothing , interiors , landscape and even natural light ,
a color can change mood from sad to happy, from confusion to
intelligence , from fear to confidence. Particular colors have
different effects on each individual. Response to a color may be
influenced by a number of factors such as the body's need for a
specific color , a sad or happy memory associated with a
color.
In previous decades, certain
colors or group of colors dominated every palette . Now in
millennium , the stopper is out and uniqueness and personal
preferences are really in. There are no absolutes in the world of
color. Some colors make you want to get out of your chair , others
make you want to nestle down and read. Some colors are articulate
and must be listened to. Others are very quiet . Some colors
indicate that you have traveled or are well read. Yet others
create a desire for closeness , intimacy and love. Following are
some of the most typical responses to various color groups.
Nurturing Neutrals
These colors create a sense of peace and well
being. They foster quiet conversation with family and friends and
can dispel loneliness. Throughout time , mankind has found a sense
of peace and tranquility when in touch with "Mother
Earth" . It follows that colors which impart a sense of
warmth and serenity come directly from the earth. In addition to
the earth colors in the neutral group are colors associated with
sea such as sand , shell , coral , pearl , stone , seaweed. GREEN
is a color which helps us to adjust to new environments and
situations. It will always be found among the 'nurturing
neutrals'. The BLUES represented here will range from winter sky
to stream to midnight. The neutrals are somewhat like the
furniture while other palettes are more like accents or
accessories.
Intellectual Colors
These are the sharp , witty and unique colors which
convey a message that the owner has traveled , is well read and
has something to say. These colors will command respect without
being overbearing. This palette also starts with a earthy , warm
base. Gray is a color which promotes creativity and will often be
found in foundation of an intellectual palette. These grays will
be warm and gentle. Some tones of blue suggest communication and
trust , so it will naturally be found in the intellectual palette.
Navy blues will often find their way in this palette , but its
effect is warm and never cold and fragile. Red also appears in
this intellectual palette , but the shades will be earthy and
complicated burgundy , cranberry.
Playful Colors
These colors are exiting and used for a fun
providing environment These playful , whimsical palettes create
their own kind of music , like the sounds of children playing.
There are highs and lows, lights and darks and always movement and
activity. Used in active spaces within the home , a 'playful'
palette can add energy and vitality. But if overdone , this type
of palette becomes irritating and stressful. The foundation of
this palette is WHITE . This could be anywhere from vanilla ice
cream to snow drift to winter moon. Then comes the bubble gum
pink, buttercup, wintergreen, all the berry colors and crayon
colors. Many of these colors will be cool, and even in lighter
tones there will be brightness and clarity. The bottom line in
creating this type of palette is that the colors should suggest a
sense of freedom , play and downright fun.
Healing Colors
This palette includes the colors which are very
refreshing and rejuvenating. Like nurturing colors , 'healing
colors' also begin by getting in touch with nature. The first
group of colors considered in this palette is GREEN. Because they
have the power to help us adjust to new environments , skillful
designers use lots of plants and other forms of green . Healing
greens may be warm or cool , but not muddy or mysterious like
those in the intellectual palette. Healing palettes also take
inspirations from warn earth tones. These palettes usually
contains contrast as well as a clarity of color that is inspiring.
They will include a range of lights and darks but will never be
muddy.
Romantic Colors
Many species including the human beings attempt to
attract the opposite sex with colors. RED is the color of sex and
lust and is often called the most romantic of colors. It is no
accident that red is the chosen symbolic color for the Valentine's
Day. In interior design , however , a less intense , softer tone
of red is far more conducive to romance than the pure hue. Often
referred as PINKS , these colors vary from cool to warm and from
light to dark. Pinks have an interesting quality that seems to
halt the body's ability to stay angry. PURPLE is another color
which is definitively romantic because of its passionate ,
unpredictable and quixotic characteristics. Paler , less intense
tones of ORANGE such as apricot and peach are often included in
the romantic palette , suggesting purity and innocence. BLUES in
the romantic palette will be cool and inspired by water.
Personal Style
There are no trends in color as important as
personal style. Today , most designers draw from many historical
periods as well as contemporary influences and mix them together
to create unique personal spaces. The most effective color
palettes reflect and enhance the interests , collections and
activities of the people who live there as well as architectural
features.
The effects of color on mood will vary from
individual to individual. Color schemes have emotional messages
too. An awareness of the emotions generated by different colors is
helpful in planning personal palettes that will be pleasant to
live with , but it must be understood that this information is not
absolute. Subtle changes in tone can increase or decrease the
emotions evoked by a particular color , allowing it to be included
in many diverse palettes.
Colors in Vastu Shastra
Colors are most powerful in influencing the human
mind and body. It is also the least expensive, easiest and
quickest to use, to change and to create a decorating scheme. In
Vedic periods, all colors were taken out from vegetables and
flowers, which were more permanent in shade, soothing to eye and
natural tint. At an early period in human history the symbolic
use of colors was made. During early period Heart, which was the
seat of life and the blood was identified with life and
consciousness and was colored red. Yellows were possibly the
color of fire and white that of the day. Vaastu Shastra provides
vital guidelines as to how to decorate our homes etc. in decent
manner to derive maximum delight with dignity and décor.
According to Vaastu Shastra, the color schemes should conform to
the raashi (constellation / zodiac sign) of the owner to bring
good luck and happiness.
Zodiac sign
Aries
Taurus
Gemini
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Libra
Scorpio
Sagittarius
Capricorn
Aquarius
Pisces
Colors suggested
Coral red
Milky white
Green
Rose red, pearl white
Ruby red, dim white
Emerald green
Cement color, milky white
Pink, coral red
Golden yellow
Dim red
Pink, blue
Yellow, pure white
If a room has poor daylight, it should be painted
in light color and if a room gets good amount of natural light
throughout the day, it can be painted in some deep color. If a
room has only a North window, which admits cold light, we should
not use blue on the walls. If a room gets much direct sunlight,
it is not advisable to paint the walls yellow or peach. It is
nearly better to have ceilings white and the ceiling temperature
should be less than the human body temperature. Some scholars
suggest different color to the direction the building faces.
They are really the colors of the planets governing these
directions.
Direction
East (Sun)
West (Saturn)
North (Mercury)
South (Mars)
North-East (Jupiter)
South-West (Rahu)
South-East (Venus)
North-West (Moon)
Color suggested
Shining white
Blue
all greens
Pink, coral red
Golden yellow
all greens
Silver white
White
Color contrast in value is perhaps the most
important factor in a composition or a design. Maximum contrast
is obtained by the use of colors of extremely strong chromes. A
strong yellow on a black field is an excellent example of
maximum visibility. A bright strong yellowish red would be
considered as a powerful color. The color of an object depends
upon the light it emits or sends back to an eye. Opposite
contrast colors are quickly changed when it mixed as for black
which makes colors both brighter and lighter in looks.
Surrounding an intense color with a Grey increase the apparent
colorfulness of the intense color making. It appears even
brighter or brilliant. Surrounded by yellow, a Grey color may
appear slightly blue. Surrounded by red, it may appear slightly
green and surrounding by Grey with a bright color on other hand
may influence the eye to discern in the greying of the
complementary of the bright colors.
One must always bear in mind that no individual is completely
white (good) or black (bad), but is an amalgam of the two Grey.
A sensible good blending can create a forceful creation.
A particular color can activate or can control human glands by
different bodily functions. Such as for good appetizer or to
give excitement for the low blood pressure patient, a light
limited soothing color atmosphere is recommended. Similarly Blue
color is to stop overeating habits. For a high blood pressure
patient, a light limited soothing color atmosphere is
recommended. For quicker healing, green color is used in
hospitals. For a good healthy, tasty food, golden yellow or
tinted brown color is recommended.
Colors effect our body and mind very much. The purest and most
thoughtful minds are those, which love, colors the most. The
cool colors are blue sea or mainly blue in cast. The warm colors
are red or mainly blue in cast. The warm colors are red and
yellow in cast. Red make you feel gay while man can work best
when surrounded by blue, but too strong blue or red cause
depression. People often feel cold in blue room and warm in a
red room. It is the color that makes them feel that way.
