COLOUR DESIGN – because colour matters

: Researchers found that green can improve reading ability. Some students may find that laying a transparent sheet of green paper over reading material increases reading speed and comprehension

Whilst many of us take colour for granted, the truth is, colour affects our emotions and feelings which can evoke passion, stimulate the senses, and set the mood. Without colour, the world would be a dreary and bland place.

Colour is not only an extension of ourselves, but also part of the surrounding environment, and needs to sit happily within the space. We are drawn to certain colours and for various reasons. The colours we wear reflect our mood, while the colours we decorate our homes with, reflect our desires. Sometimes we want a space to feel dark, cozy and warm while other times we want it light, open and spacious. As for the colour scheme for your business premises, it needs to send a welcoming message.

‘Colour can soothe, it can WOW, it can seduce, it can empower … it puts the mood into motion’ by Rebecca Moses

What does a colour consultant do?

A colour consultant is a trained professional who has flair and passion for colour. Some colour consultants use colour psychology (yes, colour psychology really is a science) working alongside hospital, mental institute and nursing homes, to find just the right colour combinations for special rooms, corridors and shared spaces. Other consultants advise businesses of the best use and practise of colour as it relates to branding, website design and office layouts.

A trained colour consultant can develop a personal colour palette which creates flow and unity that begins with the exterior and continues throughout. Depending on the starting point, a colour consultant will consider how your bricks, pavers, roofing, windows, flooring, tiles and paint work together to create a singular style for your design scheme. Additional surfaces may include fencing, paving, guttering, tiles, carpet, laminate and bench tops. For those who are looking to refresh the interior colour of their home, colour consultants will take into consideration the mood you are looking to create, as well as the style of your home.

A skilled colour consultant will help you make your space a unique and tailored representation of your personal style. As well as brings knowledge of colour theory, latest colour inspirations and understanding of light to make your home a happy and enjoyable space.

Colour and light are closely connected, colour cannot exist without light. A colour consultant’s job is to assess the availability and quality of light in the space, and to best show the dynamic relationship between them. Colours look different in varying aspects of light, whilst light doesn’t change colour, it does affect the appearance of it. Colours at sunset and sunrise look richer and more full-bodied. However, as light disappears into the evening, colours begin to lose their hue.

In an interior environment the difference between night and day (artificial and natural light) can be quite dramatic. By analysing how the space will be used, and at what time of the day, a colour consultant can judge how natural and artificial light will affect the colour design schemes.

With over 35,000 tints, shades and tones available in the colour selection of any well-known paint company, the colour scheme choice can be overwhelming for some. Just as difficult is imagining how a small sample of colour will look and change when applied across an entire wall. Colour consultants will remove this uncertainty for you.

Colour consultation process

A colour consultation begins in your home. A typical appointment usually lasts 3 hours, but that will also depend on the size of your home. Colour consultants will asses each space individually, asking you many questions and gathering specific information for each space. He or she will discuss interior walls, architraves, ceilings, doors, skirtings and kitchen cabinetry. If needed, your colour consultant can also choose exterior colours, including gutters, downpipes, doors and windows.

In addition, we at House of Design can also help choose bench-tops, upholstery fabrics, furniture, floor tiles, timber flooring, carpet and any other home deco required such as lighting, wallpaper, curtains. No matter how much you elect to do on your own, we can advise and guide you, so that you can be confident of achieving an overall interior colour design scheme that works.

House of Design will provide you with specifications electronically, and deliver them at the end of the consultation before we leave your home; other consultants have alternative methods of delivering the colour design scheme. We also specify all colours by paint manufacturer, strength and code. This document is laid out in a table format, and easy to read intended for trade use with complimentary A4 colour samples to help you visualise the final outcome.

What to know more about colour and colour design???

House of Design offers a personal interior design and colour consulting service with flair and experience – we service all Adelaide area as well as country clients with our virtual on-line service. You will be surprised how easy and affordable expert colour design consultancy advice is. To make an enquiry, or booking a design consultation please contact us.

: Pink is essentially a light red and is usually associated with love and romance

: It’s your home, it should reflect your personality!

: Blue is described as a favorite colour by many people and is the colour most preferred by men

: Yellow can create feelings of frustration and anger. While it is considered a cheerful colour, people are more likely to lose their tempers in yellow rooms and babies tend to cry more in yellow rooms

: Green is often used in decorating for its calming effect. For example, guests waiting to appear on television programs often wait in a “green room” to relax

: Blue is often used to decorate offices because research has shown that people are more productive in blue rooms

: Purple does not often occur in nature, it can sometimes appear exotic or artificial

: Orange calls to mind feelings of excitement, enthusiasm and warmth

: Purple is the symbol of royalty and wealth

: Orange is a combination of yellow and red and is considered an energetic colour

: Brown brings feeling of warmth, comfort, and security. It is often described as natural, down-to-earth, and conventional, but brown can also be sophisticated

: Brown is a natural colour that evokes a sense of strength and reliability

: Brown can also create feelings of sadness and isolation

: Black is often used in fashion because of its slimming quality

: Yellow is the most fatiguing to the eye due to the high amount of light that is reflected. Using yellow as a background on paper or computer monitors can lead to eyestrain or vision loss in extreme cases

: Yellow can also increase the metabolism

: Green is thought to relieve stress and help heal. Those who have a green work environment experience fewer stomachaches

: Pink is thought to have a calming effect. One shade known as “drunk-tank pink” is sometimes used in prisons to calm inmates. Sports teams sometimes paint the opposing teams locker room pink to keep the players passive and less energetic

: In ancient Egypt, black represented life and rebirth

: Green has long been a symbol of fertility and was once the preferred colour choice for wedding gowns in the 15th-century. Even today, green M & M’s (an American chocolate candy) are said to send a sexual message

: While pink’s calming effect has been demonstrated, researchers of colour psychology have found that this effect only occurs during the initial exposure to the colour. When used in prisons, inmates often become even more agitated once they become accustomed to the colour

: Blue is one of the most popular colorus, but it is one of the least appetizing. Some weight loss plans even recommend eating your food off of a blue plate. Blue rarely occurs naturally in food aside from blueberries and some plums. Also, humans are geared to avoid foods that are poisonous and blue colouring in food is often a sign of spoilage or poison

: Colour choices influence mood, emotion and tone

: White represents purity or innocence

: White is described as cold, bland, and sterile. Rooms painted completely white can make you feel edgy, empty and unfriendly. Hospitals and hospital workers use white to create a sense of sterility

: Red is considered an intense, or even angry, color that creates feelings of excitement or intensity

Colour wisdom comes from the heart. Rules, theories and other people’s opinions just get in the way! (Janice Lindsay) Do you agree?!? leave a comment

AGATHA O house of design – interior decoration & design is an award winning interior design Company in Adelaide, South Australia writing about lifestyle and WHAT’S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.