USE COLOR TO CREATE YOUR PERFECT ENVIRONMENT

Warm vs. Cool Colors ~

Warmer colors increase blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiratory rate.  They increase your body’s anabolic processes ~ which burn up energy and transform it into other energy forms.  Cool colors have the opposite effect ~ they increase your body’s catabolic processes which store and hold energy.  Examples of warm colors are red, orange and yellow and cool colors are blue, indigo, violet.  Green is in the middle and functions as the metaboliser ~ going between warm and cool, depending on the strength of the shade of green.

Red is the color of physical power and energy, fire, zest and passion.  It stimulates action, strength, courage . . . It’s a color that stimulates your body’s energy and can assist you in overcoming depression and fear.  It is most likely not the best color for a bedroom unless it’s a more “restful” blue based red.  It is, however; the perfect color to put in a room where you want to have energy and lots of activity!

Orange is also a stimulating color, but it is a lighter, more social vibration than red.  It is the happy social color used to stimulate optimism, emotional balance, confidence and enthusiasm.  Use orange in any room in which you want to have group gatherings for fun events.  A light pumpkin shade works well in a dining room and various shades of apricot and coral create comfortable social settings.

Yellow is one of the happiest colors and can be found in deep dramatic tones, as well as light pastel tones.  Filling a room with yellow walls is like bringing the sun in on the most cloudy day.  Yellow is the color that feeds our soul, makes us smile and oddly enough it can energize us as well as calm us, depending on the room and natural light source.  Feel free to use it in any room!

Blue in a clear shade will soothe anxiety and will help anyone with a difficult time settling down to fall asleep more easily.  It is an excellent color for a meditation room, bedroom, or any room in which you want to instill a feeling of peace or make decisions.  Bear in mind though, too much blue is not a good thing.  It has been found that most people tire and become depressed after being exposed to blue rays for extended time periods ~ it needs to be countered with green or a color from the warm spectrum.

Indigo affects vision, hearing and smell.  Indigo can raise the consciousness to a very high level and is extremely cooling and calming.  Use this color in small quantities and in places where you want the focus to be complete calmness ~ for example in a mediation room or a bedroom where sleeping time is during daylight hours.

Purple is soothing and calming ~ just as with blue and indigo.  It is best used as an accent color, accompanying white, green, or yellow.  To break up an all purple room visually, white and gold are especially good.  Violet can help control excessive hunger, as well as irritability.  A royal purple enhances self-esteem and confidence.

Black and White are not rainbow colors, however, since they are used so frequently in home décor, it is important to mention them.

Black is often used to modernize interiors to create a feeling of richness, elegance, and drama.  Black absorbs light, therefore it is best to use it as an accent unless your room has lots of natural light.  It compliments virtually every color you put it next to.  I personally believe every room should have at least one black accent item in it!

White absorbs everything.  It encompasses all colors and can be purifying, giving you the feeling of fresh, crisp, clean air.  Be cautious though ~ too much white can feel sterile and unfriendly.  All-white rooms can make visitors feel uncomfortable and unable to relax, so mix it up with various shades of white, taupe and beige for a beautiful tone on tone effect.

If you are “stuck” where colors for your home are concerned ~ take a look in your clothes closet!  Chances are the colors you love to wear are also the colors you will enjoy most on your walls and in your accent pieces!!