Nature conditions us to expect:

The darkest value at our feet

The medium value at eye level
The lightest value above us
Avoid monotony. Treat the eye and psyche to at least
moderate variety. Visual stimulus or relief is vital. To create
interest and contrast consider the following:
Warm and cool colours
Light and dark
Bright and dull
Smooth and textured
In most successful colour schemes, one colour is
dominant, one is subordinate, and one is for accent or trim.
Avoid clashes. Your eye and gut will know! If you grit your
teeth or get a knot in your stomach, dont use it!
Exercise extreme care in using white for highly illuminated
spaces, it can create glare and headaches and its easier to
make mistakes
Cool colours make a space appear larger and
an object appear smaller
Warm colours make a space appear smaller
and an object appear larger
Contrasting colours contract space
Similar colours expand space
White or grey are poor choices where people
gather and interact
Perception of time time goes quickly in warm
spaces and slowly in cool spaces
Temperature is perceived hotter in warm spaces
and colder in cool spaces
Warm colours and earth tones encourage and
maintain body warmth and physical action
Cool colours are conducive to mental activities,
projects and research and can have a dampening
effect on the level or quality of conversation
The only way to accurately select suitable paint colours is to test swatches
on the walls to be painted. The way a colour reacts is dependent largely on light,
which can change a colour drastically, either animating it by warming it up
or softening it with a subtle bluish cast to cool it down. Colour is also affected
by other surfaces in the room it reflects off.
Considerations in choosing colour
Avoid assumptions colour is a chameleon
Generally...
It changes depending on adjacent colour
It reects onto adjacent colour
White or beige will take on the tint of adjacent colour
Differing adjacent colours will appear more intense
COLOUR
Is There Psychology to Colour?
Much has been written over the years on
this subject. The question is, are the theories
more anecdotal than scientic fact? It can be
said without doubt that colour does inspire
and it does have meaning in our lives.
COLOUR
Psychology
Emotional
earthiness
casual
natural
embraced
tranquil
safe
bored
Physical
encompassed
dull
homespun
reliable
shrewd
stable
sturdy
ultraconservative
Brown
joy
innocence
hope
cleanliness
purity
enlightenment
White
Whites and
neutrals are ideal for
creating a clean, classical
backdrop and will allow
you to add a splash of your
favourite colour to any space.
You have options of cooler or
warmer whites and neutrals,
such as greys, beiges, tans,
creams and coffees.
Emotional
Physical
Behavioural
Here are some theories on emotional, physical and behavioural
attributes of certain colours... which colours suit you?
Blues can give a
tranquil, serene feeling and
sense of spaciousness. Blues
are calming and help us
think of our environment.
Relaxing and
restful to the eye, greens
create a cool, fresh and
calm atmosphere. Greens
come in many shades and
can be lime, mint, citrus,
or teal.
growth
birth
envy
jealousy
inexperience
wealth
refreshment
compassion
rejuvenation
balance
expansiveness
moderation
conventional
normality
tradition
balance
quietly social
Green
serenity
loyalty
peace
sincerity
sadness
justice
Physical
lowers blood pressure
cooling and relaxing
slows respiratory rate
antidote for red
conceptual
responsible
dogmatic
pragmatic
rigid
manipulative
loyal
conservative
astute
authoritative
Blue
Behavioural
Emotional
Physical
Emotional
Behavioural
Red
Behavioural
love
passion
vitality
danger
courage
increases blood pressure
aids digestion
increases respiratory rate
increases strength
aggressive
impulsive
sensuous
physical
extreme
bullying
athletic
Reds can
create a wonderfully
warm, passionate
feeling with a hint of
excitement. Red works
wonders as a dramatic
entrance colour or in a
formal or contemporary
dining or living area.
Emotional
Physical
Purple
royalty
supremacy
quietness
reverence
Yellows can create
a happy, sunny feel and will
make the room appear brighter.
Yellow radiates warmth and
is a reflective colour.
Physical
Yellow
optimism
cheer
irritability
annoyance
wisdom
warmth
increases irritability
aids digestion
increases hostility
stimulates circulation
sharpens memory
stimulates appetite
caution
introspection
debate
communication
egotism
discrimination
innovation
Emotional
active
cheer
boldness
vigour
exuberance
decreases irritability
improves social
decreases hostility
behaviour
gregarious
jovial
active
pleasure seeking
social
ckle
extroverted
Orange
Pink
Emotional
Behavioural
emotional
guarded
weakens muscles
stimulates sweet tooth
gentle
protective
friendly
indulged
Physical
Behavioural
Emotional
Behavioural
Physical
Behavioural
Emotional
lowers blood pressure, depresses appetite
quietens overactive glands and organs
quietens overactive internal dialogue
Physical
elegance
day dreaming
spiritual
philosophical
reverence
lateral thinking
creativity
Decorating
with purple can create
an illusion of grandeur.
Lavender is lovely in a
babys nursery and you
could easily try a rich
eggplant for a feature
wall in your living area.