It’s Not Just A Can Of Paint!
Yes there is much more to just thinking it is a can of paint! We have all experienced an emotional connection to a color at some point in our lives. What was the color of your first bedroom or bicycle? What emotions does this bring up? For most people, one of the first decisions of the day concerns color harmony. What am I going to wear? This question is answered not only by choosing a style and fabric appropriate to the season, but by making the right color choices. And it goes on from there. Whether you're designing a new kitchen, wrapping a present or creating a bar chart, the colors you choose greatly affect your final results.
How often have you caught your breath at the sight of a flowerbed in full bloom? Most likely the gardener has arranged the flowers according to their color for extra vibrancy. For retailers, shopping is the art of persuasion. Though there are many factors that influence how and what consumers buy. However, a great deal is decided by visual cues, the strongest and most persuasive being color.
Color evokes moods and feelings which are emotions. Each color of the spectrum has a meaning and portrays an energy that effects ones body, mind and spirit in ways you may have not realized. Colors act upon the body as well as the mind. Red has been shown to stimulate the senses and raise the blood pressure, while blue has the opposite effect and calms the mind. Color is light and light is energy. Scientists have found that actual physiological changes take place in human beings when they are exposed to certain colors. Colors can stimulate, excite, depress, tranquilize, increase appetite and create a feeling of warmth or coolness. This is known as chromodynamics.
My goal in creating the Authentic Home COLOR Paint line is to bring awareness to your emotional connection with a particular color. By arranging the Authentic Home COLOR Paint colors into five mood palettes, Elegant, Serene, Playful, Fresh, Regal, you now have a starting paint to begin the selection process so to achieve your desired feeling for your home. I invite you to enjoy exploring the meaning and effects color can have on you and your life.
The Meaning of Color
While perceptions of color are somewhat subjective, there are some color effects that have universal meaning. Colors in the red area of the color spectrum are known as warm colors and include red, orange and yellow. These warm colors evoke emotions ranging from feelings of warmth and comfort to feelings of anger and hostility. Colors on the blue side of the spectrum are known as cool colors and include blue, purple and green. These colors are often described as calm, but can also call to mind feelings of sadness or indifference.
Meaning of the Color Blue
Blue is the overwhelming "favorite color" and is the coolest color - the color of the sky, ocean, sleep, twilight. A pure blue is the color of inspiration, sincerity and spirituality. Blue is seen as trustworthy, dependable and committed. The color of sky and the ocean, blue is perceived as a constant in our lives.
Blue brings down blood pressure and slows respiration and heart rate. That’s why it’s considered calming, relaxing, and serene, and is often recommended for bedrooms and bathrooms. Be careful, however: A pastel blue that looks pretty on the paint chip can come across as unpleasantly chilly when it’s on the walls and furnishings, especially in a room that receives little natural light. If you opt for a light blue as the primary color in a room, balance it with warm hues in the furnishings and fabrics.
To encourage relaxation in the rooms where people gather family rooms, living rooms, large kitchens consider warmer blues, such as periwinkle, or bright blues, such as cerulean or turquoise. Blue is known to have a calming effect when used as the main color of a room. When going with blue go for softer shades of blue. Dark blue has the opposite effect. Dark blue evokes feels of sadness. So refrain from using darker blues in your main color scheme. Stay with the lighter shades of blue to give you and your loved ones a calm effect.
How the color blue affects us physically and mentally
- Calming and sedate
- Cooling
- Aids intuition
Meaning of the Color Green 
Green occupies more space in the spectrum visible to the human eye and is second only to blue as a favorite color. Green is the color of nature, fertility, life. Green contains the powerful energies of nature, growth, desire to expand or increase. Balance and a sense of order are found in the color green. Green symbolizes self-respect and well being. Green is the color of balance and is a safe color so if you don't know what color to use anywhere use green. It also means learning, growth and harmony. Green is favored by well balanced people. Green symbolizes the master healer and the life force.
Green is considered the most restful color for the eye. Combining the refreshing quality of blue and the cheerfulness of yellow, green is suited to almost any room in the house. In a kitchen, a sage or medium green cools things down; in a family room or living room, it encourages unwinding but has enough warmth to promote comfort and togetherness. In a bedroom, it’s relaxing and pleasant. Green also has a calming effect when used as a main color for decorating. It is believed to relieve stress by helping people relax. Also believed to help with fertility this is a great choice for the bedroom.
How the color green affects us physically and mentally
- Soothing
- Relaxing mentally as well as physically
- Helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety
- Offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony
Meaning of the Color Yellow 
Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future. The shade of yellow determines the meaning. Pure, bright and sunny yellow is the easiest color to see. People who are blind to other colors can usually see yellow. Yellow is brings clarity and awareness and is full of creative and intellectual energy. Always use yellow note pads. Yellow symbolizes wisdom. Yellow means joy and happiness. People of high intellect favor yellow.
Yellow captures the joy of sunshine and communicates happiness and is perfect for kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms, where happy color is energizing and uplifting. In halls, entries, and small spaces, yellow can feel expansive and welcoming. Yellow although is a cheery color is not a good choice in main color schemes of a room. People are more likely to lose their tempers in a yellow room. Babies also seem to cry more in a yellow room. This color tends to create feeling of frustration and anger in people. This color is the most fatiguing on the eyes.
How the color yellow affects us mentally and physically
- Mentally stimulating
- Stimulates the nervous system
- Activates memory
- Encourages communication
Meaning of the Color Red
Red is the warmest of all colors. Red is associated with fiery heat and warmth. It can also mean danger (burning). Red is the color most chosen by extroverts and one of the top picks of males. On the negative side red can mean temper or anger. Red is the color of blood, and as such has strong symbolism as life and vitality. It brings focus to the essence of life and living with emphasis on survival. Red is also the color of passion and lust. Red roses symbolize passionate love
Red raises a room’s energy level and is a good choice when you want to stir up excitement, particularly at night. In the living room or dining room, red draws people together and stimulates conversation. In an entryway, it creates a strong first impression. Red has been shown to raise blood pressure, speed respiration and heart rate. It is usually considered too stimulating for bedrooms. Red, the most intense, pumps the adrenaline like no other hue.
How the color red affects us mentally and physically
- Increases enthusiasm
- Stimulates energy
- Encourages action and confidence
- A sense of protection from fears and anxiety
Meaning of the Color Orange
Orange, a close relative of red, sparks more controversy than any other hue. There is usually strong positive or negative association to orange and true orange generally elicits a stronger "love it" or "hate it" response than other colors. Orange is a power color. Fun and flamboyant orange radiates warmth and energy. It is one of the healing colors. It is said to increase the craving for food. It also stimulates enthusiasm and creativity. Orange means vitality with endurance. People who like orange are usually thoughtful and sincere.
Orange evokes excitement, enthusiasm and is an energetic color. While not a good idea for a living room or for bedrooms this color is great for an exercise room. It will bring all the emotions out that you need when jumping into your fitness routine. In ancient cultures orange was used to heal the lungs and increase energy levels.
How the color orange affects us mentally and physically
- Stimulates activity
- Stimulates appetite
- Encourages socialization
Meaning of the Color Pink
Pink is the color of universal love and is a quiet color. Lovers of beauty favor pink. A pink carnation means "I will never forget you". Brighter pinks are youthful, fun, and exciting, while vibrant pinks have the same high energy as red; they are sensual and passionate without being too aggressive. Pink is the color of happiness and is sometimes seen as lighthearted.
Pink is a loving color and is great used in fabrics, accessories and paint color in a bedroom or bathroom when you want to feel sensual and happy.
How the color pink affects us mentally and physically
- Pink provides feelings of caring, tenderness, self-worth and love, acceptance.
- Pink has been used in prison holding cells to effectively reduce erratic behavior
- Bright pinks like the color red, stimulate energy and can increase the blood pressure, respiration, heartbeat and pulse rate. They also encourage action and confidence.
Meaning of the Color Purple 
Purple embodies the balance of red simulation and blue calm. Being the combination of red and blue, the warmest and coolest colors, purple is believed to be the ideal color. Purple is the color of good judgment. It is the color of people seeking spiritual fulfillment. A sense of mystic and royal qualities, purple is a color often well liked by very creative or eccentric types and is the favorite color of adolescent girls.
Purple in its darkest values (eggplant, for example) is rich, dramatic, and sophisticated. Lighter versions of purple, such as lavender and lilac, bring the same restful quality to bedrooms as blue does, but without the risk of feeling chilly. It is said if you surround yourself with purple you will have peace of mind. Purple is a good color to use in meditation.
How the color purple affects us mentally and physically
- Uplifting
- Calming to mind and nerves
- Offers a sense of spirituality
- Encourages creativity
Nuetrals:
Neutrals (black, gray, white, and brown) are basic to the decorator’s tool kit. All-neutral schemes fall in and out of fashion, but their virtue lies in their flexibility: Add color to liven things up; subtract it to calm things down. Black is best used in small doses as an accent , indeed, some experts maintain that every room needs a touch of black to ground the color scheme and give it depth.
Meaning of the Color Brown 
Brown says stability, reliability, and approachability. People who prefer brown are often conventional and orderly. It is the color of our earth and is associated with all things natural or organic and is associated with the material side of life. The negative meaning of brown can be a repressed personality or a lazy person.
How the color brown affects us physically and mentally * Feeling of wholesomeness * Stability * Connection with the earth * Offers a sense orderliness.
Meaning of the Color White 
White projects purity, cleanliness, and neutrality. Doctors don white coats, brides traditionally were white gowns and a white picket fence surrounds a safe and happy home. White means kindness. White daisies are a symbol of loyal love.
How the color white affects us mentally and physically
- aids mental clarity
- encourages us to clear clutter or obstacles
- evokes purification of thoughts or actions
- enables fresh beginnings
Meaning of the Color Gray 
Gray is the true neutral color. Its energy imparts void, emptiness, lack of movement, emotion, warmth and identifying characteristics. Because of this, gray can be restful.
Gray is timeless, practical, and solid. A longstanding favorite suit color, gray can mix well with any color. Although well like and often worn, people rarely name gray as a favorite color possibly because Gray also is associated with loss or depression. Gray is the color of sorrow. People who favor gray can be the lone wolf type or narrow-minded. Gray with more silver in it can be a very active color.
How the color gray affects us physically and mentally
- unsettling
- expectant
Meaning of the Color Black 
Black is the most misunderstood color.
A black tie dinner is very formal and elegant. Women can wear that "must have little black dress" to the black tie dinner. Yet the bad guys wear black hats. Black is authoritative and powerful; because black can evoke strong emotions too much can be overwhelming. Black is not a color, strictly speaking. It is the absence of all color. When people speak of opposites, it is usually in terms of black and white. Black, and its opposite white, represent polarities. Black absorbs all aspects of light. While white reveals, black conceals. It has come to mean hidden, fearful or bad experience. It is linked to the unknown or the unseen.
How the color black affects us physically and mentally
- feeling inconspicuous
- a restful emptiness
- mysterious evoking a sense of potential and possibility
Give Authentic Home a call if you need guidance with the color in your house.