“The greatest masterpieces were once only pigments on a palette.” – Henry S. Hoskins

Recently, I attended a builder event for Regent Homes at St. Johns Forest. The moment I walked in the door, I felt not only warmth from the hospitality, but also from the home itself.

This made me wonder why some homes just make you feel good. Of course, it’s because of the interaction with people who live there, but the way a home is decorated and laid out (not too much clutter, open space, clean, etc.) also creates a welcoming mood. More than decoration and layout, I realized a lot has to do with color.

Color in design is very subjective. What evokes a reaction in one person may evoke a very different reaction in someone else. Sometimes this is due to personal preference, and other times due to cultural background. Color theory is a science.

• Warm colors include red, orange, and yellow and variations of those three colors. Use warm colors in your designs to reflect passion, happiness, enthusiasm and energy.
• Cool colors, including green, blue, and purple, are often more subdued than warm colors. They are the colors of night, water, nature, and are usually calming, relaxing, and somewhat reserved. Use cool colors in your designs to give a sense of calm or professionalism.
• Neutral colors often serve as the backdrop in design. They’re commonly combined with brighter accent colors. But they can also be used on their own in designs and can create very sophisticated layouts. The meanings and impressions of neutral colors are much more affected by the colors that surround them than are warm and cool colors.
• Ivory and cream are sophisticated colors, with the warmth of brown and the coolness of white. They’re generally quiet, and can often evoke a sense of history. Ivory is a calm color, with some of the pureness associated with white, though it’s a bit warmer.

Color Theory in a Nutshell!

• Red: Passion, Love, Anger
• Orange: Energy, Happiness, Vitality
• Yellow: Happiness, Hope, Deceit
• Green: New Beginnings, Abundance, Nature
• Blue: Calm, Responsible, Sadness
• Purple: Creativity, Royalty, Wealth
• Black: Mystery, Elegance, Evil
• Gray: Moody, Conservative, Formality
• White: Purity, Cleanliness, Virtue
• Brown: Nature, Wholesomeness, Dependability
• Tan or Beige: Conservative, Piety, Dull
• Cream or Ivory: Calm, Elegant, Purity

Use this guide the next time you decide to change your décor.

What are your favorite colors?

By Regina Walter (Director of Client Relations)