A guide to living your life in color
First things first, some wise words from the legends themselves
“The whole point is to live life and be - to use all of the colors in the crayon box” - RuPaul
“Color! What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams.” - Paul Gauguin
“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” - Wassily Kandinsky
"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way." - Georgia O’Keeffe
“The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you” - Coco Chanel
“With color one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft” - Henri Matisse
"Nature rarer uses yellow than any other hue. Saves she all of that for sunsets prodigal of blue spending scarlet, like a woman yellow she affords only scantly and selectly like a lover's words." - Emily Dickinson
"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." - Maya Angelou
As someone who has painted every single wall of her apartment (landlord-approved, of course!) I find it incredibly important to share the impact that color has on each of our lives. As a designer (& consequentially, part-time ‘blogger’) my goal is always that of self-expression. I believe creativity exists within all of us, and the manifestation of that creative energy can emerge through various forms of art. From the words on this screen to the simple act of painting a wall. Let this be a journey to finding your color(s).
The Importance of Color
There’s a reason some of the greatest creative minds in human history have so distinctly expressed the importance of color. It alters our energy and feeds our souls where words can not. It can be a warm hug on a difficult day, or the caffeine that energizes our minds & bodies. It's one of the most important and universal tools used across various industries, from art to health care.
So where does this universal language come from?
History & Science Behind Color
According to data collected by the Smithsonian Libraries
Early 18th Century: Sir Isaac Newton experiments with sunlight & prisms to determine that white light is composed of 7 different colors, as stated in his work titled ‘Opticks’. (Remember ROY G BIV from our elementary days?)
Mid 18th Century: J.C. Le Blon publishes ‘Coloritto, or, The harmony of colouring in painting’. Where he discovers that by using primary colors you can create secondary colors. Marking a difference between ‘material colors’ (such as paint) and ‘colored light’ (Newton’s ROYGBIV, rainbows & phone/computer screens).
Early 19th Century: The poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe published his work titled ‘Theory of Colors’. In which he approaches color from a physiological state rather than a scientific one. Goethe explores the question of ‘how do we perceive color?’. Subsequently writing out descriptions of the emotions that each color presents. See his definition of the color red noted below;
‘The effect of this color is as peculiar as its nature. It conveys an impression of gravity and dignity, and at the same time of grace and attractiveness.’ - Goethe
Chromotherapy
If you’re a fellow New Englander like myself, you may have heard of something called SAD at some point in your residence here. SAD stands for ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’, where psychological disorders such as depression manifest from the lack of white light. Now, as Newton has already taught us, white light is made up of the full-color spectrum, directly supporting the claim that our minds and bodies NEED color to be happy & healthy.
So enters Chromotherapy, which is the use of color as a treatment for health conditions. A theory that dates back centuries, to roughly 2000 BC!
According to data collected by the National Library of Medicine, ‘the ancient Egyptians and Greeks used colored minerals, stones, crystals, salves and dyes as remedies and painted treatment sanctuaries in various shades of colors’.
In the early 20th century, Ghadiali published his ‘Spectro-Chrome Encyclopaedia’. Finding that “by treating the body with a particular color vibration, one could effectively reintroduce the appropriate biochemical elements into the body”. This revelation then leads to the connection of color as it relates to chakras.
Red - Root chakra
Orange - Sacral chakra
Green - Heart chakra
Blue - Throat chakra
Indigo - Brow chakra
Violet - Crown chakra
Chakras are forms of energy along the spine that are connected to major organs in the body. Originating from the Vedas, which are ancient Indian texts describing the philosophy of yoga. Chakras have been an important healing tool throughout human history that still exists today, from yoga, to sound baths, tantra, and crystals. The combination of chakras & color is a vital connection as it relates to chromotherapy as a whole.
As stated in the article by the National Library of Medicine;
“You realize you are part of the hologram of life, surrounded by an aura or energy field that radiates distinct colour and vibrations. The aura fingertips your soul and reflects your goodness, wellness, mental stability, maturity, emotional/inner turmoil or peaceful fulfilment. More of each of these qualities, peace, wellness, stability, maturity and fulfilment may become your ever present precious possession by the application of colour's power in our daily living” - M. Walker, Power of Colours
The Implementation of Color
We now know how important color and its various forms are to our mind, body & spirit. Across the creation of humanity, color has been a key ingredient in holistic, medical & scientific discoveries. It is also the most important tool for artists to express emotions unavailable by words alone.
This is why, as a designer in the 21st century I find it incredibly important to emphasize the utility of color in our modern lives. Humans today spend more time indoors than any of our previous ancestors. It’s important for all of us, designers or not, to ask the questions of ‘How do I currently feel in my home, office, hospital, hotel, etc.?’ versus, ‘How do I want to feel in my home, office, hospital, hotel, etc.?’.
Color can be the key differentiator between the space that you have and the space you want. Below you will see all of the areas that we as designers explore when asking and answering these 2 consequential questions. A space that is designed in coordination with all of these elements listed has the greatest chance of success. However, sometimes, all it takes is one area rug, one piece of art, or one paint color, to change everything.
Architectural Surfaces
Walls & Ceilings
Millwork
Countertops
Floor
Furniture
Sofa/Sectionals
Chairs
Tables
Beds
Etc.
Textiles
Upholstery
Window Treatments
Rugs
Pillows
Linens
Lighting Fixtures
Ceiling Mounted
Sconces
Table/Floor Lamps
Art
Pictorial
Sculptural
General Decor
Books
Ceramics/Sculptures
Tableware
Plants & Flowers
. . . .
So. what color will you paint your next wall?
LOVE,
SAVANNAH
