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Welcome Back the Joy of Colour

Spring is here, and after out prolonged and often stressful period of uncertainty, nothing can lift our spirits and warm our hearts more than witnessing the awakening of nature as it transitions from months of short days and monotone scenery to the colourful promise of hope and life renewed. And after what seems like a decade of being sold on“grey”for everything from walls to furniture and accessories, homeowners are realizing it’s past time to bring a little colourful Spring cheer indoors too, and true to form the marketplace is responding.

Once again we’re coming full circle in the world of colour marketing, as paint companies launch their 2022 colour(s) of the year, most of which incorporate some variation of the natural world of greens, blues, earth tones, and hits of bold yellows and, yes, orange and red tones, to wow the market. They’re taking their cues from such high profile trend forecasters as the Color Marketing Group of North America, who rationalize their 2022 colour selec- tions as“the classic connotation of hope and new beginnings,” using such descriptives as“transition, confident and familiar with a sense of comfort.” They are also following the lead of the most influential global leader in colour prediction, the Pantone Color Institute, which has created a new colour, Very Peri – a shade of purple that is a unique blend of blue and violet/red. The impact of these soothsayers, particularly the Pantone Color Institute cannot be overstated as they“influence product development and pur- chasing decisions across multiple global industries, including in- terior design with all its colour-dependent categories, including paint , fabrics, wallcoverings and carpets.

Colour is an individual experience

The marketing of colour is a multi-billion-dollar business and one that has far reaching impact on our daily lives. It’s sophisticated and rooted in never-ending science-based research enabling com- panies to touch consumers where decisions are made — our emotions and feelings.

Despite all the technology, choosing colour for our homes is just not easy, because while we’re led to think of colour as being a pri- mary component of objects, the experience of colour is an individ- ual one that takes place in our brains where electrical signals from reflected wavelengths are transformed to images, which are then interpreted as emotional and physical responses based on our perceptions eveolved from our life experiences. Simply out, your experience of colour is uniquely yours and your feelings are your measuring tool of whether it makes you happy or not. 

So, when contemplating a colour update to lift your spirits, my suggestion is that we rethink our connection with our interior space based not on what is “trendy” or “current”but by seeking what truly supports and pleases us, and there’s no better source for inspiration than nature in Springtime! But getting your colour “right,” especially when it comes to paint, is not for the impatient! So, remember like nature — getting it right is a process starting here:

1. Light is the stimulus of colour and without good lighting even the best room decor will be compromised. In addition to natural light where possible, colour-comfortable rooms require a strategic coordi- nation of ample ceiling downlight (potlights) with decorative (ambi- ent) lighting fixtures.

2. Colour is an illusion that depends on your perception for success, so the goal is to trigger positive physical and emotional responses to enhance your feelings of wellbeing. Almost all colour is made from blend of colourants which can be manipulated to actually change its tone, lightness/darkness and brightness. Pay attention to whether you are drawn to clear (bright/crisp) colours or those that are more shaded (greyed/dull). A surface finish changes colour perception: Shiny reflects light while matte appears to absorb light, so surfaces look brighter or softer respectively. Learn how to iden- tify and articulate your personal interpretation; it will help you communicate with your paint supplier to achieve your goal.

3. Learn to use paint chips to guide you but don’t depend on them for your final choice. Take the time to purchase testers first. Get colours on your walls and check them in different places and at different times of day. If they need adjusting, your paint supplier should be able to help.

4. Colour comes in many forms and while we’ve focused mostly on paint, the same process applies to fabrics, wallcoverings and carpets.

It’s Spring — and time to welcome the joy of colour back into our lives!

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