The psychology of colour Pt 2

The Psychology of COLOUR

(Part 2)

I will be looking at 3 further colours and there effects on interiors:

GREEN:

• Colour of nature, green is fresh, tranquil and relaxing
• Colour of balance and harmony, thought to promote feelings of renewal and peace
• Restful on the eye, green was traditionally used for library or study in the home
• Green rooms, where actors rest before a performance as to promote relaxation
• Also associated with immaturity, inexperience, envy and jealousy

Ideal to use in interiors to bring the freshness and harmony of nature to a room. Be careful when choosing tone of green when decorating as tonal variety changes green's relaxing nature, grass greens and emerald greens are powerful. If you're after a more calming green your best bet would be to opt for jade celadon which are calm and subtle. Olive greens should be avoided in rooms which depend on artificial light due to their brownish undertone that can look slugy.

As greens move towards yellow it becomes more stimulating e.g. lime green and as green moves towards blue it turns cooler, moody and sensitive.

ORANGE:

• Symbolises warm, sociable, lively, energetic and extroverted
• Dominant colour in nature suggesting vivid sunsets, exotic spices and Autumn
• In Chinese and Japanese culture symbolises love and happiness
• Exhibits strength and endurance- favourite with young children and with cheerful, talkative, active adults

When designing with orange a good choice would be for north-facing rooms lacking in natural light, particularly in its paler values such as peach (red-orange) and apricot (yellow-orange). 

Pure orange is a fabulous accent colour, working particularly well with the much undated black, shades of dark grey and dark blue where its natural luminosity provides a perfect foil.

PINK:

• Part of the red family, its a light value or tint of red
• Soft, muted pinks are considered to be physically soothing and calming
• Fuchsia pinks on the other hand can be very stimulating
• Men can find it emasculating

The use of pink in interiors can if done incorrectly can turn into a disaster. A few basic rules: Pink and grey is a classic combination - pale pink with pale grey or bright pink with deeper greys. Pink works beautifully with all other berry colours. Dusky pinks look great with silver, mocha, taupe chocolate and if done with great care black.

Thank you for reading and hope this will enable you to create the right environment for your home.

The psychology of colour pt 1

The Psychology of COLOUR

(Part 1)

We all have colour preferences and colour dislikes. Extensive studies since the 1930s have been carried out on colour and personality in order for a better understanding why individuals differ in their responses to different colours. The work of psychologist Mark Luscher has been adapted and developed for use by psychologists and human resources departments worldwide.

Here's a brief run down of the colour uses and effect:

YELLOW:

• Associated with intellect and power
• Cheerful, radiant and warm
• Suggests sunlight, lifts spirits
• Most visible of spectrum (coupled with black is particularly noticable- warning of danger in nature, i.e. wasps, bees- and in industry hazards, i.e. hazardous wastes, yellow hard hat)
• Most likely to cause strain on eyes: Babies said to cry ( don't paint a babies room yellow), couples known to fight more in yellow kitchens. 

Ideally to be used in hallways as its know as a transit room, whereby, people are passing through and not lingering, hence once entered home feels warm and cheerful without putting a strain on the eye.

RED:

• Power
• Exciting and bold
• Longest wavelength in spectrum
• Attracts attention
• Ultiamte in power dressing- red ties, red lipstick, red dress, red shoes - or red shoe soles ;)
• Signifies life and living: blood
• Passion and intensity

In interiors red promotes vitality, courage, self confidence and stability and is also an appetite stimulant (as reason why used in restaurant table cloths). Blood pressure and pulses are elevated as well as brain waves. Used in dining rooms is ideal as not only are the effects of stimulating appetite but hopefully also good conversations.

BLUE:

• The colour most preferred by men
• Calmness and serenity (tests prove it lowers blood pressure, pulse and respiration rates)
• Indicates desire for peace and order (associated with water)
• Trust ans consistance
• Faith and nobility
• Conservative and reserved

Office spaces are and ideal choice, as it evokes calmness and is the most productive colour. However, its a comfortable colour and can be used just about everywhere. Looks beautiful with its complementary colours: orange - pale orange and coral with lighter values of blue, stronger oranges with darker shades of blue.

Ombre Your Interiors

Ombré is a French word that literally means "shaded like a gradient.  This new style is very popular and famous. Ombre trend is still going strong and also has a lot of fans.

Luxurious light to dark shades creates a dramatic effect wherever they are used. Ombre style can be found everywhere and on everything, from fashion to home decor and even to walls. It can be incorporated on various styles fading from dark to light or light to dark.

Water colour shades of aqua are bang on trend for this seasons ombre trend

The watery hue of a sea green wallpaper above is Saraille aqua by Designer Guilds, £185 for a 12m roll. A beautiful addition of tranquility to any home. If the wallpaper is to dramatic for yourself, why not opt for a charming dip dyed ombre bed linen also from Designer guilds, duvet covers prices start from £70.

Why not transform a plain white bathroom with a ruffly dip dyed curtain in Aqua, £98, Anthropologie.

Why not fade out your floor by adding this soft rug which fades from teal through to cream, a truly stunning addition to any floor. Teal Paintbox rug starts from £900 for a large (230x170cm), Bluebellgray.

If aqua is not quite to you're  liking then there other hues, such as the bed draping or in noir curtains seen below and both by Designer guilds. Its hand-dyed, wide-width linen, shaded across the full width from vibrant colour to vanishing white

Handmade sofas

I spent an interesting morning in a workshop on how a sofa is made by hand by Dudgeon based in Fulham. They have over 67 years of making beautiful yet comfortable handmade furniture.

This was my first time to see sofas being made. Ive always admired handmade furniture but to see all the components put together was a very interesting and yet I say it an exciting experience. Having had years of procuring sofas for my clients it brought another level of interest for myself to see the craftsmanship and hours of immense labour which goes into a piece of furniture the good we all take for granted.

The frames are made from beech wood with dowelled, glued and screwed joints.

Individual "double cone hourglass coil" springs are tied by hand to cotton webbing at the base of the frame to give a stable sprung seat platform. 

A layer of lambswool is added for softness before the barrier cloth and the outer fabric are added.If there is a cane sprung seat edge, an extra row of 4" or 5" springs is added to give natural comfort. 

All pieces are finished with sewing by hand.

The picture above was of a footstool which was diamond tufted .......... Absolutely stunning effect! 

The experience left me inspired and wishing to have a go at a diamond tufted wall panel!!

English Baroque explained

The emergence of the flamboyant English Baroque style coincided with the restoration to the English throne in 1660 of the equally flamboyant Charles II after 11 years of serious Commonwealth.

English Baroque developed in England under Charles II and matured in the reign of William and Mary (1689-1702) it was derived more strongly from Holland than France.

The Baroque is a style of theatrical grandeur, of swelling curves and massive forms. The basic shell of a room was rather sombre but was offset by the glowing jewel colours of painted ceilings, tapestries and upholstery and by the gleam of silver chandeliers, silver decorated furniture and mirrors.

Walls and ceilings

The walls of great houses were paneled in oak. Wood carvings in England were at an all time high whereby, motifs would be frequently carried out in pear wood or lime wood , then applied to oak panelling.

Quick drying plasters, stucco duro, where developed and made it possible to create elaborate naturalistic motifs similar to those found in wood carvings.

Wall hangings where often decorated with fringe along the top and bottom and down the edged. Leather was used as to absorb smells in dining rooms.

Wallpaper from China, which were hand painted where the height of fashion.

Chinoiserie- Chinese wallpaper from 1753

Create the look: large oak panels framed with mouldings painted to look like marble or walnut are both authentic treatments. An affordable approach would be to divide a plain plastered wall into sections edged by mouldings and then give each section a suitable faux finish.

Yellow is a pleasing background for collections of blue and white porcelain. Chinese hand painted wallpapers would also suit the style.

Windows

Curtains began to take on a more important role. They were often hung in pairs in the 1670s and soon rod and rings were disguised by a pelmet, which became the chief focus of decoration.

Floors

Parquetry was used sometimes in grand settings. Carpets were now seen on floors, including Persian, Turkish and Savonnerie. 

Create the look by the use of Savonnerie-style carpets or polished boards.

Lighting

Rooms were now brighter at night than had been, since people tended to burn more candles. Candle-stands had come into fashion as a result and chandeliers were hung quite low.

Create the look: Candlelight was still the only means of illumination. Silver candlesticks, chandeliers and wall sconces are all relevant. Silver coloured reproduction electric fittings are all correct or better still install concealed up-lighters with soft peach-coloured bulbs.

Furniture

Walnut ousted oak as a fashionable wood at this time, and pieces were often inlaid with marquetry. Decorating furniture with silver was now a passionate restoration theme. Oriental lacquer was extremely fashionable, and screens were sometimes cannabalised to make cabinet furniture. Corner cupboards were in demand to display collections of ceramics. Bed hangings were extremely elaborate with heavy draping and metal embellishments.

Soft furnishings included fabrics such as damask, moire and silk.

Create the look: Walnut is the wood for this era. High backed chairs with scrolled legs and carved tops. Barley twist legs were on trend. Chair seats and backs can be caned or covered in needlework or cut velvet. Swing toilet mirrors on box stands were very characteristic. Choose chests on chests raised from the floor on turned legs. Look too for lacquered chinoiserie pieces and screens.

Accessories

The fashion for tea, coffee and chocolate demanded new pottery and silverware. Forks were now usual, and as this was a prosperous time silver was used for a multitude of purposes.

Owing to advances in English glass, glass goblets were ousting silver for wine.

Get the look: Blue and white Chinese vases and jars massed on shelves and over fireplaces, on tables, cabinets and on wall brackets giving the feeling of the age. An abundance of silverware is characteristic and lacquered boxes would reflect the eras fascination in the Orient.

Finishing Touches

It was on trend to display a large piece of Oriental porcelain or Delftware vases on the stretchers under  a cabinet. Fora similar effect place a large vase under a side table and match it with a collection of blue and white vases and jars on top.

Children's Room Design Dilemma

Over the years the household habits have changed tremendously, especially with children spending more time indoors. It’s never been so prevalent to parents to keep their homes tidy and keeping the children entertained. I’m going to be focusing on designing children’s bedroom on this blog but will be covering playrooms as they are becoming ever so much more popular. However, if space is an issue a well designed bedroom no matter how small will be able to fulfil their needs.

When it comes to designing children’s rooms it’s anything but easy. As they do have a habit of growing in and out of particular themes and hobbies. This is why it’s extremely important to create a space which will cater for their needs and defining sleeping, studying, playing and dressing areas but at the same time keeping it interesting and fresh throughout their growth spurts. 

Wall Murals create interest and drama

Defining areas in children’s rooms is so crucial to the design as this will help your child to keep the room tidy but also creating a sense of wellbeing in their sanctuary.

Storage is a key part of achieving a clutter free and efficient space. This should always allow for all the toys, clothes, stationary and games to be put away in a fun and fashionable manner.

Light be it natural or artificial has to be right as the study area or for toddlers a reading area to help them study or read.

Snug areas where possible are ideal so as to have friends over and can in some cases allow for sleepovers.

The disillusion of having to think that this is not possible is not true, with the right design of defining the areas of sleeping, studying, playing and dressing these can be put into the smallest of rooms creating an upbeat fun space for your children.

If you find it overwhelming please contact  Amy Zubi Interior Design  and we will be more than happy to help.

Interior Design Trends 2014

Interior Design Trends 2014                                                           

Just as the new year is upon us and our thoughts are of the long distant warm weather months, there is something that all of us can do to lighten our moods and boy do we need it. By simply incorporating key design trends for 2014 not only will these banish the winter blues but keep you’re home looking fresh and bang on trend. Here are a my favourite top 5 trends.

1.BLUE- but not feeling blue?!?

You may be thinking this is not ideal given the month were in but by using rich, saturated colours like navy and indigo to bright vibrant shades like peacock blue and cobalt (biggest colour for 2014), blue will be the supreme colour all year round. 

Brian Yates new collection 2014
KHROMA colour icon
range

2. Metallics

All that glitters is now gold, whereby the fever has indeed captured the minds of designers. They can be seen on all aspects in  this years interiors furniture, soft furnishings and accessories. One particular look for those who are still in between the silver and gold effect is Cole & Son new range of The Historic Royal Palaces Collection. With an antique gold effect and set of with a beautiful gold mirror.

Kings Mirror

3. Interior Tech

Apple devices reign in most households, so the new U-Socket wall plug has two built-in USB ports to power devices including iPhones, gaming devices, digital cameras, Kindles and iPads. The U-Socket also has a smart sensor that allows it to shut off when the device is fully charged — an environmentally friendly feature that prevents “vampire drain."

For those who wish for flexibilty of the conventional socket and a HDMI connector 4. Prints Prints are continuing to reclaim their rightful place in their home but are now are bigger and more graphic. The Ikat print is also on trend. Elle Decor and  House Beautiful have been fans for a few years now. So much so that the former have devoted a montage for their front page in 2010 and the trend is now stronger than ever. Elle decor 2010 5. Animals The past few years have seen a popularity in animal prints adorning fashion and decor. Cheetah prints have been very popular along with beautiful zebra, giraffe and cows. This year's decor trend has brought the focus to the entire animal and not just its patterned coat. Owl three sculpture Scottie ice cube tray Well thats the 5 trends  for your interiors of 2014 and wishing you all a prosperous and happy year!!!