Color plays an integral role in our daily lives. It affects our moods, decisions and actions. Let’s take a look at our activities on a typical day to observe how influential color can be.

Most of us rise with the sun and sleep at night. Our internal clocks are preprogrammed for this routine. During the gray days of winter, it’s tough to get motivated. We need that burst of sunshine to jumpstart our morning activities. The longer days of summer encourage more outdoors events, bringing us closer to nature, which energizes our minds and bodies. Vacations are most popular in summertime.

In our homes, the walls, floors, and furnishings vary in color from room to room, often based upon our activities. For example, sunrooms are usually a cheerful yellow, while bedrooms and bathrooms promote relaxation in soothing tones. Choice varies by individual preferences, and emotional responses to those colors, which are affected by memories, experiences, upbringing, culture, etc.  (Photo courtesy AMS Interiors, LLC.)

What about your wardrobe? What colors do you see when you look in your bedroom closet? Do you prefer the warm tones of red, orange and yellow, or do you lean more towards the cooler greens, blues, and purples? Perhaps more neutral colors, such as white, tan, brown, and black are to your liking?  Whatever the colors, you feel good when you wear your favorites and it shows.

You start the day with breakfast, and a great view if you can get it. Fresh fruit brings a natural burst of color and sweetness to an otherwise ordinary bowl of cereal. Maybe you prefer bread or a bagel. It has to be toasted to that perfect shade of light tan or golden brown – nothing else will do.

If you’re a kid, you hope breakfast will look something like the photo above. Kid’s cereals are great examples of how color attracts attention, even from the younger members of the family. Hiding a toy inside the box doesn’t hurt, and if it’s part of a collectible set, boxes will practically fly off the shelves.

On the way to work, or running errands, drivers are directed to go on green and stop on red. Yellow seems to be a bit confusing. For some it means proceed with caution, but others believe it’s time to stomp on the gas pedal – some more successfully than others.

Depending upon your driving habits, you might see flashing lights like these in your rear view mirror.  As you pull over to the curb, you breathe a sigh of relief when the police car flies past you.  Whew!  That was close!

Gas stations have installed color-coded gas pumps to ensure motorists select the correct type of gasoline for their vehicles.

A quick stop at the grocery store offers a multitude of selections. With so many products competing for your attention, how will you ever decide?

When selecting produce, color is the first determining factor for freshness.

What’s for lunch? Maybe today you’ll have a salad. Notice the amazing combination of colors, shapes and textures. Remember we eat with our eyes first. Looks delicious!

How about a trip to the local mall? Finding your car in a crowded lot can be a nightmare. Color-coding in the multi-level parking garages saves us a lot of time and frustration. We might not notice what floor we parked on, but the color is easily remembered.

Inside the shopping mall, retailers vie for your attention and dollars with colorful displays and eye-catching signage.

A much needed jolt of caffeine to boost your energy through the afternoon. The brown cup and saucer, and use of aged wood countertops reinforces the natural connection of coffee beans growing in the forest, and builds anticipation for the rich creamy flavors of this hot delicious coffee.

The arrival of summer means it’s time to fire up the barbeque grill. Crisp lettuce, and juicy slices of tomato with two kinds of melted cheese on a soft bun make this hamburger a mouthwatering sight to behold.

Watching the sunset or sunrise is a worldwide activity. We may not speak the same language, but we share an appreciation of natural beauty. People go to great lengths, traveling vast distances to reach the best vantage points, often atop mountain peaks, where visitors have to stand in freezing cold temperatures, to watch the sun rise or set at the horizon in royal splendor. All those fiery reds, oranges, and yellows in the mornings and magnificent blues and purples at night flash across the sky in a dazzling performance remembered for a lifetime.

In the evening, most people unwind in a comfortable family room or great room, surrounded by colorful family mementos, sharing stories of the day and joking about the silly plots of whatever is on television. Earth tone walls, flooring, furniture and furnishings promote relaxation.

It’s time to get ready for bed. You wrap yourself in your favorite pajamas, or sweat pants and a t-shirt – you know the one from your first concert, 10 to 20 years ago. With that wild logo on the front and tour dates on the back, that t-shirt has outlasted the band that inspired it. The color may have faded, and it may be a little ragged around the edges, but it still has years of wear and lots of fond memories attached to it, and no matter what anyone says, you’re not going to part with it! Sweet Dreams!

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

Mother Nature has an interesting way of mixing colors, which inspire our fashions, home furnishings, and interior design.  Check out the wolf photo above.  His fur is a perfect blend of black, brown, gray, and white.  We typically contrast neutrals with more vibrant colors, but as you can see, they can stand on their own.  Let’s explore the hidden meanings, common perceptions and our expectations of the neutral color palette. 

Color: BLACK

Mystery & Superstition – What is it about black cats that inspires other-worldly tales of witches, monsters and things that go bump in the night?  Everyone loves mystery and suspense, always wondering what is behind the curtain.  Black piques the interest and keeps them guessing. 

Fear of the Unknown & Protection – Ghost stories shared around campfires are a common summertime activity.  The human mind can imagine all sorts of things hidden within the shadows.  On the other hand, darkness offers protection, a type of shield, which is why black onyx was often carried by ancient travelers to ensure safe passage. 

Formal & Luxurious – Even if it is only for one special night, black tuxedos and evening gowns are luxuries, making the wearer look and feel like fashion royalty.

Exotic & Sexy – The “little black dress,” a staple in most women’s wardrobes, is the perfect example of this color’s attention getting, seductive nature. 

Color: BROWN

Comforting & Casual – The color brown invites you to come in, sit by the fire, and sip hot cocoa, while roasting marshmallows and enjoying the cozy atmosphere. 

Natural Beauty & Tranquility– The beauty and serenity found in nature fills us with feelings of awe and joy, inspiring new ideas and a fresh outlook. 

Relaxing & Soothing – You work hard and often play hard too.  Forget the world for a while.  Relax, unwind, and restore your body, mind and spirit.

Down-to-Earth & Self-Confident – Be true to yourself, grounded, levelheaded, and practical. 

Color: GRAY

Balance & Sophistication – Cool grays create sleek sophisticated style. 

Uncertainty & Ethereal – The warm grays, such as these trees, are earthy and grounding, while the cool gray fog produces a more ethereal quality. 

Wisdom & Maturity – They say an elephant never forgets.  Imagine the stories she could tell!

Timeless & Calming – Walking along the beach, we collect seashells formed eons ago, as we let the water wash our cares away. 

Color: WHITE

Simplicity & New Beginnings – Life doesn’t have to be complicated.  Feel footloose and carefree as the dawn brings new opportunities. 

Peace & Clarity – White doves are symbols of peace and the spirit world. 

Purity & Remembrance – White roses adorn bridal bouquets.  For some cultures, white flowers are memorials for deceased family members. 

Cool & Crisp – White clothing is commonly worn during the summertime because it not only looks cooler, but also reflects the heat of the sun, making you feel cooler too. 

The Great Film Debate:

Black & White Film versus Full Color Film

Black and white film was the standard.  The invention of color film was a real game changer.  Everything came to life in “living” color, resulting in an interesting question: Should the old black and white films be colorized?  The purists say no because black and white are an integral part of the story.  Adventurous movie lovers say give us vibrant colors and don’t forget the “CGI” special effects!  Do you have a preference?  Please write your thoughts in the comments section. 

In case you missed the two previous World of Color posts, Part One covers the warm color palette: red, orange, and yellow, and Part Two discusses the cool color palette: green, blue, and violet.

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!