INTD 53 color and interior environments. within and interior, color can: define space indicate function suggest temperature influence moods project personality.

INTD 53

color and interior environments

color and interior environments

within and interior, color can:•define space•indicate function•suggest temperature•influence moods•project personality

factors to consider in choosing color effectively:•room size, shape, function•lighting•cost•personal preference

color and interior environments

everything in a room makes a color statement

governing items:•paint/wallcovering•draperies•carpets/flooring•upholstery

accent items:•area rugs•lampshades•bed and table linens •other accessories

color and interior environments

in all interior color decisions, proposed color should be examined in the environment in which it will be used—see the true effects of lighting•daylight•artificial light

observe under

all lighting conditions

interior color studies—Japan

using the Munsell color system, Masao Inui of Japan found:

•“warm” colors used more frequently than “cool” colors (natural wood)•color preference heavily influenced by room type or surface to which was applied:•theater foyers vs. average living room

•ceiling mostly colorless; floors very colorful•the less bright the color (heading toward neutrality) the more pleasant the room was thought to be

interior color studies—England

Slatter & Whitfield based study on hypothesis that color appropriateness varied:

function:bedroom—slightly more saturated yellow, yellow-red, & red were chosen living room— most often selected as neutrals

style:neutral white—modern interiordark red—Georgianlight green—Art Nouveau

interior color studies—United States

Srivastava & Peel (1968)—color’s influence on human movement through interior space: museum, footsteps, dark brown & light beige

visitors in dark room took more footsteps, covered twice as much area, spent less time

interior color studies—United States

Bill, Margulis, & Konar (1984, 1985) studied color & productivity—1,000 office workers:•stated preferences for described colors•picked color chips of most preferred colors for work station features•rated colors

found preference for:•walls/dividers: colors with low saturation—light blue, light aqua green, off-white•work surfaces—light wood•chair seats—highly saturated

color and spaciousness

“warm” colors advance & “cool” colors recede?

brightness is operative factor in perception of advancing or receding—bright nearer than dark

spaciousness is enhanced by increasing lightness of enclosing surfaces & by decreasing contrast of elements that intrude into space and background

color creates perspective

aesthetics of color in interiors

plays a vital role in interiors—can dramatically change the way objects look

be sensitive to physiological and psychological effects color has on inhabitants

interior color themes drawn from variety of materials incorporated into interior—natural materials, textiles, wall & floor coverings, paintings, sculpture, plants, etc…

color palette must be compatible to purpose of room, physical size, form & sources of light

color harmony in interiors

consider these questions when developing a color plan:•is there a client preference?•do the uses and purposes of the space suggest neutral or color solutions?•does the level of illumination demand light, medium or dark tonalities?

then consider:•main areas—floor, walls, ceiling•secondary areas—window treatments, large upholstered pieces•minor areas—small chairs, paintings, pillows, small objets d’art, other accessories

establishing interior colors themes

established by the treatment of main & secondary areas—greater unity is achieved when same color accents are repeated throughout

really no hard-and-fast rules

most successful rooms do not rely on rules but on the years of training and experience it takes to develop an eye for color

establishing interior colors themes

complementary color scheme:•generally employs two complementary hues•exact complements are less effective than complements tinged with same underlying hue—yellow-based red harmonizes better with yellow-based green

establishing interior colors themes

analogous color scheme:•usually limited to 2-3 adjacent colors on the color wheel—such as green-blue with intermediate steps in between

establishing interior colors themes

monochromatic color scheme:•one-hue plan is based around a variety of tonal & chromatic values of a single color

establishing interior colors themes

monochromatic color scheme

establishing interior colors themes

monotone color scheme:•composed of one color, one tone, and one level of saturation throughout

establishing interior colors themes

achromatic color scheme:•use neutrals black, white, gray, and brown—rely on varying ranges •monotone version can be boring

chromatic distribution

making decisions about how much color to distribute and to what areas can be tricky

traditional—most neutralized colors on dominant areas, brighter colors saved for smaller areas or accessories

opposite approach has been used with great success

tonal distribution

nature provides us with a guide:•dark value beneath our feet—earth •medium value around us—trees & plants•lighter value above—sky

a dark floor, medium sofa, and lighter walls provide the greatest level of comfort for the largest number of people

light-value sofa placed against dark-value walls and floors appears to float—unsettling

participation activity:personal color plan…refer to pages151-155 in Color: The Secret Influence by Fehrman & Fehrman…create your own Personal Interior Color Plan addressing the following areas:•architecture•use of space•color preference•period or style of furnishings

…your color plan can be created/compiled in any manner you choose—magazine/internet images, drawings, physical samples, color boards, etc……each of the sections should include a written summary describing your choices