HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIAL SECTION

Structural Restoration, Repair and/or Replacement of Damaged Foundations, Sills, Joists & Framing Timber

New Foundations Constructed Under Existing Buildings

Barn Frames, Timbers & Barn Board for Sale

Recycling & Dismantling of Old Barns & Reassembly

Tasteful Remodeling of & Additions to Period Homes

Intentional Interiors (continued)

51% associated black with sadness, and 52% felt that yellow means joy. In July this year, a study was conducted in China about how color psychology can be applied to environmental design. According to the study results, people who feel anxious, lonely, and otherwise emotionally unstable are drawn to warmer colors in the spectrum, specifically to yellow and orange hues, pinks and reds, and greens. Whereas the color combinations black-white and blue-purple had a negative effect on most participants.

Applying color psychology in your spaces

Considering that colors have an impact on our bodies, our emotions and our overall well-being, we can use color in interior spaces not only to create interest and vitality, illusions of size or shape, but for the purpose of focus or balance (“flow”); We can also apply color to generate an emotional response, and even to contribute to the creation of healing environments. When designing your own spaces, ask yourself the following questions:

• How do you want to feel in your space? (Peaceful, motivated, grounded, spacious, joyous)

• Which colors are you drawn to and why? Become aware of unconscious links to past experiences (Maybe you love pinks because they remind you of the tulips in your grandmother’s garden.)

• What do you associate with certain colors? (Maybe you associate the color red or pink with selflove and romance.)

• Looking at your space, what is the status quo? Which colors are needed to invite the sensation you are after? For example, say you want to feel more warm and comfortable and associate orange with earthy sand tones in Arizona, which you love, as well as the warm feeling of sun rays on your skin. If orange sparks warmth and coziness for you, consider bringing some orange into your space!

I invite you this winter season to take a moment and scan your home with your mind; you could even meditate on it and become aware of how you feel in the different spaces and how they affect your body, your breathing, and your thoughts ... And how do you WANT to feel? What colors need changing to achieve your desired outcome?