Color Basics

What is color?

In 1666, English scientist Sir Isaac Newton discovered that when pure white light passes through a prism, it separates into all of the visible colors. Newton also found that each color is made up of a single wavelength and cannot be separated any further into other colors.

Perhaps this scientific finding is why people are so stressed when it comes to choosing colors for their space. I often have family members and friends (even strangers in stores sometimes) ask me for advice when it comes to choosing colors for their home. This task always brings me joy as I love color; especially when I see the dramatic effect it has in a room.

Color is to design as the ABC’s are to reading. It is essential to understand in order to move ahead. The only difference between the two is that the rules for choosing color are much more relaxed.

But as color can be very scientific, I would like to make color a little more accessible to my anxiety ridden friends. Let’s begin with PRIMARY colors. As you probably know, the primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. As these colors are combined they create more colors.

When you mix a primary color with another primary color it creates a SECONDARY color. And when you mix a primary color with that secondary color it will yield a TERTIARY color. Mixing can continue from there into infinite combinations, but Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary are the most basic combinations; and are the essentials in choosing any color scheme.

Warm Colors (Red, Yellow, and Orange) invoke a feeling of energy and are known to be mentally stimulating. These colors can be used easily in an office, kitchen, or playroom.

Cool Colors (Green, Blue, and Violet) are known to enhance relaxation and can physically make a space feel cooler.

The phenomenon of color can have a major impact on a space and over my next few posts I will be discussing some standard color combinations and their impact on the way we live.