Author Login | Popular Articles | RSS Feeds | Sitemap

Home | Home-and-family


What's in a Name? Everything, When You Talk About Color!

By: Melissa Galt

Copyright 2006 Melissa Galt

Shhhh, did you know the 70's are back? It's true. While you thought you were enjoying the advent of moss, sage, and khaki in combination with canyon, moonglow and horizon, really it is just the renaissance of avocado and gold. Shocking, I know, but it is all in the marketing, hence the semantics. Imagine that you have chosen a delicious chocolate brown for your den walls. Certainly sounds more appetizing than dirt, doesn't it? But, really one man's dirt is another's chocolate, so it is all in the perception and the naming.

The paint companies have been at it for years; we just don't pay close attention. Benjamin Moore, one of my favorites, did an interesting market test back in the 1950's. One of their top selling colors to that time was called "ivory", but then suddenly sales dropped off. Go figure, well, I know I'm not putting some color reminiscent of dishwashing liquid on my walls. So they got smart and tinkered with the name, not the formula. Renamed "Oriental Silk", it is still their number one best selling paint color today!

How many of you are disconcerted when a paint color is nameless, with only a number to go on? I know at least a few, because I have on occasion concocted my own monikers for colors, when pressed by a client, unwilling to commit to just a number. Suddenly 1072 becomes "toast" and 1346 takes on "cinnabar." We all seek the romance of the right words to define and detail our lives, and assuredly our homes are no different.

Many, I am sure, have passed up a color because of its name, not its look. So get creative, maybe cardinal red isn't your preference, but crimson tide is. Or perhaps you feel green at the sound of seafoam, but mention silvered willow and new possibilities open. We all have our buttons, and names do make a difference. While mauve still has a bad rap, twilight doesn't (oh and by the way, rumor has it, mauve is making a come back, so look out!) Few people are interested in painting a room orange, but Chinese red, or sunkist sound pretty terrific. Beige is boring, but hint o'gold has promise. Get out your thesaurus and have some fun. Certainly when it comes to kids' colors, it is a breeze with cotton candy pink, sky blue, Pac-Man orange, and so on.

The psychology behind color is not limited to its name, but the name does create an association based on experience. Consider buttercup yellow. It sounds warm, sunny, and cheery. Yellow is an excellent hue to use in interior spaces lacking windows, such as dark foyers and hallways, because it mimics or gives the illusion of sunlight. On the other hand, studies have shown that babies will cry more in a yellow room than a room of any other color (this is intense yellow, not butter.)

In discussing red, one may consider the expression "seeing red". This refers to the increase in heart rate associated with the color and the same reaction when angry. Red is also known to stimulate the appetite (the Chinese, Mexicans and Italians all use it well in their restaurants.) Again, studies have shown that individuals tend to lose track of time, eat more and spend more money (red tag sale) all in the presence of red. Clearly this is more likely to happen with cherry red, holiday red, or cabernet red than if you find you are surrounded by a color termed blood red. Again, all in the semantics.

So, rather than become enamored with a color by its name, find out if you can truly live with it. Try it out, either directly on the wall or on a piece of foam board, using at least two coats (more if it is a deep tone). Check it in a variety of light. Champagne may go flat, while chardonnay may scream. It isn't the name you need fall for but the formula, then name it what you like. Once you know the game, you can win!

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
Melissa Galt is a Lifestyle Designer and Speaker based in Atlanta, GA. She hosts a series of blogs on design tips and trends and produces a monthly ezine dedicated to helping subscribers design their signature life. For the latest teleclasses, seminars, and ebooks on designing your life check out http://www.melissagalt.com .

| Print | Ezine Ready | |

Recent Home-and-Family Articles

  • How to choose bridesmaid dresses? By: Nadi Baruch - Whatever you do, don't leave the choice of bridesmaids' dresses as an afterthought to your wedding dress. Choosing bridesmaids' dresses is just as important as choosing the bride's dress. Why? Well, some people think that the because the bride is the most important female the bridesmaids should sink into the background and do as they are told and wear what they are told to wear. Wrong! Firstly, your bridesmaids are your friends and relatives. They deserve some consideration. But, actually, they deserve a lot more than that.
  • Dallas Homes Draw 2nd Largest Population Growth in US By: Roberto Bell - Dallas Fort Worth has experienced the 2nd largest gain in population over the past eight years, narrowly edged out by Atlanta. The population burst is attributed to quality and affordable housing.1.16 million people have migrated to Dallas to take advantage of Dallas’ robust economy, stable -- if not growing – job market, and extraordinary values in housing.A study by The Dallas Morning News by ESRI, a Redlands, CA demographic and geographic systems company, predicts continued growth through 2013.
  • Dallas Homes Hold Their Value By: Roberto Bell - One of the biggest worries for today's homebuyer is the continued drop in home prices. While cheaper housing costs are appealing, many consumers fret that prices will keep falling after they buy. Dallas residents should not be concerned about losing equity in their homes, according to a study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research and the National Low Income Housing Coalition. They analyzed 100 of the largest U.S.
  • Don’t Miss the Vital Information That You Need To Know On Child Care By: ChristyJonpns - You may experience a degree of frustration in raising your kid because you'll probably make a lot of mistakes along the way. To successfully care for your child, you need to be prepared and accept the fact that you aren't perfect; then make room for mistakes. Childcare isn't a product of trial and error... It's a conscious and deliberate attempt to stay finetuned to your baby's needs.
  • Utilize Covered Patio Designs to Start Your Project Right! By: Weeksie - An immense choice in covered patio design exists in today's remodeling marketplace. Choose from all kinds of fine-looking, delightful models or maybe even create a design all your own. Guarantee its uniqueness by tendering an assortment of shapes, styles and layouts. Tiles derived from mud or deck building materials, slate variations and like materials are now in vogue due to their "down to earth", natural presentation.
  • December Christmas in Naples By: Michele de Capitani - Christmas in Naples, indeed, is magic, and it is particularly appreciated both by children and the grown-up, both by tourists and Neapolitans. In the last few years, indeed, Naples has been hosting many events during this period, including not only traditional happenings like Christmas markets and cribs exhibitions, but also brand new events. The centre of the events will be the Chiana district: in this part of the city historical churches will host Christmas music and gospels concerts, while in various theatres Christmas pieces will be performed.
  • Give Your Underage Skeptics a Double Whammy with Personalized Santa Letters and a Santa Evidence Kit By: wedding-articles - Kids grow up faster and faster every year. The age that they stop believing in Santa Claus seems to be getting earlier and earlier. If you have children who are becoming skeptical about Santa, you can give them a double whammy to help them keep believing. Personalized Santa letters in conjunctions with a Santa Evidence Kit may be just what you need to reinforce their belief. Personalized Santa letters can be created in a lot of different ways.
  • Should a Teen Get a Job? By: wei king - Many people thinks teens should pay their attention to school,so perhaps your parents refuse to make you work until you turned 18,they feel that as a teenager the primary focus should be going to school, making good grades, and enjoying being a teen while they still can. In fact, as long as you keep the following some rules, you can be successful at being both a student and a worker, however, I think a teen should get a job. You can learn responsibility.
  • How to Adopt Your Stepchild in California By: Gen Wright - In the state of California adoption is actually a rather simple process. Once you have determined that you want to adopt your stepchild, you will need to take specific legal steps to do so. This article will explain what to consider during the adoption process, how to get the documents needed for free, and what to expect from the process. First, adoption is a very serious thing to consider before acting.
  • A Letter from Santa and Personalized Christmas Gifts Multiply the Joy of Christmas By: wedding-articles - Christmas is definitely one of the happiest times of the year, especially for children. As Christmas Eve approaches, children are on there best behavior. They enjoy helping decorate the house and baking cookies, and a host of other activities that are special to this time of year. Many children write a letter to Santa to make sure he knows exactly what they want him to bring this Christmas.

Search Ebay

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!


Submit Your link to the Open Link Directory Project

Copyright 2005-2008 MJE Sales, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Proud member of the ArticleCkr Search Network Search Network!
ArticleSnatch.com is free for both publishers and authors to use and is supported entirely from advertising revenue.
Use of our service is protected by our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.