Spring 2010

Hallelujah! It’s spring. I never quite believe it, but I’ve seen the proof. Yellow forsythia is budding and the crocus and daffodils are in bloom. What a relief to see bright, refreshing colors again. Even the grass is turning green.

For those of us living in climates with harsh winters, paint color is the greatest elixir. There are many well documented studies that describe the benefits to using color in built environments. New Englanders don’t need the studies. We know color deprivation from experience. We need color all year round.

Color Brightens Life at MIT

One of the first things that the Director of International Scholars Office at MIT did when the department moved to a new building was to ask me to select paint colors for the staff’s offices and common areas. Architects and designers sometimes frown upon the use of paint colors and believe that color should come from the building materials themselves. However, there was no budget for special materials. Applied color was the best solution.

To some, it may have seemed frivolous to make upbeat paint colors a first priority, when white walls would have sufficed and gotten staff right back to work. But this department head knew that there was good reason to do it. Siting the research in Color Environment and Human Response by Frank Mahnke, “If an office is designed using a workers favorite colors they tend to like their environment. A lack of stimulation whether visual or psychological is associated with boredom and fatigue. Color and light can greatly improve a person’s impression of their workplace.”

The staff are pleased with their colors and tell me that visitors notice them as well. “It is an uplifting surprise when they come through the door. It even changes the tone of meetings and actually seems to put people in a better mood.”

The majority of staff tended to choose colors on the brighter side of the color palette. Colors like reds, oranges and yellows which are energetic and optimistic. Several of the staff’s picks were warm plum, inspired by the beauty of exotic orchids; and peony pink.

According to Leatrice Eiseman, color psychologist, trend forecaster and executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, “People have an inclination to go in one of two directions with paint color. One is to burrow even further and use color in a very soothing way. The other direction you see is that people are using color as a way to boost their mood. Either way, people are being more mindful of the colors that they’re using.”

 SPECIAL OFFER ON EXTERIOR CONSULTATION 

Over the years I have designed and compiled a vast collection of color schemes which include both historic and modern color palettes that were designed for my clients. I routinely refer to this arsenal of color as I plan schemes for new clients.

To celebrate my participation with This Old House® on their 30th Anniversary, and for a limited time, I am offering a “special” on exterior color consultations. Receive one beautiful color scheme for your house for just $450.* Please reference this newsletter when contacting me in order to receive this special. To take advantage of this offer, please use the Exterior Palettes consultation materials here, then click here to email me and mention this offer.

This offer is being made in addition to my standard, more extensive exterior consultation services. Click here for standard exterior consultation.

What exactly does color do for a home exterior? Here is a summary from mentor, Frank Mahnke, at the International Association of Color Consultants (IACC).

• Makes a building appear pleasant, well-proportioned, stimulating
• Brings a building in harmony with its surroundings.
• Gives individuality to buildings that exhibit the same or similar design
• Differentiates, contains, unites, equalizes, underlines or draws attention to proportions
• Gives identity to a city or neighborhood
• Helps to satisfy the demand for a cultural and sociological responsibility in the townscape
• Counters “visual” pollution

As you prepare for the coming of spring 2010 and the many home-related projects on your list, consider the most transformative improvement of all; a fresh new look and layer of protection for your most prized investment.

*Certain limitations apply on “special” exterior consultation offer. Contact me for details.

Best Wishes,

--Bonnie