Can a splash of colour improve our moods, our wellbeing and our homes? Sylvia Thompsonfinds out
COLOUR IS an integral part of our lives – the colours of the foods we eat, the clothes we wear and the spaces we live and work in. Yet, how many of us consider how different colours influence our moods as we go about our daily activities? Are there ways we can enhance our wellbeing by making more conscious decisions about how we use colour or even how we respond to colour in our environment?
Sinead Wyse is an interior designer and colour therapist who gives workshops on colour-conscious interior designs. She firmly believes that by becoming more aware of how different colours impact on us emotionally and mentally, people can change the moods in their home.
“I’m fascinated by how different colours impact on us,” she says. “I ask people what colours they like and don’t like and we talk about how that affects them,” she explains.
For instance, using peach/orange or terracotta colour in the kitchen helps people relate better to each other and since the kitchen is often the centre of family life, it’s a good colour to use there, according to Wyse. Soothing, non-stimulating colours are preferable for bedrooms and Wyse cites how a bright red rug in a child’s bedroom is too energising and could cause children difficulty getting to sleep.
“Each person’s personality is the starting point for choosing colours. When I give a consultation, we go into each room and discuss what colours they like and don’t like. You’d be surprised how many people don’t like colours they have chosen for certain rooms,” she says.
“Some people have become too aware of what’s in fashion in terms of interiors. You really have to let that go and return to yourself and be honest about the colours you like and whether you want a room to be inspiring, conducive to sleep and rest or conversation. Only then, will your home reflect you and people will get a sense of you when they visit rather than a copy of what might be in an interior design magazine.”
Tina Dunne is the author of Colour for Living – how to change your life with colour (Merlin Publishing). A home economics teacher, she became interested in how colour affects our lives following a six-month trip to South America some years ago. Charmed by the exotic colours and tastes of different cuisines there, she collected recipes and decided to combine her knowledge of nutrition with a more playful look at how colour influences our personalities and approach to life.
“I give lifestyle workshops for teenagers in schools and they love identifying their colour personality. It’s based on numerology and is not to be taken too seriously but I do find that teenagers are more willing to try new foods if you introduce food through colour,” explains Dunne.
In her book, she gives the nutritional profile of up to 100 different foods, categorising them according to their colour and then offers recipes using these foods. So, for instance, under green, there are recipes for courgette and broccoli stir-fry, baby spinach and watercress salad and guacamole. And under red, there are recipes for chilli con carne, red cabbage and beetroot salad and strawberry and raspberry smoothie.
In a more whimsical way, Dunne describes the different colour personalities. So, you get Mr Pink (charismatic, stimulating and fun-loving), Ms Pink (dynamic, articulate and self-indulgent), Young Pink (sociable, affectionate and creative) and the Pink Parent (who works hard to advance their children’s potential).
“I’m not saying everyone has to live in a fantasy world but you can have a bit of fun and lighten things up by looking at people in this way. And, this in itself improves communication,” says Dunne.
- Adapted from Colour for Living – how to change your life with colour by Tina Dunne (Merlin Publishing, €19.99)