Colour Inspiration
There isn’t a person on the planet who isn’t fond of one colour or another. With accents of autumnal red and orange tones you can create a warm atmosphere, whereas by using shades of blues and greens – a fresh, cooler one. There’s science behind colour and its effects on our moods, their basic psychological properties are:
Red and Pink – Increases blood pressure and stimulates the adrenal glands, which increases our stamina and strength. Pink, a lighter shade of red, helps muscles relax. Red is renowned for its association with vitality and ambition, although it has also been shown to be linked with anger. Pink has the opposite effect of red. It induces feelings of calm, protection, warmth and nurture.
Blue – In contrast to red, blue proves to lower blood pressure. It can have a soothing affect on the throat and thyroid gland making us calmer. Dark shades of blue stimulate the pituitary gland, which regulates our sleep patterns, proving useful in eliminating insomnia. Like yellow, blue inspires mental control, clarity and creativity.
Yellow – Proven to stimulate the brain, the stimulation helps to make you more alert and decisive, at the same time, the colour makes muscles more energetic and activates the lymph system. Similar to orange, yellow is a happy and uplifting color. It can also be associated with intellectual thinking: discernment, memory, clear thinking, decision-making and good judgment.
Green – On a physical and emotional level, the colour green helps bring you physical equilibrium and relaxation by relaxing your muscles and encouraging us to breathe deeper and slower. Some attribute this to its connection with nature and our natural feelings of affiliation with the natural.
Black – Often referred to as the ultimate in sophistication, black is both demure and edgy, which can create a sense of being boldly confidence or conservative depending on the current mental and emotional state of its audience.
White – The colour of ultimate purity, white brings feelings of peace and comfort while dispelling shock and despair. White can impart a feeling of freedom and uncluttered openness, however too much white can give feelings of separation and isolation.
Colour can be added via multiple mediums to create subtle or bright pops of beautiful shades. Here are a few ways to incorporate colour to your setting, simply and successfully.
1. Tableware
Using coloured crockery and glassware from stemware to serving plates, bowls, centerpieces, cups, saucers and side plates, is probably the simplest way to add accents of colour. Add colour specific bouquets of flowers and coloured table linen but be careful not to overdo it. Too much colour can be as overwhelming as no colour at all.
2. Chairs
For your chair hire, swap out the standard gold or silver banqueting chairs for a classic camelot chair in a limewashed, white, or green, colourway. If you’re looking for a more subtle way to incorporate a few hues, try coloured, seat cushions. Alternatively, you can tie sashes of organza or taffeta on the backrest of the chair.
3. Food
The science of colour aside, the science of food and colour is an equally compelling reason to design a menu that complements your colour scheme. Imagine, a green and white colour-themed garden party with a menu that boasts fresh summer pea salad, followed by seared salmon on a bed of wasabi mash, finished off with homemade pistachio ice cream…
