• Green -- restful, relaxing, quiet. Deep greens can be somber by themselves but become fresh and full of life when contrasted against warmer colours. Pure greens have an association with vegetation.
• Pale green -- lively when mixed with yellow. More quiet and introspective when mixed with blue.
• Blue -- peaceful, calm, tranquil. Blue, when used in large amounts in its pure hues, can feel cool and melancholy.
• Pale blue -- atmospheric, calm, spacious. Pale, cool blue tends to recede and, therefore, often makes spaces feel larger, especially when used on high ceilings.
• Blue-green -- blue-green in its deeper forms is rich and complex. It spans the psychological associations of blue and green and often changes character with the changing light. Pale blue-green has a dense, atmospheric quality but does not recede as dramatically as pale blue.
• Purple/violet -- rich, regal, mystical. Purple has both a calm yet mysterious psychological association. Deeper purples and violets have a powerful yet introspective association.
• Pale purple/lavender -- soft, sensual, quiet. Pale purple and lavender often have a feminine association.
• White -- purity, light, cleanliness. White has strong associations, even though we are often not fully aware of them. When used in excessive amounts, white feels sterile.
• Black -- power, elegance, dignity. Black also has strong psychological associations. When used in excessive amounts, black feels oppressive.
• Grey -- conservative, quiet, calm. When mixed with quiet browns, grey can combine a warm richness with the sense of quiet dignity.
• Brown -- earthy, stabile, secure. Brown is associated with the earth and natural materials. It often conveys a sense of permanence and familiarity.
 | Excerpted from Interior Color By Design by Jonathan Poore, with photography by Eric Roth. Copyright 2005 by Jonathan Poore. Excerpted with permission by Quayside Publishing Group. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except by permission in writing from the publishers. |
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