Have you planned your getaway for the summer holidays yet?

Colour by numbers – the Pantone Hotel

In my pursuit of colourful design ideas my attention was drawn this week to the Pantone Hotel in Brussels. The ‘Pantone Hotel Experience’ invites you to travel to a “colorific world – experienced through a lens of colour and spectrum of comforts”. The design ethos is described as an ‘exceptional use of contrast where a white canvas provides clean space for saturated colours to pop’.

Quite startling in design, definition and drama are certainly created by the space and reflective qualities of white married with intense bursts of colour in the furnishings and artwork.

The feeling among many designers of different disciplines about including white in design is that it adds impeccable, classy, elegant, clean, simple, peaceful, sophisticated qualities; whilst making other colours in its space appear more intense and vibrant. As white doesn’t alter the reflection of light from its surface it will appear ‘bright’ compared to its surroundings and appear to open up a space.

Citrus at the Semiramus

Another eye popping colourful hotel worth a look is the Semiramis in Athens. Designed by Karim Rashid the look is ultra contemporary and I like the way that colour is used to define space. The colour palettes are sugared almond  (complete with squishy looking marshmallow chairs in the lobby!) or bright and citrusy countered with a lot of white.

Other colourful hotels worth a look are the Mykonos Theoxenia, Greece and the Hi Hotel in Nice

Want to brighten up your space? The Dulux Light & Space range offer a range of ‘whites’ (with a hint of colour) that reflect up to twice as much light around a room.

Well it’s been a little late in coming but we seem to be sliding in to the typical spring ‘four seasons in one day’ kind of weather!

Have you noticed the effect of  rain when the brighter sun shines through it? It’s as if  everything sparkles with more clarity! The colours of  spring time flowers and leaves when they finally blossom will appear fresh and lively. These colours share some ‘characteristics’; they’ll have more yellow in them and appear clear and light. These natural colours perfectly capture the upbeat ‘feeling’ of spring; it’s life, energy and optimism. The youthful spring colour personality suits wearing this palette of colours that will support their natural vitality and zest for life.

If you’re a web/graphic/ product designer or branding expert consider using this light, fresh, clear palette. It accurately conveys qualities which relate well to any design concept or proposition that have the associated ‘youthful’ aspects of fun and energy. Some of these colours are quite ‘primary’ so they may work well in a design for a child or youth orientated product, or any design that needs to express fun, lively, sociable, friendly and confident qualities. Have a look at some of these Pantone references and see how well these colours work together then check the colour psychology effects here.

Red Pantone 032, 1787   Orange Pantone 1365  Yellow Pantone 106  Green Pantone 353, 359

Blue Pantone 285, 299 Pink Pantone 706 Purple Pantone 2715 Grey Pantone Warm Gray

Anther part of the spring colour palette are the light ‘Easter’ pastels. Other interior designers and home decorators and enthusiasts might enjoy this lovely blog site that I was recently introduced to  www.decor8blog.com where Leslie writes in her column about how she puts spring colours together illustrated with lovely pictures of inspiring colour story mood boards in the Color Me Pretty post. Enjoy.

Previous spring posts you might enjoy

Applewood – colour in the community

Sparkle in spring

For so long now we’ve all been hidden under a blanket of grey cloud and torrential rain, bereft of any decent periods of warmth and sunshine that it has inspired me to write about the colour yellow. My hope is that although we may not be enjoying the benefit of much sun at the moment, this newsletter article might help to bring about the warm memory of it to your imagination.

Light has such importance to us and there are those that for whom the lack of it can set off a form of depression and other uncomfortable symptoms in the ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ condition. We perceive the sun as yellow and its welcome appearance we find uplifting. In India the Hindus wear yellow to celebrate the season of spring. At a more primal level we recognise the importance of the sun to our own survival and the lifecycles of other plants and animals without whose growth and sustenance we too would not be able to survive.

Although I will quite often meet people who are a little nervous of wearing yellow, many appear quite happy to choose it as a decorating colour. Yellow appeared to be quite popular as a decorating colour in the 80′s and 90′s in kitchens, living rooms and even bedrooms. A designer that I recently met had told me that yellow was still by far the best selling colour within the Designers Guild paint range.

Yellow is an emotionally stimulating colour, it relates to our self-esteem, confidence and optimism. In a country not best known for its quality of light it is understandable that we should reach for the uplifting properties of yellow in paint can. However, as an emotionally stimulating colour its effect as a bedroom colour might not be so relaxing or restful. I have been told of a story relating to a hotel room many years ago that was decorated in a predominance of yellow and which happened to also be the room in whose occupants seemed to fall out with each other or cause problems for the hotel staff in some way! An over use of the colour in this room had the unfortunate effect of over-stimulating the emotions of those who stayed in it

However, yellow is a great colour to use in hallways and entrances where it will appear welcoming and friendly, as it will in other areas of the home or any property where an upbeat energy is required. From warm creams and buttery yellows to mustards and gold, the addition of yellow perhaps even with accessories can instantly add warmth and brighten up a room.

Bringing the sunshine in

In an office yellow can enhance confidence and positive communication and so can make an ideal colour to consider using perhaps within a sales environment.

**Tip** The same ‘rules’ apply when using yellow as with other colours – be wary of the over use or strength of the colour if you wish to create a harmonious scheme.

Useful paint colour references for yellow

Crown - http://www.crownpaint.co.uk/colourexp/products/

Dulux - http://www.dulux.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ColoursLandingView

Designers Guild - http://www.designercolours.com/colours/colourcard.php?man=18&ordered=y

Farrow & Ball - http://www.farrow-ball.com/productlist.aspx?cid=PC&language=en-GB

I’ve recently returned from a short winter break to find that nature has awoken and finally there are signs of spring! Everywhere I look I see swathes of daffodils waving in the breeze and the cheerful abundance of crocus flowers. Daylight seems lighter, a little longer and the skies a brighter blue as real ‘colour’ begins once more to emerge in the natural world.

Spring sweeps in like the proverbial breathe of fresh air and represents everything that’s new. Typically all spring colours that occur in nature can be described a light, warm and clear. If you look all around you at the colours of the grass shoots, emerging buds, blossoms and flowers you will see this.

The ‘colour personality’ that mirrors this season will most likely have an innate sense of youthfulness or a young outlook. They may even work with children or young people for the spring personality cares deeply about others and would do anything for anyone.

The ‘bubbly’ spring personality may have light coloured curly hair and bright, clear sparkly eyes. You’ll usually spot them in the thick of it at any social occasion for they love to party and would most likely be first on and last off the dance floor! They are most likely to suit clothing in light, crisp, fresh, smooth textures and fabrics perhaps patterned with polka dots or other small, fine designs. Gold jewellery or jewellery that sparkles, glitters or has a quality of ‘movement’ is quite likely to suit them.

The essence of any children’s products or services with an emphasis on youth, music, dance and fun will be best captured and communicated by the use of a ‘spring’ palette of colours. Yellow is a key spring colour. Reminding us of the return of warmth and sunshine, it relates to our emotional well-being, confidence and self-esteem. Bright, fresh greens can seem particularly ‘youthful’ whilst a lively light orange represents fun and sociability.

At home the spring personality will appreciate a lot of light and sparkle. Colours again will be light and warm with light coloured woods and ceramics; fine, crisp textures and small patterns or prints. Look to Kath Kidston’s fun products and colourful design http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/Default.aspx?language=en-GB&extcam=ppc_google for inspiration on the sort of colour and style that would appeal to the spring personality.

Or research the clear, crisp elements of Swedish, Nordic and Scandinavian design influences that includes a lot of the qualities of ‘light’ – Nordic Style http://www.nordicstyle.biz/accessories.php

And finally invite in the spirit of spring and celebrate the tradition of Easter by adding some natural colour with fresh spring flowers!

Spring hand-tied arrangement and tulip jug www.interflora.co.uk

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