Back in the day when I used to work in the paint department at Lowe’s, I noticed there were two types of colors being mixed, colorful and neutrals. It seems if you were 6 years old to about 15 years old, the typical colors that were chosen where very bright. Pinks, greens, blues and purples were the #1 hit. Colors such as:
Cosmic Berry
Seafarer
Berry Twist
Asparagus
(not actual colors)
Yes the colorful colors are a shock to the eyes but a welcoming one over tired neutrals day after day after day. Don’t get me wrong – there is a time and place for neutrals but come on already, with the gorgeous colors out there does it have to be Antique White, Dove White, Cream In My Coffee or once in a while getting brave with Moose Mousse? It was frustrating for me as a Color Specialist to see people choose these "safe" neutrals when there are some many gorgeous colors out there that are still considered neutrals but with a splash of color. Like:
Dakota Trail
Belle Grove LIght Amber
Hopsack
Lyndhurst Spring Eve
Fairmont Penthouse Stone
(not actual colors)
You'll find that many of Valspar's Historic Colors fall into this category. They are good standby colors when you're really not sure what colors to choose. They are "historic" colors - they've been around for a long time, for a reason!
I wonder if there could be a happy medium? How about if the new Top Ten list would be something like this:
(not actual colors)
So going back to the question, at what age does color stop? Why do we choose softer colors as we get older? I know for the most part, because the wall color will match the decor of our home. Then why do we choose "safe" decor? Answers anyone?
Hmmmm ... excellent question! My best guess is that our eyes change as we get older. I know babies see high contrast/bright colors the best, so perhaps it has something to do with the full development of vision? And you see more blue as you age ...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love the historic color collections!
That's a good question, Donna. It had been my experience that when people start feeling that there abilities need to meet with the approval of others that they lose the confidence to express themselves with color. I later learned that this is true not just with color but with art, music, or just about anything that might be termed "creative."
ReplyDeleteI think the reaon people choose neutrals over color is simply, fear. They are afraid to pick a color that they might not like over time, afraid to look different than everyone else, just afraid! But the number one thing people respond to in show houses is COLOR!
ReplyDeleteI'm on the side of color … but it has to be the RIGHT color!
ReplyDeleteDecorating by Donna - choosing the RIGHT colors for you!
My home is VERY colourful... perhaps this will keep moi YOUTHFUL!!!
ReplyDeleteHey there ... thanks for your sweet note about my master bed transformation. Yes, I love, love reds/golds/greens, but I've been almost forcing myself lately to step outside of the box and venture into other color palettes.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree that we seem to go softer as we get older because of our eyes !! Uh oh, I must be getting old, huh? LOL. Thanks again, Becca
Someone told me that as the eye ages bright colors bother older eyes. I think if that is true I will just wear sunglasses. :) I dislike whimpy colors or colors that aren't in my opinion true colors. Great post Donna!!
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