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The Meanings of Color
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RED: The most sensual of all colors evoking passion, red causes action and reaction. Deeper reds, such as claret or wine, signify elegance and luxury. A perfect accent color and recognized in every language (think Stop signs), red symbolizes love, strength, good fortune and happiness.
ORANGE: Used heavily in Renaissance paintings, orange used to be a color only for the elite: only the wealthy could afford oranges. But times have changed and so has orange. Now orange is popular in European home accessory designs, is seen as whimsical and indicates motion.
BLUE: The color of integrity, loyalty and serenity, blue is constant and dependent. After all, the sky has never fallen. However, not all blues reflect calm. Sub-colors such as Electric Blue can evoke excitement. In the summer hit movie Sex and The City, Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment gets a remodel and the fun new wall color is Benjamin Moore’s “Electric Blue” (No. 2061-40).
GREEN: The color of nature and earth, green has advanced from a fashion color to a full-on movement. Not just a trend but also a strong color direction, green de-stresses and indicates new beginnings, forward movement, confidence, spring and growth – in addition to eco-awareness.
BROWN: Perceived as rich and robust, brown has been elevated to a level of elegance. Largely due to the “Coffee & Chocolate” phenomenon, what used to be strictly a wood tone is now also seen as lavish.
PINK: A member of the red family, pink is no longer just bubble gum and Barbie. Pink carries energy and excitement. A standard fashion color for years, pinks range from pale to rich hues.
YELLOW: Connected to sunlight and warmth, yellow reflects enlightenment -- all things Zen and spiritual. Known to alleviate Seasonal Affective Disorder, yellow houses sell fastest. Yellow is a popular choice for children’s rooms and kitchens.
PURPLE: Once associated with royalty, purple is now seen as a fashion color for both men and women. Purple tones with a hint of red are more sensual and dynamic; while purple shades skewed toward blue suggest mystery and magic.
AVOCADO: A perfect example of how color perceptions change over time, avocado can be seen as “cool” to younger generations who have no recollection of the appliances and shag carpeting of the 1970s.
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- Hardware Hotline September, 2008
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