Guest Post – Looking at Colour Psychology for Home Happiness

Decorating can sometimes be a bit of a daunting task, if only it was as simple as choosing your favourite colour then we would be set. Although some people do go by this strategy, I have been thinking a little more about colors in my decorating. Not only what colors to choose but something that has sparked my interest is the psychology of color. Many people are aware that colors can affect moods and emotions and so I wanted to find out a little more about color choices that will lead to harmony with your space and solve subconscious tensions you may not have even realized you had.
I know this may sound a little far-fetched at first, but if you really stop to think about it colors have a huge impact on the mood and atmosphere of a space. One odd fact I found when doing a little research was that back in the 18th century the color green was used in dining rooms because it was thought to aid digestion. I am not saying that this has any truth to it but does make me think that there may be something to choosing the right color for each room.

This dining room is nice and cheery with all the warm tones in the wood and golden yellow blinds.
Colours really do affect our mood, whether or not we are aware of it. This is why paying attention to some basic colour psychology can be helpful in decorating your home. Color consultants say that the first step should be to decide on the primary function of a room and then work out which color will work best in aiding this function. Sounds like a bit of unnecessary work but I think it is worth taking into account.
The Living Room
Choose colors that stimulate conversation like warm reds, oranges and yellows. It is thought warm colors inspire activity and increase the feeling of warmth and coziness. However it is thought that if these colors are overdone it can constrict the flow so perhaps keep to strong accents rather than painting the whole room. Similarly dark navy blues has been linked to stifling conversation, so avoid in social rooms.
The Kitchen and Dining Room
Similar to the living room, it is suggested that you choose warm colors that aid conversation and activity. As one of the most social rooms in your house the kitchen and dining room would make the perfect warm space. One disadvantage which I have uncovered is that red can actually make you eat more and faster. This is based on research around fast food restaurants that apparently use this subconscious trick to get you in and out quickly. Alternatively grey is shown to reduce your appetite.
The Bedroom
The best colors for a bedroom are the more cooling ones; go for blues and greens which create a relaxing space. Cool colours are naturally more calming and are less distracting in mood. Blues, greens, and purples are excellent in bedrooms where they are peaceful and help you to rest, relax and concentrate. Green is supposed to be the most peaceful colour because it is in the middle of the colour spectrum and is therefore associated with both balance and nature.

These bold red accents are super lively and will match the energy of a busy kitchen. This office uses cool lavender to give it a calming atmosphere.

The bedroom to the right is predominantly decorated in cool colours that give it a soothing effect while the warmer toned plush toys make it cheerful and comforting at the same time. To the left, this neutral yet warm space is light enough to make the space seem large, yet the yellow undertones and the reds in the wood make it feel cozy and inviting at the same time.

In my opinion color psychology should not be solely focussed upon. After all most decorating choices will depend on a rooms qualities and the majority of time it will come down to personal taste. However have a think of how these colors make you feel it may just increase your homes aesthetics and even your own wellbeing.
This a guest post written by Charlotte Critchley on behalf of Gallery Blinds. Charlotte is a psychology graduate who has recently found a love for home improvement since making the recent move in to a new house.

Hotel Interior Inspiration – Palihouse West Hollywood

The PaliHouse’s design is perfection. From the moment you walk up and pass under the awesome black and white awning, you enter a land of urban french style.

The mix of textures and patterns they chose for the lobby design are wonderful. I think one of the worst things about hotels are it’s uninteresting surroundings and stiffness you feel from the decor. This is why most boutique hotels work. They have personality. I mean, just look at the design of The Palihouse, there are so many things to inspire you in your personal style and decorating. Having the different areas for lounging make this space very inviting. Also, I love the tile the chose, it adds an interesting element to this open room. I feel like it grounds this space. What do you think?

I love that they have termed themselves an urban lodge. Like you are escaping to a hip and mellow place in the midst of a bustling city. They also call there rooms, residences. I think this is also a great term to use in a hotel. Why not make your guests feel as if it is their apartment for the time being?

I love the design of these suites or residences. The picture ledge above the beds was a really good touch. Great idea for your bedroom, huh? Perfect for us who get bored with our designs. This would be a great way to change up the art work with out all the holes in the wall. Oh, and that kitchen marble, I’m loving it! If I was designing a private studio, I would definitely take inspiration from these rooms.

Are you as obsessed with Instagram as I am? Why not take those awesome photos of yours and do something similar to this above? Forget having boring old fames with family pictures. Show off your loved ones using a more artistic approach. You can do this through Printstagram. They come back to you like little mini Polaroids! Its pretty cool!

So, what do you see here that you love? How about that rocking horse in the lobby? Amazing, right?

Have a great day! xoxo

{Images used from palihousewesthollywood}

Organizing Products We Love – Bedroom Closet

A large part of our design business envolves organizing. I thought I would share some of our favorite closet storage items. I have a handful of these items in my closet, and I love them. Most people are not going to drop thousands of dollars on built in closet organizing systems, so these containers and soft shelves can be great a alternative.

1. Soft Shelving – Target
2. Velvet hangers – Target
3. Belt Hangers – Bed Bath and Beyond
4. Scarf Hangers – Bed Bath and Beyond
5. Hanging Jewelry organizer – Container Store - I LOVE these. I have a pretty large amount of jewelry, these display my collection beautifully and remind me what I have! Invest in these!
6. Grey storage bins – Target
7. Wood clamp hangers- Target
8. Storage cubes – Target - If you have a walk in closet, these are great because they double as storage and seating.
9. Storage bins- Target
10. Shoe rack- Target
11. Small throw rugs – West Elm - Again, in a walk in closet a throw rug can really tie this room together. I mean, it deserves to be treated as a “room”, don’t you think?
12. Hat Boxes – Target - Great storage, and I love how they make a closet look. Something reminiscent of olden times.
13. French Wire laundry basket – Pottery Barn

As you can see, we love Target. They have a really good supply of organizing products that to me are comparable to The Container Store. ( Which tends to be a bit more costly)

Oh, an Organized Closet makes me so happy! Have a lovely day!

{ collage made on Olioboard }

Gratitude & Loss

I would like to talk of gratitude for a moment. Gratitude means being thankful for something, or many things. Thankful for having a wonderful family, a successful career, a roof over your head, or being able to walk on your own two feet! Gratitude is one of the most important qualities we can develop within ourselves. It is a quality that will get us through most hard times in life. Look at what you HAVE in your life that is good, be grateful for that! I believe if you are always grateful for your life, you will appreciate it and cherish it even more.

I am extremely close to my family. I am grateful everyday, for every moment I share with them. To me this is what matters most in my life. Last night, I lost my grandfather. I am stricken with sadness. This, though, is where I try to bring in gratitude. I have to be grateful for every moment I shared with him, all the laughs we had together. He had a killer sense of humor. He will be in my heart as long as it beats. I love him so very much.

Please, be grateful for the simple yet most important things in life, the people in it. I will not be doing any of my regular columns for the next week. I may post something, if I feel up to it. I just want to spend time with my family at this point. See you back here soon.

Things Successful People Do

So sorry for being absent all week. It has been one of those weeks, where there doesn’t seem to be enough time for anything! So, I will be spending the weekend writing some fun posts for next week, and trying to inspire myself creatively. It looks like it will be a gorgeous weekend here in southern california. I think siting in the sun doing a little catch up reading is in order. What are your plans for the weekend?

Before I go, I thought you might like some encouraging and inspirational thoughts. I found this success chart over at Val & Words. I printed it and put it up in my office.

I especially like number 12. Maintain balance in life. This is what I needed this week. I could have stayed up until 12 am creating articles. But, I knew, my body needed rest. It would be worse to push it and burn out doing something I absolutely love. Hope you enjoy reading through this. Go on over and check out Val & Words. Lots of good stuff there. See you Monday!

{image from Val & Words}