JĘZYK / LANGUAGE / ЯЗЫК
COLOUR MOOD: HOW TO USE COLOURS?
Colour accompany us in our life as we use them to interpret the world around us, analyse the surroundings and ourselves. We react to colours at a physical, mental, and emotional level, whether we are aware of it or not. They affect our perception, for example a red room appears to be smaller than a blue one. They also affect the way we feel about what we see. It is related to physical reactions and psychological associations we develop since infancy. Some emotions can be expressed with a certain set of colours – we should bear that in mind while designing our interiors. Moreover, an analysis of the colour wheel will provide us with basic knowledge on their correlations.
RED
A dynamic primary colour that harmonises with orange, ping, violet, and beige. Contrasts with green, creating vibrating colour sets. Prolonged exposure to red causes body tension, increases blood pressure, muscle activity, respiratory rate, and heart rate, it also warms and stimulates us. Facilitates immediate evaluation and keeps us cautious. Short exposure to red may lead to positive effects such as improving vitality and will power. It brings the awareness of the present, means readiness, energy, and creative power. Enabling us to unleash our hidden abilities and talents. Red gives us courage. Sometimes our thoughts colour our mind at a deeper level – we may relate colours to emotions such as anger by saying that someone's blood is up. We associate it with fire (fire brigade, flames) and youth (passion, desire, blushing). Even small red elements make a strong impression and draw our attention, alerting us. Recommended for those who feel exhausted, sleepy, deprived of will power and striving for success and sensory experiences. However, it may not be a good choice for those who suffer from chronic fatigue, are going through a serious emotional stress, or choleric individuals. When used without neutralising elements, this strong and saturated colour may be annoying and tiring.
Colours: 1. S 6020-R20B | 2. S 1015-Y30R | 3. S 1000-N | 4. S 1050-R10B
Application
Places which require increased activity, passages, places where you can fight physical apathy, advertising, and places where you eat (such as kitchen or dining room) as it whets your appetite. Provides interiors with energy and personal, intriguing atmosphere. When properly used, it can restore life in every interior by adding an element of youth and fire. Not recommended for offices, factories, and other kinds of interiors which require concentration. Incorrect arrangement may make the room look smaller.
Colour combinations
All shades of red go very well with each other. They will look great in a flamboyant, luxurious living room and flowery bedrooms in pastel shades. Due to the large amount of energy red unleashes, keep in mind that strong shades should be applied to smaller areas. When large areas are to be painted, soft shades are a better choice.
Brown-red
Also referred to as terracotta or scorched earth. In decoration, it usually comes as clayware or French-polished furniture. Goes well with similar shades of warm red and other earth-related colours such as ochre and umber. Can be combined with azure and green as well. A related shade (called burgundy) has been associated with erotica, it has been used in boudoirs.
Colours: 1. S 1505-Y40R | 2. S 3040-Y70R | 3. S 4040-Y70R | 4. S 4020-R
Dark red
Olive green can be used to complement dark red. Looks great when accompanied by other dark colours, however, dark red goes well with cream colours, creating a classical atmosphere in the interior.
Colours: 1. S 2005-Y50R | 2. S 4550-Y90R | 3. S 5540-Y90R | 4. S 8010-R10B
Pale red
Subtle and soft, looks excellent next to neutral colours such as shades of grey, cream, and beige, and subtle shades of green. Goes well with brown and slight touches of more saturated shades of red.
Orange-red
Despite its intensity, orange-red does not attract attention as much as one may imagine. Creates an interesting effect when combined with red-brown, warm and pale red, and black. The more orange it is, the better it goes with turquoise. If it contains more red, combine it with green.
Scarlet
The most brilliant natural red colour, does not contain any traces of azure. This energetic, vivid colour cheers up all interiors. A combination of scarlet with azure, light green, golden, and black provides an excellent effect. Most shades of azure go well with red colours, however, teal, cold green-blue, and blue-grey are highly recommended.
We offer a wide variety of beautiful finishes created using decorative products available in shades of red: Calce Grassello (details for single walls), Impresja, Eco 12, Muriston White, Art, Marmo or Micro concretes and Travertine.
ORANGE
Combines the energy of red with the happiness of yellow, invigorates, and helps you dance and move. Encourages to express happiness, lightness, freedom, and pleasure. As a colour of creativity, it restores desire to live and create. Facilitates opening for new experiences and possibilities, enabling you to think positively. Increases motivation and self-esteem. A more subtle shade of orange, so called peach, is associated with spiritual love.
Colours: 1. S 0510-Y10R | 2. S 1020-Y70R | 3. S 1040-Y70R | 4. S 5020-Y80R
Application
Perfect for passages and places where you eat, have fun, and dance. Expresses vitality. Not recommended for studies and places that trigger stress or those intended for concept work. When an appropriate shade is used, it is perfect for various interiors as it creates a warm, cosy, and safe atmosphere (for example peach and salmon).
Colour combinations
Orange has a lot of shades, from pale apricot, peach, and pumpkin, to richer and warmer shades (sometimes also named after fruit). The warmth of orange requires pairing it with contrasting cold colours. Most cold grey, azure, and green colours are excellent for such combinations (although only blue complements orange). Equally harmonious effect can be produced by combining orange with cold light beige, creamy, or a contrastive colour – chocolate – to provide balanced interiors.
We offer a wide variety of beautiful finishes created using ECORSON decorative products available in shades of orange: Calce Grassello (Venetian plaster), Corado and Revello (Multicolor and Gold), Velluti Magnapearl, Luna, Sahara, Halley, or pearlescent Lumicca Pearl, Eco 13, Bucciato E for wiping effect. When applied to fireplaces or posts as details or to whole walls, they provide natural interiors with excellent harmony and emphasise their nature.
YELLOW
A primary colour that harmonises with green and orange. Contrasts with violet, creating sharp colour sets. Improves objectivity and intellectual capability, encourages to search for information, act spontaneously and happily, and develop without limitations. Enables you to free yourself of unnecessary and unfavourable burden, objects, and concepts, providing you with its safety and happiness. Perfect for mature minds. Yellow is the colour of warmth and life, it makes us happy and full of life. As a colour brighter than others, it is rarely used as a signalling colour. Summer, sunlight, beaches – we associate all these with yellow. Recommended for those who need a boost of self-esteem and willingness to make decisions. When overexposed, one may feel irritated, annoyed, and generally weaker.
Colours: 1. S 0500-N | 2. S 0505-R | 3. S 2030-Y60R | 4. S 5020-Y80R
Application
Yellow reflects an active lifestyle, gives you energy to work and act. Be careful when applying bright colours in rooms for hyperactive children (blue or green is a better choice here). Shades of gold provide interiors with elegance. Straw and antique gold colours create a warm and friendly atmosphere, while sunrise and canary yellow make every interior more vivid. Neutral colours such as beige and brown give a safe and calm feeling to the room.
Cold yellow
Yellow colours can be easily emphasised by reddish violet, but cold shades of yellow go well with cold grey, in particular when balanced with milky white. Cold yellow harmonises with warmer azure colours, creating an optimistic, fresh atmosphere.
Colours: 1. S 8010-R30B | 2. S 3040-R50B | 3. S 7010-R90B | 4. S 1030-B50G
Warm yellow
Subtle, golden colour of sunflowers, where darker shades appear more amber. Perfect for large interiors it provides with light and cosy feeling. Looks great on walls when combined with bright ceilings. Strong shades of red, green, azure, black, and even turquoise match a warm yellow background. When applied next to colder, soft colours such as lead grey, light brown, willow-green, lavender, or subtle bluish-grey, it creates an intriguing effect. Excellent for smooth, shiny surfaces and to complement natural materials. Darker shades of yellow look great in smaller interiors as they create a sense of depth. We recommend applying Corado or Perlagrande (pearl and velvet effect) in living rooms as it is perfect for modern and traditional interiors (they go well with wooden furniture and glass combined with metal).
Pale yellow
Goes well with purple red and intense, juicy shades of green, grey, and white.
Dark yellow
Soft and calm. Cold grey or azure colours bring out its yellowness, while shades of green neutralise and soften it.
Colours: 1. S 0603-G40Y | 2. S 2005-G80Y | 3. S 3010-G70Y | 4. S 7010-G50Y
For tones and shades of yellow, we recommend the following products: Multicolor Gold, Corado, Revello, Luna, Sahara, Lumicca Pearl, Lumicenta Satinato, Murisil F (for outdoor application), Muriston White.
GREEN
Combines the happiness of yellow with composure and relaxation provided by blue. Encourages to maintain balance and persistence, think, consider, and endure. Makes you avoid decisions and withhold changes. Stops all kinds of motion and encourages to stand still. Facilitates keeping your thoughts in balance. Has a relaxing effect. Green is undoubtedly associated with nature. Green objects make us feel calm and safe. Pure and unadulterated green is considered to be a reserved colour, neither cold nor warm, thus used to provide balance. Psychologists claim that standard green does not invoke any emotions, neither passive nor active. However, bright shades of green are really effective in attracting attention. As it improves optimism, self-esteem, and trust, it is recommended for overly active people who find it difficult to make decisions and judgements. Not the best choice for those who lack energy since it can facilitate boredom, slowness, and passivity.
Colours: 1. S 0603-Y80R | 2. S 1002-R | 3. S 0804-B50G | 4. S 1510-G40Y
Application
Do not use in rooms where you need to be more active. Affects regeneration positively, but when used improperly, it can make an interior look flat, dead, and empty. Depending on saturation of azure or yellow, it can be a cold or warm colour. Cold colours create a calm and relaxing feeling, they are perfect for bathrooms and therapeutic rooms. Warm shades are perfect for conservatories, staircases, and halls. Research shows that in work spaces, green helps you tolerate noisy surroundings.
Dark green
These are the colours of holly, ivy, and fir needles. Their names refer to dark green colours of forest and bottles. Dark green walls give an extraordinary feeling to an interior. However, such walls requires good lighting. Green colour should be combined with scarlet, purple, orange-red, and brownish shades of pink. They go well with pale and dark yellow colours and light azure.
Colour: 1. S 1510-G80Y | 2. S 6020-G30Y | 3. S 5040-G30Y | 4. S 4050-G60Y
Grey-green
The colour of willow or the bottom of an olive leaf. It is referred to as "celadon" after Chinese pottery dating from the Sung dynasty, famous for its grey-green colour. Goes well with natural colours such as brown, ochre, and cream shades of white. Provides a neutral background for intense orange and violet, bright azure, crimson, and dirty pink.
Juicy green
The colour of emeralds and fresh grass. Goes very well with vivid yellow, ochre, golden, and pale and dark shades of greenish azure. Contrastive combination of juicy green with carmine or pink provide an attractive effect.
Colours: 1. S 3040-R70B | 2. S 3050-R | 3. S 7020-R10B | 4. S 8005-R20B
Unsaturated green
Unsaturated green colours are natural, which makes us feel good in their presence. The go well with dark pale shades of complementary colours – with red. While designing colour combinations, one should follow natural landscapes.
Light green
Whitish green is frequently associated with pistachio nuts or almond tree leaves. Due to its subtle nature, it can be used universally as it creates a perfect background for multiple other colours. It can be used independently or in elegant combinations with cream, ivory, white, and ochre yellow. Light green provides a pleasant look when used with strawberry, ash grey, matt pink, or terracotta colours.
Colours: 1. S 1010-Y50R | 2. S 2020-Y50R | 3. S 0502-G | 4. S 2020-G10Y
Yellow-green
In its purest form, yellow-green is the colour of fresh leaves. Comes in handy in interior designing as a colour used to brighten rooms or soften the brightness of light red and orange. Goes well with unsaturated, warm brick red, shades of brown of various intensity, and cold shades of dark green.
Olive green
The colour of an olive tree – a dark variety of yellow-green. As a cold and dark colour, olive green goes well with purple (which is its complementary colour) and lighter colours: Vienna pink, Indian pink, light red. Harmonises with light, cold yellow and golden colours – they make olive green more vivid.
Colours: 1. S 0804-R90B | 2. S 3005-G50Y | 3. S 3560-Y90R | 4. S 8010-R10B
We offer a wide variety of shades of green in the following products: Sahara Gold (e.g. mixed effect), Murimal 200, Murillo, Eco 12 satin or Eco 13 matt and plasters such as Murisil 1000 and 1500.
TURQUOISE
This colour comprises calm green and cold blue. It is cool, refreshing, relaxing, and soothing. Enables you to gain resistance to other people's feelings and thoughts. Improves self-confidence. Helps those who feel dominated or care too much about what others say, in particular those who laugh because others do, even though they do not really understand the joke.
Application
Kitchen, dining room, bedroom, offices, treatment rooms. Not recommended for places that require increased activity and are intended for fun.
Colour combinations
This colour cannot be unambiguously identified: is it still green or already azure? The mystery of this beautiful colour (or rather a range of colours –from unsaturated and dirty to saturated and pure) lies in its susceptibility to variations under the influence of the surroundings. Turquoise creates beautiful combinations with many colours such as red, terracotta, orange, yellow, dark azure, and white. However, it requires subtly balanced proportions.
Colours: 1. S 8000-N | 2. S 0520-B90G | 3. S 1015-G40Y | 4. S 0907-R90B
The shades and tones of turquoise look best with Corado, Revello, Luna, Sahara as well as with products such as Lumicenta Satinato/Plus and Muriston, and with interior paints such as Murimal 200 and Murillo.
AZURE
Ubiquitous in nature as the colour of sky and water. Does not become dull quickly as it is available in a wide variety of shades. First there is light, subtle azure which gets darker and becomes strong navy blue. Sometimes containing some green or violet, it is truly beautiful, but difficult to use as well. Azure is associated with freshness and space as the colour of calmness and relaxation. When combined with white, subtle pink, or pale violet, it reveals its romantic qualities. Sometimes it is cool, even cold, but can be easily warmed with a slight touch of violet, red, or orange. Azure provides a feeling of space, its intensity is more perceptible on large surfaces than on colour swatches. Pure azure cools down bright and sunny rooms, cool shades can be contrasted with warm yellow or orange. Warmer azure with a touch of violet is recommended for dark rooms, azure bathrooms can be provided with warmth thanks to wooden decorations, azure with white is associated with marine and sport motifs. When combined with light pink and violet, azure creates sweet and romantic atmosphere. Shades of azure are sensitive to light and they are perceived differently depending on the type of lighting.
Colours: 1. S 3020-R90B | 2. S 3020-R90B | 3. S 0505-R80B | 4. S 0804-R90B
Saturated light azure
Provides a feeling of purity and refreshment, thus it is used for swimming pools and mineral water bottles (sometimes light turquoise). Light, strong, and pure azure is the colour of sky in summer. It harmonises with orange, natural and neutral colours, white, and similar shades of green (not the darkest ones). Golden details provide an intriguing look.
Dark azure
Dark, greenish azure is the colour of the sea on a cloudy day. Goes well with green-blue, orange, and shades of terracotta. It reaches the peak of its intensity when combines with white and golden colours. Even the smallest amounts of bright pink, turquoise, or lemon yellow on a dark blue background attract attention.
Colours: 1. S 0804-R90B | 2. S 1510-R80B | 3. S 3020-R80B | 4. S 1015-Y90R
Shades of azure can be brought out using Cromo Grey, Eco12 satin paint, or Jeans Velatura when applying the denim effect.
BLUE
A primary colour that harmonises with violet (especially dark) and green. Contrasts with orange, creating sharp colour sets. Helps you relax, lowers your blood pressure, makes you calm and reduces stress. Provides a feeling of delicate breathing and sleeping. Our emotional and thought processes are performed more easily when we are calm and relaxed. Facilitates performing mental work and making judgement and interpersonal communication, and encourages you to tell the truth. Acts as a symbol of freezing-cold winter weather (slowing down processes), fresh air (lightness), water (source of life), and calm sky (creativity and dreams). Recommended for those exhausted mentally who need some silence and rest. Boosts independence and intuition, facilitates making decisions. Darker shades of blue are used for example for uniforms, in banks, and in insurance companies as it gives the sense of safety, reliability, trust, partnership, and integrity. Not recommended for individuals suffering from depression as it may cause melancholy. In such a case, orange is a much better choice. Excessive amount of blue may cause a feeling of depression and cold. The phrase "to feel blue" indicates a cultural association of sadness with this colour, therefore those prone to depression should be careful. According to researchers, pure blue is the strongest antiseptic, a colour which has the strongest influence on us due to relaxation it provides. Latest research shows that 15 minutes of exposure in the morning cause the same effect as a cup of coffee.
Application
Not recommended for places intended for entertainment or dining rooms as it may reduce appetite and slow down the process of digestion. Perfect for bedrooms, offices, treatment rooms, places that trigger stress or are intended for relaxation (such as spas). Can be used wherever we wish to feel relaxed, quiet, focused, or more comfortable. All shades of blue go perfectly with each other. They enlarge interiors visually. We offer a wide variety of interesting and beautiful decorative effects in shades of blue and azure.
They can be applied using, for example, the following products and effects: Sahara Silver (Mixed or Noodle effect), Cromo Grey (trowel-applied Cromo effect), Luna decorative paint and Jeans Velatura (Denim on Muricon or Denim on Paint effects).
VIOLET
Mystical and extraordinary colour that comes in multiple shades (lavender and lilac to deeper tones). It is a combination of warm red with cold blue. Stimulates artistic abilities. Calms the body and provides balance to the mind. Facilitates setting goals, praying, and meditating. Helps you see within your heart. Reduces hunger, regulates metabolism, helps you overcome your fears and obsessions. Recommended for those who desire peace, love, and tranquillity, makes it easier to understand one's needs and feelings. Not recommended for those who are over-sensitive, look for acceptance, and have low self-esteem. Pure violet may increase the sense of desolation and loneliness.
Colours: 1. S 2020-R30B | 2. S 5030-R20B | 3. S 5030-R40B | 4. S 7010-R30B
Application
Unsaturated shades go very well with all kinds of interiors. Not recommended for hospital wards or treatment rooms.
Colour combinations
Shades of violet go well with each other as well, however, they may sometimes seem too strong. Good for combining with green. Intense violet is perfect for small details in interiors. When in shade, dark and cold violet becomes chocolate brown. Pale, pastel shades can be combined with green and grey. Red shades look great when next to light pink while azure violet can be used in combination with azure.
Colours: 1. S 2005-R50B | 2. S 3010-R50B | 3. S 0530-R50B | 4. S 8010-R30B
We suggest a wide variety of beautiful finishes created using decorative products available in shades of violet: Corado, Revello, Luna, Sahara, Muricon with Noodle effect, Halley, Muriston, Eco 12, Murisil F, Spatolato effect (Eco 12 and Lumicca Pearl).
MAGENTA
The colour of spiritual fulfilment. Makes you feel satisfied, reconciled, and full of respect to yourself. Improves emotional reactions. Improves the sense of purity. Suggests lack of experience. Has a strong influence. Used when we want to get rid of old thought models, bad habits, and memories. Where we need a change – freedom.
Colours: 1. S 0515-R | 2. S 0540-R20B | 3. S 2050-R20B | 4.S 4050-R20B
Application
Entrance halls, lecture rooms, chapels. Not recommended for places intended for entertainment. Red with a bluish shade, also known as crimson. In its most intense variety it is referred to as "shocking pink". When small amounts are used, magenta looks great with other vivid colours such as turquoise, peacock blue, tangerine colour, bright lemon yellow, and green.
Such intense colours are recommended when the following products are used: Murimal 200, Murillo, Eco 12, and Eco 13 interior paints, Cromo Grey, Sahara, or Velluti Magnapearl decorative paints.
PINK
The influence of pink depends on the saturation of red and white. The more pastel it is, the more feminine it is considered to be, it also diffuses emotions. When it becomes darker, it emits some vibrations of red, boosting the tense and erotic atmosphere. Pastel pink makes you feel safe, thus it is the favourite colour of those who require care, special treatment, and protection (associated with delicate women). Recommended for calm, humble people who love art and beauty. Not recommended for emotionally immature individuals as it may overwhelm them. Provides an aura of love and sweetness, positively affecting our heart. We even say that we look at the world through rose-coloured glasses. Our products (Eco 12, Murillo, Murimal 200, Corado, and Perlagrande) provide a beautiful finish to interiors. If you have dark furniture in your living room, pastel pink goes very well with green colours.
Colours: 1. S 0500-N | 2. S 0510-R30B | 3. S 2030-R10B | 4. S 3040-R10B
Pale, warm pink
Subtle, soft, whitish pink which naturally comes as the colour of the inside of a shell. Pale and warm shades of pink look best when combined with neutral colours – beige, creamy, grey (in both light and dark shades).
Warm pink
Warm, unsaturated and intense pink warms interiors and looks great in monochromatic combinations with paler shades. Goes equally well with green-blue, green-yellow, red, and bronze colours.
Colours: 1. S 0502-Y | 2. S 0907-Y90R | 3. S 1020-R10B | 4. S 4050-R10B
Pink is perfect for the following products: Corado Multicolor, Revello, Luna and Sahara Gold.
