Colours Of Christmas! For December 2018

Colour Stories

If we asked you which colours come to your mind when we say the word ‘Christmas’, it is quite likely that you will reply ‘red’ and ‘green.’ Read on to understand why these two colours are associated with Christmas…

For several hundred years, red and green have been the traditional colours of Christmas. If you think that Christmas tree is the reason why green is one of the colours, you are mistaken. Nor is the colour red a prominent colour of Christmas due to Santa’s suit or Rudolph’s red nose. Stunned? We have to go way back in time to understand its root.

Although it is isn’t really clear why red and green are the two main colours associated with Christmas, there are a few popular theories.

Several Christians believe that red and green were inspired from the life of Jesus Christ, whose birth is celebrated by Christians on Christmas. The colour red represents the blood that was shed by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion while the colour green symbolizes the eternal life of Jesus Christ, just as evergreen trees remain green the whole of winter.

Some researchers have recorded that the colours of Christmas go back to the 1300s, a time when Miracle Plays used to be performed in churches. These religious plays were meant to educate an illiterate crowd of people who could not read the Bible, the holy book of the Christians.

A popular play called The Paradise Play performed on Christmas showed the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. According to the story, God instructed Adam and Eve to not eat fruit from the Tree of Good and Evil. They did not listen to God and ate it, after which they were banished from paradise.

Churches bring in pine trees and hang apples to their branches to represent the Tree of Good and Evil. People who follow Christianity follow this practice in their own homes by decorating a Christmas tree with red and green to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

There are some historians who believe that the practice of using red and green goes even farther back in history. They associate it with the Roman celebration of Saturnalia, which honoured the god Saturn and occurred each year between 17-23 December. Romans would decorate their homes with holly and keep tiny figurines called sigillaria on the boughs of beautiful evergreen trees as part of the celebrations. Over time, the evergreen leaves and red berries came to symbolize the festive season.

Fascinating, isn’t it? Hope you found this informative! So if you are thinking of making your home ready for Christmas, you now know which two colours you should be using and why! Berger Paints India has a range of shades in these two colours that you can choose for your walls to give it a festive touch!

Colour Trivia

Colour Facts For December 2018

1. Want to get the job you wanted? Wear bright colours to your interview! Yes, it is true. Wearing brighter colours could be the one thing between you and that job you wanted. Wearing bright colours would help you stand out more than greyed or dull colours. It can improve not only your mood but also the mood of others around you, which in turn could affect the outcome of the interview or an important work or casual meeting. It could also help you make an impact so a client remembers you and your work while deciding who they choose to work with.
2. Colour psychology suggests that different colours can have an impact on our moods, feelings, and even behaviours. The colour pink, for example, is used for anger management. When feeling angry it has been said that visualising the colour pink can reduce the anger you are feeling. The colour pink promotes calmness and peace. This colour is usually associated with love and romance. Pink is thought to have a calming effect. One shade known as "drunk-tank pink" is sometimes used in prisons to calm inmates. While pink's calming effect has been demonstrated, researchers of colour psychology have found that this effect only occurs during the initial exposure to the colour.
3. What came first? The fruit or the colour? The word “orange” has two definitions, as you know. We’re sure you wondered, what came first. The fruit’s name goes back all the way to the Sanskrit nāranga, meaning ‘orange tree.’ This then became the Persian nārang, the Arabic nāranj, and eventually old French orenge. It finally made its way to the English ‘orange’ in the 1300s, referring explicitly to the fruit. What about the colour? The colour did not appear until the early 1500s. In fact, it was probably the wider availability of the fruit that inspired people to come up with a name for the colour, similar to peach.

Colour Quotes For December 2018

• "New thoughts and hopes were whirling through my mind, and all the colours of my life were changing."

  - Charles Dickens

• "There is no blue without yellow and without orange."

  - Vincent Van Gogh

• "Colour is like music. The palette is an instrument that can be orchestrated to build form”

  - John French Sloan

Colour Tips For December 2018

1. Do you love Blue?
   There's a reason people love to paint their walls blue: This hue can come off as evocative and moody, or serene and calming, and it almost always goes with other colours. From rich and royal to pale or pungent, you're sure to find a blue hue that suits your style and adds spunk to your space. It is ideal for bathrooms, because it is associated with water. When used in bedrooms, it induces sleep by calming the mind. A shade of Mediterranean blue, helps to blur the room’s boundaries, thereby, making it look bigger than its actual size.
2. When was the last time you saw a paint colour at your friend's house and felt that it was the one for you, painted your room and then hated it? It just doesn't look the same. This may be due to the affect the lighting in your friend's house had on the paint. Fluorescent lighting will give out a cool light and down lights a warm glow. Also take into account the natural light. The best thing to do is to buy sample pots, paint an A4 piece of white cardboard or a canvas and when it's dry take it around the house and see how it looks in each room. Leave it in one spot or up against a chair and see how the colour looks at different times of the day.
3. “I love to wake up early” – said no one ever. Waking up early isn’t that great, so you need to create a bedroom that's a total mood booster. Bright colours will not only make you feel happy, but it'll also energize you, so getting out of bed when your alarm goes off will be a little bit easier. Turn up to turquoise maybe? These bright turquoise walls will add colours to your lazy mornings. Having a large window and white bedding will then keep it feeling light & airy.

World Of Colours

Colours & Emotion For December 2018

1. Colours add a visual representation to an invisible quality. They help us reveal our innermost emotions and thoughts. They are often used as metaphors for moods, but no one has systematically researched colour association. A study has found that people with depression or anxiety are more likely to associate their mood with the colour gray, while happier people pick yellow. It has also been revealed that the shade of the colour is more important than the colour itself. Studies and experiments have shown that colour choices can reveal patients' attitudes and foretell how well they will respond to treatments such as hypnosis.
2. As per research, majority of our dreams are in colour. Why people feel that the dreams are colourless is because of recall. An element of colour recall may be theemotional intensity of the dream or the coloured imagery. There is an emotional significance associated with specific dream colours that we recall. This mayexplain why our brain assignsspecificcolours to dream objects. Example: Dreaming of a blue car that you fancy.When dreaming, colour is based totally oninternal stimuli, which may come from various sources with associations that areof psychological importance to the dream as well as the dreamer. Paying attention to the colourof a dream image can reveal crucial information thatwould be lost if we considered colour unimportant in dream studies. In a nutshell, dream adds emotional “colour” to the image.

Colours & Fashion For December 2018

Who said you have to don only tropical prints, Aztec, floral or solid colours when it comes to fashion? Did you know that colourful fruits and fashion go together like strawberries and bananas!

Now you can show off your favourite fruits on your sleeves, literally! And if that’s a little too much for you, you can flaunt them in your accessories such as purses, bags, totes, watches, scarves, headbands, earrings, socks and footwear. When it comes to fruity fashion, you are really spoilt for choice. Add a burst of colour with these playful fruity motifs toyour outfit and make heads turn. Have you tried them yet?

Colours & Gems For December 2018

1. Nephrite
   Take a look at this gemstone. Looks interesting, doesn’t it? It is called Nephrite, which is one of the two different mineral types more commonly known as a form of Jade. It is made of calcium, magnesium, sodium, aluminum and iron. Its dark green variety is called “spinach jade” and is usually opaque to translucent. It is available in red, yellow, brown, gray, white and black colours too. This gem is considered for the 12th wedding anniversary of a married couple. Asian artisans have used this gem for over a thousand of years to create intricate carved objects and jewellery. The gem is believed to increase the energy and lifespan of its wearer.
2. Spessartite
   Here’s a sneak peak of a beautiful gem called Spessartite aka Spessartine. It is derived from Spessart in Germany.Spessartites occur in three basic types. There are the light and bright stones, which come from Nigeria, Ramona (CA) and the deeper reddish orange stones that come from Nigeria. Then there are the wonderful tangerine orange “mandarin” garnets that come from Namibia. This rare gem is highly sought after as a jewellery stone and is popular for its eye-catching colour, brilliance as well as its hardness. It is believed to be a talisman of protection. Known as the Stone of Whole Harmony, it encourages deep healing.

Colours & Nature For December 2018

1. Hooded Pitohui
   Let’s introduce you to this bird. It is called the Hooded Pitohui. Doesn’t it look beautiful? But wait… did you know that this bird is one of the world’s only toxic birds? The Hooded Pitohui gets its poison from part of its diet, which is the Choresine beetle of the Melyridae family. It is a species of bird in the genus Pitohui found in New Guinea. It has black feathers on its head and a red or an orange belly. The bright colours of the Hooded Pitohui, along with a strong odour that it emits, are meant to keep away the predators.
2. Gecko Phelsuma
   Say hello to this fascinating creature. It is known as Gecko Phelsuma. Its name is as interesting as its personality. It possesses jewel-tone colours and has an equally interesting personality to complement it. It has a large fleshy body, deep-emerald-green colours, orange-to-red lateral spotting and a distinct red stripe from nostril to eye, which makes for a visual treat. It has an irresistible allure and has earned the title of the king of day geckos. Fun fact: Giant day geckos are sun-lovers and love basking under the light.

Decor

Awesome Wall Paint Ideas For Every Room

Looking for wall painting inspirations for your home? Read on...

When it comes to wall painting, there are many things one can do. However, in most cases, people prefer to stick to the conventional route. This is a pity because colours are an integral part of our lives and you should be able to have fun with them. The walls of your home are blank canvases waiting to be brought to life with the use of interior paints in the best combinations.

If you keep an open mind, you will find that you can find inspiration in the most unexpected, simple and everyday places. To act on these inspirations, it’s important to give some thought to what your personal style preferences are. It is a great tip to keep a scrap-book of the colours, patterns, combinations and textures that catch your eye. This way, you will have a vision in your mind when you want to get your rooms painted. The next time you want to give your house a facelift, start off by giving your walls a fresh look with these fun ideas.

Create Contrast

It is possible to give a space a whole new vibe if you go with this choice. Choose two shades that will create a sense of light and shadow in the room. A fun idea for a living room would be to use charcoal grey for two walls and bright red for the other two. The end result will be dramatic, yet elegant at the same time. It works particularly well when you have white accent pieces in the room.

Wall Finishes

There is a whole variety of wall texture painting finishes that you can pick from. Depending on which room you use, go for soft or more pronounced textures. Bolder textures are apt for spaces where you entertain people or as the backdrop of the dining area. On the other hand, softer and smaller finishes are complementing of areas of resting or relaxation in a home. Berger Paints India has its very own range of impressive finishes, Silk Illusions. You can choose from wall finishes that are in satin, matt, marble, metallic or gloss finishes.

Accent Walls

An accent wall is perfect to frame statement furniture such as the couch, bed or dining table. It will bring a much needed pop of colour to just about any room. There are a plethora of colours and combinations which will spruce up your home. A rust orange wall in a light grey living room will bring in the warmth that the space needs. An idea that will bring a breezy easy vibe to your plain white bedroom is a sea blue accent wall behind the headboard of your bed.

Wall Designs

If you are willing to be experimental, go with wall designs, art or stencils. If you don’t want to go for anything too out there, pick subtler patterns that achieve the desired effect. For instance, a wall painting with vertical stripes, in two contrasting colours, will make quite an eye-catching statement. A deep purple wall with gold abstract stencilled designs on it is sure to bring a royal, yet cosy look to any room you choose to use it in. You can take your pick from a wide range of stencils in colours of your choice from Berger Paints India catalogue.

Now that you have read through the wonderful and exciting wall painting options available, we’re sure you cannot wait to get started. At Berger Paints India, we take your inspiration very seriously and it is our pleasure to create exactly what you have in mind. And if you’re looking for quicker painting results, then we have just the offering for you – our Berger Paints Express Painting takes care of everything while promising you faster, cleaner and better results! Book a free consultation today!

Stencil Painting A Perfect Way To Make Your Home Unique

Thinking of sprucing up the walls of your little one's room with wall stencils? Read on for some inspiration!

There are many ways to make the spaces your kids spend their time in more lively and interesting. While there are wall paints in a variety of colours which you can use in your kid’s room, wall stencils will breathe life into those colourful walls. Besides, selecting a wall design that complements your child’s personality can be a fun way to bond with your kid before getting the painting done in their bedroom or playroom.

Wall stencils are an excellent way to transform the feel of a room with the use of different prints or patterns, or a combination of the two. The key here is to pick out a stencil that stands out over the paint on the wall. When it comes to children’s spaces especially, the idea is to give expression to their budding personalities in a way that they are surrounded by stimuli that ignite their imagination.

As you will shortly see, at Berger Paints India, we have designed a range of wall stencils that are creative and stimulating for your child’s young mind. And the best part? Berger Easy Clean stencils ensures that stains are the least of your problems as wall stains can be easily cleaned, giving you peace of mind, and your child the freedom to be a child!

Stencils to Suit Each Child’s Unique Personality

Children outgrow many things pretty quickly, so always remember that when they do so, you can always have their room/s repainted to resonate with their ever-evolving personalities.

The Toddler’s Retreat

Every parent wishes their tiny tot to be in a nurturing environment. This is a stage when your child’s brain is developing at a fast pace, so finding a balance between calming as well as lively elements in their room is a must.

Opt for powder blue, golden yellow, mellow green or rosy pink colours for their walls. Then pair it up with Berger’s baby-themed stencils such as Spotted Giraffe for a safari feel or Playful Monkeys to catch your little one’s imagination. In this scenario, it is up to you as a parent to decide the colour palette and make a stencil choice to go with it.

The Pre-Teen Sanctuary

These are the years of explorations and new experiences. This is the time when goals, ambitions, aspirations and dreams take hold of their young minds. In such a period, providing your pre-teen with a space that is effortless, sleek and open can be very beneficial to them.

Stencils like the Kite Runner which will work well on a light blue wall or the Merry Glider that would stand out well on a pastel yellow or grey wall will encourage them to explore their goals and dreams, while stoking their creativity.

The Teenage Adventure

It is no secret that teenage years are all about finding self-expression. These are the years of youthful exuberance when emotions, activities and ideas are at a high intensity. It only is logical that this is reflected in their room/s in your home.

For a teen that’s enthusiastic about sports, the stencil Basketball Match is a good choice to excite their senses. And if they love outdoor activities, Rock Climber would be a perfect match to their thrill-seeking quests. Another suggestion is to have Berger Easy Clean colours that contrast and are vibrant on the wall, such as Tuscan Orange and Southern Skies.

So the next time you are looking for inspiration for your child’s room, you should consider wall stencils. They bring a new feature into the space, enlivening it in the process and it’s a sure-fire conversation starter that is sure to impress their friends.

Tips For Creating A Relaxing Bedroom

Pondering how to make your bedroom a haven for relaxing? Read on for some interesting tips...

In the hustle of our busy lives, we are faced with various forms of stress that ultimately wind up invading our personal spaces too. We really don’t recommend this, as your home is where you recharge and rejuvenate to face each new day. Fortunately, there is a lot you can consciously do to prevent this from happening.

Your bedroom is the place you retire to at the end of each day and it’s also where you begin your day. So making it a cocoon of rest and relaxation that calms you after a long day, as well as revitalizes you to face the challenges of your day, is exactly what you need. There are endless ways to achieve this and we have outlined the basics and other tips to start you off in the right direction.

Cut the Clutter

Clutter in any space has a negative impact on the mind. So, look around your bedroom and identify the areas that have accumulated unwanted articles. Having too many things surrounding you could be the reason you haven’t been sleeping soundly. When there are distracting elements in a room, it can be a challenge to feel peaceful. Take the time to de-clutter and you will instantly feel a weight being lifted off your shoulders.

Colour Combination

Make sure that you give some deliberate thought to your bedroom colour combination. You can use colours to shift your mood, so start becoming aware of the shades that draw your attention and how they make you feel. Going with a neutral palette is always a classic choice, but you can also opt for dark shades of grey, deep purple, green and the likes. The trick then is to choose linens and drapes that are pastels or monochromatic.

Décor Decisions

Depending on the room colour combinations you have carefully selected, the décor decisions can be made. For instance, in your bedroom, it is not advisable to have too many pieces so, let the bed be the focal point. Create the right ambience around the bed that promotes sleep and restfulness. This can be achieved with some potted plants, a table-top fountain, scented candles, soft textured rugs on the floor and so on.

No Tech Zone

It is a fact that our lives are ruled by technology, whether at the workplace or in the house. We are constantly being bombarded by data and our minds are in constant overdrive from this information overload. It is of paramount importance to be aware of this fact and allow our minds to return to its natural rhythm. A great way to ensure this is to keep electronics in the bedroom to a bare minimum. You are sure to notice a positive impact on your sleeping habits, attention levels and productivity throughout your day.

Lighting Choices

Having access to natural light is ideal in a bedroom; however, having the choice of a complete blackout is also essential. Achieve this with black out curtains for your bedroom windows. For lighting within the room, pick adjustable lighting that is not harsh or disruptive. Lamps and light fixtures can also be used to create an atmosphere of soothing calmness that lulls you into blissful sleep.

With these practical suggestions, we are sure that you can easily create an oasis of relaxation within your home that isn’t just soothing to look at but also defines relaxation and rest for a well energized you!

Colours & Ancient Sciences

Feng Shui For December 2018

Feng Shui has numerous tips to help improve your health and well-being. Let’s find out more about it…

Health is Wealth

In Feng Shui, there is a direct relationship between your health and the quality of energy in your home and office. How healthy is your environment, from a Feng Shui viewpoint? How healthy is your bedroom? What is the quality of air in your home or place of business? Numerous home and businesses suffer from low and stagnant Feng Shui energy. Studies show that most homes and businesses are below the basic energy level necessary to maintain the good health of people who live or work there.

Air

The issue of outdoor air pollution is well known, while few people are aware that the indoor air pollution is actually much worse than the outdoor one. Work with Feng Shui air-purifying plants, open the window often to aerate the space, use essential oils to clear the air, use air purifiers, etc. Do whatever it takes to find solutions for better air in your home; breathing clean air regularly is the Feng Shui foundation for your health and well-being.

Light

Allow your home to receive as much natural light as possible; it is important to be aware of the need for intelligent and smart indoor lighting. Once you focus on the quality of light in your home, you will quickly feel a shift in your health and well-being. If you have to spend a lot of time indoors, be sure to invest in full spectrum lights that will nourish your energy.

Space

The very important Feng Shui step of clearing clutter is ignored. Be serious and realize that no amount of wind chimes, good Feng Shui colours or Feng Shui plants will negate the low, depressing energy of clutter in your home. You just have to deal with your clutter, as clutter constantly drains energy from you.

Reiki For December 2018

Have you heard about the benefits of Reiki at the workplace? Read on to know how Reiki can help you at work…

Why is workplace Reiki important?

Keep your workforce happy. Directly address the causes of stress and anxiety in the workplace. Go further, create an environment of support and show you care.

Offering staff the option to have a Reiki treatment at work says a lot to your employees and it will make a difference to the workplace environment. It shows that you care about them and their well-being.

Most people say that Reiki has a wonderful relaxing and balancing effect on them. They can have one treatment or regular treatments - it depends on the individual’s preferences.

Keeping in mind that you spend more time at work, Reiki at work is a need. Reiki can be administered sitting or lying down with hands placed on the client or directly above the body. Any fairly quiet work environment can be appropriate although a separate room is an advantage. The Reiki practitioner will need a suitable place to discuss healing and re-balancing needs with the client. For workplace Reiki, one needs to be away from distractions such as telephones or computers, ideally where they can relax. An efficient 30 minutes is usually sufficient for a workplace Reiki treatment.

Reiki is beneficial for both the employer and the employee.

Benefits of Reiki to Employer:

• Increases attendance
• Increases positive productivity and mental clarity
• Relieves stress and tension in the workplace
• Improves morale and motivates staff
• Demonstrates commitment to development and well-being of employees
• Enhances your company profile

Benefits of Reiki to Employee:

• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Generates mindfulness / presence of mind
• Calms the mind. Improves clarity and concentration
• Rejuvenates energy / Uplifts and improves energy flow
• Facilitates better relationships with clients & colleagues
• Helps physical problems that they may be experiencing, including pain relief
• Provides emotional balance and assists with any psychological difficulties
• Provides ongoing well-being maintenance
• Creates calm and peaceful feelings
• Increases job satisfaction

Vaastu For December 2018

Did you know that designing your kids' room as per Vaastu has its own advantages? Take a look at some handy Vaastu tips...

Vaastu for your child’s success.

1. A study room should be in the east, north or the North-East direction of the house as this improves the absorbing power and increases the knowledge of content. The door of the study room should also be in either of these directions.
2. A study room should not be below the toilet or under a beam. Ensure that there is no reflection of mirrors on the books at the time of study as this may increase the pressure of study on your kids.
3. The room in which your children study should be bright and well lit. If the room is dingy and dimly lit, it may slow down your child's education. Sunlight or natural light is a must while studying. Ensure that the shadow of the child who is studying is not falling on the books.
4. While studying, sit and learn in the East as it improves concentration. Avoid using things that are obstacles for concentration like pillars, sharp pointed edges of furniture, open shelves etc.
5. Make sure that the study table is neat and tidy. It should not be cluttered with too many books loaded on it.
6. To give inspiration to the child to study, the picture of a galloping horse, a rising Sun or of the goddess of knowledge, Saraswati is helpful.
7. The colour green is the most recommended for a child’s room as it stimulates the brain yet offers a calming effect. Blue is a good colour for children who are hyperactive and aggressive in temperament.
8. Dust and clutter represent negativity, so once in a month, take an inventory of your household goods and dispose off any clutter.
9. Fresh air is extremely important. Keep the windows open.
10. Vaastu recommends not having a bookshelf above the study table. It may create undue stress for the child.