Colour Your Way Through Life! For June 2016

Colour Stories

Did you know Rangoli is known by different names according to region, such as Kolam in southern India, Aripana in Bihar, Mandana in Rajasthan and Alpana in Bengal? Read on to know about this art form and the legends associated with it.

Rangoli is a Hindi word derived from 'rang' meaning colour and 'aavalli' meaning row or coloured creepers. The origin of rangoli is traced back to a legend in the Chitralakshana, the earliest Indian treatise on painting. When the son of a King's high priest died, the king and his entire kingdom was mourning and in deep sorrow. The king prayed every day to Lord Brahma, the Lord of the universe, who, moved by his prayers, asked him to paint the portrait of the boy on the floor so that he could breathe life into him again. It is believed that the first painting was made in this way! It is also how flowers and rice flour were transformed into offerings to God in the form of floor paintings.

According to another legend, one day, God, in one of his artistic spells, took out mango juice from one of the mango trees to use as paint and painted a figure of a beautiful woman. The painting is believed to have been so lovely that it put the heavenly maidens to shame. Rangoli became a popular form of women's self-portraiture after that. It is also believed that powder or sand is used for making rangoli designs as the combination of the colours and the design signifies the impermanence of life and 'maya'. Rangoli designs are made with no gaps in between, as it was believed that an incomplete rangoli can attract evil spirits!

Rangoli is commonly drawn in two ways - dry as well as wet. It does not require any devices such as a brush, ruler or a thread to draw it. Women and young girls make different rangoli designs during special occasions, festivals and wedding celebrations.

In ancient India, they were used to decorate the entrances of homes to welcome visitors. The design used to make rangoli includes idols, animals, lotus, geometrical patterns, swastika, conch shells, trident, footprints and much more. The main motive of creating rangoli designs is that it brings good luck.

Rangoli has also been mentioned in the two great epics. In the story of Ramayana, the people of Ayodhya painted rangoli designs to welcome back Lord Rama after fourteen years of migration in the forest. In Mahabharata, this form of art was used by the 'gopis' in their free time. In the ancient times, natural dyes like indigo and barks of trees were used to colour the rangoli designs. These days, synthetic dyes have replaced these natural dyes, although naturally derived dyes are widely available.

Colour Trivia

Colour Facts For June 2016

1. It's a known fact that colours affect the way we behave, feel and think, and it's no surprise that our animal counterparts have the same reaction to colour! A company called Animalens Inc. of Wellesley sells red tinted contact lenses for chickens because medical studies have pointed that chickens wearing them behave differently from those that don't! They're less aggressive, eat less and produce more thereby increasing profits. The chickens are also less likely to peck at each other.
2. While you may have heard of "chromophobia" which is a fear of colours, melanophobia is a fear of the colour black. The term 'melano' refers to Greek for "black". The fear is said to have possibly been developed since the colour black is associated with death and mourning. While nobody can go out of their way to avoid black, people with melanophobia aren't going to adopt goth fashion anytime soon.
3. Most planets get their colours from the constant flow of lava on their surface or similar tectonic activity. But even though Mercury appears grey from the ground or space, it is only bare rocks. The current silvery hue is left over from the remains of volcanic activities billions of years ago. Scientists predict that a fresh flow of lava would lead to Mercury changing colour. This is why when you put the pictures of Earth's moon and Mercury side by side, you'd be hard-pressed to notice the differences.

Colour Quotes For June 2016

• The best colour in the whole world, is the one that looks good on you!

  - Coco Chanel

• Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud.

  - Maya Angelou

• We are all a little broken. But last time I checked, broken crayons still colour the
  same.

  - Trent Shelton

Colour Tips For June 2016

1. Staring at the wall for hours in search of inspiration? Chase the blues in; literally! Scientists at the University of British Columbia conducted a research on a group of 600 individuals and found out that in a cognitive test with a blue background, the participants performed worse than their counterparts (red/neutral background) in terms of short term memory tasks. However, they were much better at tasks involving creativity and the use of imagination. So you might want to keep this in mind when choosing a new coat of paint!
2. When painting a toddler's room, while you may be tempted to use bright colours, it is better to use pastel shades instead. Bright colours such as red, orange, etc. have the ability to shock a baby's inner vibrations, making them restless and irritable. They can also prevent a child from sleeping well and cause them to cry. Cool, soothing tones of cream, peach, lilac or pink work best for infants, toddlers and young children, as they are associated with love and security. Even dark tones of blue and green can have negative effects.
3. You must consider the style of your house or bungalow before painting its interiors. If your home is done up in a Grecian style, then the walls cannot be a bright orange or purple. Houses in Greece have majorly white interiors with splashes of blue and green in places, reflecting the clear skies of the region. Sticking to an authentic colour palette will make your home look more beautiful and coupled with the right kind of furniture, it will look picture perfect!

World of Colours

Colours & Emotion For June 2016

1. We may not spend a lot of time thinking about room colour though it affects us every day. It can influence our moods and our thoughts. The feelings about colours are often deeply personal and rooted in our culture or experience. Do you know why red is such a popular colour in restaurants? It could be the most manipulative colour influencing everything, from figuring out what one needs when having dinner with family and friends or even making a quick decision over which menu dish sparks the appetite. There is no other colour like red when it comes to promoting liveliness and grabbing attention.
2. Colour can be a powerful way to convey emotions in your illustrations or artwork. One can see the effective use of emotive colours in the works of artist, Pablo Picasso. He used colours to evoke a specific atmosphere and to reinforce emotions. He painted in monochrome tones of blue which reflected his low psychological state, owing to the death of his friend and Spanish painter, Carlos Casagemas, who took his own life because of his unrequited love. This period of Picasso's work became popular as his 'blue period'. He painted as if he was viewing the world through a blue lens – a thing that no other artist had done before!

Colours & Fashion For June 2016

The names of colours have origins in the earliest known languages. Different societies have developed names for colours and it's no secret that colour plays an important part in the fashion industry. In the world of fashion, an exciting colour name is just as important as the attire to promote a fashion look. To create moods, fashion journalists often use exotic names and look for inspiration in their surroundings. For instance, did you know that 'Australien' is a colour inspired by the rusty colour of the rocks and deserts of the Australian outback? It was used by fashion houses and dressmakers in the late Victorian England to describe the orange colour for ladies' dresses!

Colours & Gems For June 2016

1. Zultanite is one of the most exciting gemstones around. Extremely rare, it has been known since 1801 when it was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia. The name is believed to reference the sultans who ruled the Ottoman Empire. It was not commercially mined until 2006. Zultanite has amazing colour changing properties when viewed under different sources of light, like sunlight and indoor light, making it fascinating for jewellery connoisseurs. Some people believe that Zultanite can help develop psychic powers, ambition, intellect, astral force, desire and emotions based on intellect and touch.
2. The moss agate also known as Montana agate is a creamy light yellow to almost clear colour. It is found in gravel deposits from the Pleistocene age in the area of the Yellowstone River and its tributaries. Rough Montana resembles a potato, making it difficult to distinguish it from other rocks. It gets its red colour from iron oxide and the black colour from manganese oxide. Agate has been popular since ancient times, and to this day, many people believe that it promotes both strength and healing. The gem is believed to be a powerful emotional healer and balance emotions. Physically, Montana agate is predominantly useful for gum and tooth, stomach issues, physical stamina and restlessness!

Colours & Nature For June 2016

1. The Seven Coloured Earths is a small region near the village of Chamarel plain in the Black River District of south-western Mauritius. It is a geological curiosity and a popular tourist attraction of Mauritius. This relatively small area of about 7,500 square meters has sand dunes of seven lovely colours like red, brown, green, violet, blue, purple and yellow. The sands were formed from the decomposition of volcanic rock gullies into clay that further transformed into ferralitic soil by total hydrolysis. The different shades of colour are believed to be a consequence of the molten volcanic rock cooling down at different external temperatures. The dunes never seem to erode, in spite of Mauritius' torrential rains!
2. Keukenhof is the one of the largest and most famous flower parks in the world and lies in the southwest of Amsterdam. Spring is the best time to visit this spectacular site. There are more than 7 million flower bulbs planted every year. There are gardens and four pavilions displaying an incredible collection of gorgeous Dutch tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, orchids, roses, irises, carnations, lilies and many other flowers in full bloom. Keukenhof has a different theme each year. This park attracts over a million visitors each year! The spectacle of colours and perfumes is overwhelming while the blaze of colour that envelops the park is a truly memorable sight!

Decor

Add A Splash Of Colour To Your Bathroom With Shower Curtains!

One of the easiest ways to update your bathroom is with a shower curtain. A shower curtain can serve as a smart accessory and as a useful tool to avoid flooding the bathroom! Read on to know how to make it a place you will love to be in!

Shower curtains are the perfect accessory to make a bathroom stand out. Both practical and attractive, they let you enjoy your privacy while taking a shower. It is important to keep in mind the décor of the bathroom while choosing the colour of the shower curtains. It is necessary to match your tiles, sink and tub as much as possible with it. Its colour and texture can set the tone for the entire space!

You can also create a theme for your bathroom with the help of a shower curtain. There are a number of designs and styles for you to choose from. The elements that you need to consider before making a purchase is its length. They can be extremely long and touch the floor or can be shorter and cover the mid-section. Short curtains look casual while the long ones look elegant. When a shower curtain is not sized properly, water is bound to leak all over the bathroom through gaps at the bottom or at the sides of the shower.

There are tons of creative ideas that you can try with curtains. You can hang curtains in designs such as world maps, city scenery, coastal motifs, florals, abstract art and much more! Ruffled curtains can instantly add visual interest to a simple and plain bathroom. Complement the design you choose with the knick knacks in your bathroom for a themed look that is sure to impress.

You can choose a shower curtain from a number of materials like plastic, fabric and waterproof materials. Remember to invest in a good liner to help keep your curtain in great shape. A right liner can make a lot of difference and with a little care, you can keep the shower curtain looking attractive for years to come.

Regularly wash your shower curtains with baking soda, vinegar or bleach to keep it looking fresh and clean. You don't have to settle for just another plain shower curtain unless you want your bathroom to look spacious. No matter what shower curtain you pick, remember to ventilate your bathroom by keeping a fan or having an open window. Now go, take the plunge… make your bathroom beautiful with your creativity!

Add a Cozy Nook To Your Home!

One sure-shot idea to make your house a home is to transform a part of it into your very own cozy nook. Read on to know exactly how you can do that...

Harry Potter lived the first 11 years of his life in a nook under the stairs and was quite miserable about it, but luckily we have better ideas to turn nooks into cozy spaces. Let's begin!

Your tiny nook can be anything – a converted attic, the spot by your windows, a corner of the room or the cupboard beneath the stairs! The best nooks as a rule have lots and lots of cushions, the more, the merrier! If it's a rectangular seat spanning the length of the window, you can pick a patterned seat cover and throw a quilted comforter on it to achieve the perfect messy look. If it is a bigger place, like a sofa or an entire alcove, select eclectic prints and hues that complement each other. If your favourite shade is a strong warm or cool colour like red or purple, pair it with neutrals like beige, cream, crown etc. to balance it out.

Another aspect to factor in is light. Since most nooks are in alcoves or corners, it is very important to select the right lighting for it. Most people bypass bright tube-lights for more subtle lighting, corner lamps, fairy lights or quaint chandeliers. A lot of people also go for the boho vibe with plain light bulbs hanging from the ceiling.

If the nook is part of a bigger room, you can choose translucent curtains or Chinese dividers to create the partition between the outside and your personal paradise.

What are you going to use it for? Do you keep moving from one spot to another for some peace and quiet while reading? Get bookshelves built all around the nook or above a certain wall and curl up over Kafka endlessly or you can build yours opposite the television to give you the perfect vantage point. You can also retire to your nook to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while taking a break, listen to music, draw, etc.

Give yourself carte blanche and do it up in the way you've always dreamt of. After all, your cozy nook is where you'll go to unwind after a long, tiring day and it'll be there waiting for you every time you want to escape the world!

Get An Instant Makeover with Decals!

Low on your décor budget? Fret not, this season, give your brushes a break and choose attractive decals for an instant makeover!

While revamping the interiors of ones' home is always exciting, the time and money expended for it is huge. This year, give your brushes a break and choose attractive decals for an instant makeover. Decals refer to designs created on surfaces like fabric/paper or plastic and then transferred onto a concrete or glass wall using heat and/or water. The word originates from the French 'décalcomanie' and is shortened from the English 'Decalcomania'. It literally means 'to copy by transfer'.

Decals were originally used on cars and bikes but its usage has now increased to nail art, guitars, laptops and walls. They range from minimalistic designs to complicated tribal art, images of birds and animals to décor patterns like swirls and hearts.

An increasing number of people are opting for decals to decorate prominent walls in rooms or provide a contrast effect. They're especially useful in decorating kids' rooms as their interests and wishes keep changing every couple of years as they grow up! They can also be stuck on bathroom walls to brighten up a dull corner, in the kitchen to lend a different dimension to utilitarian cabinets and in the form of a quote right above your bed. There is a massive variety of ready to use decals available online and in shops but if none of those attract your fancy, you can always get a customized decal made.

There are multiple types of decals available in the market depending on your need and budget. The most common kind of decal is vinyl decal which is used on a maximum number of surfaces. Apart from these, there are PVC decals and non-PVC fabric decals. The price starts at very low rates and can go up to any amount depending on the size of the decal and its design.

Decals are also replacing the use of wallpapers in multiple homes since there is no fear of them getting affected by damp walls, mold or requiring any maintenance. While a wallpaper or paint job is definitely more regal, decals provide quick fixes and are also easier to remove should a change be required. One of the newer styles in the range is the 3D Decal which popularly comes in the shapes of butterflies, trees and birds. So if you're choosing to give your house a new look anytime soon, do factor in decals for they are all pros and no cons!

Colours & Ancient Sciences

Feng Shui For June 2016

Yellow is the happiest colour on the planet but the hardest to get right. Read on to know how to create a welcoming and positive Feng Shui energy in your home using this cheerful and welcoming colour!

Welcome Feng Shui Energy into your Home with Yellow!

Yellow is the darling of a good Feng Shui home. Yellow supports the solar plexus, allowing people to be at ease and feel supported. The colour can be used in places that need to promote stability and security. Since Feng Shui is all about balance, moderate amounts of the colour yellow in Feng Shui can help create good fortune in your home.

The colour is very popular in Feng Shui as it is the absolute colour of happiness and warmth. According to Bagua, placing yellow in the heart of the room promotes good health. This colour is the expression of the vital energy of the sun. It is associated with the Earth element in Feng Shui and our Third Chakra centre that governs our digestion, mental process, our will and determination.

You can use splashes of yellow on your wallpaper and wall sconce as it brings harmony and is soothing. A little of bit of yellow in the centre of your dining table can also lift spirits and increase the enjoyment of one's food and company. This colour can enliven the gloomiest of rooms and is a powerful agent of space-change!

The key to yellow is to use it purposefully and sparingly on walls, especially in a child's room. Eliminate yellow completely if you find that clutter is building up in your living space. This is a wonderful colour for the study as it brings optimism, hopefulness and improves concentration.

Yellow is also good for your kitchen but avoid it in your bedroom and in rooms designed for resting and relaxation. It is best to use a muted tone of yellow like honey wheat in the bedroom if you suffer from depression or health setbacks. The use of yellow in the foyer or entrance will welcome active chi into your home and bring good opportunities. Why wait? Enhance your home with touches of this bright and lively colour now!

Reiki For June 2016

Who said Reiki is just for humans? Read on to know how you can use Reiki to heal the animals in your life…

Animal Healing Using Reiki!

Historically, Reiki has been used mainly for human beings; however, unbeknownst to many, it has several qualities that make it an ideal therapy for animals as well. Animals, both wild and domestic are intuitive to Reiki healing and they can benefit by it in myriad ways. It can be used alongside veterinary treatment as it doesn't interfere with the process. Reiki helps speed up the course of healing, de-stresses the sick animal, easing any pain it is suffering from. The therapy is painless, stress-free and gentle, yet yields powerful results.

Being highly energetic and sensitive, Reiki works on all levels of an animal's being – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Reiki helps heal the body itself and even though there may be no physical healing, it can bring comfort and peace, easing the transition to death if an animal is dying. It is safe both for the animal and the practitioner and can be used under any circumstances.

Animals are calmed down just like humans if the hands are placed at the base of the ears near the neck. In addition to that, if they are pets, you don't have to confine animals while treating them, making it convenient and hassle-free. When working on small animals like hamsters, guinea pigs and mice, cup your hands gently around their bodies without putting any pressure, surrounding them in Reiki energy. Keep the hands just above the surface of the skin of small animals while treating them during their sleep cycles so as to not disturb them.

When treating injured birds with Reiki, place their body in one open hand and ensure that their wings are folded back against their body. Make sure their sternum is able to move about freely, as this is how they breathe. Never force an animal to sit still while you do Reiki healing on them as they have the free will not to accept it.

Always keep in mind that every animal is different and unique, and their responsiveness to Reiki would depend on their illness and personality. Most animals, especially house pets readily understand and appreciate the vibrational frequency, thereby healing our bond with them, and in the process our souls too.

Vaastu For June 2016

Designing your balcony based on Vaastu guidelines can help you make it a more comfortable one and bring peace and happiness into your life. Read on to know how…

Vaastu Vibes for your Balcony!

It is auspicious to construct a balcony from one to another corner. The best direction to build a balcony is the northern and eastern directions of the house. The north to north-east and eastern direction are believed to be positive directions and south and south-west are considered as directions that bring negativity. A balcony in the south or south-west side of the house should be covered and closed.

Squares and rectangles are the preferred shapes for balconies and they should never have arches and its corners should preferably not be rounded. If you wish to grow flower pots and creepers in your balcony, ensure that all pots used are of a smaller size.

Placement of furniture in balcony

Avoid heavy furniture that obstructs sunlight in the balcony. It is best to place seating in the south-west direction of the balcony. If you are planning to hang a swing in the balcony, keep it in the east-west direction and sit facing the north or south direction.

Vaastu for the roof of the balcony

The one parameter that needs to be considered while constructing a roof is to make sure that the slant or the slope of the roof is towards the north-eastern direction. North or east is good as well if the north-eastern direction is not possible owing to design limitations and architectural constraints. The floor and roof of the balcony should always be built lower than the floor or roof of the main building compound. This will give a proportionate look overall.

Shoes can be removed and placed in the balcony. However, they should not be placed on or facing the northeast.

Asbestos or tin should not be used for the roof of the balcony as they absorb and trap heat within, making it uncomfortably hot.

Applying these Vaastu principles is purely architectural and you can reap its benefits by following it carefully.