Colour Stories
A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to refresh the look of any room. However, picking the wrong shade can cause disappointment and you could end up regretting the choice. If you are planning to sell your home in the near future, it is all the more important for you to choose the right paint colour as you don’t want prospective buyers turning up their noses looking at the walls.
It is quite a known fact that the paint colours one picks for a room will affect how they feel when they spend time in that space. When picking paint colours for their homes, people go for colours that make them happy and uplifted. People opt for popular paints for their homes like blue, yellow or green that infuses positivity or one that exudes calmness.
Black is one colour that is mostly left untouched for various reasons. It is not a popular colour for house interiors or exteriors. It does not exude cheerfulness or vibrancy to the space. In fact, most people believe it to be a colour that looks lifeless and dull. People would rather opt for a colour that is pleasing to the eyes and one that lends warmth to the entire living space.
Though black trim works well with most base colours, choosing it as a base colour for home interiors or exteriors is a wrong idea. It is known to make the house too hot in summers as it absorbs more heat from the sun than any other coloured house. A light-coloured house will reflect more sunrays, keeping indoor temperatures cooler in the summer months.
Apart from that, painting a home exterior with black paint can be disastrous as the colour is known to fade easily and may need repainting sooner compared to a home with lighter exterior.
If you go with black, you will also need to make sure the surface of your home is very well prepped as black can be more unforgiving than other colours in showing up imperfections. On a surface, black is known to accentuate imperfections. Any chip, blemish, gouge or flaw on an exterior wall will draw more attention if it is painted in black. Now, who would want that?
At the end of the day, you want the right mood in a room, as it is known to impact not just your own feelings, but also that of everyone who steps into it.
So now that you have read the reasons, would you take the plunge on your home’s painting task and paint it black, just like The Rolling Stones?
Colour Trivia
Colour Facts For October 2019
- With global warming on the rise, our food chains are undergoing a significant change. This change is evident not just in humans but amongst birds and animals as well. One such interesting example is a new food source changing the colour of baboons near Kenya's Lake Bogoria. The apes have been reported to eat pink flamingoes. These birds have recently arrived at the lake to feast on the lake's protein rich rotifers and blue-green algae. The dead birds are an easy food source for the baboons. Researchers have reported that the monkeys' new taste for flamingoes is turning their grey coats into a yellowish-brown shade.
- Black and orange are considered as the colours of Halloween. But ever wonder why? The colours were in fact intentionally chosen since they function as opposites. Orange is typically associated with the colours of autumn- which generally starts in October in North America. It is also a lively colour and resembles the changing colour of the leaves. On the other hand, there is black. This colour is usually associated with darkness or anything evil. Since the colour gives a spooky feeling, it is also associated with the underworld and spirits. So the connection between black and orange is linked to denote this time of the year- the change in the colours of the leaves and the spookiest holiday celebrated across the world.
- Rangoli, a common Diwali tradition is all about combining symmetry, precision and colours. People draw rangoli on the floor at the entrance of their homes to welcome the Gods and good luck. Over the years, the traditional rice flour has been substituted with limestone and red brick powder to introduce more colours for the rangoli drawings. Chalk and chalk powder was also introduced with a variety of new colours. There are also vinyl stickers available in the market now which are easy to peel off and time-saving. Whatever the trends might be, rangoli will always be one of the Diwali traditions we all love!
Colour Quotes For October 2019
I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need
to and I paint whatever passes through my head without any
other consideration.
- Frida Kahlo
I decided I would fill the emptiness in me with God and with paint.
- Kimberly Novosel
Color is the finishing touch on everything.
- Marc Jacobs
Colour Tips For October 2019
- Accent walls can really change the entire look of a room. By blending colours, textures and tone, you can create a focal point in your room that is bound to bring some life to even the most boring wall in the house! You don’t have to deck all four walls of the room; all you need is one accent wall. Give your room a gleeful touch by painting one wall. Or use textured paints to add some personality and appeal to a wall. Ensure you keep rest of the walls muted and low key to avoid too much distraction.
- Another fun way to introduce some character and personality to your home walls is using wall stencils and decals. Be it nature, adventure, abstract or sports theme, you can use these stencils for your home walls. For trendy stencils for home walls that will give your room walls a fabulous upgrade, choose from varied range of walls stencils from Berger Paints. The expertly crafted stencils are a great way to express your creativity around the house. Be it swaying wildflowers, tranquil nature, kite runner, basketball match or even merry glider, these stencils will inject some style to your home walls. Moreover, they are easy to clean and can be removed and stored for future use too, making it a great décor idea if you are renting.
- It is the festive month and the best way to get your house ready for the season is giving it a makeover. Play with the festive colour palette and introduce some jewel tones with cushions, curtains and upholstery. Bring out beautiful diyas and lanterns and use them to light up the house. Create a centerpiece using floating candles and flower petals in a beautiful bowl. Buy some scented candles, potpourri and diffusers and add it to every room in the house. And don’t forget your home walls. Drab home walls don’t go well with the festive season. Yellow, red and orange are great choices for an accent wall or go in for the classic white for an understated look for colour shade for home wall.
World Of Colours
Colours & Emotion For October 2019
- In art, colours play a powerful role. They have the ability to arouse emotions and create a mood. In fact, Henri Matisse is the man credited with revolutionising attitudes towards colour in art. He famously said, “When I put down green it doesn’t mean grass, and when I put down blue it doesn’t mean sky.” Before Matisse, Monet had already begun questioning descriptive colours. He was fascinated by the ever-changing shimmer of light on water. He was in turn influenced by Michel-Eugène-Chevreul who realised that colours look brighter or duller depending on the colours they are next to.
- Have you ever given a thought about colours in healthcare? Did you know that the vibrations of each colour affect the mood and emotions? It is pure science when we say colours are infused with healing powers. They have the ability to influence a patients’ response towards medical care and their actual recovery as well. Chromotherapy, also known as chromatherapy or colourology, is an alternative method in medicine that describes the healing properties of colours and uses the effect colours have on us. Health problems are treated using the light of specific colours. Fascinating, isn’t it?
Colours & Fashion For October 2019
Bandhej, also known as Bandhani is the oldest form of tie and dye art which started about 5000 years ago. According to historical evidence, the first Bandhani saree was worn at the time of Bana Bhatt`s Harshacharita in a royal marriage. One of its earliest visual representations can be seen in the caves of Ajanta. In India, Bandhani work was started by the community of Gujarat known as Khatri. Places in Rajasthan such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Sikar, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Bikaner, and Jamnagar in Gujarat are known for producing sarees, odhnis and turbans in Bandhani. Bandhani comes in fascinating colour shades like yellow, red, blue, green and black.
Colours & Gems For October 2019
- Navratna
Navratnas or the nine gemstones represent the nine planets on which Indian astrology is based. The word "nava" means nine and "ratna" means gem in the Sanskrit language. Though Navratna is popular, it has also been marred by blemishes. On one hand, wearing the nine gems is believed to attract good fortune while on the other, some say it is problematic. The Navratnas are not nine shades of colours but nine different colours, comprising of Ruby, Pearl, Red Coral, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Hessonite and Cat’s Eye. You can wear it in the form of necklaces, rings, pendants, bracelets, bangles and armlets. Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral that ranges from light pink to striking bright red. It is found in few locations around the world where other manganese minerals are usually present. Rhodochrosite is sometimes used as an ore of manganese but is rarely found in economic quantities.
There are a few specimens in a wonderful pink colour that are used to produce highly desirable gemstones. Rhodochrosite is rarely found as well-formed crystals. It is known to cure depression and encourage a positive outlook. It is believed to improve self-worth and soothe emotional stress.
Colours & Nature For October 2019
- Spicebush Swallowtail
This fascinating creature that you are looking at is the caterpillar of spicebush swallowtail butterfly, Papilio troilus Linnaeus. It is one of the most beautiful and interesting creature on the planet. The most peculiar aspect of this caterpillar is that it looks like a small snake and a bird-dropping camouflage and then changes into a brilliant green shade with enormous eyespots that look false. It is relatively common in flower gardens throughout the eastern and parts of the mid-western United States. What is interesting to note is that a sombre-winged butterfly comes from this nearly fluorescent caterpillar. - Mussaenda
What you are looking at is a beautiful West African shrub known as Mussaenda erythrophylla. It is commonly known as Ashanti blood, tropical dogwood and red flag bush. The bracts of the shrub may have different shades, including red, rose, white, pale pink or some other beautiful colour combination. Mussaenda erythrophylla is observed to be best grown in warm temperate or subtropical areas and is semi deciduous in cooler parts. It blooms all year round, making for a great houseplant. You can put it in a container and display it indoors for its beauty.
Decor
How Wall Paint Colours Affect Our Mood
Colours are known to have a psychological value. Let’s find out more about wall paint colours and how they influence our mood.
Colours have been known to influence our moods and temperament. This phenomenon is not just observed in humans, but also in animals and even birds. And the right colour in your home can impact how you feel or perform greatly.
Do you read motivational books? Drink caffeine to feel awake? Deep breathe to relieve stress? We bet you’ve tried it all to uplift your mood and feel cheerful. But, have you ever thought that by simply changing the colour of your walls, you can influence your mood too?
Let’s take a look at some colours for wall paint for interiors and how they can affect your mood:
Go for sunshine yellow if you want a piece of cheer and happiness
Warm colours like yellow and orange are proven to exude feelings of happiness. They are mood enhancers since their hues represent sunshine, the summer and everything bright and happy. These colours are great, especially for darker corners of the house. However, it is best to use this hue as an accent wall and keep rest of the walls in a neutral or muted tone to balance the brightness of this colour. Yellow, is in fact also said to enhance the appetite. A good reason why you will see a lot of fast food chains embrace this colour in their décor or accents.
Looking to uplift the energy in the space? Red will do the trick
If you are thinking of painting ideas for interior walls that will instantly infuse a dose of energy to a space, red is a great choice. This colour evokes feelings of bravery and courage. It is ideal for high-energy areas like the living room. When using this colour, ensure the space is open, spacious and well-lit. We recommend complimenting this colour with a neutral or lighter hue and use it as an accent instead of painting all walls red.
For a calm oasis in your house, opt for lavender
Lavender, both smell and colour are said to have calming effects. This colour is ideal for bedrooms since it can help you sleep better and relax at the end of the day. It is also said to open up a room and make it look and feel more spacious.
Tips For A Safe Home Painting Experience
Home painting on your mind? Read on to know some tips for a safe home painting experience.
Home painting is usually a relatively easy job. And choosing a safe and reliable painting service makes the job smooth and seamless. But we all at some point have encountered ways in which home painting can be disastrous. Be it the paint for home walls taking too long, the painter disappearing out of thin air, shoddy and uneven painting. However, the good news is that the task of home painting can be carried out smoothly with a bit of common sense and research.
Follow the simple painting tips that will help you avoid any complications during or after home painting:
Keep the area open and ventilated
Open all doors and windows in the room being painted. Use fans to keep the air moving. Do not let a freshly painted room to be occupied for at least 2 to 3 days.
Stay clear of any heat source near paint
Paint, in its liquid form, is highly flammable in nature. It is best to avoid any sources of heat, including fireplaces, stoves or water heaters and do not smoke in the house when there is a paint job being carried out.
Protect your furniture and flooring
Cover your flooring and furniture to avoid any paint drips. A reliable, good painting service should ideally deal with this to ensure there are no spills or damage to your favourite furniture.
Wear a respirator
If you are going to be spending a lot of time in the room that is being painted, wear a respirator. It is however recommended to avoid being in the same room.
Let the paint dry completely
Once the painting is done, let it dry completely. Do not occupy the room for at least 2 to 3 days and keep kids and pets strictly away from a freshly painted room, at least for a few days.
Use non-toxic paints
Paints that are low in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) contain less or no harmful chemicals, making it better for both you and the environment. This will help improve indoor air quality and reduce allergy-causing toxins.
And if you are thinking of giving your home walls a makeover, contact Berger Paints Express Painting. The professionals are trained to make the task of house painting a faster, cleaner and better experience for you. They are also well-versed with safety measures and risks during home painting and ensure to take steps to avoid any accidents or hassles.
Wall Stains On Your Newly Painted Walls? Here’s How To Deal With Them!
Don’t know how to get rid of stains on your freshly-painted walls? Worry not, read on.
Picture this: a beautifully done room, with sleek furniture, plush textiles, scented candles that engulf the whole room with a pleasant aroma. Yes, sounds splendid, doesn’t it? Now imagine hand marks on the same room walls, peeling and flaking paint. Well, that ruined the whole mental picture!
No matter how careful or cautious we are, our walls are bound to get stained at some point. Be it peeling, flaking, hand marks, food stains, crayons etc. They can completely ruin the beauty of not just your home walls but also make the interiors look drab and dull.
Here’s a quick guide to removing any kind of wall stains:
Food stains
Food stains on the kitchen walls are common. And if not treated pronto, they can leave a permanent mark. The simplest way to remove food stains is by cleaning the walls with a mild detergent and warm water. The trick is to deal with the stains at the earliest to avoid serious damage. And avoid scrubbing too roughly and harshly, this might damage the paint film.
Water stains
Water stains are a sign that your walls need your attention. If avoided, this could lead to patchy, wet walls, and even fungal and moss growth at some point which can cause damage to not just your home walls but also your overall health. Get your walls evaluated by Berger Home Shield Waterproofing experts who use Moisture Meter to diagnose and treat water damage to walls. If you are considering painting your house, get it checked for water damage before painting.
Hand marks
IfHand marks are generally found with kids around the house. To keep your walls clean, mildly scrub them every 3 to 6 months using mild detergent and lukewarm water. And invest in a good cleanable paint for the walls.
Dirt and dust
Your walls can accumulate dust over time. Maintain and clean your walls every 3 to 6 months. This little work might seem troublesome but will keep the beauty of your walls intact for years.
For professional home painting services, contact the experts in home painting. The best way to deal with inevitable wall stains is by making sure your paint is waterproof. Berger Paints Easy Clean paint for wall features a unique technology that makes removing stubborn stains from your home walls super easy. This helps retain the new, glossy look of a new paint job for years. When combined with Berger Paints Express Painting service, you can refresh your walls without having to worry about dust, furniture moving and long and painful house painting.
Colours & Ancient Sciences
Feng Shui For October 2019
Looking for tips to improve a child’s concentration in studies? You can try the principles of Feng Shui and observe the results.
Feng Shui for the study room
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art and belief that can help a child perform better in academics.
The first step is to de-clutter the child’s study room to improve concentration and focus on the directions namely north, south, east and west. Feng Shui practitioners consider the north, east and northeast directions to be good and full of positive energy. According to Feng Shui, east is the most suitable direction for a child's study room. Study room situated in the northwest direction is not good as it can make the child restless. Feng Shui practitioners say that children must always face north or east while studying as it is believed to boost their energy, which is a key to academic success.
It is a good idea to place the study table in the south, west or even northeast direction. You should place the desk in such a way that the window is to its left. You can place a plant near the window or a wind chime. It is also believed that bamboo or cactus on the window or on the study table will protect the area from negative energy.
The child's back should never be to the door while studying. The shape of the study table should be either rectangle or square. You can place a photograph of flowing water behind the child’s study chair to increase the flow of positive energy.
Feng Shui practitioners also recommend that you hang a picture of a goldfish in the northeast corner of the room with a crystal, which they believe will help increase the child's thinking ability.
When it comes to colours, Feng Shui principles recommend light shades of green, blue, cream and white for the child's study room. It is best to avoid dark shades in the study room.
Light also plays crucial role in Feng Shui. The child's room should be properly lit. You can place a table lamp on the southeast of the table if the child prefers to study under a table lamp.
We hope you can use these home interior decor ideas based on Feng Shui to improve a child’s academics.
Reiki For October 2019
Want to clear your space with Reiki? Here are the steps for you to follow to achieve it.
Reiki to clear your space
Pay attention and focus your intention on clearing the space you are in. Take a few cleansing deep breaths and visualise yourself first as grounded to the earth’s core and then also lifted to the galaxy’s centre.
When you find the balance and the movement between the two, continue. If you don’t sense the alignment, then practice this stage until you are ready to move on, maybe on some other day. Breathe and imagine that your breath is extending to your body’s edges. Breathe again and imagine that your breath is extended in the shape of a bubble a few inches away further from your body. If you find this tough, you can simply focus on inhalation and exhalation of your breathing.
Imagine that you are in a safe zone, a bubble, created in your mind and carried by your breath. This visualisation is very valuable so make sure to not skip this step.
Imagine that the space you are in has a persona of a guest. Introduce yourself; be warm and candid in this space.
Imagine you are meeting the caretaker of the space and explain your good intentions of clearing the space. Instead of imposing your own idea of the caretaker, wait for an image to appear in response to your question.
Make way for the clearest, purest and the highest vibration Reiki energy to flow through you into the space. Use your intuition to guide you to areas that have a particularly negative or sticky feeling. Send both your intentions and the clear energy of Reiki to fill this space.
Transfer Reiki through your hands to every wall, floor and ceiling. You can begin to integrate Reiki symbols with advanced learning of Reiki.
It is particularly helpful to imagine the energy flowing in blue colour, but other colours may come to you, and that is alright. End your Reiki session properly by brushing down, flicking away and cutting cords, which means to reclaim your energy.
Once done, fill up the space with clear and positive sound. You can try a melodious instrument or a bell, or even chant or sing a song.
These are the steps to follow Reiki at the home, clear the space and infuse positive energy.
Vaastu For October 2019
If you are looking for tips for a long and healthy life of elders who live with you, you can set up your home as per the principles of Vaastu. Read all about it here.
Vaastu tips for long life of older family members
It is believed that the east and the southwest of the house are associated with the good health of the elderly. It affects the health and relationship of the seniors with the rest of the family members.
The east should be open and always clean. It is advised that the window is always left open to let in positive energy inside the house. Avoid having a toilet, staircase, higher floors or planting tall trees in this direction as it can affect the elders in a negative way.
The room of the head of the family and that of the family seniors should be in the south or southwest. If the elders have retired from work and now spend time in religious pursuits, a room for them in the northeast, east or north can work well.
In case there is no extra bedroom, the bed can be placed in the southwest part of the living room. The head of the bed should be in the east. If this is not possible, the direction can also be changed to the south.
Religious books and other literature should be kept on a shelf in the west. Money, finance-related documents and jewellery should be placed in a cupboard in the southwest corner of the room, along with garments for regular use.
It is quite natural to have health problems with increasing age. Place all the medical documents and medicines in a cupboard or shelf that is midway between the north and Northeast. If the same is kept in the south or southwest corner, the person's health may further deteriorate and even become critical.
Cream and light yellow are colours recommended for paint and soft furnishings in their room. These shades promote positive thoughts and aid in their well-being. You could also opt for pale green and white.
These are some home decor ideas according to Vaastu that you can implement in your home.