Colors, materials and furnishings are closely tied to circular living. From paint hues and textured fabrics to natural light, how we feel is influenced by what we see and how the pieces of our home are made. We can bring new life to a home through a series of simple moves, whether it’s through new colors, circular materials, surfaces, textures or lights.
Psychology of Color
Color makes a small room feel larger, or a spacious one feel more intimate, and you can do it without the time or expense of moving walls. When used in the right ways, color can even save on energy consumption. Colors act in three basic ways, whether active, passive or neutral, and it affects people differently depending on your age, gender, background and climate. Taking a deep dive into color, Jeannie Matteucci explores how paints, furniture or accent pieces shape the way we feel within a space.
Paint the Future
We don’t often think about it, but paints and coatings are traditionally linear production systems capturing only the obvious recycling opportunities. Waste paints — along with the substrates they protect — and packaging are often disposed of in incinerators and landfills. Transitioning to the circular economy could change that. Paint the Future is an initiative to rethink circular colors by finding alternative sources for raw materials, as well as extending the functionality of the materials in paints and coatings after their use.
The Fifth Wall
For decades, ceilings have simply been white surfaces that were placeholders for lighting. They are often missed opportunities regularly referred to as “the fifth wall.” When creating the space that’s best suited to you, ceilings provide another dimension for you to work with. Whether made to work with planters, colors or furniture, ceilings can articulate a room’s shape, scale, and proportions to divide and define spaces. In turn, they can enhance a concept or interior design idea.
Visual Weight
In interior design, texture is derived from touch. Rooms with texture hold visual weight; whether it’s an object or space, it draws attention to itself. Wooden benches, satin reading chairs, or marble tabletops all bring a distinct feel to a space. Rough textures are more likely to make a space feel intimate and grounded, while smooth textures can feel more sleek or modern. When selecting furniture, rugs or accent pieces, think about how the elements of a room relate to one another and add visual weight.
Three Functions of Light
From fixtures and lamps to simple bulbs, lighting is often considered for its function rather than its aesthetic value. But consider how jewelry stores use bright, focused light to accentuate gems or how restaurants use mood lighting like sconces and candles to create intimate settings. There are three basic types of light, and you can combine all three around the activities that take place in your home.
Homes are made of many layers. The spaces around us are defined by elements that shape what we see and how we feel, and they work together. At the same time, our homes are a reflection of our individuality. As colors and textures play off surfaces and furniture, consider how a light touch can bring a layer of balance and joy to your home.
