COLOUR IN DECORATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16738, 20 May 1922, Page 15

COLOUR IN DECORATION.

(By MRS. O. M. STEEN.)

Of late years we have learnt much about the effects of different colours, both upon the mind and, through it. on the body. Our newly-acquired delight in bright colour is not merely a sensual one. but we arc beginning consciously to notice that certain colours are definitely joyous and uplifting to the mentality, while others are the reverse. Some colours are even curative of certain mental and bodily ills, and it is therefore wise to study the science of colour in its effects before decorating house.s and furnishing room i. Pure, crude colours, used in any large degree are 4 o be avoided- Jo decorate n room with purple or scarlet or royal blue, for instance, would lie to court malaise of many kinds ; while touches of them, judiciously mixed with others, are gratifying to the eye. Soft blues on the contrary, are distinctly stimulating, and are supposed to inspire the intellectual part of one’s nature. As Kipling says, “I know that- the sound of a trumpet is scarlet ” —therefore one or two small touches of scarlet, especially in a room predominently blue in tone, are delightful. Soft greens are said to be the most restful of all, and are beneficial to the eyesight : white Avails of a lightish oatmeal colour are certainly restful, besides being an ideal background for pictures, and most kinds of furniture. If the Avails are of this more or less neutral tint, it is possible to introduce a good many bright colours into the chintzes and ornaments of a room. Dead white in large doses is now known to be harmful and trying to the eyes, unbecoming to the inmates, and therefore detrimental and depressing; while a A r ery deep cream, ivorv or biscuit is less trying. A oale ar>plc-grcen and certain shades of \pn pale coral pink, are charming in bedrooms, and it is. generally speaking, more restful to have bedrooms and living rooms decorated in plain colours. Scientists have lately discovered that both noise and ugliness are definitely fatiguing and harmful, whether people are consciously sensitive to thorn or not. So it becomes a duty to ourselves and all around ns to eliminate both as far as possible.