Find the Right Room Colour For You! For November 2015

Colour Stories

Planning to paint your house, this Diwali? Colour affects your mood and wellbeing, so, check out our list of colours and make the right decision!

Planning to paint your house, this Diwali? It's not as simple as picking a random hue for your rooms; each colour has a distinct effect on your mood and wellbeing, check out our list of colours and make the right decision!

The colours you choose within your house need to complement your personality, as they have the ability to influence your temperament and mind-set. While most people usually tend to pick their room colours based on the latest trends, or a bucket of colour or palette that appeals to them most, it's crucial to analyse how a colour makes you feel before choosing it as your wall paint. This is why we have compiled a list of colours and the emotional responses commonly associated with them. So, be sure to choose wisely!

The general rule to go by is that light colours create a sense of openness and airiness, making rooms seem bigger and brighter. While darker colours give larger rooms a warmer, inviting and intimating vibe. Check out our list below for more information:

Blue
Blue is best known for its calming properties, making it one of the most chosen colours for spas and offices. It's also known to decrease one's blood pressure and heart rate, making it a good choice for bedrooms, bathrooms or any other room you want to encourage and assist relaxation and rejuvenation. Softer shades of blue are recommended over darker hues, as the latter can have the opposite effect.

Green
It is universally known that green encourages growth and rejuvenation, and is the best colour for the health and wellbeing of your eyes. With so many benefits, it's no wonder that it is the most prominent colour in nature! Green is great for living rooms, your child's room, or any room you want to evoke a feeling of calming comfort, togetherness and renewal of the senses. Fluorescent shades of green create a more energetic feel to a room.

Yellow
Yellow symbolises happiness and cheerfulness and is the best choice for a kitchen, dining room or even your bathrooms. The colour is uplifting and can raise the energy levels in a room, while also making the space look bigger and inviting. Yellow is best used as an accent colour, or else a softer shade is recommended as darker, brighter hues may have some undesirable effects, such as overstimulation.

Red
Red is another colour that has the ability to raise the energy levels in a space, making it a famous choice for social areas in your house, such as the living room or dining room. This energy is great for socialising and starting conversations. Red is also a famously used appetite stimulant, as has been proven by all fast food restaurants heavily featuring red as their brand and restaurant colours. Refrain from using red in bedrooms and places of relaxation.

Neutrals
Neutrals are the most frequently used colours in most houses, and for good reason. They provide a clean slate for other colours or can also highlight other accent colours, making it a versatile choice for interior designers. Neutrals include black, white, greys and browns. Darker colours can be used as an accent to provide depth and drama, while lighter shades create a feeling of space and openness.

Colour Trivia

Colour Facts For November 2015

1. Colours have a fascinating history, especially the story of their evolution. One such colour is cyan. It was once made from cornflower and was named "corn blue." Earlier in the late nineteenth century, the colour “corn blue” was made using the poisonous chemical cyanide. The colour served the purpose and was used in dyes and pigments and other such commercial purposes. However, due to the poisonous nature of cyanide, it started proving fatal and as a result, the colour was prohibited. The term cyan once again became popular with the revival of colour photography. The ancient art community criticized this form of new photography. As a result of this, new photographers started using the colour term cyan to differentiate from the old artists. In the current scenario, the term cyan has been made popular by digital artists.
2. Can the colour of the food you eat change the colour of your skin? In Hawaii, researchers reported that feeding mice a special diet of Christmas tree mulch made the mice turn green! Wondering why, they further studied the matter and discovered that it's not what the mice ate that caused some mice to turn green. They were born with a green gene from a jellyfish. The University of Hawaii research team that cloned mice (Yanagimachi, Perry and Wakayama) have now developed a new method of transferring genetic information (DNA) from one organism to another.
3. We all know the importance of trees and plants in our lives but this new research puts light on a new benefit. Research conducted at the Washington State University and published in the journal, Horttechnology, suggests that greenery can help one tolerate more physical pain. People who are surrounded by greenery are better at tolerating pain than those without any plants. For the study, 200 people were tested for how long they could keep their hands submerged in ice water. The findings reinforce previous studies that found that people work more efficiently when they can see houseplants, and patients recover more quickly from surgery and use fewer drugs when they are in a room with a green view.

Colour Quotes For November 2015

• Blue is the male principle, stern and spiritual. Yellow the female principle, gentle, cheerful and sensual. Red is matter, brutal and heavy and always the colour which must be fought and vanquished by the other two.

  - Franz Marc

• Every form is a base for colour, every colour is the attribute of a form.

  - Victor Vasarely

• When I hit 16, I got a scooter to ride to school. It was bright pink, and I saw on the ownership papers that Jonathan Ross once owned it. My friends slated me for it because of the colour, but it was cool. My father used to ride, and my mother's boyfriend has a bike, so we're a bit of a biker family.

  - Thomas Sangster

Colour Tips For November 2015

1. Ever heard of paint conditioner? Well, the secret to a get a perfect, clean finish that is free of brush marks is mixing this conditioner with the paint. What it basically does is it slows the drying time, allowing you more time to overlay recently painted areas without spoiling the entire effort that usually happens when you try and paint over dried paint, also the shade variation. Additionally, it beautifully sets the paint, eliminating the marks from strokes. People use conditioners mainly while painting drywall, woodwork, cabinets and doors.
2. When painting walls, it is best we first smooth the surfaces for a great finish; thus, sanding your walls right means getting the job half done. Sanding levels outs spackle or joint-compound patches and evens out ridges. It also removes pods and coarse spots. But as we are all aware, this task can give even the experts, jitters. It’s not only time consuming but also physically challenging. Therefore at Berger, we have introduced a revolutionary Express Painting Tool that makes sanding child’s play. It’s faster and cleaner and the machine’s dust-free vacuum function works at regulated speeds to give a perfect finish.
3. Repainting a home can be a tough task, especially if you’ve used the space for a long time. We’re talking about areas like dirty surfaces in the kitchen platform, where all the oil settles post cooking/frying. And if you have kids, then the entire scuff on the walls after playing and areas around switches etc. The paint just won’t bond with these dirty surfaces. For these tough spaces, it’s recommended you use a degreaser to clean grubby or greasy surfaces. Degreaser is a blessing, as it cuts through all the dirt and grease you have on the walls, allowing for superior paint adhesion.

World Of Colours

Colours & Emotion For November 2015

1. Colours evoke emotions and sometimes stereotypes. These stereotypes are culturally accepted over the years and start representing ideas or people. For example, the colour blue is popularly associated with boys and pink with girls. The colour pink has a certain symbolism. It’s considered a delicate colour that means sweet, nice, playful, cute, romantic, charming, feminine, and tenderness. It represents bubble gum, flowers, babies, little girls, cotton candy, and sweetness. The look of the colour and its feel lead to these associations. However, it’s important to sometimes breakaway from rigidly following colour stereotypes and reimagine them in newer ways as society and evolution progresses.
2. Our choices often reflect a lot of our personality. The same principle applies to our choices in colours. It can reveal a whole lot about us. Having purple as your favourite colour means you are sensitive and compassionate, understanding and supportive, thinking of others before yourself - you are helpful and being needed motivates you. You are a gentle and free spirit. Your feelings run deep and you can be pretty sensitive to hurtful comments from others, although you would never show it.

Colours & Fashion For November 2015

Red, a colour that has always been associated with the glamour industry, has inspired many a designer. But Valentino took it to a whole new level by dedicating his entire collection of gowns to the colour. His red gowns are honed by the biggest Hollywood A-listers on the red carpet. Known for his signature super luxe red glamorous couture gowns, the Italian fashion designer, Valentino Garavani, is now referred to as “Valentino Red” by fashion industry folks.

It is believed that he used the hue to transform the shape of a dress. The designer was reportedly inspired by the opera in Barcelona. As a teenager, he was in awe of the women seated in the opera house balconies in their beautiful red gowns; it looked like curated baskets of red flowers, which later served him as an inspiration.

Colours & Gems For November 2015

1. The lush ombre sunset like fiery warm glow of the fire opal fascinates gemstone lovers the world over. This brilliant shade of tangerine looks very attractive when worn as a pendant. The fire opal is made up of silicic acid with high water content and was named after its colour. The colour is a result of fine traces of iron oxide. The gemstone is fierce, ranging in between 6 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale; however, these gemstones are sensitive and require care, especially when used in finger rings.
2. Planning on buying gemstones? Here are a few handy tips to keep in mind; after all, it’s a lifelong investment you are getting into. So, how can you know if the price you are paying is right? Don’t ask how much you should pay. When buying a gemstone, it’s all about the quality. Know the quality of the gemstone. For example, when you buy a ruby, observe it from side to side for its quality. Better colour and clarity will be more expensive. Within each variety, prices are based on four Cs, however colour plays the most important role.

Colours & Nature For November 2015

1. Meet the amazing Amazon River dolphin that is lively and pink in colour! Yes, imagine how adorable a pink dolphin would be. The Amazon River dolphin, as the name suggests, is found in the Amazon forest. Magnanimous in nature, they are about 6.5 feet in length. They come in all shades of pink, from a dull gray-pink, to soft flowery coloured pink, to a bright flamingo-like pink. The difference in colours is a result of the clarity of the water in which they live; the dimmer the water, the pinker the dolphin. The sun's rays affect the dolphin’s skin and reduce the pink pigment. The dirt in the water protects the dolphin's bright tone. Just like human cheeks turn pink when they blush, these dolphins flush to a bright pink when thrilled! Humans and dolphins have a lot in common, they say, and this further just goes to prove the fact!
2. We’ve all seen green parrots that can talk back to us. Would you believe if we told you that there exist parrots that are red, green, black, white and blue in colour? How colourful would that sight be? The Rainforest Parrot (Psittaciformes) is the most colourful bird with these brilliant hues on its body. It is found in the tree-top layer of the forests, where it flaps around its gorgeous feathers. There are many different species of the Rainforest Parrot. These uniquely beautiful birds are popular for their obviously beautiful, colourful plumage. Rainforest Parrots include the Scarlet Macaw, the Blue and Yellow Macaw, the Great Green Macaw, the Military Macaw and the Mealy Parrot.

Decor

Kitchen Ideas for You!

Presenting the ultimate essential list of things that will instantly upgrade you to a stylista. Read on!

The kitchen is the most vibrant place in a home. There's always something cooking! We spend so much time and energy preparing wholesome meals with love for our family. And when we spend so much time here, it is only obvious it creates a space that's both creative and beautiful.

So, if you're thinking to give your kitchen a facelift this festive season, here are some ideas to inspire you. These ideas revolve around redoing your cabinets and not changing your entire kitchen, saving you some big bucks.

Now, if you are on a tight budget but still need that makeover, then is article is for you. We handhold you through the process step-wise, so you can paint cabinets like a pro.

Classic Hues
Whites and neutral shades like beige, etc. give the room an expansive look. They complement any kind of wall colour and look stylish at the same time, making them the most popular shade for kitchen cabinets.

Dual Shades
Dual shades give the space a more colourful look. You can paint the upper and lower cabinets in two different colours. There are multiple colour combinations to choose from. You can try the classic black and white combo or contrast colour combo.

Bright Shades
Bring the energy back into your kitchen by painting the cabinets in bright colours like yellow, green, turquoise blue or gold. Keep in mind your current wall colour in order to seamlessly match the scheme. When you use vibrant colours, it is best to stick to neutral wall colours so that the cabinets stand out.

So, this festive season, give your kitchen a quick makeover with this simple trick and don't forget to have fun with it. Here's wishing you a very happy Diwali!

Colours & Ancient Sciences

Feng Shui For November 2015

Arrange your rooms according to some simple Feng Shui principles to make your home feel happy and calm!

Make Your Home Happy and Calm!

The age old Chinese tradition of Feng Shui has answers to many life problems and has an ability to improve life in a big way, without burning your bank accounts. These are small arrangements that go a long way in bringing prosperity. Arrange your rooms according to some simple Feng Shui principles to make your home feel happy and calm. In this article, we tell you how you can redo your dining rooms without really completely redecorating.

The Dining Table
Place your dining table in a way that there is always enough space to pull chairs. It shouldn't feel as if you are locked in once you are seated. Also, there must be ample space for people to move around easily. Pay attention to the size of the space available. Buy a table according to the space at hand, neither too big, nor too small.

What Else?
Sometimes, we generally neglect our dining rooms. At non dining hours, the space turns into a dumping ground for stuff, a mess that finds a permanent place. For some reasons, the room is totally ignored; people stop using the place completely. This cuts the energy, which makes it less appealing. If the space is not used for eating, use it for something else but do not abandon it completely. What you can do is put some plants in the room so you keep coming back to water them or simply use this as your office space.

Let's Talk About Decor
The dining room and the kitchen are the most important rooms as we replenish ourselves with the process of nutrition. So the dining room's decor shouldn't be ignored—it should reflect your personality.

What About The Shape of the Table?
There is no particular restriction when it comes to the shape of the table. Round, square or rectangular, any kind of shape works. But if you still want to avoid the points, a circular or oval table is an excellent choice. Opt for more natural materials like wood rather than glass. People get too protective and conscious around a glass table, which brings in a nervous energy.

All in all, do not neglect dining rooms. Use them for something or the other and feel the goodness Feng Shui brings along!

Reiki For November 2015

Yes, it’s time for Diwali cleaning! And while you are at it, we thought it would be apt for you to do some energy cleaning with the help of Reiki!

Prepare for Diwali with Reiki!

It's that time of the year again when you swear by mobs, vacuum cleaners and brooms like never before! Yes, it's time for Diwali cleaning! And while you are at it, we thought it would be apt for you to do some energy cleaning as well with the help of Reiki. Now for those of you who are wondering what 'energy cleaning' means, it stands for cleansing your home and getting rid of any low energy vibes.

Clearing your aura is not enough, as your home is an integral part of your being too. Some low energy vibes may be a result of guests that left behind some energy or perhaps, you picked some from outside. Whatever the case, this energy can stay behind after guests have left and they stick around the room, even after you've cleared your aura.

We have listed down some steps to bring good energy back to your home:

1. Sit in the lotus position, or in a position that you're comfortable with, in the centre of your home. Breathe in, breathe out, and relax.
2. Say to yourself, I will now clean this room and bring about serenity, joy and the love.
3. Allow the flow of Reiki, and imagine it fill the entire room, cleaning the negativity. Continue for a few minutes till you feel satisfied.
4. Visit each room physically to help the Reiki energy reach everywhere.
5. Create a Power Symbol on the door, and on each window, for safety.
6. Get back to the centre of the home, and concentrate on your breathing. Keep sending more energy all through.
7. Say aloud, "This room is now filled with love, light and peace." Sit back and complete the session.

The order of the procedure is flexible, so, pay attention to your intuition. Add your creative thoughts and allow the energy to flow in. Having a fragrant environment just helps enhance the whole Reiki experience, so light up some candles and aroma oils to support the whole practice.

Vaastu For November 2015

Open your bath area to Vaastu and feel the difference. A Vaastu compliant bathroom is the key to keeping a balanced energy around the house.

Get a Vaastu Compliant Bathroom!

When it comes to decorating the house according to Vaastu, the focus is often the main areas of the hall or bedrooms. The kitchens and bathroom usually take a backseat. However, times are changing and awareness is helping people look at Vaastu holistically for the entire house. So, be it the bedroom, washroom, bath, study or kitchen, all are equally important to strike a perfect balance.

With modern architecture and décor, bathrooms have become more stylish than ever. The range of options available in the market right from tiles to basins, lighting and equipment, it is one space that has seen a change. This space is no longer seen from the convenience angle. It now serves as a place for personal grooming, relaxation and me-time. After all, it is one place where you can indulge yourself with aroma oils, candles, fragrant and soothing soaps and time. As bathrooms are an integral part of our lives, it is important that Vaastu is taken under consideration.

According to the traditional ways of Vaastu, having a toilet inside the house is inauspicious. In earlier days, people would build toilets and bathrooms outside the house. However, with apartments becoming the norm, this becomes impossible to practice. However, Vaastu principles can help. The rules of Vaastu say that toilets are not auspicious around the four corners, near the entrance or the centre of the house. Toilets have maximum negative energy around the house, so the solution is to avoid toilets in the North-East and South-West corners of the house. When we have toilets in the North-East area, negative energy will enter the house and thus, a Vaastu complaint house will not yield results. So, the best advice is to pay attention to all the areas of the house, including toilets and bathrooms for best results.