What Color is Your Mood?

What if we lived in a world with no color? Can you imagine that? Yet we tend to take color for granted, because we don't process it on a thinking level. We like the colors we like and each person is unique in the colors they prefer.

One definition of color, from Wikipedia, describes is as a visual perceptual property. Color is produced when white light rays hit the retina of our eye. It is then interpreted by our brain.

Color can create emotions and psychological associations within us. We can be excited or calmed by color. Colors can have universal associations and symbolism. Different meanings are associated with color in different cultures. Colors can be political, religious and historical. They also have contemporary meanings connected to them.

Here is what researchers have found to be generally true for each color. I'll start a list here and add a color with each post. I'll also tell you what other meanings that colors have represented. Stop back frequently and find out what your favorite color means.

White is the complete absence of other colors. White is often associated with purity and innocence or sterility. White comes in many, many shades, but is used primarily as a background color. White is a popular color because it complements every other color.

A white flag is the universal symbol for a truce or surrender.

In China and Japan, white is a symbol of mourning.

Angels are always shown to be wearing white robes.

The ancient Greek people usually wore white to bed to ensure pleasant dreams.

Egyptian pharaohs wore white crowns.

Ancient Persians belived that all the gods wore white.

We wear white when we are married because it is considered to be good luck to be married in a white garment.

White heat is a state of intense emotion: enthusiasm, anger, devotion, or passion.

A "white" knight is a rescuer.

Absolute zero visibility occurs during a "whiteout" in a blizzard.

"White lightening" is slang for moonshine.

A person who is evil on the inside, but seems to be good on the outside is called a "whited" sepulcher.

A "white" sale is a sale on linens, towels, and other bed and bath products.

In India, Thailand, Burma, and Sri Lanka, a white elephant is rare and sacred to the people.

In America, a "white" elephant is an item or possession that costs more than it is worth and the owner doesn't want it but can't get rid of it.

We're running out of colors. Found yours yet?

Black is the mixture of all of the colors. Black is considered to be a sexy, masculine color by some, while others see it as a more somber and aloof color. Black creates a sense of intrigue or high drama. It has also been associated with authority and power on one hand, while on the other hand, some say that black indicates submission. We wear black to appear thinner, although there are fashion experts who claim that when a woman wears black, it is an indication of her submission to men. Black is used to highlight other colors and when used sparingly, the effect is quite elegant.

As we wear black today to signify mourning, the ancient Egyptians and Romans also wore black for mourning.

Black humor is morbid humor or gloomy and unhealthy humor.

Black is often associated with secrecy.

When a business is in the "black", that means that it is making money.

A black flag during a car race signals the driver to go to the pits.

A blackguard is a scoundrel.

The ancient Egyptians thought that black cats were endowed with divine powers.

A black sheep is an outcast.

To "blackwash" something is to uncover it or bring it out into the light.

A "blackhearted" person is an evil person.

A "blacklist" is a list of people or organizations to be boycotted or punished.

Black lung disease is a disease of coal miners that is caused by inhaling the coal dust.



Green is a symbol of nature and growth. It can also symbolize harmony and peace. It is a quiet and calm color that is used to induce relaxation. That's why it is used in waiting rooms for people who are going to appear on TV. Green is easy on the eye and can improve vision. In the Middle Ages, the brides wore green as a symbol of fertility (infoplease.com).

Seamstresses often refuse to use green thread on the eve of a fashion show because they believe that it will bring bad luck (David Johnson, infoplease.com).

The flag of Libya is the only national flag that is a solid color: green.

Ancient Egyptians colored their temple floors green.

Green symbolized victory in ancient Greece.

People of the highlands of Scotland, wear green as a badge of honor.

Green is the national color of Ireland.

Greenback is a slang term for a dollar bill.

Green is one of my favorite colors. Have you seen yours yet? If not, keep coming back. I have a few more yet.

Water, ice and coolness. These words bring to mind the color blue.Blue is the psychological cool color. We think of the sky and the ocean when we think of blue. It is also associated with calmness, tranquility, serenity and introspection. Moonlight and spirit are embodied in the color blue. Blue is also a popular color for bedrooms as it is said to induce sleep. David Johnson writes that people are more productive in a blue room and studies have shown that weightlifters can lift heavier weights in blue gyms. He notes that since the color blue symbolizes loyalty, fashion consultants recommend blue attire when being interviewed for a job.

Here are some meanings that the color blue has represented throughout history (factmonster.com):

Blue was used to protect oneself from witches, as they are said to dislike the color.

Blue stands for love. That's why a bride carries or wears something blue.

Public servants wore blue in ancient Rome. Police and other public servants also wear blue uniforms today.

A bluebook lists socially prominent individuals.

If you are a bluenose, that means you are a strict and puritanical person.

Scholarly or highly educated women were called bluestockings.

The blues, a style of music originally derived from southern African-American songs, influenced the development of rock and roll, R&B and country music.

Blue laws enforce moral standards.

Blue was worn by the pharaohs of ancient Egypt to ward off evil.

Pretty colorful.

The color yellow is associated with sunlight, happiness and comfort. It is a vital color that has been connected to intellect, longevity, energy and concentration. However, yellow can be overpowering and it has been noted that babies cry more and people tend to lose their tempers more often in a yellow room.

Here are some interesting meanings from around the world (from Factmonster.com):

Yellow signifies mourning in Egypt and Burma.

In Spain executioners historically wore yellow.

In India, merchants and farmers are symbolized by the color yellow.

In 10th century France, they used to paint the doors of traitors and criminals yellow.

A yellow ribbon is a sign of support for our soldiers.

Yellow is a symbol of jealousy, deceit and cowardice.

To holistic healers, yellow means peace.

In the Middle Ages, actors who portrayed the dead wore yellow.

"Yellow journalism" refers to irresponsible, alarmist reporting.

Interesting, huh?

Red symbolizes fire, heat and excitement. We also associate red with DANGER! Red indicates passion and we often identify red as a power color. Psychologically, red is the dominant warm color. Designers use red as an accent color. From infoplease.com, David Johnson notes that seeing the color red can actually increase your heartbeat and your breathing. He also says that red clothing makes the person wearing it look heavier. He discourages the use of red clothing during negotiations or confrontations, due to its extreme emotionality.

Pink, which is a lighter shade of red, is more romantic and tranquil. It is also considered to be a more feminine and nurturing color. Pink is said to generate a sense of healing. It is popular in children's rooms.


Here are some interesting facts about the color red from factmonster.com:

Red signaled battle in ancient Rome.

The ancient Egyptians thought of themselves as a red race and would paint their bodies with red dye.

Red means beautiful to Russia. When the Bolsheviks overthrew the tsar in 1917, they used a red flag as their symbol and that is how red came to be the color of communism.

In India, red is used as the symbol of a soldier.

Red is the color for mourning in South Africa.

The Chinese use red as a holiday and wedding color. It is their color of good luck. They name their babies at a red-egg ceremony.

In Greece, red is also considered good luck and they dye eggs red at Easter.

People who are superstitious believe that the color red frightens the devil.

Red is one of the most common colors found in national flags.

A red herring moves attention away from the real issue at hand.

When we paint the town red, we are celebrating.

But, when we see red, we are often very angry.

We don't want to be in the red in business, though. We want to be making money rather than losing it.

How many did you know?

Purple, a dignified color, is associated with monarchy, meditation, spirituality and ritual. It is a regal color that also denotes wealth and sophistication. Purple can also be identified with darkness and intrigue as well. We usually associate the lighter shades, such as lavender or violet, with the feminine. They are good colors to use in bedrooms and libraries for the sense of solitude we attribute to these shades of purple.

Here are some interesting color facts about purple:

In Thailand, widows wear purple.

Cleopatra loved the color purple. She had servants soak 20,000 purpura snails for 10 days in order to obtain one ounce of purple dye.

The purple heart is given to soldiers as a military decoration. It is given to those who were wounded or killed in battle.

Purple speech is profane talk.

According to color theory, if you paint a child's room purple, you are helping to develop the child's imagination.

Purple prose is defined as writing that has much exaggerated literary effects.

Leonardo de Vinci meditated in purple light, as he believed that the power of meditation was increased greatly.

From factmonster.com.

Did you know that you can paint polyurethane ceiling medallions and crown molding or you can get them custom finished? For more information: GoCeilingMedallion.com.

Trend-setting Across America: The New Medieval Architecture

Corbels, or decorative brackets, are one of the most versatile decorative ornaments that can be used to enhance the architectural beauty of any room . Corbels are growing in popularity and can be used just about anywhere. By definition, a corbel is an architectural bracket or projection from a wall. They often support a cornice, or moldings, an arch, or some other type of overhang.

In Medieval architecture, a corbel was the name given to a piece of stone which jutted out from the wall whose purpose was to support any weight lying on top of it. A ‘tassel’ or ‘bragger’ was the name given to a piece of timber extending out from the wall instead. The word corbel actually originates from the Old French and is derived from the Latin corbellus meaning raven, referring to its beak-like feature. Corbels are made from wood, plaster, marble, stone and polyurethane. Corbels are used interiorly as well as on a home’s exterior. Decorative corbels can be used to adorn cabinets, furniture, pilasters, and door panels or as brackets for shelves and mantels.

While Romanesque corbels were often plain in appearance, occasionally they were also carved into heads of humans, animals and other patterns. Sometimes they were carved into imaginary beasts. Structures built during the Early English period were frequently decorated with elaborately carved corbels.

Corbels of great size and beauty, with rich carvings, carried balconies in Italy and France. These were some of the greatest examples of the Italian 16th century style. In England, wooden corbels bearing window-sills or oriel windows flourish. Gothic Revival style homes and buildings are often built with oriel windows.

Corbels occasionally end with a point that looks like it is growing into the wall or forming a knot. These are many times bolstered by angels and other figures. In later periods, carved foliage and other ornamentation was adopted.

Corbelling, which has been used since Neolithic times, is a technique where rows of corbels support a parapet or a projecting wall. Between the supporting corbels of the battlement, was an opening in the floor called a machicolation. Stones, burning objects or hot liquids could be released onto enemies or attackers at the foot of the defensive wall.

Common in Medieval architecture, corbelling later became a decorative feature without the openings of the machicolations. Corbelling which supports upper stories and corner turrets became typical of the Scottish Baronial style during the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Today, decorating with architectural corbels has been adopted by homeowners, interior decorators, builders, millworkers and furniture designers. Use corbels with crown molding to add flair and style to any home restoration project. Create lasting impressions and beautiful architectural designs that reflect anyone’s personal style. Decorative brackets are great accents to use on furniture, walls, as art, or even on the exterior of a home. They truly are setting trends across America!

7 Steps for Easy Elegance: Visually Enhance Any Room with Panel Molding

Panel molding dates back to the Georgian period of the 1700’s. Georgian architecture is characterized by a sense of proportion and balance. Symmetry and adherence to the classical rules were valued as regular and desirable. Today, panel molding is used to break up large surfaces, which adds a formal feeling to most designs. It is also utilized as a border separating colors or textures. Visually enhance any room with decorative panel molding; from walls and doors to ceilings, these exquisite accents can be installed by the average do it yourself home owner.

As with any project, proper safety practices should be used at all times. That includes wearing hearing and eye protection as appropriate. If you need to use a respirator, dust mask or any other tool or equipment, always select the right one for the job.

Planning

When beginning any project, it is important to plan the layout. Establishing a plan keeps the job flowing smoothly. It is perhaps the most important step. Although installing panel molding requires that you have a good drawing that accurately shows the room and the pattern, you won't need to generate detailed blueprints. A pencil sketch on graph paper will do. Be certain that the measurements are accurate. Reference dimensions on the drawing to either the center of the room (or to a ceiling dome or ceiling medallion, etc..) or to the walls. This will depend on the dominant feature of your design. Although you may not have any interest in recreating an extravagant baroque ceiling for your own home, you can often find some great pattern ideas by studying the ceilings of historic castles and palaces. Look around your room and decide whether you will have full or split panels; single size or variable sizes, or symmetric sized panels. Panel molding is strictly a decorative element, so there are no rules to follow for the design. This is your opportunity to create a unique and individual design.

Ordering

When ordering your panel molding make sure that the pattern of the molding is compatible with the corners (if you are using corners) and that you have made adequate allowance for cutting waste. Remember to take pattern repeat into account when figuring cutting waste. I like to use a cut list for all trim work. It allows me to plan all of the joints before I start cutting. I use the same list to plan my order. Normally, panel molding is inexpensive due to its small profile. Therefore, you may want to save some work and order enough to eliminate as many joints as possible. You are also going to need adhesive, caulk, etc. to complete the installation.

Prefinishing

If you are not planning to finish (paint or faux finish) the ceiling and the molding at the same, you may want to prefinish the molding and then touch it up after installation.

Assemble Materials

Setup a work area close to the job and assemble your tools and materials. Look over the moldings to make sure they haven't been damaged either on shipping or on the job. Inventory your tools and supplies to ensure that everything you will need is there. If something is missing, stop and get it now rather than waiting until you need it, which inevitably is at the worst possible time.

Layout

Transfer your plan to the ceiling in full size. Layout the outline of the molding rather than the centerlines so the layout will be visible with the molding installed. Remember to reference patterns that surround ceiling domes or ceiling medallions, to the center of the feature they surround. Reference moldings that run parallel to walls to the wall (to minimize the effect of out of square or wavy walls).

Install

Because of their light weight no mechanical fasteners are required. Use an appropriate size bead of adhesive and temporary fasteners as necessary until the adhesive sets.

Finish Up

After the adhesive has set, remove the temporary fasteners or set below surface. Caulk the joint between the ceiling and the molding. Fill the holes made by the fasteners with non-shrink filler, sand, prime and paint.

Voila! Enjoy and relish in the glow of all the compliments you receive when others see how beautiful your room is with the simple addition of panel molding.

How to Efficiently Install Ceiling Medallions

Adding a ceiling medallion is the easiest thing you can do to change the look and feel of any room in your home. Installing small ceiling medallions, up to approximately 24 inches or so, is a simple job for the average home handyman. As long as you are comfortable with changing a light fixture you should have no problem. If you are uncomfortable with removing your fixture take a look at installing a 2-piece ceiling medallion.

Safety is so important we would like to address it briefly. Always follow approved safety practices. Use hearing and eye protection. When you need to use a dust mask or respirator, be sure to use the right one for the job. Last, but not least, when working in electrical boxes, always make sure the power is turned off.

Plan the Installation-Before You Order

This is probably the most neglected step in any installation, but the most important. It is what makes the difference between a quick and efficient installation or massive frustration and numerous interruptions to run to the hardware store. The first step is to select the ceiling medallion you want to use. If you are using it in conjunction with a light fixture or a ceiling fan, you should note whether the ceiling medallion's center hole matches the fixture's trim. If they don't match you will also need to order a ceiling medallion center or a new fixture trim ring. Now is also a good time to see if the lighting fixture hardware is going to be long enough. Check the building code to make sure that there are no conflicts with your installation plans. In case of conflict, always follow local building codes. NOTE: Most building codes require you to leave access to the electrical box. Using a ceiling medallion with a 3.5-4 inch center hole provides this. Permanently mount the ceiling medallion to the ceiling and use either the fixture's trim ring or a removable ceiling medallion center to cover the electrical box. Also, make sure that the existing electrical, plumbing and framing will not interfere with your installation.

Order Materials

Now that you have planned your installation, its time to order your materials. When you order your ceiling medallion, don't forget to order the ceiling medallion center, if you are going to be using one. Order construction adhesive, caulk, fasteners and extra length light fixture hardware. Order your hardware with your ceiling medallion and save yourself a trip to the store.

Assemble Materials

Before you start, assemble all the materials near where you are going to install the ceiling medallion. Double check to see that you have everything you need before you start. Now is the time to prefinish the ceiling medallion if you want to. If you plan on doing anything more than just painting it flat white, prefinishing is recommended.

Remove Existing Fixture

TURN OFF POWER !!! Turn off electrical power at the breaker box and mark the circuit breaker so someone doesn't accidentally turn it on while you are working. Now you can safely remove the existing fixture.

Layout

We recommend having the product on hand to ensure exact measurements. Layout the area on the ceiling where you want to mount your ceiling medallion. For a small ceiling medallion, you should be able to hold it up with one hand while tracing around it with a pencil. Larger ceiling medallions may require an assistant. If you need to orient a round ceiling medallion use a single register mark at the junction of the ceiling/medallion. Mark both pieces. For oval and diamond shaped ceiling medallions, start by drawing centerlines parallel to the walls and 90 degrees apart on the ceiling. Then make register marks 90 degrees apart on the perimeter of the ceiling medallion. Locate and mark ceiling joists on the ceiling and on the medallion if you are using screws to mount (required on all plaster ceiling medallions and also on polyurethane ceiling medallions over 20 inches). Mark and/or protect wiring and plumbing if necessary to avoid fasteners penetrating them during installation.

Drill

Drill and countersink (1/8 inch deep max.) screw holes for mounting screws. Also, drill the center hole or ceiling medallion's center hole if necessary. If you don't have a hole saw of the proper size, polyurethane is easily cut with a razor knife.

Apply Adhesive

Apply adhesive according to the adhesive manufacturer's directions. Small ceiling medallions may be installed using only adhesive. Temporary clamps or fasteners may still be necessary until the adhesive sets.

Fasten

Fasten the ceiling medallion to the ceiling using coated screws in the predrilled countersunk holes. If you are unable to screw directly into the ceiling joists, the use of toggle bolts is permitted. Ceiling medallions over 20 inches in diameter and all plaster ceiling medallions require mechanical fastening.

Finish up

After the adhesive has dried, usually 24 hours, caulk the perimeter ( if needed ). Use no-shrink spackle, joint compound or plaster to patch screw holes. Feather edge or sand repairs and touch up paint. Hang up your fixture and you are done.

One final step: sit back and enjoy the simple beauty you have created.




Copyright 2005. http://www.goceilingmedallion.com

Ceiling Medallions, Crown Molding, and Ceiling Domes: 3 Ways to Add Elegance and Beauty to Any Room

I want to draw attention to your ceiling. Take a look at it. What do you see up there? Ceilings are an often neglected area of the room when it comes time to redecorate (or repair). There are so many things that you can do too, that are inexpensive, yet provide the simple elegance that speaks to your style. Choose decorative ceiling medallions, crown molding, ceiling domes, rosettes, or panel molding, just to name a few. Three of my favorite ways to accent a ceiling: ceiling medallions, ceiling domes, and crown molding.

One of the easiest and least time-consuming projects is the installation of a ceiling medallion. Although in the past they were made from plaster, today these decorative ornaments are made of lightweight polyurethane foam. This makes them much easier to handle. Ceiling medallions are used to draw attention to chandeliers and light fixtures, or to enhance crown molding. They can also be combined with a rosette and used to decorate an otherwise plain ceiling. You can use these architectural ornaments as wall decorations. Use several small ones in the hallway. Ceiling medallions are versatile and come in many styles and sizes. They can be painted to match any room. Ceiling medallions are one of the most popular architectural details.

Ceiling domes are similar to ceiling medallions in that they can transform any room into a work of art. However, they are larger and actually recessed into the ceiling, necessitating that they be planned for at the time of construction. Ceiling domes effectively enhance a foyer, dining room, living room, or even the bathroom.

Crown molding, also referred to as crown moulding, or cornice, is probably THE most important architectural element used to define any interior space. Most of today’s interior designers agree that every room benefits from the use of crown molding treatment. Crown molding smoothes the transition from wall to ceiling and does much to define the architectural style of a room. The size and style of crown molding used may vary widely, from a simple cove in a farmhouse kitchen to a large built-up cornice in a grand entry.

These are just a few of the architectural designs and accents you can use to enhance the overall experience of all who enter into your home. Just don’t forget the ceiling!