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Color Therapy Your Home

By Denise Turner, ASID, CID, CMG

Color is the most important design element in creating the ambiance for a space. Color can change our mood from sad to happy, from uncertainty to clarity, from fear to confidence.  

The colors we surround ourselves with can help stimulate, relax, empower, or even waken us. Color and light have a great importance on the environmental characteristics of space.

The personalities of the colors are most important when used as a room’s dominant color. Keep in mind that various tints and shades of the same color can evoke different moods. For example, red (which is an aggressive color) gives off an entirely different vibe than pink (which has been proven to reduce aggressive behavior). For this reason, it’s critical to understand the relationship between color and mood. 

RED

Red isn't for the faint of heart. Being associated with romance and passion, it’s the best choice when you want to stir up excitement. Red is a stimulating design tool that heightens the senses. Red can feel timeless, contemporary, traditional or rustic depending on the hue and context. Just a bit of red can warm up a cool gray and white white room, or add drama when used as the main color in a small space, such as a powder room. From merlot, to crimson and barn red, there are endless ways to use this warm hue to create a mood.

As to what rooms to use red in the home?

Dining Rooms: as it promotes sociable and lively feelings; it whets our appetite. So if you’re always on a diet, red might not be the best color for you.  

 Powder Room: Imagine your guest’s reaction, when they open the door to a red powder room. If you’re a little “color shy”, a small room is a great place to play with color. Dark wood tone cabinetry combined with garnet or burgundy walls is pure elegance.  

Master Bedroom: Red is the color of passion, so why not the bedroom? Yes! Red can be highly stimulating and a little can go a long way. Accents of red work best. Try softer reds like, burgundy, rose, rust or ruby.

PINK

Pink isn’t just for little girls anymore and despite what you may have heard, it goes with way more than frills and lace. Pink has proven to be an enduring classic; it’s sophisticated, and even sexy. Here are some ways in where to use pink — whether you're eighteen or eighty.

As to what rooms to use pink in the home?

Bedrooms are a natural place for pink especially if it’s your favorite color. But if you’re looking for some passion in your life, consider fuchsia in your bedroom.  

The kitchen is a fun place to use pink. The brighter, more playful pinks can add whimsy to the space in accessories and small appliances. If the kitchen spills into the family room, that’s even better, sense you can sprinkle this playful hue into the families heart center. 

Bathrooms: is ideal place to use pink. It brings out the healthy glow of the skin. Sense softer pinks are calming, it’s a natural color to surround yourself while taking a long, relaxing bubble bath.  

                                                              YELLOW

Yellow is a color of many meanings. It’s the warmth of the sun and makes us feel optimistic, when we see in the first flowers of spring. When paired with black yellow warns us of danger, and when we see a yellow bow, it encourages us to hope. 

For the homes, yellow is much less complex. Instead, yellow becomes a welcoming, happy hue that brightens our spirits. Yellow is just one of those colors that instantly makes people happy. Accent it with bright reds for a palette that plays off the color wheel, or take it down a notch, by pairing it with gray and neutral textiles. 

As to what rooms to use yellow in the home?

Small Places-Yellow is ideal for opening up, small dark areas such as entries, laundry rooms or hallways. 

Kitchens, Dining Rooms- are a natural for yellow. Yellow symbolizes the sun and qualities of optimism. It can work as a antidotal pick me up. 

Work Out Rooms-Who doesn’t need a little encouragement to work out? Sense yellow is a happy, high-energy color it’s great to use in exercise rooms. 

ORANGE

If you're looking to add a punch of energy to your space, then orange is your color. Warm colors such as orange, exude a vibrant energy and intensity unmatched by their cooler cousins. Use these hues in spaces where you want to encourage interaction and activities. An often-forgotten color, orange can instantly warm up a room in even the subtlest accents. Orange is best kept to accessories. Variations of orange, such as salmon, coral, and peach are cheerful colors and a better color choice or any other area of the house that can use a little energy. 

As to what rooms to use orange in the home?

Living Rooms-A cheerful color, orange can promote self-motivation and even stimulate the appetite.

Kitchens and Dining Rooms- Are there finicky eaters in your home? Try using an orange tablecloth or placemats; better yet, paint an accent wall orange. Orange stimulates the appetite, especially when combined with red and yellow. Of course, if you're on a diet, avoid orange.

Fun Space-Are you designing a family room where you want people to socialize and play? Then use orange and let the parties begin.  

GREEN

Green is the most eco-chic color on the color wheel. It reminds us of spring and therefore new beginnings. It brings feelings of calm, anticipation and hope, and it has a soothing, relaxing effect on the mind and body. From soft sages to electric lime, this super-versatile color adds balance, harmony to any color palette. Bring the outdoors inside with Mother Nature's favorite color. Lively, refreshing and eye catching, the right tone of green can work in any home. 

As to what rooms to use green in the home?

Bedrooms: Like blue, green has amazing stress reducing qualities. Blue-greens are a great choice for bedrooms, because they combine the most calming aspects from both color families. If your bedroom is your safe-haven, then blue-green is your color.   

Family Rooms and Dens: are always a great place for green. 

Dining Rooms: green cools things down; it encourages unwinding but has enough warmth to promote comfort and togetherness.

BLUE

If you love blue, you aren’t alone. And since the color blue is attributed to such positive effects as reducing stress and promoting relaxation, blue makes a perfect color choice for most areas of a home.From the calmest of baby blue bedrooms to dramatic cobalt living rooms, blue is one of the most versatile colors to decorate with. 

As to what rooms to use blue in the home?

Bathrooms-blue is a natural color where water is present. If this is your favorite place to unwind as well as refresh, blue is a good choice. Depending on the color of blue and the bathroom’s lighting it can especially effect where people are applying cosmetics, as it can reflect cool undertones on the skin.  

Family rooms and dens- are always a great place for blue. Darker blues encourage contemplation and promotes intellectual thought; If the dark blue seams depressing, increase your lighting or incorporate complementary warm tones.  

Bedrooms-Universally blue is the favorite color for bedrooms, for its tremendous stress reducing qualities. If your bedroom is a favorite place to unwind, blue is a good choice. To make sure it doesn't look too chilly, select a blue with warm undertone and accessorize the space with warm accents, in brown, red, orange or coral. But if tend to sleep warm, and would prefer a cooler place to catch your zees, then blue is the color for you. Temperatures drop in blue rooms. 

PURPLE

Purple is the color of royalty and it hints at passion as well as spirituality. Purple may not be the first choice for interior design, outside of children's rooms. But when used smartly and sparingly, it can add a stylish element of surprise to traditional or modern spaces. It’s a perfect choice for many adult spaces, from the bedroom to the kitchen, in city apartments and country homes alike. Whether you cloak an entire room in purple or just use it as an accent, this mystical hue is bound to make a statement. 

As to what rooms to use purple in the home?

Home Office: Having a creative block? Paint your studio indigo and violet will get your creative juices flowing again. Be sure to add some red-violet to keep your feet connected to the earth. 

Meditation Room: being the most powerful visible wavelength of the electromagnetic energy, it can bliss you out, making it ideal for meditation rooms. Purple also helps to stimulate creativity. 

Kitchen: This is a fun place to highlight bright purples to deep eggplant. My mother, who is known for going against the norm, painted her kitchen purple. Being a wine-lover, she used playful accessories, dishes, rugs and art work to play off the wine motif.  

NEUTRALS

Neutrals (black, gray, white and brown) are the mainstay in every interior designer’s tool kit. With tones as varied as driftwood gray and creamy latte, neutrals are anything but boring. Neutrals can be the perfect color backdrop for any design style. Pair these naturally sophisticated rich hues with bright accompaniments or layer it with patterns for added interest in your home.

BLACK

Just like the little black dress that's been a staple in women's wardrobes, since Coco Chanel unveiled the first version in Vogue magazine in the 1920s, the color black never seems to go out of style, and especially in the home.

As to what rooms to use black in the home? 

This authoritative color is certainly an enduring favorite among designers. In fact, some experts maintain that every room needs a touch of black to ground the color scheme and give it depth. 

Black makes other colors beside it pop and it conveys a sense of drama. But most important, its versatility offers an unlimited verity of uses and tastes for a home's decor. 

Whether it's a splash of black on an exterior door, whether the color comes from a baby grand sitting in the foyer, or whether the color surrounds an Andy Warhol print over the fireplace, black can frame, infuse or sheath anything and look great. I will be the first to agree that black is fancy-pants chic. But just a word of caution, don’t go too heavy-handed with this powerful hue, as black can slow down energy in a space faster than any other color. 

My dear teacher Leatrice Eiseman, says in best her book Colors For Your Every Mood, “Although attitudes about black have changed in general, most people would agree that too in the home or office is an literally an “overkill”-too somber, too depressing, too dark. To live in too dark of an environment would be like returning to the cave! Although dark colors can be used in some areas of the home, where enclosure might be cozy and comforting (like hunter green walls in the den), solid black is simply too oppressive and light-absorbing on major space like the walls.” 

GRAY

It's not just smoke and mirrors. Whether you want to add a touch of silver decor to a dining room, design a slate-gray powder room, this lighter cousin of black will add elegance any space.

Gray has gained in popularity among top designers, who appreciate its versatility and sophistication. But, in regards to color and its affect on health, a little bit of gray, especially cool gray can go a long way. So the obvious places where gray doesn’t function well as a primary color scheme. 

Remember there are no bad colors. Every color has their place in the right environment.  

The darker the gray, the more powerful it becomes. A dark gray symbolizes strength, where a lighter, while a softer gray has a more delicate feel. Gray can also turn down the volume loud pieces of furniture such as sofa or provide the perfect backdrop that allows wood accents to shine.  

Stark, modern interiors, where there’s a lot of white walls and white furniture tend to look like they’re floating. By adding gray flooring to the space, it becomes grounded.  

WHITE

Ask an interior designer or any architect which color they find to be the most beautiful in regard to light, and you're likely to hear the same answer. White! Whether your style is rustic or modern, there are countless possibilities when decorating with white. Never dismiss white as being boring or an easy way out! Sometimes sticking to the basics is your best bet. 

As to what rooms to use white in the home?

Every space, especially off-white. While white does present challenges when it comes to proper cleaning, durability and practicality, when utilized properly, it can be breathtakingly beautiful and bright. It helps to create shadows and contrasts that emphasize planes and surfaces, making a room feel much taller or larger than it actually is.

Bathrooms: White is a natural color for bathrooms. If you're designing a bathroom with a pure white theme, you'll have plenty of options to choose from. 

Kitchens: White works especially well for kitchens, especially small ones because it’s light and bright, which makes the space appear larger. White kitchen cabinets are easily the most popular color trend.   

Dining Room: A white palette for your dining room furniture and decor to create an atmosphere that's both classic and modern. 

NOTE: Since white is so reflective, the right lighting is extremely important for white interiors. Lighting helps give definition and character to a space. The room can seem warm or cold, depending on the light source (natural or man-made). 

BROWN 

From a calming, sandy light tan to a dark womb-like, cozy dark brown, that makes you want to curl up with a book, you’ll probably agree, browns naturally takes on a relaxing vibe. They’re friendly and inviting, with minimal risk. For more soothing spaces, use lighter tans or to mix things up, and venture into dark chocolate browns. 

Brown can be used in lieu of black, for a gentler color combination. In fact, the late 19th century, impressionist artists did just that. Scholars claim that the warmth and vibrancy of Monet’s paintings is largely due to black being replaced by browns and purples. So, if you want to warm up your palette, ditch the black and replace it with dark brown. Hey, it worked for Monet. 

As to what rooms to use brown and taupe in the home?

Sense brown, beige and taupe are as comforting as a plate of warm, chocolate chip cookies, they can adapt perfectly to any room. 

Dining Rooms: Brown is more inviting than black. A medium to deep brown for the walls and paint the trim in creamy beige. This an elegant, combination is a classic.  

Hallways: Beige is the perfect backdrop to highlight special details in your space, whether an art collection or pieces from world travels. Also sense lighter colors reflect more light, than darker colors, you’re less likely to turn on the hallway lights, hence saving money on your utility bill.  

Bedroom: Taupe is a great color for bedrooms. It’s the most moody and dramatic of all the neutrals. Taupes can be tricky, due to their complex undertones. But don’t let that scare you. A taupe interior, can be very chic.  

For some subtle mental stimulation accent with green or blue. Do you want a calming backdrop to a room so your accessories will pop? Brown is a terrific neutral that works well with vibrant accent colors. 

Denise Turner-masterfully navigates two worlds of color. As an international, award-winning interior designer and colorist, she helps businesses to drive sales with color. As a ColorTherapy expert and Energy Medicine healer, she utilizes color to empower others to heal themselves and their families. Turner is an ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) professional member, Certified Interior Designer, CMG (Color Marketing Group) Board of Director, former ASID chapter president, and UCLA graduate.

denise@Colorturners.com www.colorturners.com 

Color Preferences of Men & Women

By Denise Turner, ASID, CID, CMG

From the moment that a baby is brought into this world and swaddled in a pink or blue blanket, his or her gender carries implications of color preferences. 

There are no hard and fast rules about what colors are exclusively feminine or masculine. However, there have been studies conducted over the past several decades that suggest some general tendencies in preferences between genders.  

A study done by Joe Hallock in 2003 on “Color Assignment” compared color preferences among various demographics. Hallock polled 232 people from 22 countries (most respondents were from Western societies).  

In general, the study revealed clear preferences in certain colors across genders. Specifically, the study showed that:  

• Blue was the favorite color of both genders.  
• Purple showed the greatest discrepancy in preference between genders.  
• Our gender, environment, and cultural perception play important roles in dictating color appropriateness and ultimately influence personal choices. 
• When it comes to shades, tints, and hues, men typically prefer bold colors, whereas women prefer softer colors.  
• Men were more likely to select shades of colors (colors with black added) as their favorites; women were more likely to select tints of colors (colors with white added). 

These color theory findings on “perceived appropriateness” are widely discussed and debated by color marketing researchers and industry professionals. It’s quite possible that a brand or product can still succeed even if the colors don’t jive with the surveyed tastes. It’s just good information to consider.  

I forecast that as humanity continues to evolve and foster a greater acceptance of individuals who do not identify with a particular gender, these graphs will become more similar.  

Photo credit: Alexis Brown

What the Colors You're Wearing Say About You

By Denise Turner ASID, CID, CMG

When getting dressed in the morning, most people choose the clothes they’re going to wear without putting too much thought into it. But the clothes you choose, and more specifically, the choices of certain colors of clothes, are more important than you might think. 

In the morning, as you gaze at the clothes in the closet, perhaps coffee in hand, you may want to think beyond the weather and consider other segments of your day. What will I do and whom will I meet? How will others perceive me? Most importantly, what's my mood? The colors you wear affect your emotional and physical well-being, as well as how others perceive you. Which colors you wear in your work environment also matter. 

As a society, we associate colors with many different meanings that operate more deeply than mere visual stimulation. Whether we choose to use color or choose to avoid it entirely, our choices send subconscious messages about how we feel emotionally and physically, as well as about our perspective of the world.

Color affects people at the subconscious level in different ways. Research has shown that 85% of communication is nonverbal, so choosing what to wear for an important event clearly represents a significant part of your overall presentation.

We’ve covered a great deal of information about how colors can affect your health, and how you can harness the powers of the rainbow in practically every area of your life. But, did you know that the same color concepts that apply to your home also apply to your clothing? 

Yes, you can give your wardrobe some color therapy. Here are the most impactful colors, their relationships to the body’s chakra system, and how you can use them to your advantage in your wardrobe. For more in-depth information on personal colors and style, I highly recommend More Alive With Color by Leatrice Eiseman.  

WEARING RED: Powerful & Confident

Red is passionate, exciting, and energetic. 

Want to get someone’s attention? Then red is your color! It can really pack a punch; it empowers and draws attention to the wearer.

Wear red when you want to be assertive, feel a need to portray confidence, or would like to boost your self-esteem. Red has long been associated with love.

A 2014 Society for Personality and Social Psychology study found that “men perceive women wearing red, relative to other colors, as more attractive and more sexually receptive,” making red the perfect date-night color.

But wearing too much red can make a person come off a little too intimidating to others who may lack self-confidence. Also, don’t wear it when you want to evade attention.

The same 2014 study found that women consider other women wearing the hue to be sexually threatening. They assumed the women wearing the color to be more sexual, more likely to cheat, and most threatening when it came to interacting with their partners. 

Red is also an effective accessory color to project energy. Reds that lean towards maroon are not so in-your-face and can even reflect a bit of finesse. 

Red is passionate. It ignites our fight-or-flight response, gives us the inner strength to look beyond our fears, and gives us the courage to face challenges, which explains why it the color of the root chakra. 

WEARING PINK: Open Heart & Sweetness

Pink is loving, affectionate, and sincere.

The offspring of red and white, pink conveys compassion and love, for self and others.

Although pink’s connotations are changing, many people have historically associated it with babies, little girls, and feminine energies. But wearing pink is more than just feeling feminine; pink conveys compassion and an open heart chakra. By wearing pink, whether you’re male or female, you’ll appear more approachable and more capable of loving others. If pastels don't suit you, try on something in bright fuchsia.

Because of its versatility, pink can be a fickle color. Its meanings are different depending on its hue and intensity.  Light pink, for instance, is sweet and innocent like a baby; or, it can also be romantic. Light pink also lowers your blood pressure, making it a very calming color, so don't wear it if you need tons of energy. Wear it when you want to feel feminine, lovable, approachable. Hot pink is energetic and youthful; sexy, fun, and exciting. 

If you’re feeling stressed, consider wearing light pink; it will calm you down. 

If you’re feeling tired, consider wearing hot pink; it will give you a boost of energy. 

WEARING ORANGE: Energetic & Creative

Orange is joyful, confident, ambitious, and associated with sensuality.

Like red, orange draws attention and exudes energy, but unlike intense red, orange is a lot more playful. Orange is perceived to be the hottest of all colors; even more so than red, because it combines the heat from two radiant sources: yellow and red. 

Because orange is a high energy color, wearing it is fun and can make you feel quite playful. Artists love dabbling with orange hues. Accessorizing yourself with an orange accent piece can add a hint of playfulness. But if you need to complete a mundane task, avoid wearing orange as it might interfere with the stick-to-it-ness required to stay on task.

Because it’s such a highly-charged color, some people can’t comfortably wear orange. In this case, softer hues such as peach and mango can be more agreeable.

Orange also gets the creative juices flowing. It heightens creativity and urges you to get out into the world and create something grand! 

Orange also screams sexual energy, which may not be surprising, since orange is associated with the sacral chakra. 

Orange is a great color if you’re feeling down; it will help to put you in a positive, energetic mood. But avoid wearing it when you feel restless or want to relax.

WEARING YELLOW: Optimistic & Happy

Yellow is cheerful and associated with sunshine and gold; it’s luminous, and reflects the happiest of all colors.  

Yellow is an attention-grabber. It’s the first color that our eye sees, and the most optimistic. Just looking at a bouquet of yellow tulips will instantly make you feel optimistic. It’s not your color if you want to relax or avoid attention.

Yellow is definitely a perky color! But a little bit of it can go a long way; too much exposure to yellow can be unsettling and cause eye fatigue.

Wearing yellow out in the world makes a statement. It shows off your sunny outlook. But again, be mindful of quantities: don’t use yellow from head to toe, or you’ll look like Big Bird. 

Yellows and golds convey the same healing qualities associated with the sun, and provide warmth, optimism, and light. So whenever you need some cheering up, reach for yellow and it will make you feel happier.

Yellow can give us the energy to transform no-action into pro-action. It’s the color of the solar plexus chakra, which helps us to meet challenges with optimism. 

WEARING GREEN - Nurturing & Balancing   

Green is secure, abundant, loving, and is associated with growth.

Green is considered to be one of the most soothing and healing colors. It’s also associated with two key elements in our lives: nature and money. 

It’s a wonderful color choice to wear anytime you are wanting to feel more in tune with Mother Nature. 

In general, green represents the Spring season and new growth. It’s the most balanced of all the colors and sits in the middle of all the 7 primary chakras; it unites the three lower chakras of matter to the three upper chakras of spirit. Along with pink, it is also a heart chakra color. Green is soothing and invites harmonious feelings, making it the go-to color to wear if you work in a stressful office. It can diffuse your anxiety and that of others you come in contact with. 

Green stimulates a variety of emotional responses. Deep forest greens project the images of conservatism and wealth. This family of hues is suitable whenever you are wanting to delve deeper into the earthy, grounding energies, and is a great resource for rejuvenation of your life energies. 

Green slows down the heart rate, which has a calming effect. If you’re feeling anxious, consider wearing forest green; it will reduce your stress and that in others whom you meet. Avoid wearing forest green if you’re pulling an all-nighter and need to stay awake.

Yellow-green (chartreuse) takes on a more youthful persona. Choose bright and lighter greens to wear whenever you are embarking on something new or wish to turn over a new leaf. It’s the least favorite color in this family. But remember, there are no bad colors, just bad uses of color. If you love it, wear it. Wear yellow-green for a lively accent color.

Feeling down? Consider wearing yellow-green; it will give you a boost of energy. 

WEARING BLUE: Trust & Calm

Blue is dependable, loyal, serene, and represents authority and communication.

Blue is practically everyone’s favorite color, which makes sense because it can be both peaceful and calming. Wearing blue ensures that you’ll be calm and serene.

Like green, blue is associated with a calming effect, along with a reduction of blood pressure and heart rate. It’s also shown to reduce headache symptoms. Wear blue when you want to exude power or mental focus, appear conservative or respected, or convey an important message. 

Pastel or lighter colored blues can be wonderfully uplifting if you are feeling a bit nervous or edgy. 

Ocean blue-green hues are especially calming. Wearing them can provide the effect of swimming in a bay of warm tropical water.

Blue-gray can sometimes project an image of coldness or standoffish-ness. It’s a great backdrop for more playful accessory colors.

Wearing darker blues can offer more of a comfort zone. Perhaps they remind us of our favorite pair of well-worn denim jeans? Now, that's simply relaxing.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and closed in, consider wearing blue; it has been shown to alleviate claustrophobia. 

If you’re feeling nervous about doing a presentation at work, then blue is your color. It’s calming and promotes intellectual thought; it also happens to be the color of the throat chakra, and supports communication.  

WEARING PURPLE: Uniqueness & Mystery 

Purple is spiritual, luxurious, sophisticated, and magical. 

Wear dark purple to project wisdom, or a regal and intellectual air; wear lighter purples when you want to project romance and light-spirited fun. Red-purples are passionate and take on more of red’s traits of strength and excitement. These shades will give you an energy boost if you’re feeling tired. 

Wearing purple shows others that you want to be noticed. But it may not be the best color choice if you are wanting to blend in among others, as you go about your business.

Darker purples such as eggplant and burgundy are associated with royalty, and are safe for the workplace. Lighter violets can work as accessory colors.

Lavenders (lighter purples) are loftier in nature and may help you feel more in touch with your spiritual and intuitive side. 

When you need to complete important analytical tasks, violet may not be your best color, as it tends to make some people feel spacey and ungrounded. 

Lavenders, like pink, help to draw out the softer, more feminine sides, in both men and women. YES! This is a good thing!  Masculine and feminine natures coexist in both men and women, and it’s good to keep them in balance. 

If you’re looking to tap into your intuition, reach in your closet for indigo (bluish purple). It’s the color of the third eye chakra, which connects us to our inner guidance.  

Having a creative block? Then consider wearing violet purple. It’s the color of the crown chakra, which helps to connect you to the higher source. Tapping into this chakra will help to get your creative juices flowing again. 

WEARING WHITE: Fresh Outlook & Clarity 

White is pure, clean, safe, and symbolizes new beginnings, completion, and neutrality.

Missing the warm summer on a cold spring day? Then wear white! It reflects light and reminds us of sunnier days. But don’t go overboard. Too much white, especially pure white, can feel clinical, or project coldness and isolation. Also, since white reflects light and all colors, it can be glaring on the eyes. Warm white is more comforting. 

White is a blank canvas. Wearing a white blouse can feel like giving your day a fresh start.

Feeling overwhelmed? Consider wearing white; it sets the tone for harmony and balance, and provides personal solace while reviving weary minds.

White is most effective as part of an ensemble. If you want to accentuate any other colors you're wearing, try adding white. It livens up anything you pair with it. Wear white to feel peaceful, or convey a well-balanced and optimistic nature.

If you have a photo shoot or a TV interview, avoid wearing stark white, as it tends to reflect light on camera.

WEARING BLACK: Powerful & Formal

Black is elegant, sexy, classic, mysterious, and is the ultimate power color. 

Let's face it, black is one of the eternal fashion basics. We all have the basic black suit or black dress slacks that are a must-wear for different business and social settings. Most of us choose to wear black because it goes with everything and is the most forgiving color when traveling.

While white reflects all colors, black absorbs all colors. Since color is energy, black physically drains us faster than any other color. For this reason, black isn’t on the chakra color healing chart. 

I’m not suggesting you ditch your cute little black dress or power suit, because I won’t do it either. But I am suggesting you change it up. If you’re depression-prone and your wardrobe mostly consists of black, add some color, and I mean pronto! 

Darth Vader-ish, head-to-toe black signals power and authority. This can overwhelm some people. So, if you want to establish rapport with others, add some color. 

It used to be that black was the color of mourning. You only wore black while you were grieving. Thankfully, that trend is over. Most people don't wear black at funerals anymore; it’s just too dreary. In fact, the new trend for funerals is to wear the favorite color of the deceased. My friends Michael and Stephanie recently lost their daughter Bella to an illness. Bella was pure love and as you’d suspect, her favorite color was pink. We were all asked to wear pink at her memorial service. It was incredibly healing to be surrounded by that much pink during such a difficult time. 

WEARING GRAY: Blending in & Neutrality

Gray is practical, timeless, successful, solid, and conservative.

Gray is the marriage between black and white. The blend of black’s power and white’s purity, it’s inherently calm and sophisticated.

Gray is also the color of indecision and uncertainty; it’s neither black nor white. Being in the “gray area” defies direct action. 

Like black, gray is a must-have in everyone’s wardrobe. Also like black, gray absorbs all colors, especially the darker grays. 

Feel like flying under the radar? Slip into something gray. Wearing gray will allow you to keep a low-profile in social settings, if that’s your intention. Gray is subtle without being overly conservative, and elegant yet unassuming. It gives you the ability to keep an office-friendly persona without reverting to black.

WEARING BROWN: Stable & Harmonious

Brown is honest, practical, grounded, and dependable.

Brown is a solid and confident color that provides security, but it’s never the center of attention. In fact, brown doesn’t seek attention or fame at all. It prefers to stay in the background, so other colors can shine.

Wear brown when you want to portray yourself as someone who’s mindful of the environment or of finances. Brown is typically associated with frugality, efficiency, and conservation. Wearing it will show that you value quality above all else, and everything in moderation. From a negative perspective, brown may also give the impression of stinginess.

Brown is the color of the earth. When someone wears brown, we think they’re stable and dependable, like the UPS driver.

When you need to roll up your sleeves and be a team player, brown is your color. While we all agree that black is the easiest color to wear, brown can be just as versatile. Plus, it's a lot less predictable. Brown feels more approachable than black and exudes physical comfort, simplicity, and quality. 

When paired with other hues, brown looks sophisticated, making it a great replacement for your standard issue black.

Denise Turner-masterfully navigates two worlds of color. As an international, award-winning interior designer and colorist, she helps businesses to drive sales with color. As a ColorTherapy expert and Energy Medicine healer, she utilizes color to empower others to heal themselves and their families. Turner is an ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) professional member, Certified Interior Designer, CMG (Color Marketing Group) Board of Director, former ASID chapter president, and UCLA graduate.

denise@Colorturners.com 

www.colorturners.com 

Go check out the pre-order section of our website for our upcoming book entitled, COLOR "THERAPY" FOR KIDS