Purple Is Important..

By Denise Turner, ASID, CID, CMG

“Austere, formal, serious, moody, somber, shy. The heart meets the mind. Blue’s control matches red’s power. There are moments when nothing should happen and events stand still. This is the mood of violet” -Jean Bourges 

Purple Associated with: spiritual matters, royalty, magic, mystery, the ethereal area between sky and heaven. Darker purples are viewed as regal and intellectual, where lighter purples (often called violet) are romantic and light-spirited. 

Purple fascinates and intrigues. It is the most powerful wavelength of the rainbow. It rarely appears in nature, but when it does, there’s an element of surprise. Some examples of purple’s surprising appearances in nature include on delicate alpine flowers, iridescent butterfly wings, or pearlescent jelly fish.

Throughout history, purple has symbolized magic, mystery, creativity, spirituality, and a connection to a higher source. 

Science has proven that our ancestors were onto something and intuitively knew about purple’s power. Purple has the most visible wavelength of electromagnetic energy and is closest to x-rays and gamma rays. These features, combined with its rarity, could also explain why purple is linked to supernatural energy and the cosmos.

The words purple and violet are often used interchangeably, even by those of us who work with color for our business. There are a lot of different opinions on the differences between the two. In other words, there is very little difference. Technically purple is classified as a “cool color” even though it contains red. It tends to be the hardest color for the eyes to discriminate. 

Darker purples are viewed as regal and intellectual, whereas lighter purples (often called violets) are romantic and light-spirited. 

Here are some interesting purple findings! Tests on individuals with the galvanic skin response, showed that violet, like red, was more emotionally arousing than cooler greens. The redder the purple, the hotter and more passionate it becomes, and the more it takes on the traits of red’s strength and excitement. Just like red, red-violet is also an advancing color. Blue-purples take on the serene qualities of dark blue. But unlike red-violet, blue-violet is a receding color. 

Downside: Purple isn’t everyone’s favorite color. But before you say no to this royal hue for your home, consider using a variation of purple. There are many shades of purple that work well in specific areas. As a powerful color with the highest frequency in the visible spectrum, it can can bliss you out more quickly than any other color.

This full overview of the color spectrum will help you apply the best color for every occasion.

Photo by Jenna Lee on Unsplash

denise@Colorturners.com 

www.colorturners.com 

https://www.facebook.com/denise.turner.

Yellow Is Important...

By, Denise Turner, ASID, ASID, CMG

“Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun.” -Pablo Picasso

YELLOW is associated with: sunshine, joy, optimism, happiness, and energy. Yellow is luminous and reflective, and is the “happiest” of all colors.   

When we see a field of yellow daisies, it makes us feel instantly optimistic. From the beginning of human history, many cultures have worshiped the sun. The association of yellow with the sun is universal. For many ancient cultures, yellow was also associated with gold, and considered to be sacred. Because of their proximity to the heavens, these colors signified divine love and enlightenment.  

That still holds true today. Give any child a yellow crayon and a piece of paper and they’ll immediately draw an optimistic sun. Sunny yellow hues convey a feeling of good cheer, which is especially important in climates that get a lot of rain. We respond to yellow in the same way we respond to the sun: with a smile. 

Downside: Although a happy color, a little bit of yellow can go a long way. Especially bright yellows, since too much exposure can be unsettling and can cause eye fatigue. 

Yellow is an attention-grabber. It’s the most most luminous color in the spectrum, and is the first color that the human eye processes. This explains why it is used for caution signs and emergency rescue vehicles. Peripheral vision is 2.5 times higher for yellow than for red. Also, since yellow has a high light reflectance value it functions as a secondary light source.  But don’t get carried away! Excessive use of bright yellow (such as on interior walls) can irritate the eyes and cause anxiety.   

Combine yellow with black and you spell “CAUTION” in any language. From yellow jackets to bumble bees to dart frogs, many of the most poisonous creatures in the world wear this color scheme.  

This full overview of the color spectrum will help you apply the best color for every occasion.

Photo by MI PHAM on Unsplash

denise@Colorturners.com 

www.colorturners.com 

https://www.facebook.com/denise.turner.

Pink Is Important

By, Denise Turner, ASID, CID, CMG

“Picasso had his pink period and his blue period. I am in my blonde period right now.” Hugh Hefner

PINK is associated with: sweetness, love, romance, innocence, hope, and femininity. 

Pink is the offspring of red; it’s created by combining red and white. Pink can range from a blue-based berry pink, to an orange-based salmon pink.

There’s a new freedom to explore and experiment with more color. As a whole, we no longer want to feel limited by traditional color guidelines. Whereas in the not so distant past, pinks, corals, and lavenders, were reserved for little girls and women, gender expectations have become non-issues when it comes to color.

A complex color, its popularity is due to many influences. Pink’s message varies depending on its hue and intensity. Hot pinks and fuchsia convey energy, youthfulness, sexiness, fun, and excitement. Light pinks are as innocent as a baby and connote sweetness, tenderness, and romance. Muted pinks, dusty roses and mauves connote sophistication. Brighter pinks, cleaner pinks connote youth and playfulness. Chalky pink (the color of donut boxes) is perceived as sweet-smelling. 

Physiological Response to Pink

From people to plants, the color pink has been shown to influence all growing things.  In a series of studies, natural health scientist Dr. Bernard Jensen discovered that plants grown in a pink-glassed hothouse grew twice as quickly, and were stronger, than those grown in blue-glassed hothouses. 

If you'd like a relaxing space, try pink. It slows down the heart rate and diminishes aggressive behavior. On the other hand, pink can physically weaken you, unlike his cousin red, who can physically strengthen you.  

Pink can make strong men weak! Dr. Alexander Schauss, Ph.D., director of the American Institute for Biosocial Research in Tacoma Washington, discovered that incorporating “Baker-Miller Pink,” sometimes called “Drunk Tank Pink” (Pepto Bismol pink), into an environment lowers human’s blood pressure, and slows down pulse and heart rate. Additionally, this hue of pink also suppresses anger, hostility, and anxious behaviors. 

Dr. Schauss tested his theory on the prisoners at the Naval Correctional Center in Seattle, WA. Newly incarcerated prisoners were observed for fifteen minutes in pink cells. During that time, no erratic behavior or incidents occurred. After removing the subjects from the pink cell, the color’s calming effects lasted for about 30 minutes. Schauss states that “the effect of Baker-Miller pink is physical, not psychological or cultural.”

Subsequent studies examining Schauss’s theory on the influence of Baker-Miller pink on behavior have yielded conflicting results. But that hasn’t dissuaded others from using his theory. Piggybacking on this idea, Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona, issues inmates pink prison uniforms. 

Applying the idea that pink weakens us, former Iowa coach Hayden Fry, a psychology major, had the visiting team’s locker painted pink. He knew that pink had a calming effect on people, hence putting the visiting team at a major disadvantage. Although visiting football teams playing at Kinnick Stadium dressed and showered in the pink locker room for decades, the WAC’s new rule is that the visiting team's locker room must be painted the same color as the home team’s. In other words, the visiting locker room can be painted any color of the rainbow, so long as it’s the same color as home team’s.

Downside: Depending on the color’s intensity, pink can appear to be very girly or feminine. But that’s all a matter of taste. If you’re looking for a more sophisticated look, balance the with black, gray or dark charcoal.


This full overview of the color spectrum will help you apply the best color for every occasion.

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

denise@Colorturners.com 

www.colorturners.com 

https://www.facebook.com/denise.turner.

Blue Is Important...

By Denise Turner, ASID, CID, CMG

“Cobalt is a divine color and there is nothing so beautiful for putting atmosphere around things” -Vincent Van Gogh 

BLUE is associated with: water, sky, mystery, purity, heaven, loyalty, trust, tranquility, 

self-expression, contemplation

Blue is practically everyone’s favorite color, and it’s no longer just for little boys and men. Blue is embraced as the color of heaven and authority. It’s nature’s color for water and sky, but is rarely found in fruits and vegetables. It is cold, wet, and slow in contrast to red’s warmth, fire, and intensity. 

Blue represents quality, durability, and authority—a good reason police and military uniforms come in this color. It is commonly used as companies' color branding to convey reliability and trustworthiness, hence the phrase "true blue.”

Although many colors hold religious symbolic meanings, blue is a non-denominational color. It carries the same meaning of love and mercy in Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, and Hinduism.

Blue has more complexities and is more contradictory in its meanings than any other color. To better understand, let’s focus on the specific shades of blue.

Dark blue: trust, dignity, intelligence, authority

Bright blue: cleanliness, strength, dependability, coolness

Connotations: Qualities of the ocean and inland waters

Light blue: sky, peace, serenity, ethereal, spirituality, infinity 

Connotations: Intangible aspects of the sky 

Blue has a calming power—particularly shades of sky blue. Use this light and restorative hue to create a truly relaxing space. In his book Four Color Person, Swiss psychologist Dr. Max Luscher states: “Just sit down in front of a dark blue color and see what kind of mood it will present to you. You will feel a motionless calm, a relaxed satisfaction, an endless sense of harmony and containment will come over you.”

The ancient Egyptians used the blue lapis lazuli stone to dye the cloaks of royals and priests, signaling their status as gods. We still see these rich celestial hues as regal and somehow exotic, so they work beautifully on feature walls or in small spaces, such as powder rooms.

Physiologically, viewing blue reduces blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate, creating an overall calming effect. Blue has also been shown to reduce headache symptoms and nervous disorders. For instance, studies have shown that exposure to the color red may trigger seizures in individuals with epilepsy. Blue glasses filter out red’s long wavelength radiation.

Edwin Babbitt, stated in his 1878 work, The Principles of Color Therapy, that "the blue ray is one of the greatest antiseptics in the world." It is believed to soothe illnesses and treat pain. 

Blue also affects our vision. It is sharply refracted by the eyes. As a receding color, blue causes the eye lens to flatten and pushes the blue image back. As a result, the blue areas are perceived as being smaller. If blue is used excessively in interior spaces, the same refraction may cause visual fog. When used in small or windowless spaces, on the other hand, blue has been shown to to alleviate symptoms of claustrophobia. Simply painting the ceiling blue, or installing sky lights, can soothe minds into envisioning being in the vast outdoors. 

Research has also shown that people tend to be more productive in blue rooms. In 2009, a study by the University of British Columbia showed that blue increases our ability to think creatively, and that children tested higher on IQ tests in rooms with blue ceilings. 

Downside: Blue-gray is known to encourage depression. If you or someone in your home struggles with depressive tendencies, consider a warmer based blue and accent with warmer colors. 

This full overview of the color spectrum will help you apply the best color for every occasion.


Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

denise@Colorturners.com 

www.colorturners.com 

https://www.facebook.com/denise.turner.

Why Color Is Important

By, Denise Turner, ASID, CID, CMG

When you walk into room with red walls, do you feel anxious or energized? Do you love staring at a gentle stream and feel calm looking at blue water? How about when you see a forest of green pine trees? Do you immediately feel relaxed?


Colors play a very important role in every aspect of our lives, whether we realize it or not. They have the ability to affect our moods in a way that few other things can.Colors are subjective and very personal. As a parent, you’ve already realized that even the youngest members in the family have very definite opinions about color. Our color preferences are influenced by past experiences or our cultural heritage. For example, while the color white is often used in many Western countries to represent innocence and purity, it is seen as a symbol of mourning in many Asian countries.

Color influences how businesses design and market their products. It influences our wardrobe choices and how others perceive us, and our choices when designing spaces. But most importantly, our color choices influence our health. Experiment with color when wearing clothes or designing spaces. 

This hue-by-hue overview will help you to apply the best color for every occasion. 

RED
PINK
ORANGE
YELLOW
GREEN
BLUE
PURPLE
NEUTRALS

Photo by: RhondaK Native Florida Folk Artist

denise@Colorturners.com 

www.colorturners.com 

https://www.facebook.com/denise.turner.

NEW LOOK! NEW IDC! GO CHECK IT OUT!

We had a fun day @inlanddesigncenter yesterday. Reconnecting with old friends and seeing that they have gone through some big changes!!! Fresh off an acquisition by ProSource of Southern California, IDC has a new invigorated look and feel. I am so excited to see this new look and how much they have changed. With 40+ years of experience, Diane Paul has reminded us that you can still make a difference in how you experience the world around you. If your a designer and are looking for resources for your projects, this is the place to be! #IDC#colorturners #prosource #ASID#NKBA #IDS #CCIDC#interiordesigngoals #interiordesign

*INLAND DESIGN CENTER IS OPEN TO THE TRADE ONLY

For Designers and Contractors Looking for Resources;

Contact: 

Diane Paul OR Michael Espinoza 

Main: 909-931-1778

 idc@linkline.com

mespinoza@prosourcecalifornia.com

CCIDC

Had a fun day filming an informational video about CCIDC (Certification for Interior Design).
The information is about the history of Certification, the qualifications for certification and how to become a Certified Interior Designer/CID. Stay tuned for our next up date. 

The California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC), established in January 1992, the organization, responsible for administering the California Certified Interior Designers Title Act, under Chapter 3.9, Section 5800 of the California Business and Professions Code.

Title Act went into effect on January 1, 1991, after several years of legislative efforts by commercial and residential interior design groups and by the California Legislative Coalition for Interior Design. The law SB 153 outlined the parameters and responsibilities of work that an interior designer can perform. Along with these guidelines, the title of “Certified Interior Designer” added to the California Business and Professions code, providing an official designation for interior designers who meet the education, experience and examination requirements, as administered by the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC).

CCIDC, in accordance with all State boards and non-profit boards, is accountable to the sunset review process enacted by both the Assembly and Senate of the California legislature. Reviewed every 5 years, or as determined by the legislature for compliance with the statute they administer and are subject to sunset (elimination) if determined to be out of compliance. CCIDC is also subject to the Bagley–Keene Act, a statute specifically enacted only for the operational oversight of all California State boards and commissions.