Fall Colors

When the trees begin to put on their fall sweaters, our minds naturally turn to thoughts of red, yellow, and orange.  Autumn is a magical season, and it shouldn’t be ignored.  It isn’t only the perfect opportunity to get out among the trees, it is also a great time to add these lovely, vibrant hues to our homes. 

It is early days yet, and the woods are still decorated with splashes of dark green and hints of red and yellow.  Look at the way the different shades are interwoven like a beautiful tapestry.  Think about how you might be able to add these colors to a project you are designing.  The bright shades are a visual contrast to green, and for some reason this is especially attention-getting and pleasing to the eye.  Also, you might want to think about how you might add some touches of autumn to your home environment.  It is often fun to bring some of the outdoor colors inside and to change your decorations to match the seasons.

The different colors of autumn are associated with different feelings and moods.

Red
The color red is the rich color of fire and blood.  On one side there are the feelings of love, warmth, and compassion, and on the other side are the notions of bloodshed, aggression, and war.  For our purposes, we will concentrate on the happy side of red.  In any case, it is certainly the color of intense emotions, and in some Asian lands, it is also the color of health, happiness, and good fortune.

Going the whole way back to ancient Egypt, red was used to show life and celebration.  In many cultures, red was a protection, and red gems were worn to keep people safe from evil.  Certainly, a ruby might go a long way toward making a person happy.  Dark red seems to suggest luxury, burgundies are sophisticated and strong, and brighter shades make us think of speed, energy, and creativity.  Red is very versatile and will provide a dash of excitement to your project.  

Yellow
The color yellow is associated with sunshine, knowledge, and flourishing, as well as, with autumn and maturity.  It is often the color of joy and of gold, which makes a lot of people happy.  But yellow has its dark side: it is also the color of envy, cowardice, and in the Middle Ages (and since) it had been used as a label of discrimination.  Some say the curtains in theaters should not be yellow for fear of bad luck.

Maybe some of these uneasy feelings come from the fact that many yellow pigments have been made of poisonous arsenic sulfide and lead.  These are not to be recommended, of course.  Now, the Chinese Emperors were wiser, and their yellow robes were dyed with saffron, which comes from the filaments of a crocus.  Van Gogh loved yellow and used it lavishly, and not only in his sunflower paintings.  Consider adding yellow to capture a little bit of sun in your projects.

Orange
A mixture of red and yellow will give you orange.  Now, orange might be the most controversial of colors; usually people love it or hate it.  Some think it is the color of energy and fun, and they insist that it stimulates the appetite—think pumpkin pie here.  All the same, maybe orange is not the color to paint your kitchen.  Since it gives the feeling of change, it is sometimes popular in fast-food places.

In the east, orange is the color of the robes of monks; in the west, it could be the color of prison garb.  It all depends on where you are.  Shades of orange that lean toward the red side create excitement; shade it more toward the yellow side, and we grow calm and peaceful.  In any case, orange certainly draws attention.

In the autumn, every day brings a new burst of color.  The leaves (and their various shades) change continuously, suggesting more ways to add beauty to your day.  And they often bring back memories of smoky autumns of the past, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the mix.  So, remember to add autumn colors to your home projects; it’s kind of like pumpkin pie for the eyes.

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is in flower.”

                                    Albert Camus