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Contents:
Overview
Variation of Tonalities of Colour
Useful Advice
Fixed Elements in a Home/Envioronment
The Optical Effect of Colours on Walls
Building Facades
Colour transforms, changes, deceives and attenuates. But it also has the ability to highlight, influence and characterize; colour has certain properties that modify the spaces to which it is applied. It is opportune to become familiar with its properties, in order to take advantage of colours' maximum potentialities and to avoid undesired effects. Colours have the infinite ability to characterize and to transform ambiences; the effects which they fashion are dependant on their combinations, tonality, light and shape of the surface on which they are applied.
Colour is, in fact, strongly influenced by the intensity and the type of light which strikes it. For example, it is functional to manipulate artificial light in interior areas, with the aim to accentuate certain colours, rather than others. Seeing as colours provoke optical effects on surfaces on which they are applied, it is necessary - when painting - to always maintain the desired aesthetic effect, in mind.
| VARITION OF TONALITIES OF COLOUR - AFFECTED BY NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL ILLUMINATION |
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Colours which maintain their quality and tonality, and do not become darker or opaque when exposed to artificial light are to be preferred, as these ensure the same ambiance under both natural and artificial light. While, colours that exhibit disparate tonalities when exposed to artificial and natural light, are to be shunned in order to avoid an eventual "mismatch" of tones and subsequent disappointment at completion of paintwork.
Glare of the external atmosphere - an influential factor that is not always considered - has the capacity to predominantly influence the colour used on the interior. This external colour reflection should be taken into consideration and taken advantage of, to achieve subtle subliminal effects. When prevention of exterior colour influence is desired, colours that contrast and cancel these influences are apt. As an example, the inner walls of a house surrounded by green may be affected by the exterior green reflection. To eliminate this effect, it is necessary to paint the ceilings of the rooms affected, with a subtly pale rose.
The effect and the brightness of a colour can vary according to its reflective properties, as well as the texture of the surface on which it is applied. Matt surfaces disperse light in all directions, while glossy surfaces reflect light towards precise and clean directions according to light intensity. Additionally, mirror like surfaces reflect light in one single direction (refraction angle = angle of incidence of the light). If the surface is polished, it will reflect and brighten the reflected light, while a rough surface will render the colour matt and not suitable to obtain special effects.
The optical mood created by colour is relative, and is dependant on varying factors, such as: vicinity to other colours - dimensions of the visual field - incidence of light on the surface - surface on which it is applied - personal and subjective perception. Evaluation and choice of the colour of the walls of a room/environment are fundamentals in achieving the desired effect. Dark and wasted spaces in a home can be enhanced in character and brightness; the furniture can be exalted and emphasized; those little forgotten spaces can benefit from the optical effects created by the correct choice and combination of colours. Factors to be taken into consideration when a colour is chosen are: personal taste (every individual, whether they are aware of it or not, enjoy an 'ideal colour' - which colour can be extremely beneficial to one's inner disposition) - location of the house (sea, mountain, city, country side, etc..) - dimensions and natural brightness - already present colours in the home (e.g. furniture) - even physical activities of the occupants play a role.
If the Selected Colour is Strong
1. If the selected colour is of a strong tone, it is advisable, before painting the room, to apply it on one rather large portion of the wall and evaluate the colour combination of your furniture, curtains, carpets etc.
2. If you do not wish to test-paint the colour on a wall as per 1 above, apply the paint on a large sheet of paper and then position it on the wall. The sample colours of painting manufacturing companies or small dimension samples are not reliable, as colour - in fact varies - when applied in a larger area.
3. If the selected colour, after the above enumerated tests are carried out, is not considered the most complimentary, the choice for all the walls should shift to a white (luminous and neutral), and eventually the selected unmatched colour should be used on a single wall as a constituent of contrast, and to emphasize one particular sector or element of the room.
| FIXED ELEMENTS IN A HOME/ENVIROMENT |
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- Half walls, pillars or other non-movable elements can be painted with contrasting colours to obtain an unusual look.
| THE OPTICAL EFFECT OF COLOUR ON WALLS |
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- Dark ceilings and light walls: the space is more luminous but shall decrease the height of the room.
- Darker ceilings and floors are attracted: the room appears low and wide.
- Darker walls are attracted: the room appears small and tall
- When the room has uniformity of dimensions, conditions of light and characteristics:
- walls painted with a cold colour appear as far-off and reflect much light.
- alternatively, walls painted with a warm colour, appear closer and tend to absorb light.
- Walls on which the light source enters (windows or other openings) painted with a light colour lessen contrast, while when painted with a dark colour, strongly provoke heavy contrast and can be irritating.
- Walls opposite to the source of light (window or other opening) which predominantly receive light, when painted with light colours increase brightness, whilst when painted with dark colour decrease brightness.
- Colours can be used to interrupt monotony, of wide and enormous facades, effectively; for example, it is advisable to use contrasting colours for mouldings and bands for different floors. The light tones used on imposing structures, lighten and render the buildings less heavy. The use of neutral tonalities, have the disadvantage of rendering structures anonymous. While an astute use of colour can qualify and revitalize a structure, even in a more subordinate area.
- Chromatic affectations can revalue architectures of insufficient quality. With structures composed of factory bodies which are not homogenous in proportions, the use of monochromatic coloration helps to cancel the diversities of the proportions. Character can be crafted through decoration of smooth and anonymous facades of buildings.
- Colour, besides its aesthetic or illusionary function, may also be used to render various areas or zones of buildings immediately visible and recognizable; emergency exits provide an obvious example.
Restoration of colours of facades of historical palaces/buildings/structures contributes to the conservation of the cultural patrimony. Colour influences add the same economic value to one's property. Just as with interior surfaces, facades of buildings, are subjected to variations caused by optical effects, light, dimensions and colour. It is favourable to test sample colour solutions before proceeding to the total pigmentation of facades.
- Frames, bands, mouldings etc are not obviously noticeable and thus turn out flat if they are painted of the same colour as the rest of the facade. Being, instead, elements of articulation and characterization, it is advisable to realize them with contrasting colours, more luminosity is preferable. If the facade introduces different echelons of depth only one colour should be used, but applied in various tonalities: darker for the more rear part, and lighter for protruding surfaces.
- The use of different tonalities gives the impression of light diffusion causing the impression of a natural shade effect.
- If the low parts (base) of buildings are decorated using dark colours, they render the structure more massive and improve the look of the building and surrounding areas. Logically, the colours to be used on the high parts of the building should be of light tones to lighten the entire structure. Moreover, the fascia just under the roof should be decorated in sky blue (colour of the sky or light grey) giving the roof a suspended, floating effect, without imposing a sense of 'weight' on the building.
- Building furniture like piping systems for example, should be decorated by using the same colour as the background; these will then be rendered less obvious. If it is - instead - desired to emphasize and underline the edge of a building or differentiate it from other buildings, then building furniture should be decorated with various colours.
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