Feel Good Colours
To mark World Mental Health Day, Patrick O’Donnell talked to colour therapist and writer Momtaz Begum-Hossain
In a special episode for The Chromologist podcast, colour therapist and writer Momtaz Begum-Hossain discussed the way colour has transformed her life and how she uses it to support and empower others.
While giving a few colour tips for bringing greater wellbeing into daily life, she explains: “Colour is an instant mood-booster. It can guide decision-making and inspire our creativity. If you really welcome it, you can experience its full sensory potential.”
Talking to Momtaz was Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador for Farrow and Ball, who shares three schemes to boost your mood.
While your home is the constant backdrop to your life, the way you decorate can make you feel energised or relaxed, inspired or focused, refreshed after a good night’s sleep or warmly welcomed home after a busy day.
Paddy says: “Every room in the home should be a sanctuary, filling you with joy or calm when you enter a space, and the colour you choose can have a huge impact.”
THE KITCHEN
The kitchen is the hub of the home, the rendezvous point at breakfast time, the gathering place in the evening. Consider positive and energising colours – especially yellow, the colour of creativity – for this significant space. Paint kitchen units in oh-so-smart India Yellow in Modern Eggshell and balance that with a unifying Off White everywhere else. If you have a secondary piece of free-standing furniture, such as a larder cupboard or kitchen island, bring in a strong accent colour like Tanner’s Brown or Studio Green, which would look super-chic here.
THE LIVING ROOM
Cosy and comforting all the way. This is somewhere to switch off, read a book on a squishy sofa or catch up on your favourite drama. Don’t rule out dark colours either, even for north facing spaces as they can work a treat with restricted natural light! For this scheme, go light with a twist – a dark trim colour. Look to an earthy pink for your walls. Setting Plaster is just the ticket with its delicate brown notes and utterly soothing feel. Then give the room a nice counterbalance with Card Room Green on all your woodwork and a nuanced white for your ceiling but nothing too sharp. Shadow White would be a perfect balance.
THE BEDROOM
Rest and relaxation is the order of the day in this space and what better colour family to look to than greens. These shades exude all the positive attributes you need to unwind, especially at the mid tone level like French Gray. Then treat everything else with calming gentility, so soft whites like School House White for your woodwork and the classic Wimborne White for your ceiling.
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