You don’t need a psychology degree to know that color affects us. Fast food joints use bright yellows, oranges and reds to convey energy and encourage customers to eat quickly. Cafés use dark greens, browns, blues or maroons to give an air of sophistication and comfort. If you do have a degree in psychology, you know color’s use and influence on our behavior is a popular area of research for scientists in the field. Hundreds of studies examine how we interact with the subtle messages of color.
Like psychologists, interior designers think color is essential. In his 2000 book, 7 Layers of Design, interior design expert Christopher Lowell said we all have an instinct for color: “Without knowing it, we are subconsciously reacting to color every day. It could be a flower, a shade of lipstick, or simply the sky. We’re so used to color that we take it for granted,” he wrote. But, Mr. Lowell noted, choosing color for our home is an intimidating process. Paint, texture, fabrics, all have their own colors. Take your time, Mr. Lowell advised, and never make color decisions in the store. Instead, take home samples and leave them out so you can live with them for a while. “By giving the selection process plenty of time, you will feel more secure in the choices you make,” he said.
We are all familiar with the decision on paint for the walls, but color is in every layer of design of the home, e.g., floors, upholstery, stonework. In those layers, along with color, texture is also important. Texture is a main concern for any good interior designer. Kitchens especially can hold a lot of – or very little – colors and textures. And how those things are combined sends a clear message. A smooth, bright white subway tile backsplash and white walls are great for a ultra-modern Manhattan loft or an industrial kitchen. You know you are in a clean, sleek space when you walk in. Warm and cozy spaces, on the other hand, would use more natural hues and varied surfaces.
If you are looking to add some interest to a room, you don’t have to settle for simple paint or a smooth tile. You can have the look of natural stone but without the hard time and cost of installation. Cast Veneer Stone is a lightweight and more cost-effective alternative to quarried stone and it comes in all of the natural, comforting colors and textures found in nature. A traditional farmhouse look would use EP Henry’s Mesa Verde Cast Veneer Stone, with hues taken straight from our natural surroundings. EP Henry’s cut Cast Veneer Stone in Breckenridge or Silverton can help you bring an old world European style to your kitchen that will just lure your guests in to share a meal and a toast.
Cast Veneer Stone isn’t just for kitchens, though. Wonderful texture can take any room from plain to awe-inspiring. Downstairs dens are upgraded to elegant eateries. Fireplace surrounds lift the space from ho-hum to heartwarming hearth. A forgotten wall becomes a rich accent that makes a bedroom into the home’s hidden gem. The possibilities are endless. The best thing is – Cast Veneer Stone is an interior installation confident DIY-ers can do. All it takes is a little finesse with the mortar and some time.
Outdoor installations of Cast Veneer Stone require an expert to complete due to the regulations around moisture remediation, but indoor Cast Veneer Stone is a simple install that just about anyone can do. Cast Veneer Stone is a perfect product for the weekend warrior. A backsplash or an accent wall is a one-day project, done with simple materials found at any big box or local hardware store.
How about it? Want to be conscious about the color in your life? Cast your eyes on Cast Veneer Stone before you pick up a paintbrush. A little bit of natural color and texture may be just what your room, and your psyche, needs. Make your space your own.
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