What Does Your Living Room Say About You?

Your living room says more about you than any other room in your house—whether or not you want it to.

With most floor plans, it’s the first room guests are ushered into, and where they spend the most time schmoozing, hanging out, and generally soaking in your style. Some people are messy; others are obsessively organized. Some living rooms are closed off, others are open.

So what signals is your living room sending about you?

Open layout

If you actively sought out an open layout for your living room, it’s a good indication that you keep up with the hottest and most up-to-date architectural trends—or maybe you just inherently understand the vast appeal of a free-flowing floor plan. You’re an entertainer at heart, even if it’s just you and your spouse assembling fish tacos while keeping an eye on the Super Bowl (or maybe the latest episode of “Downton Abbey”), and you think communication and interaction trump private space. You don’t just tolerate controlled chaos—you thrive in it.

Neutral everywhere

You prefer a blank canvas, but it’s never boring. Neutrals are classic and crisp, immune to the variances of seasonal trends. You’re practical, down-to-earth, and easy to please—and happy to be a backdrop for others’ wild antics. But when it comes to décor, you’re not scared to throw in a few colors to liven things up.

Bright colors

Criticism? Haters gonna hate. Who cares! You’re bold and gregarious, eager to show off your tastes and don’t give a hoot whether your guests dig it or not. Your living space makes a proud statement—just like you. Like your décor, your personality is colorful and bright, if a bit overwhelming to the shy among us. (Don’t worry: We’ll come around.)

Metallic accents

You’re a glamour queen or king, full of sparkle and shine. You’re attracted toHollywood Regency, and we bet you’ve got a few bold pops of color tucked away in your bookshelves, too. You love attention and being the star of the show, but you’re happy to cede the stage to friends—after all, you want everyone to feel as glamorous as you.

Formal

You love big-time entertaining with an intellectual twist—from predinner cocktails, to four-course gourmet meals, to galas. We’ll bet we won’t find a single fingerprint on your polished glass cabinets. You’re  not just a clean freak—you’re also meticulous. You’re successful and urbane, and can argue your way through an economics debate without batting an eyelash.

Green thumb

If your shelves are covered in plants and you’ve swapped a gallery wall for a living wall, you’re more than a nature lover. You’re stable and well-balanced—assuming you keep those plants alive, of course—and you’re probably a great listener. You love long hikes and are eager to bring nature home with you.

Gallery wall over the couch

You’re a bit of a Pinterest addict, and you’re proud of the artwork investments you’ve made. There’s no denying your eye is impeccable, and you’re the master of finding the perfect piece at a garage sale—but now that your gallery is made, you’re not sure what blank wall to tackle next. Might we suggest the stairway?

Pristine surroundings

You probably don’t have kids, and if you do, gosh, they’re well-trained. You love order and arrangement, and we’d bet your personality tends toward Type A—you might be just a bit tightly wound. But the payoff is huge: Jaws drop when guests enter your stunning living room (even if they’re a bit nervous about knocking something over). Congrats, you’re the person whom people call when life becomes overwhelming.

A bit of clutter

Don’t let anyone call you a perfectionist. Free spirit, maybe. What’s a bit of a mess in the long run? You’re not a hoarder, but you don’t care if everything is perfect, either. Marie Kondo has no hold over you. You find a lot of joy in your possessions, and you’re proud of your home, but you don’t treat it like precious property.

No TV at all

You’re a bookworm, and that’s great. For you, entertainment is disappearing into a good novel, enjoying deep conversation with friends, or taking in a cup of tea and a warm fire with your pug Humbert at your side. Or maybe you just prefer bingeing on “Jessica Jones” on your laptop—after all, a giant TV can ruin a cozy living room.

Pillows and fluff

Some people might complain about stuffing your couch with throw pillows and fluffy blankets, but they’ve never known the joy of curling up in cozy heaven and chilling with a glass of wine. Comfort is your No. 1 priority—and if those pillows happen to perfectly complement your rug, that’s a bonus! Shine on, you downy dreamer.

Shared from:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/what-does-your-living-room-say-about-you/

Say Goodbye to These 10 Home Design Trends That Are So 2015

It’s hard to think of today’s decor trends with anything other than a myopic view. We have finally perfected interior design! you might think, smugly ensconced within the enveloping folds of your velvet couch while staring at your gallery wall—complete with a faux taxidermy deer head, of course.

It’s hard to think of today’s decor trends with anything other than a myopic view. We have finally perfected interior design! you might think, smugly ensconced within the enveloping folds of your velvet couch while staring at your gallery wall—complete with a faux taxidermy deer head, of course.

1. Swiss crosses

Been there, done that. We’re ready to cross this design trend off our list.

sugarandcloth.com

This minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired pattern looks good on a quilt, throw pillow, or shower curtain, but it may be time to give this simplistic design a break. The fad may not have run its course yet, but it spent the last year permeating Pinterest, so it’ll be on its merry way soon. And what’s worse than being the last one to arrive at a party? (Plenty, actually.)

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2. Black and white spaces

No gray area here. We’re tired of this colorless look!

Houzz

Another Scandinavian import, white rooms with black accents—or, rarely, the other way around—are certainly chic. A simple take on class and style. But isn’t it time for some color? There’s no need to paint your walls yet if you’re still digging the trend, but adding some royal blue throw pillows or a pink chair will give some 2016-style oomph to your definably 2015 room.

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3. Mixed metals

The only gold and silver we want to see mixed together is in our bank accounts.

Z Gallerie

“Anybody who mixes metals besides Rolex is an idiot, and maybe Rolex is an idiot, too,” Scott Dresner of Chicago’s Dresner Design told me when I interviewed him about kitchen trends designers hate. While his statement might be broad, chances are good you’ll look back on 2015 with the same attitude. Enough with combining silver and bronze; consistency is its own reward.

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4. Industrial chic

Industrial chic? More like “industrial cheap”!

Studio Cuvier

There’s nothing wrong with adding some industrial touches to your home. (I may or may not be writing this from an industrial-inspired dining chair.) But loft-style decor is so trendy. You’ll probably think back on it like you do the mullet: Cool in small doses, but generally used incorrectly.

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5. Driftwood

This is one design trend we’re hoping will just drift away…

DigsDigs

Last year, we said good riddance to rustic-inspired, wood-pallet decorating—only to find driftwood rising in its stead. Chances are you didn’t go down to the beach and select that driftwood yourself (and if you did, seriously,bravo). Unless you live on the coast, your driftwood accents will look out of place once the fad dies down, so it might be time to start hunting for a replacement.

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6. Rich velvets

We love this look, but we’re afraid it’s time for velvet to go underground for a bit.

West Elm

Bold, velvet chairs and couches should never, ever go out of style. Unfortunately, the design world is defined by shifting trends and endless change, and eventually these gorgeous, rich, velvet fabrics will be unfashionable yet again. Savor them while you can. In the future, we’ll all look back at 2015 as a high point of royal glamour.

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7. Chintz

BYE, already!

www.horchow.com

Floral patterns have been attempting a comeback for several years, but it’s time to let them wilt on the vine. Sure, the current interpretation is thoroughly modern, often combining large-scale designs with sleek, contemporary furniture; but as a society, it’s time to say no. No, chintz, your comeback is notnigh. Go away.

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8. Open shelving

We’d love to tuck away this design trend for a while. Oh wait, we can’t!

TIDBITS

The debate over open shelving has raged on for a few years now, but 2015 is the year we drew lines in the sand. Some open-shelving fanatics seem to be tip-toeing quietly back, complaining of dust and grease splatter. (We told you!) Come back to the side of cabinet doors and cleanliness, friends. Let’s leave those dirty open shelves in the past.

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9. Faux deer heads

Houzz

For some reason, when designers tell homeowners they need to add something three-dimensional to their gallery wall, everyone leaps toward fake antlers. Whether you choose cardboard or white resin, it’s time for these eerie oddities to go the way of chevron decorations and cheap wood panelling.

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10. Explanatory walls

Does America really need this many reminders to eat?

sweetpickinsfurniture.com

The writing’s on the wall: Stop putting writing on your walls. You don’t need to stick the word “family” in the middle of your gallery wall—we know. And believe it or not, most guests will understand that a kitchen is for “EAT”ing without enormous metal letters stating as such. Let your guests determine each room’s intentions without spelling it out for them—literally.

Shared from:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/say-goodbye-to-these-10-home-design-trends-that-are-so-2015/

Color Psychology

Colors can have an effect on our moods & frames of mind.  Here's an article about color psychology.  This information is interesting to say the least.  Might be something worth keeping in mind when it's comes time to paint the walls of your home or choose new decor!

Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions. - Pablo Picasso

Do you feel anxious in a yellow room? Does the color blue make you feel calm and relaxed? Artists and interior designers have long understood how color can dramatically affect moods, feelings, and emotions. It is a powerful communication tool and can be used to signal action, influence mood, and cause physiological reactions. Certain colors have been associated with increased blood pressure, increased metabolism, and eyestrain.

"Given the prevalence of color, one would expect color psychology to be a well-developed area," note researchers Andrew Elliot and Markus Maier. "Surprisingly, little theoretical or empirical work has been conducted to date on the influence of color on psychological functioning, and the work that has been done has been driven mostly by practical concerns, not scientific rigor."

Despite the general lack of research in this area, the concept of color psychology has become a hot topic in marketing, art, design, and other areas. Much of the evidence in this emerging area is anecdotal at best, but researchers and experts have made a few important discoveries and observations about the psychology of color and the effect it has on moods, feelings, and behaviors.

Of course, your feelings about color are often deeply personal and rooted in your own experience or culture. For example, while the color white is used in many Western countries to represent purity and innocence, it is seen as a symbol of mourning in many Eastern countries.

Why is color such a powerful force in our lives? What effects can it have on our bodies and minds? Continue reading to further explore the history of color including how it's used, the effects it may have, and some of the most recent research on color psychology.

What Is Color?

In 1666, English scientist Sir Isaac Newton discovered that when pure white light passes through a prism, it separates into all of the visible colors. Newton also found that each color is made up of a single wavelength and cannot be separated any further into other colors.

Further experiments demonstrated that light could be combined to form other colors. For example, red light mixed with yellow light creates an orange color. Some colors, such as yellow and purple, cancel each other out when mixed and result in a white light.

If you have ever painted, then you have probably noticed how certain colors can be mixed to create other colors. Marion Boddy-Evans, About.com's Guide to Painting, has an excellent overview of color theory basics including how different colors can be mixed.

The Psychological Effects of Color

While perceptions of color are somewhat subjective, there are some color effects that have universal meaning. Colors in the red area of the color spectrum are known as warm colors and include red, orange and yellow. These warm colors evoke emotions ranging from feelings of warmth and comfort to feelings of anger and hostility.

Colors on the blue side of the spectrum are known as cool colors and include blue, purple and green. These colors are often described as calm, but can also call to mind feelings of sadness or indifference.

Color Psychology as Therapy

Several ancient cultures, including the Egyptians and Chinese, practiced chromotherapy, or the use of colors to heal. Chromotherapy is sometimes referred to as light therapy or colourology and is still used today as a holistic or alternative treatment.

In this treatment:

• Red was used to stimulate the body and mind and to increase circulation.
• Yellow was thought to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.
• Orange was used to heal the lungs and to increase energy levels.
• Blue was believed to soothe illnesses and treat pain.
• Indigo shades were thought to alleviate skin problems.

Modern Research on Color Psychology

Most psychologists view color therapy with skepticism and point out that the supposed effects of color are often grossly exaggerated. Colors also have different meanings in different cultures. Research has demonstrated in many cases that the mood-altering effects of color may only be temporary. A blue room may initially cause feelings of calm, but the effect dissipates after a short period of time.

However, the existing research has found that color can impact people in a variety of surprising ways:

• One study found that warm-colored placebo pills were reported as more effective than cool-colored placebo pills.


• Anecdotal evidence has suggested that installing blue-colored streetlights can lead to a reduction of crime in those areas.


• The temperature of the environment might play a role in color preference. People who are warm tend to list cool colors as their favorites, while people who are cold prefer warmer colors.


• Studies have also shown that certain colors can have an impact on performance. Exposing students to the color red prior to an exam has been shown to have a negative impact on test performance.


• More recently, researchers discovered that the color red causes people to react with greater speed and force, something that might prove useful during athletic activities.

• One study that looked at historical data found that sports teams dressed in mostly black uniforms are more likely to receive penalties and that students were more likely to associate negative qualities with a player wearing a black uniform.

Interest in the subject of color psychology is growing, but there remain a number of unanswered questions. How do color associations develop? How powerful is the influence of these associations on real-world behavior? Can color be used to increase worker productivity or workplace safety? What colors have an impact on consumer behavior? Do certain personality types prefer certain colors? As researchers continue to explore such questions, we may soon learn more about the impact that color has on human psychology.

Zena O'Connor, a faculty member in the Department of Architecture, Design, and Planning at the University of Sydney, suggests that people should be wary of many of the claims they see about the psychology of color. "Many of these claims lack substantiation in terms of empirical support, exhibit fundamental flaws (such as causal oversimplification and subjective validation), and may include factoids presented as facts," O'Connor explains. "In addition, such claims often refer to outdated research without referring to current research findings."

So what's the bottom line? Experts have found that while color can have an influence on how we feel and act, these effects are subject to personal, cultural, and situational factors. More scientific research is needed to gain a better understanding of color psychology.

Reposted from:  http://psychology.about.com/od/sensationandperception/a/colorpsych.htm