Guest Blog - Color Shock
Guest Blog Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 7:01AM The following post is written by Benjamin Krudwig, a student in Sheffield's Complete Course in Interior Design. Benjamin writes his own blog, And the Day Continues.
When I was asked to write a guest blog for Stylehound, I was floored at first and then I realized “I have only been attending Sheffield for a few months now, what do I know? The self-berating stopped in a few short minutes and I decided to go with my favorite element of design, color!
I have always been fascinated by color. It runs in my blood; my mother is a painter, and my father has a background in geology and the natural sciences. What do these have in common? My mom uses paints as her pigments and the endless colors that are possible. My father helped teach me and my sisters to always pay attention to what is around us, telling what rocks were made in certain ways and taking us on hikes in the mountains. Since my childhood I always saw the amazing colors in not only the rock formations around but every niche of nature. I saw how my mother used color in expressing her art. This influenced me to always look at color and respect the uses for it in everyday life.
As I grew older I became fascinated with photography. Finding beautiful scenery to shoot and still to this day I find the colors that nature provides unmatchable in splendor. I use colors I find in nature to inspire my color combinations in my crochet work and all of my hobbies essentially.
A few years ago, Christian Siriano coined the term “fierce” as a way of describing something that is truly amazing. Certainly this word was around centuries before he even was born, but he brought it into a different light and gave it a new meaning.
I think the fashion and design world needs a new word for the new decade. Fearless.
Designers embrace the unknown and open the world to fresh ideas, new cultures, etc. Some designers are even known by the way they throw colors together in sometimes sickening and sometimes striking combinations.
What about the “common man,” the everyday person? I work in the Paint and Home Décor department at Lowe’s and I have witnessed first-hand what I would call “Color-shock,” a condition induced by the sudden immersion into thousands of color choices.
There are a few reactions to this condition, some folks will just stand there, looking at the colors as if they were laced with poison, others head straight for the “safe” colors; beige, taupe, sand, etc., and more frightening yet, the people who start grabbing any color they see without thinking.
When they ask for help, some of my co-workers shy away from the situation for fear of backlash from an angry customer. They don’t feel comfortable giving their personal opinion although some of them have been working in the field of paint for a couple of decades.
I take these customers under my wing, and try to coax them out of their “safe zone” but allow them to stay in their “comfort zone.”
I love introducing people to color in a way where they can feel confident in their decision; it often creates an un-breakable match that will last for years. It’s rewarding to show them that taupe isn’t the only safe color, and in some cases it can actually be quite dangerous. No matter how subtle the change in their home, if I am able to introduce even a slight bit of color, then my job is done.
I have the ability and joy of creating a space for these customers that is a direct reflection of their personalities. In the Sheffield courses there are the three main elements of effective design. Mood seems to be a no brainer when thinking about color, but I would argue that functionality is just as important when thinking about color. Bright red with shocking pink accents is not a functional palette in a meditation room for example. Making my customers privy to that information makes all the difference. It is amazing to see the transformation in their mood just because I listen to their wants and needs. Their fear dissipates and I am able to bring them into a whole dimension.
In an era where there is so much that is out of our control; why not do something that we have complete control over? Color! Although people want to have control, when they find themselves in that position, panic sets in. My advice for anyone, not just designers, is to become fearless in the acceptance of color. Color in any form, paint, accessories, etc., is a way to change the mood and brighten your life.
If you are a Sheffield student and are interested in contributing to our Guest Blog series, email us at info@sheffield.edu.
Reader Comments (5)
Thank you for your support Sheffield!
you can also find my shop here
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BenjaminKrudwig
I use the same color techniques in my creations!
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What a fantastic attitude about color and the mood it can create in a certain room. Bejamin Krudwig's grasp of paint shock is familiar to me. I have often become immobilized by the variety of colors offered at our local paint stores. Color? Why not? I'm thinking some the deliciously orange. Thank you Ben for your wonderful insight.
As a long time ago grad of the Sheffield Interior Design porgram I think you did a great job on your first blog. I think color is the most exciting element in interior design. You have a leg up already with your Lowes experience! Go color!!! I believe I will try a dose of cobalt blue today for my collage!
Excellent article, plenty of good quality info. I am going to point out to my friend and ask them the things they think.