Colorful thoughts

Kate Kovalick-Patay of Creative Coverings, a company with offices in Las Vegas and Seattle that specializes in linen rentals for events, sent me some interesting information about the importance of color schemes that's worth sharing.


Color sets the tone
When picking what she calls your "color-scape" for a party, think about the colors you like, the type of event you're having and who your guests are. Not only are colors important for table designs, décor and lighting, but with flowers and menu choices as well. Also think about the season and which flowers and food choices are available then that will fit in with your colors.

The psychology of color

It's important to know the meaning behind colors and which are appropriate, or inappropriate, for certain events. For example, white should not be used for a Chinese New Year party because it's the color of mourning in Eastern cultures. Here's her rundown on what different colors mean.

White: Pure, clean, innocent in Western cultures; mourning in Eastern cultures; creates
a sense of space so consider draping a small or dark room in white.
Black: Sophistication, power, elegance; in some cultures it represents death or
mourning but in others it can mean life or rebirth; appropriate color for high-end,
black tie events.
Red: Excitement, passion, intensity; creates very strong emotions and attention-
grabbing; causes blood pressure and heart rate to rise; great color for themed events
where guests are encouraged to move throughout the venue.
Orange: Vibrancy, energy, excitement; creates a playful environment for your guests;
attention-drawing so a great color to use at a fundraiser, especially in a silent auction
area.
Yellow: Cheery, warm, alert; this color can also create frustration and anger and is
fatiguing to the eye; probably best to use with another color or as an accent and
not as a major backdrop, for example, or focal point in a large room; increases the
metabolism so a good choice for a breakfast meeting or brunch event.
Green: Natural, healthy, tranquil; creates a calming effect, relieves stress and helps
heal; hence, the symbolism behind the term “green room” as a place to relax prior to
going on stage to perform; also a color to consider for a theme where “growth” is the
topic.
Blue: Peace, trust, loyalty; a popular and neutral color on a global level; lowers
pulse rate and body temperature and creates productivity; perfect color to use for a
business meeting.
Purple: Royalty, wisdom, wealth; an exotic color that is associated with luxury and
extravagance but also a spiritual connection; can be used in creating special effects
with lighting, for example, when designing a VIP lounge area.

Keep up with current color trends
If you don't know which colors you want to use, turn to color trends for inspiration. Observe which colors are being used in home décor and on the fashion runways. Each fall and spring, Pantone (www.pantone.com), the leading authority on color, comes out with the following season's color trends and announces the hot color of the year in early spring (this year's hot color is Tangerine Tango, a fiery reddish-orange). For spring and summer, Pantone's hot colors include Emerald, Dusk Blue, Nectarine and Poppy Red.

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