Chromology – is that a made up “ology”?

By Jill Lowe

Yes we are told, it is a made-up name used by the paint company Farrow and Ball to explore how life, color and design weave together over time to influence us.

Whereas it is widely accepted that the most powerful sense to evoke and influence us is smell, color also has a strong influence. What Farrow and Ball postulate is that certain colors in our past attract us or perhaps repel us. More about Farrow and Ball is discussed further on.

It may not even matter to know what steers us to choose certain colors, but it is interesting to ponder. One may be attracted to such muted colors as found in highlands of Scotland where hiking in rain with maybe gray skies evoke the grays, browns, taupes and dirty greens. Then here follows a series of scenes and locations around the world with colors which often attract us.

Perhaps we are attracted to the aquamarines and turquoises of beach communities

or the south of France

Those Greek islands inspire us to seek the primary colors.

The Australian outback gives us colors of the fiery sunburnt earth.

Or maybe you just LOVE the Harrods green?

The delicate elegant pastel walls of a regency living room may be your thing.

The strong marigold and red rose combination seen in India is intoxicating

Colorful India : Jaipur, the pink city with colorful saris in Jaipiur

The ultramarines of Marakesh seem so royal.

Are the colors of Frida Kahlo and Mexico an inspiration?

Being attracted to a particular color often makes us want to use it for living decor or clothing. How to do this? Often it is the combining of colors which although comes naturally to some, presents some difficulty for others.

Professionals trained in color science and all the variations in the color wheel can help steer us to that quintessential desired color, or a color combination. Experts are available to help us choose analogous colors or complimentary colors in harmonious schemes. There is of course no end to the combinations, but there are guidelines and some may even say rules.

Here below are a few color combinations seen recently in Chicago. Risky for some, pleasing for others. Indeed some may breach the guidelines.

Consider the professionals who are available to guide on as to warm and cool colors based on skin tones. This is very useful, to many.

It is a quite new podcast The Chromologist from Farrow and Ball that the connection of memory and one’s attraction to a particular color is explored so well. By interviewing known individuals such as authors, designers or art museum directors, where some “rules” are thrown out the window, it gives the listener confidence and “license” to do likewise. Of course we cannot measure for taste, so it is possible that in the process of minimising guidelines, some mistakes will be made in color choices.

Host Patrick O’Donnell asks guests to choose 4 colors that have shaped their life. You see, O’Donell knows how color works in our heads, hearts and indentities. He can help uncover our own color story. Certainly it is worth it to listen to a few episodes.

Color plays a critical role in our world and in our everyday lives. It is how we express ourselves, how we communicate with one another – how we know whether to stop or go at a traffic light! Color can influence our actions, and evoke emotional reactions. Memories trigger certain colors eg remembering walking through fields of wildflowers or swimming in azure waters affects our attraction to colors in those memories. Advertisers know how to trigger certain emotions with known color associations eg banks often use blue to convey trust and calmness. Black can convey elegance and exclusivity such as is used by Chanel.

One can take inspiration from the sky, ocean, brick colors, rainbows, whitewashed buildings, earth, flowers and the light throughout the day.

The spectrum is available for all of us.

Color My world : What a superb motto.