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Midsummer color for me is farmer’s markets, flowers and fireworks.

The bold bright hues don’t have to exist only outside the front door. Invite them in and see how they enliven your space.

Bold color moves can accentuate mid-century flair. The furnishings here would still work wonderfully against a more subdued palette, but the use and placement of brights on the walls and trim make it all the more fun.

Be inspired by these other beautifully brazen choices:

A strong color doesn’t have to dominate. Try a bright as an accent to counterbalance heavier hues or “pop” as they say:

This is my general stance on home decor. In the past half decade, I’ve had the good fortune (or misfortune) of living in many different boxes. The redeeming aspect of moving for me is the opportunity to create my space anew. But I’ve got a little secret to share: you don’t have to relocate to refresh your surroundings.

The second part of the secret is: color is the most cost-effective way to enhance or transform your environment. Color is palpable. It’s presence can be subtle yet undeniable. Color can be utilized to invoke any vibe, it can make furnishings and art look better and draw out experiences amongst those whose cones and rods it stimulates. When you feel that your box isn’t suiting you, the simplest and most impacting step toward reconciliation is painting. I know a lot of people who can’t afford to fly away for vacations these days. Instead, they’re resorting to enjoying what’s locally available like horseback riding, hiking, fine dining, taking classes and redecorating. Funny how misfortune and fortune are really two sides of the same coin.

And here’s a another secret: rebellion is a good way to get out of a rut. If you find yourself stuck and uninspired, consider something you wouldn’t normally do. My benign and effective suggestion is to try a striking hue–a POW! color. Taking a walk on the bright side is something many of my clients tend to shy from but shouldn’t. Albeit, there is good reason for their trepidation as I so often see POW! colors executed haphazardly subsequently infecting others with stiff hesitation toward bold color moves. But then, if you decide to embark on something new and bold like sky-diving, I do recommend trying it with a professional (a sky-diving professional).

This brings me to my last secret which is: I am a professional (of color and decor). This is less a secret and more a reminder to those who have the courage to make a color leap that I can help to ensure its success. As a side benefit, by utilizing my passion for color and decor to assist others in the enhancement of their spaces, I can avoid moving any more than necessary.

-Brandy Gee, your color and decor expert

Babies are able to perceive color from the time they are around two to three months old, and just as particular sounds will elicit a particular emotional response in your baby, so too will different colors result in different reactions.

Colors are divided into four categories:

* Warm
* Cool
* Neutral
* Black

Warm Color Psychology

Warm colors include the red, orange, and yellow sections of the color spectrum.

They will make a large room appear smaller and cozy and they elicit feelings of happiness, comfort and relaxation. However, intense shades tend to be stimulating and exciting and can result in the buildup of too much energy – not what you need for smooth nap times!

Red
While reds add a sense of warmth they can be over stimulating. If you want the warmth of red in your baby’s room try toning it down from a bright, vivid red to a more earthy terracotta tone. Also avoid using it on all the walls. Maybe use it on a focus wall and balance it out with a more neutral shade in the rest of the room.

Bright, bold red has been associated with headaches and aggression. However, it is a great accent color. Use it to add a burst of energy and fun to a neutral palette.

Orange
Orange is less intense than red and still very warm. Only the most intense of oranges will result in over stimulation while the softer tones will create a place of homely comfort and vitality.

Orange rooms can tend to feel cramped though, so make sure there is an abundance of light before using this color.

Yellow
Yellow is a bright, sunny color promoting feelings of happiness. It’s great for brightening a dim room. However, bold yellows are associated with increased intellectual and muscle activity and if over used can be disturbing – babies have been found to cry more in yellow rooms.

Therefore, bold yellows should be kept to a minimum and used only as an accent color to add sparkle to your nursery design. Soft yellows are calming, however, and are a lovely sunny choice for your nursery.

Cool Color Psychology

Cool colors include the blue and green sections of the color spectrum.

Lighter shades will make a small room appear spacious and airy and they are calming and soothing. However, darker shades tend to be depressing and cold so be careful when introducing these.

Blue
Blue is a wonderful color for promotion of baby rest times – a key component to a new mom’s sanity! It slows down the human nervous system and produces a calming effect that prepares the body for sleep.

As mentioned above, dark blues can be cold and depressing and can zap your baby’s energy leaving him listless. However, used sparingly as accent colors in your baby’s room, dark blues can have a very striking effect.

Green
Green is a calm, tranquil color promoting feelings of peace and well-being. It is also a refreshing color that can lend vibrancy to an otherwise dim room.

Green can result in a complacent feeling, however, and is best counter-balanced with hot shades of red and orange to inject some energy into the room.

Neutral Color Psychology

Neutral colors include brown, beige, cream, ivory and white.

Neutral shades have a warm, relaxing, grounding effect. They enhance the size of the room, unify and tone down bolder colors and go with anything.

Neutral shades are an excellent choice for your baby room making a wonderful anchor for splashes of other bright, fun colors.

Black Color Psychology

Black has a modern, sophisticated connotation and is great for adding a sense of style. However, it is a draining, depressing color as it sucks light and energy from a room. Therefore, it should be used sparingly in your baby nursery.

(source: http://www.creative-baby-nursery-rooms.com/color-psychology.html)