The Hallway.

The physicists explain colour in terms of light, caused by a certain set of wave-lengths of varying frequencies and ranging from the unseen ultra-violet rays through the gamut of perceived colours to the unseen infra-red rays. Psychologists do not concern themselves with what colour is, but with what it does to us. Red excites or over-excites us; blue, green and violet (the colour background of nature) are cooling and soothing; yellow is a sunshine tonic.

…………

Our reactions to colour are so important to our mental well-being, that it is important to have our homes, where we spend so much of our time, suitably coloured according to aspect, size, and our own temperament. To the excitable “up-anddown” person an undue use of red in home decorating will put the nerves on edge, whereas blues and greens have a calming effect. Yellow is cheering, and can give a surprising impress of sunshine to the gloomiest room.

Claustrophobia, a fear of enclosed spaces, is present in more or less degree in many people. That is why we have a hatred of cluttered rooms. A clear floor-space is not only easy for the housekeeper, but pleasing to the eye and soothing to the nerves.

A narrow entrance-hall can give that prison feeling, after hours spent out of doors. Much can be done to minimise this effect by a judicious use of colour. A cool colour and light tints, especially blues, will tend to make the space look wider. Narrow spaces also seem to increase wall-height. Counteract this by painting the ceiling a warm colour which will seem to bring it closer; or the walls may be painted to eye-level in the chosen shade and a lighter colour above.

If blue or blue-green colours are used for the hallway, woodwork is best stained a light oak. A splash of colour may be provided by a bowl of orange flowers, orange pottery or an orange lamp-shade. Remember that yellow or orange light gives blue a greyish tint.

…………..