In mid-1960s, Crayola’s Flesh colour was renamed Peach after realising the fact that flesh comes in many different colours. It was said to be racist to imply that flesh is or should be of that colour only. In 1992, responding to consumer feedback, Crayola introduced a special set of eight Multicultural Crayons. In its newest package, Crayola introduced My World Colours, offering a selection of 16 crayons in colours that reflect different skin, eyes and hair colours around the world. The box is decorated with a picture of a globe topped with children of different ethnic groups, holding hands.

Chromophobia is a rare, persistent, irrational fear of, or aversion to colours. It is usually a conditioned or learned response. It is derived from two Greek words Chromos and Phobos which mean colour and fear respectively. Some people who have this disorder react strongly to certain shades or hues, while others will try to avoid the colour altogether. Some signs and symptoms include nausea, dizziness, feelings of panic, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, headache and even trembling. Many are known to fear the colour red since it is symbolic to blood, death and violence, as often seen in movies and TV shows.

Colours impact more than just aesthetics and décor. Research has shown that people actually have psychological reactions to colours. Different colours stimulate different emotions and responses and can significantly impact feelings of hunger, thirst and even space in some customers. For example, yellow can stimulate our appetite, which means it is a great colour for restaurants. Blue is the main colour to avoid since it is said to curb appetite and can actually have the opposite effect. If you want your customers to stay longer, green and blue are said to be good colour choices since it creates a relaxing, comforting atmosphere.

It is a good idea to experiment with different colours and designs but remember that every space and room of your home must sync and connect with each other, or else your house could actually end up looking like a big mess, with no identity of its own. If the living room of the house is beach themed, going for a dramatic hallway or connecting room in dark colours or wallpaper will look hodgepodge. Try to have consistency in the basic colour theme for your interiors, especially wall colours and go for wall paints that complement your interior space and furniture.

Colour-matching is a huge trend for bathrooms, so try to match the tone of the paint or tile with the bath or other bathroom equipment. White or neutral tones give a sophisticated look, including a simple white scheme. If you wish to add more depth, use a mix of deeper or more vibrant colours. For example, if you are using pink, use a mix of corals and blush pinks for a beautiful contrast that is subtle yet impressive. This will create a more balanced look, while exact colour-matching will give a two-dimensional look, combining everything beautifully instead of looking out of place.

A great home office space balances the rigours of work and relaxations of life in your most comfortable and familiar environment. Do you find it hard to focus while working from home? Painting your home office space might do the trick. Green is a great colour as it symbolises prosperity and is also said to reduce anxiety and increase concentration levels. It is one of the most calming colours for your eyes and is known to be restorative and mind-clearing. For people who love the outdoors, it also gives a natural vibe, bringing the outdoors inside in the most sophisticated manner.