We see colours as bright greens, yellows, vibrant blues and other bright fun hues. While not as popular, white colour is exceptionally powerful both psychologically and culturally. In the West, white is associated with innocence and is worn by brides on their wedding day. However, in the East, white is symbolic of mourning, as opposed to black. A mix of positive and negative attributes, the colour white represents various feelings. From joy to hope to sadness and discouragement, white reminds us that all of our emotions are valid.

The festival of colours is upon us. Holi will be celebrated with the usual gusto throughout the country. With Holi around the corner, you will be able to find a myriad of bright colours in the bazaar. However, most of these colours are laced with chemicals and heavy metals which are not only harmful for our hair and skin but for overall health too. It is time we take inspiration from the olden days when Holi was played using natural colours which were made using extracts of herbs and flowers. The best alternative to chemical-based Holi colours is herbal and natural colours, derived from natural dyes sourced from wood, flowers, barks and even roots of various plants.

Thousands of people visited Vincent Van Gogh’s exhibition in Mumbai this January. The Dutch painter, who is also the founder of the Impressionist school, has had a difficult life. But the hope of life is evident in his paintings, his use of colour in his time was special and unique. He never used real colours but used hues that could affect the audience’s emotions. He first used dark hues such as umber, sienna and olive green. Then he added bright colours to the palette of his painting that included yellow, red, orange, green and blue. It is believed that the choice of his colours depended on his mood. He sometimes used complementary colours to brighten and create a contrast. Sometimes, like in the famous sunflowers painting, he limited his palette to yellow hues.

An ombre accent wall is a great option for a minimalist homeowner. If you are a fan of the contemporary and clean feel of an all-white scheme but want to experiment with colour, an ombre effect is an exceptional way to embrace the best of both worlds. This blue accent wall adds a much-needed jolt of colour to a white bedroom without compromising the simplicity. Since it carries so much visual impact, there is no need to hang wall art or include any major decor items. This is showcased well in this bedroom covered in a blue ombre wall.

There is no better way to amp up a space than with a fresh coat of paint. However, if you want to give your walls even more oomph, consider applying a decorative wall painting technique. It is an easy way to completely transform the look of your room without adding clutter through extra decor or encroaching on the room’s square footage. Stripes are a timeless print that will always look fresh and never go out of style. There are limitless ways to incorporate stripes into your home walls- from thin, subtle stripes that will add visual intrigue and quiet texture whereas big and bold contrasting stripes that add abundant visual flair.

Yellow is one of the most brightest and cheerful colours on the spectrum, making it a wonderful choice as a wall paint colour to help you feel happy and refreshed. The half-patterned yellow accent wall adds a sense of vibrancy and richness without overwhelming the space. Painting the lower section of the wall in a darker ‘hero’ colour will help to ground the palette and provide a contrasting backdrop for furniture, such as a sofa or wall shelves. Hang artwork that crosses the paint line so that the paint effect looks put together. Opt for artwork in similar tones to create a cohesive look.