Home Sciences

In this unit, we shall:

≈ use different types of colours. 
≈ apply principles of colour usage. 
≈ apply different types of decorative materials, tools and equipments.

Key unit competency: To be able to match decorative colours on different backgrounds.

Interior decoration

In this unit we shall look at the different types of colours, principles and use of colons as well as the different types of decorative materials, tools and equipment.

TYPES OF COLOURS

In relation to our activity above, we can note that there are many types of colours. Most of them are known to us while others are not and it is hard to tell their names. Have you ever seen colours whose names you can tell?

Colour is meant for comfort and delight of the human heart and all colours depend upon light.

What are the types of colours?

i) Primary colours

Primary colours are the ones that cannot be broken down into other colours and no combination of other colours can produce them. They include yellow, red and blue.

                                          Figure 2.1: Primary colours

ii) Secondary colours

Secondary colours are made by mixing two primary colours i.e. Yellow and red produce orange, red and blue produce violet, blue and yellow produce green.

                                    Figure 2.2: Secondary colours

PRINCIPLES AND USE OF COLOURS

                                                    Figure 2.3: Colour wheel

ˆ (i) Mixing colours

Have you ever tried to mix colours at home? What is colours mixing? What does it produce?

Mixing different colours results in production of a number of other colours. For example, two primary colours are mixed to produce secondary colours. 

The colour wheel above is very important when mixing colours. It shows a set of matching colours, contrasting colours, complementary colours and so on.

Tints and shades

Colour mixing results in the making of tints and shades.

Tints: These are light values or colours that are made by mixing a colour with white. For example, pink is a tint of red, and light blue is a tint of blue.

                                Figure 2.4: Mixing red and white paint to form pink

Shades: These are dark values or colours that are made by mixing a colour with black. Maroon is a shade of red, and navy is a shade of blue.

ˆ ii) Warm colours and cool colours

a) Warm colours

What are warm colours? 

They are also known as expanding or advancing colours and they are related to fire, sunshine or hotness. These colours are said to be exciting and stimulating. 

Yellow is the warmest and brightest of the colours. Warm colours reach out or are referred to as active colours and they make an object appear larger, closer or nearer than it actually is. 

Warm colours when used in a room for interior decoration they make it appear smaller and shorter than its actual size.

                                             Figure 2.7: Warm colours

b) Cool colours

What are cool colours? What is their implication? 

They tend to have an aspect of blue, related to the cool water and the sky. They also have aspect of green, related to the green grass. These colours give a feeling of calmness and restfulness. The objects in these colours appear smaller and further away than they actually are, hence are called receding or passive colours. Colours might make you think of cool and peaceful things, like winter skies and still ponds.

                                                      Figure 2.10: Cool colours

Figure 2.11: A sitting room decorated with blue, green & orange colour (cool colours)

 What is the effect of cool colours on a person and a room? 
 How can you use cool colours to create beauty in a home?

ˆ iii) Complimentary colours

These are colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel such as blue and orange. A true spectrum, blue and orange though effective in advertising, aren’t that good for a dress or room. However if the intensity and value of the orange is lowered and the intensity of the blue is softened, the harmony will be pleasing. For the walls, orange in slight value with medium rug and furnishings in blue of 2-3 different values results in a pleasant complementary harmony. 

Examples of complimentary colours according to colour wheel on page 23 include blue and orange.

                                  Figure 2.12: Complimentary colours

ˆ Meaning of colour depending on occasion

We are all aware that colours have different meanings and this guides their use on different events. Just take a look at the colour of dresses or shirts you put on during different  functions. Depending on culture, colours may mean the following:

(i) White: White represents purity, cleanliness, peace and knowledge. In Christianity, white symbolises, glory and the road to heaven. However, white can sometimes have a negative meaning as well. It can symbolize the pallor of death, it can be used as a colour of mourning.

              Figure 2.13: White colour used in church to symbolise peace and glory

(ii) Red: Red can mean happiness, prosperity, fertility and strength in some cultures for example the Hindus. However, universally red is the must exciting colour and its known to escalate body’s metabolism. Dark red indicates anger, high energy, determination and passion. It is also a symbol of love, that is why it is always used on weddings and introduction ceremonies.

 Figure 2.14: Red colour used in wedding ceremony to symbolise happiness and love

(iii) Black: Black represents ignorance or death. In Christianity, black stands for death, in art and in religion it signifies despair sin and mourning. Therefore, black is always worn on funeral ceremonies.

                     Figure 2.15: Black colour used on a funeral function

1. In groups of not less than five, discuss the suitable cloth colour combinations for the following occasions. 

Ž Job interview 
Ž Family reunion 
Ž Birthdays 
Ž Weddings 
Ž Funeral 
Ž Christenings 
Ž Public speaking

 2. Roses are nice looking flowers that are used on a number of occasions. In groups of not less than five, discuss why and what best colour of roses you may choose for the following occasions. 

Ž Wedding 
Ž Birthday 
Ž Mother’s day 
Ž Thank you 

ˆ iv) Decorative background

This is any background surface that has been designed using artistic work, for example artistic craftmanship in an attempt to make it look nice or beautiful. 

Walls may be decorated using coloured and well designed wallpapers, the floor can be covered using tiles and carpets that are attractively designed.

  TYPES OF DECORATIVE MATERIALS, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

      Decorative materials

Decorative materials are materials that are used to create beauty to an individual or in the home. These can be natural or artificial decorative materials.

ˆ Artificial decorative materials

What are decorative materials?

We should note that decorative materials include ornaments used to embellish parts of a building or objects. They can be carved from stones, wood or precious metals.

ˆ Natural decorative materials

                         Figure 2.21: Decorating using natural decorative materials

There are also natural decorative materials which are made from gifts of nature such as stones, wood, metals, grass, cotton, wool, linen materials and so on· Natural stones add a level of magnificence which is not comparable to artificial decorative materials. 

Both natural and artificial decorative materials when properly arranged in the house in an orderly and pleasing manner, they can make the house appear beautiful.

Advantages of natural decorative materials

Ž They are a great calmer to the eyes and soul. 
Ž Their simple positive natural tranquillity creates a true fine glamour without much effort. 
Ž They are eco-friendly. 
Ž Fit well on any budget. Ž Help to recycle your goods.

Relating this unit with other subjects

The aspects of colours are studied in a number of subjects. These include

GLOSSARY

Carve: to make objects, patterns and so on by cutting away materials from wood or stone 

Colour: the appearance that things have resulting from the way in which they reflect light 

Cool colours: these are colours related to the cool water or the sky 

Decoration: a thing that makes something look more attractive on special occasions 

Design: the art or process of deciding how something will look, work and so on 

Embellish: to make something more beautiful by adding decorations to it 

Ornaments: these are objects used for decoration in a room, garden yard Primary 

colours: these are colours that cannot be broken down into other colours and no combination can produce them 

Secondary colours: these are colours made by mixing two primary colours to produce another 

Shades: these are colours made by mixing a colour with black. 

Spectrum: a band of coloured lights inorder of their wavelength, as seen in a rainbow 

Tints: these are shades or small amounts of a particular colour 

Values: how much something is worth compared to its price 

Warm colours: these are expanding or advancing colours related to fire or sunshine