WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 15
AT HOME
Bring new life to your kitchen with color
Just as fi lling your plate with colorful
foods is typically good for your
body, fi lling your kitchen with color
can be good for the soul. In fact, color
is an important element in interior design
not only for its aesthetic value, but
also because it can shape perceptions
and emotions.
"Color is powerful - when you walk
into a room, you can instantly feel its
subconscious eff ect on your mood,
your heart rate and even your appetite,"
said color trend expert Janice
Fedak. "That's why it's important to
choose colors that 'speak to you,' express
your unique personality and
truly make you feel at home."
The experts at Elmira Stove Works
off er these design tips, which take
into consideration the psychology of
some of the most popular colors for
the kitchen.
RED
A strong, vibrant color, red is oft en
associated with passion, pride and
strength. In the kitchen, bold pops of
red can command attention. Red is a
perfect hue for appliances - both large
and small - and also works well in a
patterned backsplash or on decorative
items such as canisters and cookware.
Consider red "crystal" grout instead
of traditional white grout for tile to
create an unexpected look.
WHITE
Associated with clarity, cleanliness
and purity, this "non-hue" promotes
a sense of order and can provide the
ideal backdrop for other colors and
design elements. For a streamlined
kitchen, pair white countertops with
a white tiled backsplash and cabinetry.
For a more relaxed but still fresh look,
introduce a few colorful kitchen accessories
or paint an accent wall in your
favorite hue.
BLUE
Soothing, calm and reminiscent
of the sea and the sky, blue evokes
feelings of health and well-being.
Adding this naturally relaxing hue to
the kitchen, which is oft en the busiest
room in the home, can transform the
space into your own personal retreat.
One way to bring blue into the
kitchen is through 1950s-inspired
appliances from Elmira Stove Works
in Beach Blue, a hue that takes its cue
from days spent lazing by the pool or at
the seashore. From refrigerators and
ranges to microwaves and dishwasher
panels, retro appliances can bring a
fun, welcoming vibe to kitchens.
"Color - whether bold or on the subtler
side - can really make a kitchen
come alive," said Tony Dowling, vice
president, Elmira Stove Works. "Appliances
are a great way to introduce
color while also creating the foundation
for the rest of the space."
YELLOW
One of the happiest colors on the
spectrum, yellow is a lively hue that
represents youthfulness and joy. It
can inspire refl ection and creativity,
lift spirits and encourage optimism.
Use yellow in your kitchen to bathe it
in year-round "sunshine," especially if
your kitchen doesn't get a lot of natural
light or could use an extra dose of
warmth and cheer.
BLACK
Although it has a reputation for
darkness and mystery, black is also
associated with sophistication. Think
of a black-tie aff air, where the dramatic
attire and decor create an upscale
atmosphere. Black design elements
can lend that same sense of elegance
to your kitchen. Appliances are
commonly available in black, but you
can also incorporate black through
tilework, granite or marble countertops,
or an eye-catching porcelain or
soapstone sink.
"Whatever colors you choose for
your kitchen, the most important
thing is to trust your intuition and to
wrap your kitchen in hues that make
you feel good," Fedak said.
Explore more colorful ideas for
your kitchen at elmirastoveworks.com.
Courtesy Family Features