Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design
For more than 30,000 years man has been using colour for decorative purposes. It was first used in early cave paintings and its use later extended to clothing, body adornment and home interior design. Today, we make much more use of colour in every day life, and there are virtually thousands of hues to choose from. But early colours were limited and often very expensive.
Natural Dyes
Up until the 1850s dyes came from natural sources; vegetables, plants, insects and even shellfish. Creating a dye was labour intensive and costly, which made them very covetable among the elite.
The most expensive dye ever created was Tyrian, or royal purple. It was first used by the ancient Phoenicians and was made from the secretions of a particular species of sea snail. Four million snails were needed for just one pound of dye but the colour produced was hardy and fade-resistant. Tyrian dye was so expensive, only the very rich could afford it – hence the nickname ‘royal purple’.
The first synthetic dye was also purple. It was created by London teenager William Henry Perkin and was made from coal tar.
The Aztecs considered red dye more valuable than gold. It was created by crushing the female cochineal beetle. The cochineal beetle’s use in creating red dyes continued until recently, when it was a common ingredient in red food colouring.
Other naturally produced dyes included indigo blue and yellow.
Colour in Home Interior Design
Throughout history, colour has been used by humans to explore their own creativity and personality. Colour trends have also been affected by political and social changes. For example, the use of rich reds and yellows in the home once signified wealth and importance.
Fashions in colour and pattern are constantly evolving and changing.
The 1960s was a time of change in the UK. The mood was lighter and the people freer and the colours used in home interior design reflected this. Bright pinks, yellows and oranges were all the rage.
Fast-forward to the 1980s and more subtle colours were in vogue. During this era technology advanced enormously. This coincided with cooler, more masculine tones in the home, in addition to use of pastel shades.
The 1990s were all about convenience and cost-effectiveness. Homes were decorated simply and minimally. The pastel shades from the 80s continued to be popular, alongside warmer neutrals. Magnolia has gradually been replaced by a palette of whites and greys. These neutral shades prove an effective backdrop to the business patterns and bright colours often used today.
