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June 21, 2006
Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Color. by Renée Labbé

Manipulation of light has become a highly important component of modern design – not just in architecture but also in the integration of products – and is therefore being increasingly adapted to new areas of design. The result is often a successful marriage of technological invention and well-being.

COLOR de LIGHT

The ancient Egyptians filtered sunlight through vibrantly colored glass, as they believed doing so would bring new energy to their cities and people. As it turns out, they were right. The word vibrant is a derivative of the verb vibrate. Not surprising then, that vibrant colors are aptly named for their ability to emit light energy at higher vibrations than darker tones. The Egyptians were effectively practicing one of the first known methods of what we today call color therapy.

While color therapy has been experimented with for several centuries, today there are several product and interior designers that have taken interest in exploring the health & happiness quotient of color energy.

In today’s world of stressed-out citizens, there are millions to be made in providing chemical-free alternatives. Expectedly, the quest for an abundance of active light in design to relieve consumer’s stressed emotions has - over the past few years - morphed from an organic, zen-driven search to a highly evolved technological exploration.

The Light Sleeper by the design and research studio Loop.pH stands as the perfect example. Integrating electroluminescent technology into textiles, Loop.pH was able to conceived and create a pillow that wakes its user from sleep by simulating sunrise via a steady emission of increasing light. Light Sleeper offers a more natural and stress-free alternative to the urgent blare of the typical alarm clock.

The Therapie Lamp, designed in 2002 by Montreal’s Snowlab offers this same “anti-stress” concept. With a slight resemblance to northern lights (aka Aurora Borealis) soft hues migrate across a PVC canvas, subtly illuminated from behind by fluorescent tube lighting. Not only is Therapie calming to the mind and beautiful to the eye, it is also intended to help cure seasonal affective disorder.

LET THERE BE WHITE

Perhaps the ancient Egyptians weren’t too keen on pairing their colors with masses of white, but in the modern design world, it’s an absolute must.

Despite it’s label as a non-color, white has amazing power and magnitude. It can imply simplicity or fragility, stark severity, or a badge for modernism. At the Albion Hotel in South Beach, anchors of blanched furniture lie in masses, while carefully plotted shots of color appear random and haphazard.

White can also suggest complete silence, as witnessed in the tone-on-tone decor of St. Martin’s Lane hotel in London. In recent years, it has even become synonymous for technology and performance, witnessed by the success of Apple’s glossy white ibooks and ipods.

At Voice of Color, we honor the products, places, and designs that allow us to ponder and experience the effects of light and color in unison.

Color Delight, by design

The design of Color Delight embodies a light-hearted, breezy spirit. Silhouette design is friendly and approachable; there are no severe edges or sharp angles to be found. Instead there are gently sloping silhouettes and wandering profiles.

Colorful glass accents - such as the full-bodied gem toned vases created by Joe Cariati or Karim Rashid’s candelabra for Gaia & Gino - are happy compliments to white washed pieces, like the Supernatural chair by Ross Lovegrove or the Calyx sofa by Shawn Litrell. Star pieces, such as The Parts of a Rainbow transparent chair collection by Christian Flindt, or the luminous shelving by Andrew Tye offer a truly luminescent ambiance.

Shaker from the color family Al fresco Poppy Love from the color family Morning Rose

Color Delight, the palette An homage to color therapy, Color Delight as a theme is a dance of color over a sea of perfect white. There is no one hue or shade more important than another, brilliance has precedence over all. In interior décor and product design, white is often worked as a refreshing accent. This is not the case for Color Delight, in which white is the yin to color’s yang. It is used in masses, often as a platform from which energetic hues can come alive. Vitality and happiness are represented by the color palette of candied pastels; light and healing are represented by white. Tones such as Bleeding Heart, Tabu, and Plaster Pink pair brilliantly with crisp Atrium White. Likewise, Quaking Grass, Frosty Glade, and Edelweiss have a surreptitious yet invigorating appeal.

Posted by: Renée Labbé

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