HUE = the primary name of the color (before any white or black has been added).

VALUE = the darkness or lightness of the color. You may also have heard words like ‘shade’, ‘tint’ or ‘tone’. We use the term ‘shaded’ when black has been added to darken the primary color. A ‘tinted’ color will have the addition of white, which lightens the primary color. ‘Tone’ is created by adding varying degrees of gray to the primary color. The gray scale of values can produce up to 100 gradations of a primary color! Most paint manufacturers will limit the choices to about 9. These 9 variations of a primary color are called its ‘achromatic scale’.

Whew…

CHROMA = the amount of pigment (or purity) a color exhibits. Sometimes referred to as its ‘saturation’ level. This term describes how vivid or intense the color appears. For example a deep purple color has a much higher chroma than lavender or lilac.

It’s also interesting to note that color choices can be generational:

Baby Boomers have been shown to prefer soothing colors that promote relaxation and create inspirational environments. Colors like sky blue azures, clean blues with purple tones, and intense blues with a touch of green. They also favor neutral palettes that fall somewhere between the hues of gray and beige, and colors with complex undertones of plum and/or yellow-green.

Generation X (born 1964-1980) has been much more exposed to global influences. This generation is much more experimental with colors and styles from around the world, preferring ethnic patterns and diverse color palettes in spice and/or jewel tones.

Generation Y (born 1981-1999) is the youngest ‘named’ generation to date. This age group tends to prefer rich, tropical hues and neon bright colors like yellow, green and purple. Bold ‘sports teams’ colors and trendy, sophisticated hues right out of the flower garden.

No matter what your tastes or preferences, paint is one of the least expensive ways to redecorate. So set your imagination free and have some fun!

A must-read for anyone with an aging parent, or transitioning to the place where they will grow old: Design Innovations for Aging and Alzheimer’s – Creating Caring Environments, by Elizabeth C. Brawley.

Please support my new cause and passion: The Alzheimer’s Association. Their tireless efforts to fund and support new research is going to make a huge difference in our future. I am so proud to be associated with this unbelievable organization.

Watch it being assembled. No tools required, AND it’s beautiful.

- Use trolleys and trays with handles to pile papers and keep things portable.
- Keep everyday files close at hand. File away papers you access less often.
- Color-code binders to help keep papers categorized and easily transportable.
- For easy access – store small items (like paper clips, push pins, pencils, etc.) in a jewelry box like Pottery Barn’s large ‘McKenna.’

Today’s blend of work and home life means we often need to work at off times and in different locations within our homes. Not everyone has the luxury of a dedicated home office space. It’s critical to look at different rooms within your home and ask yourself ‘Could I work in here?’ …

Flexibility and style are key. Dual-purpose furniture, lots of work surface and as much open space as you can spare will morph any space into a workstation. Dining room sideboards, coffee tables and trolleys can become instant work surfaces according to Plantan. Russell+Hazel, offers a wonderful selection of color-coded binders, acrylic trays and candy-colored bins to get the job done right.

If you’ve got an awkwardly positioned outlet and cable that you have to live with, instead of hiding it, why not make it something more visually amusing? The “cavaliers of spring” from Paris, PA-Design.