Long before we decided to build This New Cottage, my husband mentioned an article he had read that linked the colors of cars in the 1950s and 1960s to feelings of optimism and happiness in the general population during those times. In those eras, cars were indeed colorful – reds, yellows, blues, greens, and many combinations of color. Also, in those post-war, economy-booming eras, there were certainly feelings of optimism. The author of the article proposed a relationship between color and happiness.
I wish I could say we intentionally decorated This New Cottage colorfully, as suggested by the article on cars. It was, however, an unconscious decision driven by our simple desire to mimic days gone by.
It all started with the stove.
I came upon a magazine ad for a retro-styled stove in “robin-egg-blue.” Then we learned about the vibrant colors of FiestaWare dishes. The next thing we knew the colors of our bright palette were carrying over into other rooms and even the exterior of This New Cottage.
Workers and guests who visited all commented that our house made them happy. It certainly made my husband and me happy.Then I remembered the car article.
I have since learned that color has an impact on mood, happiness, and a person’s general outlook toward life. Certain colors elicit certain feelings. Basic personality and state of mental and physical health also influence how a person reacts to certain colors. Yellow and blue are commonly “liked” colors for their cheerful and calming, mood–setting ability. Grey, on the other hand, is often found to be depressing.
The feelings of happiness that we and our visitors experience in This New Cottage are real! They are caused by our bold use of color.
This New Cottage, written by its homeowner and its builder, is a tale of color, nostalgia and the challenges of rebuilding a Cape Cod cottage. Watch for it in bookstores soon!
