A history of colour in the home - part 5
with EDWARD BULMER
Lesson 7 of 24
Already a member? Sign in
We finish our journey through the history of colour with Edward explaining the role that science has played in how we see it.
From the Lesson Workbook
A History of Colour in the Home - Part 5
As well as looking back at the way colour was used in the past, we can also learn about the scientific discoveries surrounding it.
The Science of Colour
In the mid-17th century, Sir Isaac Newton and his contemporaries discovered the components that made up light and the colour spectrum within it. Along with the science of how we all see colour, he also recognised that how we experience and interpret it will be partly based on the individual too.
Novelist Johann Wolfgang van Goethe also explored this concept in 1810 with his work 'Theory of Colours'. He observes both the logic and cultural fashions behind using colour, and makes suggestions for why certain colours are popular or appealing.
Colour and Paint in the Modern Day
As we've learnt, the use of colour has historically been dictated by certain pigments being prohibitively expensive and unavailable to the majority of society. The biggest change to our experience of colour in the modern world is the increased accessibility of pigment.
This has expanded the amount of choice exponentially and while this is brilliant for design democracy, the previous parameters - although limiting - did provide a certain amount of guidance, the removal of which can make it more difficult to choose colour.
Rather than looking at paint charts with a seemingly infinite number of shades on offer, I would therefore advise looking at a more limited offering that has been carefully curated to meaningfully communicate with the other elements in your scheme.
Further Reading
- Modern Paints Uncovered - The Getty Institute
- Colour in a new light - Smithsonian
- The Secret Lives of Colour - Kassia St Clair
- The World According to Colour - A Cultural History' by James Fox
- Theory of Colours - by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- Download a wide range of essays and publications on the use of paint
Get the full workbook, video lessons, and more with a Create Academy subscription.
Subscribe to access the full workbook
Your Instructor
Edward Bulmer
Award-winning interior designer, architectural historian, paint expert. House & Garden Top 100.
Edward Bulmer is one of the UK’s leading interior designers and architectural historians, specialising in the restoration and decoration of historic buildings. After studying History of Art at university, Edward trained under legendary designer David Mlinaric CBE, as well as working for Alec Cobbe, and Gervase Jackson-Stops OBE, who was architectural advisor to the National Trust. Alongside running his own paint company, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, Edward has led a highly successful design team for over 30 years, working on some of England’s greatest country houses as well as a range of private and commercial projects including Goodwood, the Tower of London, Chequers and the Arts Club.
Access to all courses