6-NV - North Shore News — Friday, Februa‘y 4, 2000 A stimulating environment wi = From péze 3 fortable to look at. An American study done at a tip- stick factory, Gappell said, showed that women workers were getting sick because of the contrast between the rich reds and the white wails. Light, however, is a vital force and can be used for great effect. Children forced to work in mines in the 19th century, she pointed out, developed crooked bones because they never saw daylight. Because humans are naturally attracted to brightness, 2 light at the end of a dark hallway can help to move guests in a certain diree- Ton, Water also has a proven calming effect — aquariums have. been used w_ help Alzheimer’s patients. People are dlso drawn to fountains and ponds tor their relaxing auras. The way people perceive colour changes through their lives. While most people know that voung children love prima- ry colours — the high contrast and energy matches their own — bight colours are also easy on the eves of elderly peopte. When the eve starts to lose the perception of colour, a Monet print on the wail, for example. would) look tke “brown mush.” Gappell also discussed how other cements of the home environment can affect us: “Noise makes us and she declared, explaining dar contrelling sound in your home can make for 4a more comfortable place. Acoustics can be affected with materials: fabric and carpets absorb more sound than weod. Lots of upholstery and fabries make a room cosy, not only contolling sound bur providing texture and colour for the eye. & Smell, the most “primitive” of our senses, is keenly linked ro memory and can have immediate impact en state of mind. Spiced apple has been proven to help people's ability w fearn, while lavender has 2 calming affect. Pine and lemea scents can also help to relieve stress, & Think about how interior colour works with the out. doors. Showing a slide of a dreary, rainy San Francisco cinscape, Gappell noted that someone living wich the same grey and blue tones indoors would be tempted to jump vif the bridge. The more you can combine the senses, she added, the more intense the impact. Gur brains like to be engayed in different ways, with textures, colours, images, fragrances, and sounds, “The more stimulaaing your environment is,” she said, “the more your brain grows.” ll improve the Photo submitted THE Arborite laminate on this office furniture is environmentally healthy com- effects: reflection of water or the “wet look.” ; ; pared with other plastic products, wears longer, and is fiame resistant. ENVIRONMENT, technelogy and spirituality —— buzzwords, sure, but colours for your kitchen? According to Francoise Dion, Arborite’s director of design, the social trends at the dawn of the next century will determine hot colours and designs. Speaking to a group of industry profes- sionals at a design show in Vancouver on Monday, she presented Arborite’s new line of colours and explained their influences : Water. “Who would have thought 20 years ago that we would be buying boctled water?” she asked, explaining how concer about qual- ity and quantity of natural resources will trans- late into what she calls the biggest trend fir the next 10 years: aquatic colours. Rich and calming hues such as azure, greys. blues, stone colours, and marine-like greens all reflect: that interest. Also watch for special @ XY Generation. With a gypical interest in brand names, technology, and a tremendous purchasing power, the generation of peuple born since the °70s will steer designers in their direction. Technology (greys, silvers, metals,) and entertainment (bright, fun, energetic colours) will figure prominendy. Environment. “Nature is never wrong,” Dion pronounced, presenting a group of earth tones inspired by leaves, woods and stones. @ Spirituality. A renewed interest in all things spiritual has prompted a surge in royal reds and purples (colours of Christianity) and deep mystical shades. Multiculturalism, A scries in the Arborite line called Mosaic speaks for a rich and colour- ful mix of cultures and ideas. & Heritage. Looking to the past for a sense of order, Arbonite has come up with lines inspired by symphony, rustic wood, and face. — industry, according to Scott. The compa- ny’s styles fell out of date, however, and out of favour with many designers. While he hasn’s used Arborite’s laminates in about 15 years, Scot said that recently revamped colour schernes and designs have peaked his interest. One advantage to the laminates, he pointed out, is that they are environmen- tally healthy compared to other plastic products because they do not give off toxic gases. According to the company, Arborite products are now four times more wear . resistant than normal, flame resistant and protected against stains and the noxious IT can’t be avoided, so at least try to make it interesting. That is one designer's take on plastic jaminate — the “omnipresent” material used on counter tops, floors, and cabinets. JC Scott, who designed the Teahouse in Stanley Park and is currently working on the Mt. Seymour Gelf Club, says that the niaterial is a necessary evil. “I would rather not use it, but it’s unavoidable in the commercial world J live in,” he explained, adding that ir is useful on the back of bars or places that will not be seen too closely. Much cheaper than wood or tile, it can also cur costs. 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