On

COLOR HAJIONY A1D DESIGN IN INTERIOR DECORATION

Submitted to the

OREGON AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE ----------------- - - In Partia] Fu] fi]3ment of the Requirements

For the Degree of

ÌASTER CF SCIENCE

In

HOME ECONOMICS

By

teLe /tt- May 2, ]91

APPROVT:

Redacted for privacy

Professor In charge of Major

Redacted for privacy Head of Bepartnert of ____________________

Redactéd for privacy

Bean of 'choo of

Redacted for privacy Chairman - Committee of (raduate 'tudents

and Advanced Degrees

OUTL lITE

I. Aim

II. DiscuI3siofl

1. Dining room.

a. Desii

b. Color

2. Living room.

a. Desii

b. Co)or

3. "Jood dyes and wafl co3ors.

a. Co'oring of 'oods

b. Suggested co or harmonies

tor wai is.

LII. Conc)usion.

COLOR HARMONY AND DESIGN IN IITERICR DECORATION.

The aim of this thesis is to originate some color

schemes, considering the re]ationship between light and

color, form and proportions, keeping in mind the princi-

p]e of design, t, demonstrate the application of stains

upon fir and oak and for each piece suggesting color har-

monies for wafl surfaces to which they could be applied.

Two color schemes were originated, one for the dining

room, the other for a living room. In both Instances

the principles of design; rhythm, balance and riarinony

were followed; for their coloring something original and

that which was not common place was striven for.

In the dining room, the buffet wnich is built in and

extends back for three feet, occupies the principa]e place

of attraction or Is the center of interest. Above the

buffet Is an arch which tends to make the space appear

wIcer as it takes longer for the eye to travel over a

curved surface than a straight one. At both sides of the

buffet are panels extending from the floor to the ceiling

which divides the wall space into unequal divisions.

Equal spaces uniforma)]y placed are uninteresting and have

no rhythm. Then to add Interest these side spaces were

broken by panels which extend about two-thirds the height

of tue wail. At the top is a moulding above which is a

wail area, which is plain. At the juncture, where the

wall and ceiling meet, Is a cornice, On the opposite

(2)

side are French doors opening out of te room into the

adjoining room; in one end is a door opening out into

the kitchen; in the other re windows which occupy most

of the space. The paneling is used the entire distance

around the room.

For the color scheme orange was selected as a domi-

nant tone which is preferable in north rooms and cool

climates as it suggests warmth and sunshine. For the

walls above the paneling the orange was grayed with blue

until it appeared as a gra' orange. Orange was first

apolied to the woodwork, then it wa grayed with blue

until it became a silver gray, still having a subdued

tone of orange. The orange for the draperies was used

in a stronger tone; the borders of which are blue green

accented with black. For the sheer curtains on the win-

dows red orange was used for the principal design and

enough blue green its complement to produce an harmonious

accent. For this color scheme, a rug with L.lue predomi-

nting and the furniture gray In color would be suggested.

In the living room the fire place was selected as the

center of attraction and designed so that it should occupy

the entire space from the floor to the ceiling, leaving

a space on both sides for windows. Below the windows

are panels horizontal to te floor, at the top are mould-

ings to complete the top nd which extend from both sides

on around the room. In one end of the room are three

windows; below them and on either side are kookc3ses ex-

(3)

tending to the picture moulding which divides the wall

space into a pleasing division, thus making it much more

interestirng; in the opposite end is a door opening out

of the room on to a porch. On both sides are windows

which re narrower in space for te reason that uniform-

ity of size should be avoided.

The color scheme for this room is best suited to a

north room but may be used. for a south room as well as

the woodwork is grayed green. Green is refreshing and

cool and is especially pleasing in south rooms where one

gets more or less sunshine. As there are both tones of

yellow and green, it gives one tne feeling of hospitality and repose. In the draperies at tewindows, blue is used

as a back ground with a design of orange and green, the

blue being subordinate arid complementary to the orange.

To complete this scheme a rug of brown or gray green is excellent and the furniture stained with mission or fumed

oak.

For the purpose of originating color harmonies for trie

walls both fir nd oak were stained with wood dyes and

finished according to the manufactures specifications. The dyes pnnetrate deeply into the wood and when the beauty of the grain has been brought out, the surface of

the wood remains unchanged. The wood dyes dry quickly and do not rub off. Johnson's wood dyes were used and

are quite satisfactory. Many colors may be obtained by

mixing the dyes, two or tore; then by using flemish oak

(4)

they may be darkened or by u8in alcahol they become

1ibter In color. The dyes used ehow darker ori the fir

than on the oak, for the soft woods absorb the wood dyes

more easily. The wood filler was applied afterwrrds,

then they were waxed and polished. If the wood filler

is applied before the stain it i imposBitle for the stain

to penetrate. After the h9rdwoods were stained axid

finished it was found that a large percent of the wax and

stain could be removed by tle application of denatured

alcoho also if the wood is not dark enough in color,

a stain diluted with alcohol can be applied over t'ne wax,

which will pive a darker color. This cn te easily re-

moved it does riot penetrate tne wood. The nicer color-

ings were obtained by the combination of two or niore dyes.

Dyes were used with oil paints but the procees was slow

and unstiefactory. When the wood dye that was mixed

with the oil paint was applied it was be8utiful in color-

Ing but when exposed to the sunlight the colors faded and

nothing remained but a dingy white. Other pieces that

were stained with t wood dyes were exposed to the sun-

light for two days, and the piece stained with light

mahogany wood dye that had been diluted with denatured

alcohol was found to have faded to a considerable extent

while the others which were silver gray and brown remain-

ed unchanged.

Both the fir and oak woods for these samples were

(5)

kiln dried and air dried for a year. The air dried wood

18 preferable to the kiln dried as it is riot so likely to

warp out of shape and the texture is of very much Letter

quality. The fir wood absorbs the stain more readily

thym the oak, however, the harder parts of both do Liot

absorb stain to any great extent. In the fir the tor4e of

the color ws influenced by the hard grained parte that

failed to abrorb the stains. The fir that is sawed edge

grained takes the stain much nore evenly but does not 6how

the variations in tones. It is flat and has iore nearly

the appearance of oak or other hard woods. The lighter

stains on the oak are influenced by the gray coloring in

the wood.

In the use of dye, the flat wood finish is not entire-

ly estief2.ctory on fir 's the fir yellows with age. To

secure a smooth polished eurfce the wood should be shel-

laced and polished from five to fifteen times uefore it

is waxed. These finishes act as a preservitive to te

wood. The oak for its gray coloring and hardness is pre-

ferable to fir ut taking into consideration the fact that

it costa about twice as much as fir, fir is excellent.

The wall surfaces are represented here with Beaver

board and water color paper wnlch are to form the color

harmonies with the stained woods.

(6)

The following tables give the colore for the stained

woods, combinations if two or nore wood dyes are used,

and suggested harmonious colorings for the walls.

Set I..

Set II.

Set III.

et IV.

Set V.

Set VI.

Set VII.

Set VIII.

C '-s

STAIIED OODS.

Light brown

Ledium brown

Browns

Orange to red

Medium red

Dark red

Gray

Grayed green

Gr e en

Set X. Mcellaneous

WALL COLORS

Set I. Red

Set II. Blue

Set III. Creen

Set IV. Yellow to orange

Set V. Grys

- -7-

ST I. WOOD DYES: LIGHT BROWN.

). P]at wood finish.

This harmonizes with ai) the sets, the )ight colora

being perferabJe.

Co)or for wails.

Wail color. Set I. No. 3. delicate pink.

" I, Set I. .No. 3. pink and Rreen flowered.

Is 'I Set II. No. 4. light blue.

'g Set III. No. 3. grayed yellow green.

Is Set III. No. . grayed green.

N I Set IV. 1'o. 3. grayed yellow.

Set IV. 1o. 4. light orange.

2. Wood dye: Fumed oak.

Wall color. 3et I. No. 3. de]icate pink.

N Is Set I. No. 3. pink and green flowered.

N W Set II. No. 4. 3 ight blue.

I. IS Set III. No. 3. grayed yellow green.

I, II Set III. No. 5. grayed green.

I. Set IV. No. 3. grayed yellow.

'I W IV. No. 4. light grayed orange.

3. Wood dye; 3 ight oak.

Wall color. Set I. No. 6. red flowered paper.

I. I Set II. No. 4. light blue (grayed).

0 N Set II. tio. 5. gray blue.

-8-

Wall color. Set III. No. 7. blue green.

Set III. :o. 8. grayed green.

Set III. No. 9. grayed green (leaves).

Set IV. No. 6. gray orange.

Set IV. No. 7. golden brown.

IS Set IV. No. 8. green brown.

Set V. Ho. 7. blue gray.

Set V. fio. 3. yellow gray.

fumed oak.

4. Wood dyes combined ( light oak.

( brown f) em i sh oak.

Wall color. Set I. No. ô. red flowered paper.

Set III. No. 7. blue green.

't 't Set III o. 3. grayed green.

" Set IV. No. 7. golden orown.

fumed oak.

5. Wood dyes combined fumed oak.

6. Wood dye: Mission oak.

Wall o]or. Set I. No. 6. red flowered paper.

Set III. No. 7. blue green.

Set III. No. 8. grayed green.

't Set IV. o. 7. golden brown.

STET II. WOCT) DYS: MEDIUM BROWN.

I. Wood dye: dark oak.

-9-

2. Wood dyes combined: fumed and flemish oaks.

3. Wood djes comined: fumed and weathered oaks.

4. "load dye: arly English.

WAT.L COLORS OR 3, 2, 3, 4.

Wall color. Set IV. No. 8. green brown.

Set IV. No. 10. brown.

Set IV. No. 12. lavender brown. 'I U Set IV. No. 13. dark brown.

5. Wood dye: Nission Oak.

Wall col or. Set IV. No. 13. dark browu.

Set IV. 1o. 14. brown (flowered). I' Set IV. No. 35. extra dark brown.

6. Wood dye: brown flemish oak.

Wall color. Set IV. No. 13. dark brown.

Set IV. ko. 14. flowered brown.

'I Set IV. No. 15. extra dark brown.

ST III. WOOD DYES: BROWNS.

3. Wood dyes combined: fumed, flemish and dark oaks;

dark mahogany.

Wall color. Set IV. No. 9. green tan. U Set IV. No. 10. brown.

n u Set IV. No. 11.. grayed brown.

-30-

'JaIl color. 'et IV. No. 32. lavender brown.

Set IV. No. 13. dark 'orown.

" Set IV. No. 34. brown (flowered).

Set IV. 110. 15. extra dark brown.

2. Wood dyes comoir'ed: dark and flemish oaks; dark

mahogany.

3. Wood dyes cbined: same a8 ti. only darker.

Wall color. Set IV. No. 9. green tan.

Set IV. No. JO. brown.

Set IV. No. 11. grayed brown.

Set IV. Io. 32. lavender brawn.

11 Set IV. .Io. 13. dark brown.

Set IV. No. 34. brown (flowered).

W H Set IV. No. 15. extra dark brown.

4. Wood dyes combined: light mahogany and mission oak.

5. Wood dyes combined: light mahogany, light and weather-

ed oaks.

. Wood dyes comoined: I ight maflogany, I ight and fI emish

oaks.

Vía)) color. Set IV. No. 10. brown.

s. ts Set IV. No. II. grayed 'o:own.

t,

" 1et IV. i'). 12, laven'ier brown.

-13e

Wall color. Set IV. No. 13. aark orown.

H Set IV. Io. 14. brown (flowered).

Set IV. No. i. extra dark orown.

SET IV. ORMIG TO R (MAnOGMTY).

i. Wood dye: extra dark mahogany, ai)uted.

2. IVood dye: light marlognay, diluted.

Color Tor walls. Wail color. Set I. No. 4. oraxge pink.

'I If Set II. No. 4. light blue' (grayed). .4 " Set III. No. 5 to 9, in set of green is

harmon ous.

3. Wood dyes combined: i ight oak and i icht mahogany.

4. Wood dyes combined: 3 ight oak, I ight mahogany and

fumed oak.

5. Wood ayee combined: light mahogany and fumed oak.

6. Wood dyes combined: light mahogany, flemish oak and

light oak.

WALL "OLORS OR 3, 4, 5, 6.

Wall color. Set III. 1o. 3]. gray brown.

'I Set III. 1o. 10. gray brown.

-32-

Wai] co3or. Set V. No. 33. dark gray (flowered).

SET V. WOOD DYES: MEDIUM D (MAHOGAÌ'TY).

i. Wood dyes combined: fumed oak. ]ight oak and iight

mahogany.

2. Wood dye8 combined: i ight oak and i ight mahogany.

3. Sanie as No. 2, darker.

4. Same as No. 2. darker than No. 3.

. Wood dyes: mahogany.

6. Wood dyes ccbined: fumed oak and iight mahogany.

Color for wa]is.

Wa)] color. Set I. 1o. 6. red flowered paper.

Set II. )avender f]owered.

Set IV. No. )4. brown (flowered).

Set IV. No. 35. extra dark brown.

Set V. No. 13. dark gray (flowered).

SET VI. WOOD DYES: DARK BED (MAHOGANY).

3. Wood dyes: dark mahogany.

2. Wood dyes: 3 iht mahogany.

- 3-

3. Wood. dyes: extra dark mahogany.

4. Wood dyes: extra dark mahogany.

5. Wood dyes: extra dark mahogany.

The 3ighter ones were diluted 'vith alcohol.

WALL OLORS OR I 2, 3, 4, 5.

'Vail coior. et I. ìO. 6. red (flowered).

's 's Set I. No. 7. red.

H II Set I. No. 8. dark red.

H si Set II. lavender.

'I II Set III. No. 9. gray gren (leaves).

I' U Set III. No. 10. olive green.

" Set III. No. 11. extra dark green.

Set IV. No. 3). grayed brown.

Set IV. No. 12. lavender brown.

U '4 Set IV. No. 13. dark brown.

'4 Set IV. No. 14. brown (f3owerer').

'4 Set IV. No. 15. dark orown.

'4 Set V. No. 1 3. dark gray (f I owered)

ST VII. WOOD DYES: GR\Y.

J. Wood dyes: silver gray, waxed, silver gray applied

over the wax.

Wall c1or. Set II. lavender flowered paper.

Set II. No. -. light blue.

-14-

"ia]) co)or. flet II. No. 5. gray b)ue. N 0$ et IV. No. 3. grayed yeflow.

" s, Set PT. No. 5. )ight grayed orange.

Is 's Set IV. fO. b. green brown.

s, u Set T. No. 3. green lavender gray.

t, " Set V, No. 4. lavender gray.

Set y. ro. 6. blue gray.

Set V. fo. 7. blue gray.

2. 1TTood dyes: silver gray (darker).

3. Vfood dyes combined: silver ray and f] ernish oak.

WALL COLORS FOR 2 and 3.

Via]] color. Set II. lavender and red flowered paper.

II t Set II. No. 4. 1 ight blue. " s' Set II. :o. 5. gray blue. 's s Set IV. No. 3. grayed yellow.

's si Set IV. No. 5. I ight gray orange.

t, 'I Set IV. 6. gray orange.

Is H Set IV. No. 7. golden brown.

It It Set V. No. 4. lavender gray.

't II Set V. :r:o. 7. blue gray.

'I I Set 110. 13. dark gray (flowered). f, ft Set V. No. 14. dark gray.

4. Wood dye: weathered oc.

'7a3] co) or. 'et I. Lo. 2. pink striped. 'I I Set II. ITo. J . blue striped. II H Set II. 1:0. 2. lavender bLie.

1 $ Set II. ::o. 4. i-ht b]e. u SI Set III. No. 2. Light green (grayed). 'I I Set 1V. No. 3. grayed yeflovv.

K ti Set 1V. No. 5. 1iht grayed orange.

'I ti Set pr :o. 8. green orown.

;; $ Set V. i:o. 2. orange gray. , ft Set V. No. 3. green lavender gray.

* I Set V. 1o. 4. lavender gray.

" ret V. ITo. b. b)ue gray.

et V. No. 7. b]ue gray.

Set V. No. fl. green gray. u Set V. No. 32. green gray.

5. 7ood dye: f3ernish oak. (diLited).

1Va]] coior. riet I. ]o. 1. de)icate pink. 1 I Set I. No. 4. orange.

s. H Set I. No. 6. red (flowered). 's i 'et II. 1.0. 5. gray o1ue.

h U 3et IV. Lo. 5. 3 ight grì.yed orange. 'I S Set Iv. No. 8. gren brown.

'I I et IV. Lo. 9. gren t.fl.

1 U Set IV. o. fl. grayed brown.

'I $ Set IV. No. 32. gr.yed brown.

u $ Set IV. o. 14. flowered brown.

-36-

Wa3i coior. Set V. i'o. 6. b]ue gray.

Il II Set V. No. 7. b]ue gray.

N Set V. No. 8. ye]low gray.

t' N Set V. No. 9. yeflow gray.

'I N Set V. Ì1o. 30. orown gray.

'I N Set V. No. 32. green gray.

6. 1ood dye: f3emish oak.

Wa]] color. Set IV. No. 6. gray orange.

's N Set IV. o. 8. green brown.

Set IV. J.o. 34. brown (Í]owered).

N Set IV. No. 15. extra dark brown.

N N Set V. ie harmonoue.

SET VIII. WOOD DYES: GRAYD GREEN.

3. Wocd dyes combined: 3ight and flemish oak.

Wa]] coioj. Set II. No. 4. ]ight b)ue (grayed).

N Set III. No. 3. grayed green ye)]ow.

N N Set III. NO. . grayed green.

'I N Set IV. No. 3. grayed yellow.

N a Set IV. No. 5. light grayed orange.

N I Set IV. No. 8. green Drown.

H N Set V. ro. 2. orange gray.

N N Set V. No. 6. b]ue gray.

N Set V, No. 7. blue gray.

N Set V. rto. 3. ye]3ow gray.

w Set V. No. 9. yel]ow gray.

-17-

Wa]1 color. Set V. No. U. green gray.

Set V. o. 32. green gray.

2. Wood dyes combined: bog green and fumed oak.

Wall color. Set IV. No. 3. grayed yellow.

s N Set IV. No. 5. light grayed orange.

N N bet IV. No. 8. green orown.

'I $ Set V. No. 8. yellow gray.

Is ' Set V. No. 33. dark gray (flowered).

3. Johnson's wood dye 324.

4. Wood dye combined: light and flemish Oaks.

. Wood dyes combined: bog oak, fumed and flemish oaks.

WALL COLORS FOR 3, 4, 5.

7a]l color. Set III. No. 3. grayed green yellow.

I Set III. No. 6. grayed green yellow.

N N Set III. No. ]O. olive green.

N II Set IV. No. 3. grayed yellow.

I. N Set IV. No. 8. green orown.

N Ib Set IV. ITo. 9. green tan.

" N Set IV. No, 3) . grayed brown.

t, N Set V. No. 33. dark gray (flowered).

6. Wood dye: bog oak.

-i 8-

Wa)1 color. et II. ITO. 4. iht Uue, grayed.

s, is Set III. No. 9. gray green (]eaved).

's s 3et III. No. 3]. extrn. dark green.

'g ,i Set IV. No. 4. orange yeflow.

ft t$ Set IV. No. 5. J ight grayed oranre.

'I II et IV. No. 6. 3 ight grayed orange.

'I Set IV. No. 8. green brown.

II II Set lIT. ITo. 34. 'orovm (flowered).

II It et IV. No. ). extra dark brown.

SET IX. GREEN.

3. Wood eyes combined: forest green, fumed and f]emish

oaks.

2. Wood dye: moss gr'en.

3. 1ood dye: forest green.

WALL OCLORS

Wail color. et III.

I, II Set III.

s, It Set IV.

4. '7ood dye: green w

Wail color. Set III.

'I II Set lEu.

II SI Set iiu.

II II Set I\

FOR

No.

N o.

IT o.

eath

No.

No.

No.

I o.

3,

6.

30.

8.

red

6.

30.

:ii.

8.

2, 3.

dark grayed yellow green.

o3ive green.

green brown.

oak.

dark grayed yellow green.

cUve green

extra dark green.

groen crown.

_1 (-_

5. 'Yood dye: bog oak.

6. Wood dyes combined: moss green and flemish oak.

WALL COLOR FOR 5 and 6.

Wall cö]or. Set III. No. 9. gray green eaves).

" Set III. No. ]O. o] Ive green.

H H Set III. ITo. J] extra dark green.

Set IV. o. 3. grayed yellow.

Set IV. ITo. 4. orange yellow.

Set IV. iTo. 5. J ight grayed orange.

Set IV. I;o. 6. gray orange.

Set IV. No. 7. go]den brown.

Set IV. No. 8. green brown.

Set V. lo. 33. dark gray (f]owered).

SET X. MISCJMTEOUS.

3. Wood ryes combined: weathered and light oaks.

Wa)] color. net I. jO. J. d.e)icate pink.

'I tt Set II. No. J. bJue (striped).

's 't Set II. No. 2. ]avender b)ue.

't t Set III. fo. 7. b]ue green.

s, ti Set III. 1o. 8. grayed green.

ft I Set III. ITo. 9. gray green (3 eaves).

t' tI Set IV. ITo. 3. grayed yellow.

I, II Set Iv. ITo. 5. J Ight grayed orange.

Set IV. ITo. 9. green tan.

- -

Wall co3or. Set IV. No. 33. grayed brown.

Set IV. No. 32. 3avender brown.

set V. io. 6. b)ue gray.

Set V. No. 7. b)ue gray. 0 Set V. No. 8. yellow gray.

Set V. No. 30. brown gray.

Set V. No. 33. green gray. O Set V. No. 32. green gray.

2. Wood dyes combined: f)eniish and og oaks; waxed, then

ei3ver gray over.

3. Wood dye: flemish oak.

4. Wood dyes combined: flemish and bog oaks.

WALL COLORS FOR 3, 2, 3.

Wall color. Set IV. No. 3. grayed yellow.

Set V. No. 3. )it gray.

Set V. No. 6. blue gray.

5. Wood dyes combined: mission, green weathered and

flemish oaks; waxed; silver gray.

Wail color. Set III. No. 8. dark grayed green. II II Set IV. 1o. 3. grayed yellow.

Set V. No. 7. blue gray.

-2]-

Via]) color. Set IT. :o. 13. dark gray (flowered).

I' H 'et V. Io. 34. dark gray.

6. '!od dye: ar)y Engiish.

'Va)) color. flet IV. No. 3. grayed y'3)ow.

Set IV. Io. 5. 3 ight grayed orane. It IS Set IV. o. 30. brown.

Set IV o. 33. dark 'crown.

7. Wood dyee combined: green weathered and flemish Oaks.

Wa]) color. Set I. No. 6. red (flowered).

SI SI Set III. No. 3],. extra dark green.

H It Set IV. No. I 3 1 gr}.t ye) i ow.

't SI Set IV. No. 2. yeflow.

'I SS Set IV. No. 3. grayed ye]]ow.

s, t' Set Iv. No. 4. orange ye])ow.

'I II Set IV. No. 5. light grayed ye)]ow.

'S If Set IV. No. 6. gray oran .' e. I, il Set IV. No. 7. golden brown.

.5 n Set IV. No. 8. green brown.

SI H Set V. 1o. 3, light gray.

Set V. No. 6. b)ue gray.

Set V. No. 7. blue gray.

Set V. No. 3). green gray.

H 11 Set y. No. 32. green gray.

8. Wood dyes combined: extra dark mahogany and f) emish

-22-

oak.

Wail color. et II. ]avender (f3owere). Set IV. No. 3). gray brown.

H Set IV. No. 32. lavender.

Set IV. No. 34. brown (flowered).

9. Wood dyee combined: mission and fumed oaks and

mahogan y.

Wa]] color. Set IV. No. 30. brown.

N Set IV. No. El. grayed brown.

's " Set V. No. 33. dark gray (flowered).

30. Wood dyes combined: light mahogany, ]lght oak and

silver gray.

Wa]) color. I, 's

Set III. No. 3. grayed yel)ow.

Set III. No. 30. brown.

(23).

In the coa or combinations given there are others that

are harmonious these being suggested ones; it varies as to

the choice of the indivic3ua). Neutra) wall coiorings are

excellent and the same is true of woodwork as both act as

a background for the contents of a room. ?owered waJJ

papers if strong in a variety of co'ors harmonize with

many colors in the stained woods. Ana)agous harmonies are

preferab)e in riìost interiors as the contrast is not o

noticeable. Comp) ement.ry tones may be succesfu)iy carried out in the furnishings.

To Profeosor Helen Bryce Brooks I am indebted for en-

ocuragement and my inspiration br the subject, "Color

Harmony and Design in Interior Decoration"; to Professor

Farley D. McLouth for his assistance in the interior desi

and color drawings and Mr. L. Eugene Robinson for his

asoistance in the staining of the woods.

EKM- R