The Power Of Color And How We Formulate Each One at Abner Henry
- October 12, 2021
It’s as limitless as your imagination.
Color is simply light, and the way it registers into our brain. Light is reflected by objects in our world in different wavelength combinations, and our brain translates this into what we now know as color. As babies, we begin to see the world in black and white, and it is only later on that red comes into the mix. As we develop, we’re able to process the entire spectrum—without even necessarily knowing what each color is. Knowing what blue from green is or what red from orange is a learned behavior. It is scientifically studied that certain cultures unfamiliar with the traditional color wheel process color a different way. It has even been discovered that some cultures are unable to distinguish specific colors from each other due to the lack of words to distinguish them, or even have the ability to distinguish certain shades of colors from each other absolutely because they have separate names for these colors.
In fact, the rainbow is not the seven colors as we know it from kindergarten but a singular spectrum of light. It was once only divided into five colors: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple. It is only until Isaac Newton, thanks to his fascination for how Red and Yellow blend together, that we have Orange and the differences he saw between the Blues that we now recognize Indigo as part of it.
Color has such an incredible breadth of studies, including those that are physiological. It has been studied that we are more likely to see brighter colors when we are happy than when we are sad and that certain colors can evoke different emotions in us.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOR
Pablo Picasso once said that ”Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.” Similarly, it is also widely believed that emotions follow changes in colors as well.
Think about your favorite hue. Do you know why it has become your favorite? We usually pick or prefer colors because of their association with things we love. For example, one who favors the color blue will likely love the ocean. Or, they might adore the shade because it reminds them of a particularly beautiful day. People who love green tend to love nature, and those who love yellow may love the sun. We strongly associate colors with things, and we do the same with emotions as well.
As color is deeply personal, each person can have different feelings about the same color. You may have heard the phrase: “I’m feeling a bit blue,” and this is because the cool tones in
blue can sometimes represent sadness or that lackluster feeling. Some people may feel bogged down by the color blue. However, this shade can actually represent a state of calm and
self-reflection for some. Understanding how we process each color emotionally can help us choose which colors to surround ourselves with.
On the other end of the spectrum are warm tones. These colors attract energy. They’re buzzing with life and tend to get you moving. Red, for example, is a color of power, and simply wearing it
or being around it can uplift your mood and increase your chances of success thanks to the mindset it encourages.
COLOR AND YOUR HOME
We spend a lot of time in our homes and all the other spaces we inhabit. It is only fitting for us to take our time considering the colors we choose to surround ourselves with.
Take your time to think about how each color makes you feel and what colors you’d like to see most often and when.
You may prefer to see calming blues in the bedroom, and more vibrant reds in the living room. It all boils down to your personal connections with these shades.
ABNER HENRY COLOR
Here at Abner Henry, we firmly believe that colors go beyond being merely strands of light. They’re a way to express yourself, to tell people how you’re feeling or who you are. Colors have the ability to set the mood: they can give you energy or bring you peace. They can affect your emotions, making you feel joy, excitement, calmness, or strength. Color is a powerful thing—and that’s why we care so much about it.
We’re also very aware of all its nuances, that’s why we’re very thoughtful about our colors, and no color here at Abner Henry is as simple as it looks. We aim for richness and depth, blending multiple layers together and allowing the colors to take on a new dimension. Each blend of pigments tells a different story, a story we would love to tell with you.
We’re inviting you to consider new possibilities as we show you how color can bring your space to life and all the different ways we can formulate colors that would speak to you. We want to make sure you’re going to be in love with each piece you take home and with all the options we offer to truly make you believe that the power of color is really as limitless as your imagination.
In this article, we’ll take you through each of the different color finishes we can do here at Abner Henry and tell you what it can do for you.
Wood Finishes
We can create traditional colors and finishes similar to what is widely available, but the way we develop shades is very different. We know that pieces do not always have to go through physical distressing to give them character. Sometimes, it all boils down to how it is finished, working with what the piece calls for. We work in multiple layers for color, sometimes going through up to 20 steps, playing with different pigments to achieve a multidimensional finish. This results in the richest wood tones, with colors so deep and layered that you can truly see into the piece and be able to tell a story with it in your home.
The Howell Nightstand may be simple, but its rich, multi-dimensional coloring gives it an elevated look.
Hand-Painted and Faux Finishes
Each Abner Henry piece is a work of art, carefully and expertly handcrafted by artisans. This means that no two Abner Henry pieces are exactly alike, and no one will ever have the same piece as you do—likening the owning of furniture to that of owning one-of-a-kind pieces of art. We value craftsmanship, and we carefully and thoughtfully create each piece, resulting in a beauty that cannot be duplicated.
Faux Finishes
Faux finishing is a color technique wherein the finish mimics another material, such as gold tipping or marbling. It is a way to add texture and dimension to a piece and definitely adds character. Here are just some of the faux finishes we can achieve at Abner Henry:
Gold Tipping
Gold tipping is a finishing process wherein intricate appliques are accentuated with gold paint in order to achieve a luxurious, regal finish.
The transitional design of the Brompton Nightstand is made even more regal with gold-tipped accents.
FAUX METALS
Faux Metals is the use of gold leaf or silver leaf to create faux gold or silver metallic finishes on different materials, often that of wood, copper, or steel. This method adds a subtle elegance to your furniture pieces, uplifting and elevating the feel of any room. It’s not a table; it’s a work of art. The Fontana Table is beautifully decked out in gold leaf.
ANTIQUING
This is the art of aging a piece through a combination of glazes and paint, sometimes without the need for physical distressing. Aged pieces can give character to the room, giving it a homier, more comfortable and lived-in atmosphere.
The Prairie Dresser has a particularly antique feel despite being brand new.
MARBLING
Marbling is a technique wherein surfaces are painted, very often by hand, to make other materials look like real marble. This technique can bring class and a modern elegance to spaces. Marblings with bright bases make for very uplifting spaces.
AGATE
Similar to marbling, this is a hand painting technique that can be used to create a finish that would look similar to agate. It can be done in multiple colors and these small details can add personality to piece.
DYED FINISHES
Let the natural beauty of your chosen wood shine through with a dyed finish. Apart from the wood-toned dye, Abner Henry uses stunning colors such as Electric Gray and Titanic Blue to create show-stopping, multidimensional pieces. These unique colors transform your piece of furniture into something out of the ordinary, making it a creative way to infuse color into your space.
DYEING MAPLE
One of our favorite bases to work with, Maple is a sturdy choice of wood and, as a species, has the best characteristics for dyed finishes. Curly maple, or tiger maple, in particular, allows the dye to settle deep into the softest parts of the wood, creating deep and contrasting stripes that create an intense depth. The natural beauty of the wood shines through in a deep way, making it an instant conversation piece.
THE CLASSIC COLORS
These are the colors you simply cannot go wrong with. Simple, but striking:
Greys
A modern choice, grey dyes can help add sleekness to a piece. It is popular for those who favor the industrial design or have more of a monochromatic palette but still wish to incorporate natural wooden elements into their home’s design.
The Kaslar Chest of Drawers is an elegant, dark grey finished curly maple masterpiece.
BLACKS
Sleek and striking, black dyes lend a mysterious and luxurious air to pieces of furniture. Extremely modern and equally popular for traditional and industrial style homes, black is a classic finish you just can’t go wrong with.
The Marlowe Dresser is extremely elegant with a bold black finish that beautifully contrasts with its stainless steel hardware.
WHITES
A breath of fresh air, white-dyed wooden pieces can make your spaces feel brighter and lighter in an instant.
The Roulant Bed is finished in Artic Bone—a beautiful way to highlight the curly grain of the maple.
Blues
Showing off just a hint of personality, blues, especially in the navy category, can look especially elegant. A deep blue can make your piece feel regal, and elevate your space effortlessly. Lighter, baby blues can add a touch of softness in your space, and bring you a sense of calmness and peace.
The six drawer Lockwood Dresser is a beautiful piece in the softest, most subtle shade of blue.
Reds
Red dyes can range from classic cherries to statement-making rouges. It is great for accents and adding a dash of spice. No matter what color in the spectrum you choose, red-dyed furniture can be stunning and energy-inviting pieces in your home.
Nothing short of stunning, the Lacona Chest is a statement-making red piece. Truly a centerpiece-worthy investment.
TREND-DRIVEN COLORS
Here are some more colors you can try to experiment with:
GREENS
A coveted design color as of late, deep emerald green dyes can turn pieces into true works of art. Particularly elegant and does well with gold tipping, green dyes can be an attractive option for your home, inviting emotions such as calmness and positivity into your space.
ORANGES
A trendy color reminiscent of the ‘60s era, orange dyes can breathe life into a piece, injecting it with fun and personality. A highly stimulating color, it can increase the appetite, making it a popular choice for dining areas.
YELLOWS
Another trendy color that harks from the ‘60s, yellow-dyed furniture can easily brighten up your space. Symbolizing light and happiness, it’s perfect for living spaces and children’s rooms. It proves to be an instant mood booster.
TEXTURED FINISHES
Color and texture combine and work together to create something unique. Both visual and tactile, textured finishes breathe life into pieces, allowing them to tell powerful stories. A piece’s texture can change its mood entirely. While natural wood grains have an inherently rich and beautiful texture, the proper techniques can give wood a truly unique appearance, one that is only enhanced by thoughtfully chosen stains and finishes.
The Reese Chair features a beautifully textured Red Oak. The texture enhances the wood’s coloring, elevating this piece and making it all the more elegant.
COLOR & TEXTURE
Abner Henry creates texture in a lot of different ways, enhancing what’s natural with other brushing and distressing techniques. The perfect texture can take colors up to a new level. Here are a few of them you may like to work with:
WIRE BRUSHING
Wire brushing deepens the pores of the wood grain, exposing the wood by taking out the softwood and leaving the hardwood. This allows you to see more of the wood’s natural highs and lows, which is beautifully accentuated once the paint is applied.
DISTRESSING
Add character to your furniture through distressing. It is a process of beating up the wood with a stone or a chain, giving the wood a used or worn feel.
HAND-PLAINING
Another way of adding texture, hand-plaining is simply taking a hand-plain and going over the entire surface with it. It’s an art of purposefully doing an uneven job, in order to get that coveted antique or rustic feel.
CREATING WITH COLOR
Are you ready to start creating with color? Let Abner Henry become a playground for your imagination. We house our own manufacturing facility, finishing rooms, and color laboratory, in order to bring only the finest resources to your fingertips. With Abner Henry, you can create your dream one-of-a-kind piece of furniture.
ABNER HENRY ONLINE
We have a wide selection of finishes, all available online at our website for your appreciation. This is the best place to start. Browse through all the colors and allow your imagination to run free, or narrow your search down by browsing by species or color tone.
PHYSICAL SAMPLING
Did you find a few finishes you like? Request some samples from us. There’s nothing like seeing a finish’s beauty in person, and seeing how they blend with your space and make you feel. We’ll be happy to send your selection over to help you choose what works best for you.
COLOR MATCHING
Do you have a finish or paint color you’re in love with? Send us the sample for color matching and we’ll send back our colors to you for your approval. Your satisfaction is our highest priority.
SIGN UP AS A DESIGNER
Abner Henry designers get special privileges. Sign up as a designer and we’ll send you catalogs and a color ring with 30 of our most popular finishes. We hope this helps kick start your creative process with us.
