From Susan’s recent Feature
in Arthritis
Today
EVER NOTICE HOW RELAXED YOU ARE AT THE
BEACH? Could it be the ocean air or the soft sand between
your toes? Some would say it is the calming colors of the
sandy shore and blue ocean. “We all have emotional
responses to color, so colors can serve as tools you can
use to help you feel better,” says Susan Pike, a color
consultant and decorator in Chatham, Mass., who works with
clients who have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
Pike credits the change in décor to softer beiges and
whites for the physical improvement of her clients
When choosing colors for your home, consider serene colors
that sooth the mind. “Cottony colors, like off whites and
beiges, are universal calming colors,” says Pike. She also
recommends clear blues and grass greens. Avoid stronger
shades if you have arthritis, like oranges, reds and
yellows, which can be too intense for bedrooms and other
places where you’re looking to relax. “If you really like
certain colors, then look for softer versions of it,” Pike
suggests. A more subtle hue, like terracotta, or soft ochre
may still provide the tranquility you need.
by Lisa Milbrand for Arthritis TodaySept/Oct.
2005
© 2009 ColorBySusan.com