Discover Your Color Story: Harnessing Color To Share Your Story And Change Your Life

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Momma Told Me: Color moves people.

It's no secret that I'm drawn to color in the same way someone newly engaged can't take their eyes off a new ring. To me color is much more than a preference, it's a state of being, a current mood, a reflection of the person which chooses to surround themselves by it. I've been this way my whole life. In fact, my best friend from high school used to refer to it as 'barfing colors'. A crude way of saying that I was always the teenager at the bus stop with the neon backpack, and even hair. Whenever I felt restless in work, school, or my home life I'd change things up by playing with the colors of my makeup, wardrobe, or decor. I've since been inspired further by Change Your Home, Change Your Life™ with Color by Moll Anderson.

There's no doubt in my mind that color is transforming- but my color 'chakra' is kind of a mess. Ask me my favorite color from one year to the next and it's not only very specific (Cerulean Green, Orchid Purple), it's also ever changing. I always took this to mean I simply loved color.

When I recently heard about the new Change Your Home, Change Your Life™ with Color by Moll Anderson, being released for sale at retailers such as Target and online through retailers such as Amazon on March 14, 2017, I figured the book had to be written for me. After all, I'm just the sort of person who spots a pop of color from across the home decor aisle when shopping. However, Change Your Home, Change Your Life™ with Color is much more than a 'transformation' book intended to whirlwind your life with the mere introduction of a 'spirit' color. It's actually a practical look at the power of color introduction which helps readers identify their own personal color story and identify organic methods to incorporate these colors into everything from one's wardrobe to the office and bedroom decor.

Why would someone like me be interested in a coffee table book designed to explore the power of color when I already seem to embrace it whole-heartedly? It's simple, Change Your Home, Change Your Life™ with Color as just about empowering those living in their color comfort zone to step outside as it is about helping those embracing color identify their primary focus, and how to harness that story to uplift, re-shape, and explore beyond the color itself. Moll Anderson, the accomplished author, television, and radio host, is known for her acute eye for design and ho she inspires design through personal exploration and inspiring contemplation. Her latest book, Change Your Home, Change Your Life™ with Color encourages a unique color journey through journaling and introspective questions, as well as a deep break down of the emotional impact each color has on an individual and space.

Of course, I was equally inspired by the many amazing ideas to incorporate these colors into my home and work space. The concept of 'pops' of color was one echoed throughout the pages, a virtual Pinterest of color-coded design ideas and inspiration. The timing couldn't be more perfect as we are still moving into our first home, and filling out a space over 4 times the square feet we had in our condo! In fact, we decided immediately upon moving in that each room would have a 'color mood', as we lie to call it, and have been spending the past few weeks building the color story of each individual room.

I've discovered, while I am drawn to pretty much any color if it is vibrant, or has a compelling depth, I do not find the presence of multiple colors in my home environment very grounding. Call it the Type A in me, but I'll wear a rainbow any day so long as I don't come home to a living room that resembles a color bomb. As I learned in reading Change Your Home, Change Your Life™ with Color this may be due, in part, to the innate need to ground ones self through color identification, and the strong impact color has when one's eye is drawn to linger on it. Color 'coding' our rooms has not only helped me find my own design style, it also makes the 'hunt' for new decor and accents a little more exciting. Jay and I love to play a bit of a game picking out items that catch out eye based on color- it requires us to consider styles and items we never would have taken a second glance at before.

Similarly, my transforming exploration of color has involved the exploration of various color associated emotions, and their origins. Moll Anderson asks some introspective questions that truly made me stop and focus on the start of my feelings towards various colors, and how I could better harness the positive impressions of various colors to better impact my life through design.

For example, I realized my dislike for pastels stems from early memories of Momma in the hospital. I remember the very sterile sights and smells were associated with a drab array of pastel decor and pale green scrubs. While the intent was to ground and calm those walking the halls and waiting in the rooms, it struck me as an absence of life and joy that has deeply resonated within me in the lifetime since.

I also discovered, contrary to my own belief that hot pink was my favorite color, yellow is my most associated and comforting hue. Moll Anderson cites that the color yellow is invigorating, uplifting, refreshing, and happy. Pretty much everything I find myself reaching for during the trials of life. But, of course, there are many shades of yellow and each end of the spectrum can hold different intent.

In my life, through the past several years, I've come a long way to cast out the ambiguity of my own life and really focus on that which is good. While I still strive towards large goals, I rejoice in small triumphs, as well as find a new appreciation for life's smaller things. The color yellow is reflective- both of literal light on surfaces and emotionally. Creamier shades function as practical neutrals, while deeper shades help add a timeless warmth and elegance to any space. In general, my color helps release cheerful, positive energy that is infectious and hard to turn away from.

With this in mind, I decided to embrace my newfound color and take on a dramatic wall art project that will truly help to occupy the vast white walls of my new home, while providing a welcoming image of warmth and cheer to all who enter. I'll admit, choosing a shade of yellow for such a large focal point project seemed a bit intimidating at first. I wanted to go bright, but I also wanted a richness that conveyed a maturity and understanding of the color's power. Which of the hues above do you think you could embrace most?

Change Your Home, Change Your Life™ with Color by Moll Anderson has truly helped me mature in my appreciation and understanding of color. The more I understand how I allow color to impact me, the more empowered I feel to introduce it into all aspects of my life. I may even give color mixing a shot- and that's saying a lot to a girl who doesn't like her colors migrating from one room to the next! Want to learn more about discovering your own Color Story? Follow Moll Anderson on Pinterest and Twitter, and check back HERE on the blog later this month to see the unveiling of my one-of-a-kind color project! Now, take a moment to think and tell me about the color you first associate with a memory, and a little about that memory!

What Daughter Says: Your color story is more than your favorite color- it's a serious of emotions you choose to surround yourself with, stemming from a singular, or collective, experience which continues on throughout your life.