Our reaction to color is almost instantaneous and has a profound impact on the choices we make everyday.
Below is a quick look at general responses to the color brown based on research, historical significance of color and word association studies. Different cultures react to colors differently.
For more information about color see
Sensational COLOR: Meaning, Symbolism & Psychology
Meaning of Brown
Brown says stability, reliability, and approachability. It is the color of our earth and is associated with all things natural or organic. Effect of Brown
How the color brown effects us physically and mentally
- a feeling of wholesomeness
- stability
- a connection with the earth
- a sense orderliness
Current Trends for the Color Brown
Both men and women are discovering how sophisticated brown tones can work as a wardrobe staple in the same way that they have always used black. For home the mid-tones are warm and inviting and the deeper tones rich and sensuous. Brown in all of its wonderful variations seen this season is elevated it to a new level. --Kate Smith of Sensational Color"People are tapping into the sensuality of brown. When you think of brown as stockings or foundation powder or dark roast coffee-you get the feeling of the richness of it and how warm and sensuous it can be" --Aimee Desrosiers of California Paints in an interview with HGTV
"Musings about neutrals rarely end in exclamation points. They're too safe, too recessive, too conventional. Not to worry. This season it's all about beautiful midtones and deep shades. Think cinnamon, gourmet chocolate, Turkish coffee. Think tortoiseshell. Think skin tones from ports around the world." --Sherwin-Williams
The green movement, this time meaning environmental rather than color, is affecting the color forecast. This movement's impact on color is expansive from the return of neutrals with linen, taupe and beige to materials like raffia, bamboo and exotic woods. -- From Home Accents Today
This look combines sensuous shapes with beautiful smoky colours, taking inspiration from contemporary designers influenced by the legacy of the Arts and Crafts Movement. The Still Live palette from Dulux.
The big news in color is brown. Yes, people, brown is the new black. Paired with baby pink and blue, rich jewel colors, or black and metallics, brown is really happening." --Nancy Bernard of Step Inside Design Magazine
Picture from Sherwin-Williams
More color trend information
Quotes About Brown
"The only color I don't have is navy brown." --Yogi Berra
"Moralistic is not moral. And as for truth -- well, it's like brown -- it's not in the spectrum. Truth is so generic." --Iris Murdoch
"God has a brown voice, as soft and full as beer." --Anne Sexton
"I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns." --Winston Churchill
More Quotes About Color
"Moralistic is not moral. And as for truth -- well, it's like brown -- it's not in the spectrum. Truth is so generic." --Iris Murdoch
"God has a brown voice, as soft and full as beer." --Anne Sexton
"I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns." --Winston Churchill
More Quotes About Color
The Language of Brown
brown sugar: partially refined sugar.
brown bagging: to bring a homemade packed lunch to work.
brown out: a partial loss of electrical power.
brownstone: a building made out of dark colored sandstone.
in a brown study: describing someone as being in deep thought.
brown bagging: to bring a homemade packed lunch to work.
brown out: a partial loss of electrical power.
brownstone: a building made out of dark colored sandstone.
in a brown study: describing someone as being in deep thought.
Brown as a Brand Identity: UPS
Founded in 1907 (six years before the U.S.Postal Service) UPS has grown from a messenger service to a worldwide delivery service recognized for excellent service and identified by the color brown.Initially founder James E. Casey's employees delivered the messages on foot, then made some deliveries via motorcycle and later purchased model-T Fords for package delivery. The vehicles were painted different colors so the public would see that they had a fleet rather than just one car.
In 1916 Charlie Soderstrom joined UPS and selected brown for their uniforms and delivery vehicles. He chose a hue of brown that was similar to "the color used on Pullman rail cars because the color reflected class, elegance, and professionalism - and dirt is less visible on brown uniforms and vehicles," according to UPS. By 1929 the color brown that is still used today was adopted across the company.
UPS has recently gone one step further in "owning their color" than most companies by incorporating it into their slogan "What can brown do for you?".
Interesting to me was that while the public had recognized brown as a trademark of UPS it wasn't until 1998 that UPS actually registered official trademarks on the color brown to prevent other delivery service companies from using their signature color.
To read more about the history of UPS visit their corporate website.
More on the use of color for business success
A Taste of Brown
Art, Science, History and Romance of Chocolate--Nantucket Chocolatier's Lengends & Lore
Tasting coffee is an art form. To detect the most amount of flavor from the coffee bean, it must be tasted properly. Coffee tasting works much like wine tasting. As in wine tasting, coffee tasting has special terms, used to describe the taste of coffee and to find the perfect balance. -- Passion for Coffee
Dark beer offers some of the same heart-healthy benefits as chocolate and red wine, according too a new study.--Realbeer.com
Whole-wheat bread is made from the entire wheat kernel, including bran and germ.--Delicious Living magazine
The Scent of Brown
Chocolate was the original scent of the brown colored Magic Scents Crayons from Binney & Smith Inc. introduced in 1994 with mostly food scents. There were numerous reports that children were eating the food-scented crayons, so the food scents were retired and replaced with non-food scents. The scent for the color brown became "dirt"
Nutmeg: A spicy scent, smells just like fresh ground Nutmeg. A great Holiday scent, very yummy. Aromatherapy benefits: Rejuvenating, uplifting, energizing.
Almond: Smells like Almond extract. A nutty almond, scent. Wonderful and light. Aromatherapy benefit. Anchoring, and strengthening.--Scent it.com
Nutmeg: A spicy scent, smells just like fresh ground Nutmeg. A great Holiday scent, very yummy. Aromatherapy benefits: Rejuvenating, uplifting, energizing.
Almond: Smells like Almond extract. A nutty almond, scent. Wonderful and light. Aromatherapy benefit. Anchoring, and strengthening.--Scent it.com
Brown in the Garden
Brown is considered a neutral color in landscape design and is often used a background color. It's appearance helps to showcase other colors in the garden.
Brown can add depth to a small garden. It can also be used to showcase paticular areas of a larger garden.
Brown can add depth to a small garden. It can also be used to showcase paticular areas of a larger garden.
- Chocolate Brown Flowers
- The popularity of chocolate brown continues for fashion and home but who would have anticipated the growing popularity of brown as a color for flowers?
Songs with Brown in the Title
- To See the Entire List- Click Here
- * "Another Brown World" [i] by Coil on Unnatural History II
* "Big, Bad Leroy Brown" by Jim Croce
* "Big Brown City" by Lynn Miles
* "Black, Brown and White" by Big Bill Broonzy
* "A Boat Like Gideon Brown" by Great Big Sea
* "Bobbie Brown Goes Down" by Frank Zappa on Sheik Yerbouti
* "Bring Back That Leroy Brown" by Queen on Sheer Heart Attack
* "Brown Eyed Girl" by Lagwagon
* "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison on Blowin' Your Mind!
* "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" by Chuck Berry
* "Brown Eyed Pickle Boy" by Tripping Daisy
* "Brown Hat/Tam Lin/The Night" by Einstein's Little Homunculus
* "Brown Sugar" by The Rolling Stones on Sticky Fingers
What the Color Vehicle You Drive Says About You
There is no question that the vehicle you drive is an extension of your personality --an unspoken, but clear message to the rest of the world.
The message you send by driving a vehicle that is Brown: Down-to-earth, no nonsense.
If however your vehicle is a Tan or Taupe you give a different impression: Timeless, basic and simple tastes.
From The Color Answer Book by Leatrice Eiseman
Read article Color: A Great Reason to Buy A New Car!
The message you send by driving a vehicle that is Brown: Down-to-earth, no nonsense.
If however your vehicle is a Tan or Taupe you give a different impression: Timeless, basic and simple tastes.
From The Color Answer Book by Leatrice Eiseman
Read article Color: A Great Reason to Buy A New Car!
Are You a Fan of the Color Brown?
Show Your Affinity for the Color Brown
Soft Tone is the fanlisting for the color brown."A fanlisting is a place for all fans of a particular show, movie, actor, actress, singer, etc. to come together and build the biggest listing of people from all around the world who are fans of that subject."
Brown Gets Blogged
- Color Trends: The Sensual Appeal of Brown
- Brown has become an important color for fashion and home. Both men and women are discovering...
- Brown No Longer Politically Correct
- While brown remains popular for fashion and home decor it may be deemed inappropriate as a name for a Univeristy...
- One Hair Color Does Fit All
- Our hair is the ultimate accessory and as our taste in fashion colors change...
Sensational Color Pro Kate Smith's blog
Color Secrets Revealed by an Industry Expert
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