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In this section, you will find articles about the use of color within various industries. Click to subscribe to our Color Articles feed in your newsreader.

Thanksgiving Colors and Traditions: A Celebration of Warmth and Gratitude

Date: 2012-11-19 10:11:47, By: ColorCombos

Ask any school child where the custom for our American Thanksgiving celebration began, and the answer will be "from the Pilgrims of Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts." It is an established fact that in 1621, a group of 90 Wampanoag Native Americans joined with this fledgling British colony to celebrate the goodness of God in allowing them their first successful harvest. For three days that fall, food and sport were the main attractions. Grateful hearts and songs were raised by the New World settlers.

While Florida, Maine, Texas and Virginia have all laid claim to earlier Thanksgiving services, our familiar images of that first celebration are drawn from the Pilgrim experience as it was immortalized in a letter sent to England by Edward Winslow. In any case, in 1941, Congress permanently established the fourth Thursday in November as a day to celebrate our many blessings.

For most Americans, Thanksgiving is also a celebration of the wonderful, warm colors and aromas of autumn. Brown is the dominant color. Think of golden brown turkeys roasting in ovens across the nation and browned breads slathered with melting butter. Brown, especially rich chocolate, is also a popular decorating color. While grays are currently gaining in appeal, browns can be very inviting as a neutral, calming backdrop to the other warm colors in the fall palette.

Tags: Thanksgiving, history, Pilgrims, autumn colors, traditions, decorations, gratitude, festive ambiance, harvest, fall, celebration

Fall Decorating Ideas: Bring Autumn's Warmth and Vibrancy Indoors

Date: 2012-10-15 12:10:24, By: ColorCombos

The transition from summer to fall is as much a change of attitude as it is one of appearances. School and other activities re-start. The air becomes cooler and crisper, and Mother Nature brings out her vibrant palette of deep golds, burnished coppers, yellows and rusty reds. Most people just can't help feeling both invigorated and comforted by the predictable changes. Why leave all those lovely colors outside? Why not bring them indoors and enjoy them throughout the house?

Adding temporary fall colors to your home is especially easy if you already have a neutral theme going on inside, but you can incorporate a touch of autumn into almost any color scheme. Bring in some faux greenery such as forest green leaves, golden gourds, orange pumpkins, multi-colored flowers, bushes, vines and interesting branches with bright-red berries. A colorful bouquet in the foyer will welcome visitors and immediately convey the friendly ambiance of your home. Perch other autumn arrangements on the fireplace mantle, on high furniture, on side tables or even in light fixtures. How about a creative fall centerpiece for your dining-room table? For the kitchen, put out bowls of mini-pumpkins, charming little gourds, fresh vegetables, oranges and lush red apples. Don't forget to hang a welcoming fall wreath on your front door. Buy a pre-made one or design your own from artificial flowers, fruit, pine cones or any other variety of nature's bounty.

This is the perfect time to pull out a cozy throw for the sofa or your favorite reading chair. Some pillows in solid cranberry red, velvety gold, rich chocolate and deep green will provide supporting accents. If your decor allows, add a pillow or two in one of the familiar autumn patterns. You may want to consider temporarily replacing some of your wall art with more seasonal pictures and artwork displays. A well-placed piece can bring fall's unique charm into a room in a moment. Don't forget to change out your candles. It's time for the reds and oranges to replace the summer pinks and whites. Switching your breezy summer draperies to heavier, textured curtains in fall colors will also add warmth to any room.

Tags: fall decorating ideas, autumn colors, home decor, seasonal decor, interior decorating, cozy home, fall palette, autumn accents

Color Coding Politics: The Story Behind Red and Blue States

Date: 2012-09-24 11:09:57, By: ColorCombos

Recently, the Republican and Democratic political conventions filled our television screens with splashes of fiery red and royal blue, the colors associated with our major opposing political parties. However, in color choice, the United States is unlike the rest of the world. Globally, long-standing traditions dictate which colors represent specific political camps. Here, the assignment of red to the Republicans and blue to the Democrats is not a reflection of each group's ideology. Rather, this color designation is the result of a collective decision made by major media networks and the general public during the drawn-out and contentious election battle between Al Gore and George Bush in 2000.

Although presidents Cleveland and Harrison used blue maps to represent the Republican Party in the late 1800s and Texas used similar color-coding to assist its Spanish-speaking and illiterate citizens during that same time period, neither the Republican nor the Democratic Party has ever officially chosen a color to represent its organization. With the advent of color technology, television networks created their own identifying colors, often alternating with each new election to avoid any appearance of favoritism. However, in 2000 for the first time, all the major news outlets agreed to use red for the Republican Party and blue for the Democratic Party.

Perhaps it was the fact that Al Gore had chosen blue campaign lawn signs while George Bush promoted himself with red ones. In any case, NBC news analyst Tim Russert was the first reporter to coin the terms "blue state" and "red state".Viewers were subjected to colorfully illuminated election maps, not just for one night but for the month that followed as Florida wrestled with voting controversies. Since then, red has become the unofficial but widely accepted color for the Republican Party, and blue has been informally assigned to the Democratic Party.

Tags: political parties, color coding, red state, blue state, Republican, Democrat, United States, party colors, history

Fashionable College Wardrobe on a Budget: Fall 2012 Trends and Colors

Date: 2012-09-17 06:09:05, By: ColorCombos

Yes, you're going off to college to get a good education, and yes, it may be costing you a small fortune, but that's no reason to leave your fashion sense at home. While cooler weather always brings slightly darker, heavier fabrics, some of the styles that were so popular this summer are still going to work on campus this fall. You may not be able to afford the newest runway version, but you can still capture the essence of this season's best looks, even on a student's budget.

Popular 2012 fall colors include jewel tones such as oxblood, cobalt, deep red and royal purple; a variety of greens; brown; black; navy; winter white; deep orange; pink and gold. For a color that stands out without looking pretentious, oxblood is the new favorite. Its deep, rich wine color is dark and moody. Neutral accessories are all that is necessary to complete an independent, confident look. Essie's "Lacy Not Racy" nail polish is the perfect coordinating accent.

Royal cobalt blue looks both refined and trendy this fall. Perhaps it's the noticeable British influence on fashion right now, but adding black accessories to this powerful blue creates a very sophisticated, Kate Middleton look. If you prefer something a little quirkier, consider adding a bright yellow, deep orange or fuchsia handbag or scarf. You can also awaken a rich chocolate or conservative navy by adding a similar statement-making bright color.

Tags: college wardrobe, fall 2012 trends, fall colors, oxblood, cobalt, Pantone, budget fashion, student budget, campus style, jewel tones, colored skinny jeans, mixing patterns

Top 5 Schools in College Football Rankings and Their Iconic Colors

Date: 2012-08-27 07:08:14, By: ColorCombos

What could be more American than football? For more than 130 years, cheering fans have shouted wildly to support the efforts of their favorite teams. Granted, those early games looked quite different from the battles waged today. When Princeton challenged Rutgers in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on November 6, 1869, each team played with 25 athletes but without the assistance of any officials or referees, and the football resembled a round soccer ball. After the game, both teams sat down to dine together, demonstrating sportsmanlike camaraderie. By 1875, the football had become a leather-covered, egg-shaped ball, and three officials were included to referee. As the rules were modernized, the game became increasingly popular, and by 1900, more than 250 colleges and universities had their own football teams.

It was L.P. Smock, a Princeton football player, who introduced the first team uniform. Black knee pants and stockings were paired with a jersey trimmed in orange and a tightly laced canvas jacket. Numbers would not be added until 1937, and leather helmets were optional. Distinguishing the teams by color became important both for refereeing and for fan recognition. Today, traditional college colors are dearly loved by alumni and fans alike and easily identify opposing teams.

The following top five schools in college football rankings are familiar as soon as they step on the field:

Tags: college football, football rankings, team colors, USC Trojans, University of Alabama, Crimson Tide, LSU Fighting Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, University of Oregon, Oregon Ducks

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