Color Blog - Page 14

Discover the History and Benefits of Birthstones by Month

From earliest times, gemstones have been valued for their beauty and rarity. Both ancient Indians and Babylonians believed that certain gems carried strange and wonderful cosmological powers. It may have been the Assyrians who first attached meanings to desired gems as early as 1400 B.C.

In both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, gemstones are given significant mention. In Exodus, the breastplate of the Jewish high priest contained 12 stones in four rows of three each to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. At the end of the Bible, in Revelation, St. John describes the 12 beautiful gemstones that were laid in the foundation of the New Jerusalem.

During the first century, Flavius Josephus connected specific gemstones to the signs of the zodiac. Wearing the right stone each month would ensure access to special healing or magical powers. Those who could afford such luxury collected all 12 stones so that they were adequately empowered and protected throughout the year.

Later, Jewish gem traders in Poland or jewelers in Germany may have created the first birthstones listings, which were quickly popularized in poetry. The famous jewelry business Tiffany & Co. published one of several Gregorian Birthstone Poems in 1870. Specific qualities were assigned to the gems as they were matched with months of the year.

Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal with Colorful Ideas | DIY Home Improvement

It is unfortunate but true that both you and your home will be constantly judged by the curb appeal of your property. An untidy, disorganized front yard casts a negative impression, but a colorful, well-planned front yard practically shouts that this is a much-loved home and a valuable piece of property.

Spending some time, effort and money to create the best possible first impression can add thousands of dollars to your asking price when you are ready to sell your property. On the other hand, it feels good to live in a home that looks as attractive on the outside as it does on the inside. Your neighbors will appreciate your efforts as well, not for just the aesthetics but for your contribution to the overall value of the community. The following ideas are affordable ways to use color to step up your curb appeal:

• Your front door should be the most obvious focal point for your home. Painting the front door a bold, bright color is an easy way to draw attention to it. Then you can repeat the color more subtly in other areas for a cohesive, planned look. Bright peacock blue or striking red are popular choices, but oranges and greens can work too as long as you avoid looking garish. If you front door is rather non-descript, consider painting the molding around it the same color to make a larger statement. You can also match the light fixtures, your mailbox, nearby urns and house lettering. Just centralize this color for the most impact. A coordinating seasonal wreath or swag will make the perfect finishing touch.

Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal with the Perfect Exterior Paint Colors

Whether you live in a quiet residential neighborhood, a busy sub-division, or a rustic rural setting, caring about your home's curb appeal is part of the responsibility of home-ownership. Don't wait until you are ready to sell before you give thought to how passers-by view your property. Keeping your house and yard beautiful and attractive says as much about you as it does about your home. Fortunately, adding exterior paint color is a relatively simple and cost-effective way to update your property, increase its value and keep the neighbors happy. A new coat of paint can give your entire house an exterior facelift, but choosing the right color is important, and there are several factors to consider:

Location-Home-owners in northern climates usually choose more muted exterior paint colors such as Benjamin Moore's "Stratton Blue" or Sherwin Williams' "Simple White." Actually, white is a universally appropriate color for any house in any location. Northern ocean-front properties are often decked out in muted fog and water colors. Popular choices for woodsy homes are dulled greens, browns and grays. The sunnier southern climates are more suited to brighter colors such as Benjamin Moore's "Windham Cream" or Sherwin Williams' "Faint Coral." Clear-water and sandy colors are often seen on beach-front homes, and brighter greens, browns and beiges decorate houses in the woods.

Neighborhood-While fresh, eye-catching colors seem more cheerful and suited to urban areas, being the only house that "stands-out" on the block is not usually a good thing. Maintaining some level of conformity presents a sense of community and oneness that is highly desirable in most neighborhoods. Fitting in with the neighborhood on the exterior of your home still leaves you free to express your own personality on the inside. Painting your front door, the focal point of your property, a bold color is always a safe way to draw attention without overdoing it.

2012 Summer Olympic Games: A History of Olympic Medals and the Race for Glory

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games are about to descend upon London from July 27-August 12. This year, 204 countries and territories from around the globe are sending their finest athletes to compete for national honor and those highly coveted gold, silver and bronze medals.

Approximately 10,500 delegates will bring their best efforts to 302 events from 26 separate sports. Of that number only 2,100 athletes will step up to the podiums for the 302 victory ceremonies, which will be held at 30 different venues. Third-place, fourth-place and winning team members will receive official diplomas, but the coveted gold medal is the prize about which every athlete dreams.

Interestingly, gold medals were not part of the original Greek Olympics, which were first held in 776 B.C. At that time, olive wreaths were presented to the best competitors. It was not until 1896 and the instituting of the "Modern" Olympics when medals were awarded. At that time, first-place winners received a silver award, second-place winners went home with bronze, and third-place winners left empty-handed. Four years later, in 1900, cups, trophies and other prizes were offered in lieu of medals. It is recorded that one track-and-field star accepted an umbrella as a token of his success. In 1904, the tradition of presenting gold for first place, silver for second place and bronze for third place became firmly established.

Discover the World of Colored Contact Lenses: Types, Brands, and Tips

It has been some time since Leonardo da Vinci first envisioned the concept of contact lenses in 1508, but today, his dream has become a practical reality for millions of people around the world. Safe, comfortable, vision-correcting or color-altering contacts are now readily available for people of all ages, needs and budgets.

Contact lenses are the ideal solution for people with astigmatisms, presbyopia, dry eyes, and other similar eye conditions. Athletes enjoy the convenience of having a wider field of vision, less opportunity for slippage during physical activity, and reduced potential harm from glass-related injuries. However, many people are also purchasing contacts for purely cosmetic reasons. Enhancing or changing eye colors can create an entirely new look or make a dramatic fashion statement. Special theatrical effects are also possible simply by adding striking contacts. Colored contacts are available as visibility tints, enhancements, opaques and special-effect lenses: