b'The New Zealand psyche is another key factor in shaping ourfriendlylightbulbs,whichemitabrighterlightthan colour perception, Judy-Lea says.conventional light bulbs, might indeed affect the interior We are friendly, open and laid back. We tend to walkcolours we choose! up to people and chat to them. We also like to entertainThere are various other, less obviousbut nonetheless at our homes. In Europe, the mentality is different. There,keydrivers that help determine our perception of colour. people tend to be a bit more reserved and keep theirTechnology and the fact that computer graphics now homes private.enable us to manipulate colours is one such tool. Political So, what about the environmental movement thats takenevents are another. Take 9/11, which Judy-Lea says has the world by storm? Does our quest to preserve our naturalsparked a surge of calming aqua blues in interiors around resources make us inclined to use even more greens inthe world, not to mention a so-called global cocooning our homes? Judy-Lea says that while the eco-enthusiasmeffect; a tendency for people to entertain at home, rather probablydoesnthavemuchbearingonthan to socialise in public.ourcolourpreferences,itdenitelyGlobalisation, too, affects our choice of colour. It is now hasanimpactonwhethertheeasy for people to travel anywhere in the world, and glean products we use to decorate ourinspiration from the designs and colours of other cultures. homes (including our paints) areIn fact, we dont even have to travel to another country ecologicallysustainable.Andin person to become inspired by it, or to bring those switching to sustainableideas into our homes. If we like spice-coloured Moroccan products,suchfabrics, were likely to be able to buy them over the aseco- internet. 60 |'