Color Lover

(a collection of pastels via Astrid Volquardsen)
If you've ever taken an art course, the color wheel should look familiar. Sir Isaac Newton is considered to be the "inventor" of the first color wheel, which consisted of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, and was actually a rotating disk that read as white to the human eye when spun. The chart was developed as a visual representation of color theory and, specifically, of the concepts of primary, secondary and tertiary colors.

Aside from its value in the artist's studio, the color wheel is useful for determining complementary colors (those opposite each other on the color wheel), and I'm sure many of us have taken a gander at the wheel as a reference point when pairing colors in our own homes and projects.

For a very informative history of the progression of the color chart modern art students and professional artists use today, visit this site.

(via Colourlovers)

However, aside from the utilitarian value of the color wheel (for selecting just the right complementary colors), isn't the chart itself a thing of beauty? Lately, I've been drawn to many modern interpretations/adaptations of the color wheel that could fit easily into home decor.

To add a painterly effect to your home, why not introduce one of these pieces, which utilize color theory?
West Elm's multi-dot pillow cover:

(via West Elm)

Avrilloreti's set of 4 paint chip placements:

(via Etsy)
Dear Hancock's paint palette wrapping paper, which would look great framed:

(via Dear Hancock)

John Derian's intervals of sevenths postcard, which would also be cool when framed:

(via John Derian)

Brooklynwood's prismatic color wheel:

(via Etsy)

What can I say, I'm a color lover.