Based on our own observations and on scientific and scholarly references this paper discusses the appearance of colour constancy and the adaptation of colour and lightness in space. It presents part of an ongoing work, the aim of which is to formulate a spatially based colour knowledge. Our scientific approach is holistic and mainly directed towards colour and light phenomena as such, not towards underlying physiological processes. Earlier research has discussed lightness perception in colours very near neutral grey, with so low chromaticness that you can ignore the hue. In our research we have found that surfaces with nominally chromatic colours under special circumstances can be perceived as white and thus serve as anchors for perception of other colours in the field of vision. We also discuss how distinctions are made between perceived colours caused by on the light colour and such caused by the surface qualities. What we call adaptation is not limited to basic perception. Experience of colour in space is both perceptive and cognitive, as part of interaction between the individual and the world on many levels.