Whether it’s restful neutrals or vibrant accent colours, the latest hues for the home reflect the way we want to live.
Angelina Villa-Clarke goes all out for colour
Nature has always been a source of inspiration for interiors and, according to Crown Paints, earthy tones at the lighter end of the spectrum are on trend for this year and work beautifully as a ‘new’ kind of neutral.
“Crown’s Powdered Clay shade takes inspiration from earth minerals and shell clay, and it’s a colour that evokes warmth and reassurance, creating a calming environment,” says Judy Smith, colour consultant at Crown. “A soft pastel palette works well with other chalky hues, or for a pop of colour, bright oranges and reds will add drama. For earthiness and keeping a more muted colour scheme, add raw organic textures in soft furnishings and lighting.”
A soft pastel palette works well with other chalky hues
Paint expert Farrow & Ball is also pushing for the new neutrals, which are bolder than before. “People are welcoming colours that are altogether more rich and dramatic in their homes,” says Charlotte Cosby, head of creative at Farrow & Ball.
“Sulking Room Pink, for instance, is the perfect mix that sates our desire for both grey and pink – ideal for kitchens and living rooms. Jitney, meanwhile, offers the ideal lift from white, creating warmth to the walls. It is an effortless backdrop for bold pieces of art and a variety of wood.”
Bancha paint, £46.50 for 2.5l, Farrow & Ball
While botanical prints and rich florals have been on trend for a while, there’s been a geographical shift in our tastes from the jungle to the woodland, with mushroom, taupe and fern shades key to a modern look. Wood flooring perfectly complements the palette and by introducing teak or oak furniture and rough-hewn textiles, you can achieve a tactile, raw aesthetic.
“The focus in 2019 is on handcrafted and handworked finishes – scraped, sawn and treated grain effects, in extra wide and mixed length planks, add depth and individuality to a space,” advises Sarah Escott, Amtico flooring’s design manager. “Mindfulness and well-being remain an important part of how we want to live, and creating restful spaces is more important than ever.”
These wood textures also work very well with pale pinks and powdery blues, which are taking over from the standard magnolia and greys that have long-been popular, for a barely there paint effect. For a sense of calm, these colours translate best in the bedroom to offer a quiet place to retreat to at the end a long day.
“Choosing the right colours for your bedroom design scheme is important when deciding how you want your personal space to make you feel,” says Adam Black, co-founder at bed specialists Button & Sprung. “Choose a headboard or bed in a neutral upholstery fabric and pair with bright bedlinen for maximum effect.”
For those after a bolder look, nature’s deeper shades are a good source of inspiration
Match with a pastel-coloured carpet from Brintons, the flooring experts, which says putty tones are on trend this year and are gaining popularity as the colour of choice for under foot. Meanwhile, for those after a feminine feel, the brand’s gentle florals and butterfly designs, produced in collaboration with Timorous Beasties, give a fresh, modern look to bedrooms and beyond.
For those after a bolder look, nature’s deeper shades are also a good source of inspiration. Hunter green, sunshine yellow and living coral – the latter is this year’s Pantone colour of the year – add a sense of vibrancy and work well with muted neutrals.
Borringdon Green paint colour, £25 for 1 litre, Little Greene
Farrow & Ball advises using dark green in rooms that overlook scenes of nature so that they reflect off each other and frame the outdoor space. While Ruth Mottershead, marketing director at Little Greene, says that green and pink is a natural pairing that work well together. “More muted tones, such as Sir Lutyens Sage and Blush, combine perfectly for a scheme that both soothes and inspires. Green is the true colour of nature, one that we feel comfortable with in the home. It is a shade that we associate with the tranquillity of the outdoors.”
For those after an injection of personality, more dramatic swashes of colour are often best introduced with a statement piece of furniture or a collection of vibrant home accessories.
Jessica Pownall, founder of Artisanna London, which is renowned for its glamorous occasional chairs, agrees: “A vibrant pop of colour is sometimes all your space needs to give it a well-needed refresh. Though statement walls are popular, it can often seem like a big move and this is where furniture comes in. Adding a statement armchair or sofa in a rich, contrasting shade can be the perfect option to give your space an uplift.”
Adding vibrant cushions is another simple and inexpensive way to inject a bold hit of colour into a neutral room. “Start with the soft base linen colours for your sofa, and then try mixing in bolder colourways, such as hot pink cushions, for added zing,” says David Harris, design director at Andrew Martin. It’s easy when you know how.
Architectural Palette Cotton paint colour, from £49.50 fro 2.5l, and Aloe Walk wallpaper, £284 per roll, Paint & Paper Library
Easy on the eye
Paint & Paper Library’s Architectural Colours palette offers subtle nuances of shade, says its marketing director, Ruth Mottershead. Here are her tips
Neutral does not mean bland – create focal points through colour blocking
Use neutrals to frame bolder colours
Use the colour families in combination to add a subtle depth to the room: it will expand the sense of space
Statement effect
Three buys that will bring the sunshine in
Sofa Workshop’s Alba Chair in Turmeric velvet (right) gives a visual appeal
My Furniture’s Daphne Floreale Maise Chair brings a sense of cheer
Sofa.com’s Hugo Footstool in Canary Yellow will make you sing
