Farrow and Ball colour card
Over the last 18 months, interior design hasn’t really been a priority for many people – it can be considered a bit of a luxury item.
Whilst the economy has been struggling people have taken a different approach and rather than chuck everything out and re-do entire rooms, they have tried to improve what they already have and added new bits here and there.
This ‘make do & mend’ mentality has filtered through to the paper and textile designers and we are starting to see a mixture of old school colours mixed with bold flashes of pattern & colour here and there. Farrow & Ball’s predictions for colour trends in 2012 reference nostalgic, subdued tones like Pigeon, Brassica and Railings but with pops of colour like the vibrant yellow Babouche and the warm red tones of Incarnadine .
This suggests that whilst we are yearning for the comfort, safety and the nostalgia of our childhoods, there is also a hint of positivity & fun, a light at the end of the tunnel. The interior design equivalent of comfort food.
Osborne & Little released a new collection at the end of last year called Kinloch, which is a group of warm cosy wools in tartans and stripes in all the soft gentle shades that Farrow & Ball talk about. Imagine a really cosy log cabin with roaring log fire and this collection works a treat. In contrast, they also released Komodo wallpapers which, although retaining the slightly subdued palette also has glamour and glitz with sparkling lizards and holographic patterns. It’s definitely a bit tongue in cheek. Just one small wall in any of these would cheer up any space. Likewise, one or two cushions or a small roman blind in the wool would feel like a warm hug just when you need it.
Sanderson wall paper, inspired by Bloomsbury
Sanderson have also followed this new trend with Bloomsbury Prints – a throwback to the 80’s with bright flashes of colour, large patterns and a general ‘up’ feeling throughout. If you wanted to use these, then only the brave hearted would try and match the paint colours. I would strongly suggest sticking to a neutral paint palette and letting the fabric do the talking. Paint & Paper Library have wonderful soft shades in Sand, Stone, Leather and Clay which all make rooms feel bright and warm without being obvious. If you really can’t resist, then maybe just a small wall, a fireplace or nook in one of the new shades would look fabulous and then enhance it with cushions, pictures (or even framed wallpaper) and throws. Or one or two walls (a whole room maybe?) in one of their wallpapers, and some low key plain fabrics everywhere else.
Ultimately, home is where the heart is, and regardless of your budget try and show who you are. Your home reflects your personality and won’t (and shouldn’t) be something that never changes. Have a look around you and dig out those paint brushes.
As for me, I’m looking to find something that I can paint in Babouche – summer is coming early.
Holly.
PS Don’t forget Paint and Paper are on Twitter and Facebook.
Professional interior designer
We are delighted to announce that Holly Pagani of Salt Interiors, a Norfolk based interior designer will be blogging for us in 2012.
Holly has nearly 15 years of interior design experience, having trained in London before moving to Norwich in 2003.
Holly does not use prescribed formulas for her work. Each project is treated as unique and approached with a fresh, open mind because every client has different needs and desires. Holly aims to make the finished project a true reflection of the clients own tastes and personality. A gorgeous home should indeed reflect your character.
Her work covers all aspects of interior design including wallpapers, paint colours, soft furnishing, fabrics, poles and a curtain and blind making service.
Holly set up Salt Interiors in 2010 and has worked on many high profile projects including the interior design for new Abel Homes and the Animal Inn’s chain of restaurants. But her work is very flexible, ranging from a single window blind to a complete design project. Each project starts with a full appraisal and assessment of the space and importantly, by listening carefully to what you want to achieve.
For examples of her work, please visit her website at www.saltinteriors.co.uk or visit our Facebook Fan page gallery at www.facebook.com/PaintandPaper
Welcome on-board Holly!
When you are going to repaint a room, it is important to initially think about the purpose of the room. A bedroom should feel comfortable to wake up in, an office should encourage concentration and a child’s room should feel both stimulating and calm.
You are no doubt aware just how many different theories and thoughts exist about colour scheming and about how colours influence us and our senses.
But try not to place too much emphasise on the rules and instead use your own ideas and preferences. (more…)
Fasad Täcklasyr is an environmentally friendly, waterborne, alkyd/linseed oil opaque woodstain intended for wooden facades, fences, garden structures and exterior garden furniture where a long lasting easy to apply solution is required. The system consists of a base oil – System Grundolja and a topcoat Fasad Täcklasyr.
- many years protection against the elements
- holds it’s colour well
- does not chalk
- highlights the wood’s natural texture.
System Grundolja (base oil) is used on bare timber as a basecoat and to protect against rot and mildew and System Grundfärg (primer) is used on poor substrates or previously painted timber in poor condition. Fasad Tacklasyr can be applied directly to coatings in good condition with just a light sanding as the preparation. Click here to buy
There are many ways of decorating and how you use colour is entirely down to personal preference and your desired feel for the room. There are no strict rules but here are some examples from Farrow & Ball of the most popular ways of decorating.
COLOURED WALLS AND WHITE WOODWORK. The most traditional style is to use a colour on the walls and white gloss on woodwork, often the same white as that on the ceiling. This is a very clean, but sometimes hard look. To soften the contrast, select a white which is more sympathetic to the colour on the walls; this will make the contrast more gradual and you become less aware of where things stop and start, so the confines of the room disappear and it will feel bigger. (more…)
When choosing colour there are many factors to take into consideration including architecture, the purpose, shape and direction of a room and above all light.
Remember you can test paint colours in the room to be decorated using our sample pots, available in all 132 colours.
Farrow & Ball sample pots are available from Paint & Paper – First for Premium Paints!
“It’s worth remembering that no colour works in isolation and finding a new, successful combination can be rewarding and exciting.”
David Oliver, Design Director of Paint & Paper Library
Understanding colour is one of the most difficult aspects of decoration to get right because there are no absolutes. It has as much to do with light as pigments and neither is constant. When selecting a colour it is important to decide:
- where to make definitions and where to create sufficient emphasis to catch the eye in terms of the transition from light to dark and warm to cool. (more…)
When you are going to repaint a room, it is important to initially think about the purpose of the room. A bedroom should feel comfortable to wake up in, an office should encourage concentration and a child’s room should feel both stimulating and calm. (more…)
Has your favourite wall colour been discontinued? Provided you have a sample then Paint & Paper have the technology to replicate the colour for you at no extra charge and to celebrate they’re offering up to 25% off selected paints on their website.
(more…)
