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!

MIDNIGHT 2 will entice you and will allow you to give way to your imagination and have a finished result which is of high quality and at the same time cosy and welcoming. The range of colours, the designs and the techniques used will correspond to any type of decorative fantasy and any type of home. The Midnight 2 Collection includes, Cachemire, Ornament, Arabesque, Stripes and Plains

Most notably, Little Greene’s ground breaking and extremely hard wearing Ultimatt has been renamed Intelligent Matt Emulsion.

There are three other changes worthy of note

• Little Greene’s Acrylic Emulsion is to be called Absolute Matt,
• Acrylic Eggshell has changed to Intelligent Eggshell
• Oil Eggshell has been renamed Traditional Oil Eggshell

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.

The most important thing is to choose what appeals to you and then dare to give it a go!

A useful tip is to think in terms of the overall picture when colour scheming. You can often see from one room into another room and in some cases even into a third room. By choosing colours that work well together, a more uniform and harmonic impression is achieved.

If you like brightly coloured rooms, then a good trick is to have a neutral coloured room in between two colourful ones. It acts as break for the eye.

Colours differ from room to room

The exact same colour can look completely different in different rooms. This is because so many factors determine how a colour is experienced: the sunlight, a room’s lighting, a room’s size, the surface’s structure to name but a few. But there are also some simple rules of thumb which should be considered when choosing a colour.

• Colours from the yellow-red scale are warm colours and often give a warm and cosy impression. A north facing room can therefore be ‘warmed up’ with the help of yellow and red colours

• In the same way, a ‘warm’ south facing room is cooled down when painted in cold blue or green tones. Rooms painted in cold colours can be experienced as larger and roomier.

• A window wall which is painted in a different darker colour (feature wall) will be experienced as even darker when looked at in direct light.

• Colours seen together influence each other. A green room with white furnishings gives a different experience than if the furnishings were red. (The red activates the green, making it more powerful).

• Consider that colours ‘grow’ with size, in other words, the larger the surface you paint on, the stronger the colour will be experienced.

Transform a room with colour

A room has a floor, walls and a ceiling. Painting one or more of the surfaces in a different colour or shade can influence the feel of the whole room.

• Rooms that are painted throughout in pale colours are experienced as large and spacious. Whilst darker colours have a diminishing effect.

• If you want to ‘lower’ the ceiling, then use a darker shade on the ceiling. On the other hand, use a pale shade if you want to ‘raise’ the ceiling.

• Stripes can also play tricks on the eye. Vertical stripes give the room a tall and narrow character whilst horizontal stripes make the room appear wider and lower.

• Using dark walls with a pale floor and ceiling makes a room feel higher but smaller.

• A dark floor together with a dark ceiling ‘lowers’ the ceiling height and makes the room feel wider.

• A feature wall can change the balance in a room. Position the feature wall at the short end of a rectangular room to give the room the impression of being ‘shorter’ and more square.

• You do not always need to think in terms of the whole wall in order to create a good looking effect. Horizontal stripes, a large colourful spot or a word can be just as exciting. Dare to give it a go!

Consider that the result can only be judged once the room is completely finished. Furniture, textiles and lighting usually work to soften the colour impression.

Good luck!

Text courtesy of Alcro-Beckers

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Posted in Useful Advice Edit

Broccato Crivelli Rose BP 3007

Farrow & Ball unveil their latest collection of traditionally made wallpapers, uniquely crafted using Farrow & Ball paint printed onto paper. The exciting new collection comprises six charming wallpapers inspired by the Italian Renaissance period. Named after the Italian translation for ‘brocade’, all six designs within the collection are inspired by the rich decorative fabrics featured in 14th and 15th century Renaissance paintings housed at the National Gallery.

Each pattern is available in ten colourways, from soft neutrals and pretty pastels to bolder colours and metallic accents. The collection includes a number of new colours including the soft mauve Brassica and lead-toned grey Plummett.

Click here to view the entire Broccato Papers collection.

Holkham Linseed Paint Can and Brush

Viscount Coke, Managing Director of Holkham Linseed Paints, has asked Paint & Paper to service their online shop. Online buyers of Holkham Linseed Paints will be directed to Paint & Paper’s site here

“When we were given the opportunity by Viscount Coke to add the prestigious Holkham Linseed Paints range to our portfolio, we jumped at the opportunity. As well as being a local company, we were aware of the excellent qualities of Swedish wood protection products as we already imported paint from Sweden. However, we did not have a first class traditional paint, like the Holkham Linseed brand, so this range fitted very well with our existing portfolio of products.” explained Mr Dix, Managing Director Paint & Paper Ltd.

Ideal for all interior woodwork and metal and available in 132 colours, its low sheen makes it the ideal complement to Farrow & Ball Estate® Emulsion and Modern Emulsion.

All Farrow & Ball finishes available from our web site.

Alcro Bestå Facade Picture

The Alcro Bestå painting system not only gives you a fantastic range of colours, it also gives your house the best protection against moisture, cold, sun and heat.

Your exterior woodwork will require the minimum of maintenance with longer intervals between painting.

The system consists of three parts: Bestå Grundolja (base oil), Bestå Grundfärg (primer) and Bestå Tackfärg (topcoat). Follow the recommended painting instructions and the three elements together provide comprehensive protection for your exterior woodwork with a maintenance interval of up to 15 years.

For a free leaflet enter your contact details here

Osmo Natural Oil Woodstain

This innovative, transparent, exterior, satin/matt woodfinish is very water repellent, UV resistant, allows the surface to breathe and contains active ingredients to protect the wood against mould, algae and fungal attack.

Natural Oil Woodstain is also very easy to use, just apply two coats on bare wood.

When the time finally comes to renovate it, you need apply just a single coat plus there’s no need for that time consuming sanding required by most stains.

Osmo Natural Woodstain Colours

Natural Oil Woodstain is available in 16 beautiful shades and 1 litre covers approx 26m2. What are you waiting for?