Monochromatic Matters

Colour is a great asset to use in any home, whether you’re pulling in bold accents into a room, pairing two colours to make an unusual combination, or even going for a daring monochromatic look. A monochromatic scheme can create a strong, bold look in a room, really giving it some presence. Here’s a few beautiful monochrome rooms to give you some inspiration.

Blue Monochromatic Room from Domino via Pinterest

This dark blue room is a feast for the eyes; everything is soft, deep and dramatic whilst the blue makes it feel sophisticated and contemporary. The key with monochromatic rooms is to make sure you have enough texture in the space to give it depth, like the velvet sofa and of hint of purple from the plant. For a beautiful navy paint colour, Fired Earth’s Carbon Blue is a lovely true blue and would have a dramatic impact on the walls. For a sumptuous navy velvet, take a peek at Osborne & Little’s Mikado Velvet collection, they have a whole range of shades but a perfect one for this look is number 6990-08.

Pink is a great colour to use in a monochromatic look and creating the perfect sophisticated setting is all about finding the right shades of pink. Heavily playing on light and dark tones will help add a contemporary element to the space, too much of one pink and it might become a little marshmallow-y. Below they’ve used a dusky pink for the wall and a maroon-pink for the ceiling and for the furniture which really holds the space together.

Pink Monochromatic Room from Domino via Pinterst

There is a huge range of pink or pink-toned paints around at the moment, just make sure you stick to the same type of pink, for example finding a dark and light blush pink. A beautiful pink is Tuscan Pink from Zoffany, with lovely earthy tones to it. To add a spark of interest to the pink scheme, this Atlas fabric from Zimmer + Rohde has beautiful pink tones as well as an abstract landscape-style pattern that would make a stunning pair of curtains in an all pink look.

Atlas Fabric from Zimmer + Rohde

This beautiful green room creates its depth with the use of white to add structure to the space; the sharp white picture frames pop against the green wall, and the off-white rug has different green embroidery to give floor a strong sense of personality. Green makes a great monochromatic room colour choice as it can be naturally given texture and depth with the use of plants, like below different cacti have been added for points of interest and richer impact.

Green Monochromatic Room from Domino via Pinterest

I love De le Cuona and all their pieces, but they have some beautiful fabrics that would really work with a mossy green monochromatic room, take a look at Mistral in Drizzle and Primitive Linen in Fennel. For a similar green grey paint colour, Farrow & Ball’s Blue Gray and Cromarty would complete the look.

Grey seems to be a never-ending popular colour, so if you love it take it one step further by using deep dark hues in a room, from the paint to the furniture and adding in interesting juxtapositions of light hues against the dark.

Dark Grey Monochromatic Room from Apartment Therapy via Pinterest

When using such a dark colour for a monochromatic space, make sure to select materials that’ll allow light to bounce of them, therefore avoiding a black hole effect. This Cascade wallpaper from Zoffany has an amazing ribbon effect, which will not only add a strong design element but pick up the light as well.

Cascade Wallpaper from Zoffany

For a really luxurious looking monochrome room, you can’t go wrong with an all Teal room. The peacock colour makes a strong statement, and if you love glamorous interiors, it’s perfect for you. Below they used gold accessories to draw out the richness of the teal; with such a strong colour like teal, just using at as feature wall in an attempt to ‘tone it down’ can sometimes have the reserve effect, and actually making the bold move and painting the entire space in the colour will create a simpler, sophisticated look. For a triumphant teal, Farrow & Ball’s Vardo has the impact you’re looking for, and for a beautiful fabric to go alongside, the teal version of Anthology’s Vivid fabric will make the perfect pair.

Teal Monochromatic Room from Apartment Therapy

A monochromatic room can be an amazing, stylish and unexpected way to decorate a room; so you want to create an impactful space, have a think about trying out a monochromatic room using your favourite shade.

 

 

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Colour Me Happy

The interior world has been dominated by neutrals for a long time, but now we are beginning to see colour come back into our homes, on the walls, floors, furniture and accessories. People are becoming a little gutsier with their choices, and we are singing their praises. While there is nothing wrong if you like a simple palette for your home, but by adding in accents of colour it’s a way to add life into the scheme as well; and we’re not just talking about electric, bright colours necessarily, but the involvement of deeper, darker tones that can complement a neutral backdrop while giving your home warmth and a welcoming sense. That being said, with our fear of colour slowly lifting, and the experimental phase creeping through, there are some fantastic colour combinations out there that’ll add a sense of individuality and just the right amount of quirkiness to your home, and give it an exciting atmospheric feel; I’ve picked five of my favourite colour combinations to show you that keeping your home classic and stylish doesn’t mean shying away from bright and beautiful.

Orange and Blue Combination, Image from Cote de Texas via Pinterest

An absolute favourite combination of mine if orange and blue, but it’s all about finding the right shade of each. The perfect blue in my eyes to combine with an orange is a dusky one with a hint of green grey in it; the best accompanying orange, a pastel-toned, soft orange. Imagine a crumpled, vintage orange velvet that’s become a little faded from the sun and has a few dust marks on it, that’s the perfect orange. The key to combining colours in your interior is to be open to the wide spectrum of tones, hues and shades; blunt orange and a primary blue will look harsh together, constantly fighting for attention and eventually giving you a headache, but the soft tones of the two shades in the photo above, show that the right shade can create a serene and relaxing space. For a beautiful shade of blue, try Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue and for that dusty orange, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint’s Brick is a great choice.

Dark Green and gold is a rich combination, it’s has an historical, timeless yet completely current sense to it. The strong stature of a dark green wall placed together with an iridescent gold counter, table or lighting fixture gives an interior a grand sense of glamour. The natural forest foliage and natures prize procession blend together to create the most sophisticated of combinations; both in traditional and contemporary settings. A dark green kitchen with aged gold hardware, taps and accessories, is a look that’ll forever be timeless. The kitchen below uses contemporary details to keep the space feeling current, while the dark tones are contrasted against the pale wood floor, showing off the depth and tones of the colours. For a beautifully dark green, you’re spoilt for choice, try Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green, Fired Earth’s Malachite or Sanderson’s Amsterdam Green.

Green and Gold Combination, Image from Apartment Therapy via Pinterest

Pink has been a big interior trend for a few years now, and I can’t help but to have been suckered in by it; it’s turned the idea of pink from being innately girly and babyish, to a shade that is quite sophisticated, current and cool. From deep pinks to blush to pastel, there are plenty of ways to involve the colour into your interior, and a winning combination for me is to pair it with blue. Pink and blue will look fantastic together in a whole range of depths and shades, but the key fact to remember is to match the weight of both colours; a deep blue with a deep pink, or a pastel blue and pink, so that one doesn’t get lost against the other and appear a little wishy-washy. The image below beautifully shows off how colour blocking the two shades in the same space gives a modern and playful feeling. Take a look at Paint & Paper Library’s Temple and Blue Pearl for a beautiful pink and blue look.

Pink and Blue Combination, Image from House & Garden via Pinterest

A thick, deep grey mixed with a golden, rich yellow is an interesting way to create a contemporary, alternative-glamour styled room. By avoiding the lighter, pastel yellows and heading for the deep and dark there is a vibrancy that becomes even more apparent when paired with a deep grey. The combination offers a modern approach to using yellow; a bold, strong look as opposed to a nervous neutral tone veers far from the magnolia and straight into the eye-catching and characterful. Below, the grey surroundings could have been easily paired with a classic blue or green, but yellow gives the bathroom a fun and playful presence that are still balanced out by the sombre nature of the grey and the traditional features in the room.  For a spicy yellow, take a look at Farrow & Ball’s or Babouche, paired with Purbeck Stone or Worsted.

Yellow and Grey Combination, Image from Miles to go Before I Fall Asleep via Pinterest

My final colour combination is one that I think has received a bad rep over the years, purple and green. For a long time all I could picture when it came to this mixture was the garishness of royal purple and lime green; a noughties interior design ghost that was desperately in need of an exorcism. However, just like with very brave colour combination, it’s all about finding the right shade. For the green think forest or olive, and for the purple head in the direction of deep violet or lavender, more natural hues of both colours help to create softer, more romantic interiors. In the image below, the colours are soften by the use of velvet, adding texture to the palette. For a dusty lavender, Fired Earth’s Cleopatra’s Nose has an atmospheric hue. For the green’s think about Card Room Green, or Calke Green from Farrow & Ball.

Purple and Green Combination, Image from Hum Ideas via Pinterest

Learning not to be afraid of colour is the first step to creating beautiful and interesting interiors; the second step is finding out what works for you and your home. Once you’ve found your perfect combinations your interiors will be filled with life, colour and happiness.

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Pink & Green

Though we don’t always like to follow the latest trends of interior design, we do like to keep an eye on them; and it’s safe to say that the combination of pink and green is definitely having a moment right now, and frankly it’s too lovely to pass by. After gushing at some gorgeous ideas on Pinterest, I’ve pulled together some creative ways to use the combination in your home, on big and small platforms, so you can either go full steam ahead with the trend, or just try it on for size.

I saw this image on Pinterest and fell in love with it, the mixture of the blush pink walls, and dark green tiles with the plates thrown in for extra measure is just a thing of beauty. It’s a great way to give a kitchen its own spark of personality, and a design scheme that can lend itself to various kinds of styles; this image gives off a bohemian vibe, but you could easily adapt this look to a more contemporary version.

A Pink and Green Kitchen from Lush Home via Pinterest

If you want to create your own pink kitchen, you’ll need to find your perfect version pink that goes with your own taste, and one that you’re kitchen space can handle. I love the dark, rich tones of Cinder Rose by Farrow & Ball; it’ll add depth and interest to your kitchen, but if it’s too dark for the walls, you may want to consider using it for the lower cabinets so that you keep the colour but not lose the light.

Cinder Rose by Farrow & Ball

These porcelain plates from Zazzle are a beautifully rich green, they’ll add drama to your dinner table, and your cupboard; and a pink backdrop will only show them off more.

Dark Green Porcelain Plates from Zazzle

For just a touch of pink to your walls, these pink seagulls would look gorgeous on a dining room wall, giving the room a distinct personality, keeping things feeling soft and welcoming without compromising on the drama.

Feathr Wallpaper Portuguese Seagulls in Dusty Pink from Rockett St George

This bold half green wall settles perfectly between the crisp white on the other half of the wall and the rosy pink sofa. The strong green wall is enhanced with extra-large leafy plants, while a balance between the green and the pink is levelled out with the use of the neutral coloured cushions and rugs.

Bold Green Walls and Pink Sofa from Blog Lovin’ via Pinterest

This Tribeca sofa and armchair from Made come in a dusty pink colour, but have classic mid-century features, meaning they’ll stand the test of time. These paired with a deep green will really give your living room a burst of style and freshness.

Tribeca Sofa and Armchair in Dust Pink from Made

If you’re looking for a smaller way to experience with the pink and green trend, a few home accessories could be a great way to test out the colour combination. What I love about this trend is its ability to be romantic, calming and interesting all in one helpful package; which is a lovely trio for your bedroom. If you want to play around with the colours, try switching up your linens and decorative cushions on your bed. This gorgeous bed linen from Piglet is a crisp, pretty pink, and with this textural green cushions from Trouva added you can create a contemporary look.

Blush Basic Bundle from Piglet

Army Green Quilted Throw and Cushions from Trouva

You can also play around with lighter tones of pink and green, whilst still creating a charming effect. These baby pink coloured candles from Cox & Cox would make a sweet addition, placed on a tray, on a sideboard, keeping the room feeling bright and fresh. And with these green hydrangeas next to them in a clear glass or a grey one this below will complete the look; the two colours put together will create an uplifting atmosphere.

Blush Candles from Cox & Cox

Faux Hydrangeas from Cox & Cox

Confidence is key for the next look, as it incorporates the two colours in a very bold and bright way; neon pink and tropical green. I found this image on Pinterest and thought it was a super fun way to make a living space feel modern and youthful. The large palm leave prints wallpaper is given an extra burst of life with a quirky neon pink sign.

Tropical Green and Neon Pink from Baba Souk via Pinterest

I love this neon heart from Graham & Green, it’s an accessory that exist purely for fun and can be an interesting way to brighten up a dull corner of a landing or hallway, or even a small bathroom. And paired with this sumptuous wallpaper from House of Hackney, Babylon, it can create a care-free, happy-go-lucky area in your home for you to enjoy.

Pink Neon Heart from Graham & Greeen

 

Babylon Wallpaper from House of Hackney

From kitchens, to bedrooms and wherever else you’d like to insert a bit of on-trend fun, there are an abundance of ways to use the combination of pink and green in your home, and while some trends might be fleeting, I think the interior world may always have a little soft spot for this one.

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Greener Pastures

For 2017, Pantone’s colour of the year is Greenery, and although we don’t always like to revert to the on-trends thing when it comes to designing interiors, it’s always fun to see how you can make colours work within your home. Since this years ‘It’ colour is kind of a tricky one, we thought we’d show you some great ways to include it into your home through some lovely accessories.

The key to incorporating on-trend colours within your home is to make sure that the products you buy still have a timeless element to them, whether it’s in their style, shape or function, so that they can go on being used and looking good when their colour is less fashionable.

‘Green and Beige Herringbone Throw’ from Not on the High Street

This throw from Not on the High Street has a classic herringbone pattern, which will always be a staple style, and the blend of beige against the green gives the throw a slightly muted, rustic tone, allowing the throw to work with a whole range of interior styles and colour schemes.

If you have a beautiful dark wood dining table and you’re looking to add a pop of colour, some green upholstered chairs might just do the trick. These velvet and studded chairs from Oka are a wonderful, timeless mossy green which will continue to look elegant throughout the years, and paired with a long wooden table and a dramatic colour on the walls, your dining room will look fit for a feast.

‘Stafford Velvet Dining Chair in Putting Green’ from Oka

Using saucer style pendants for kitchen lighting has been a key look since the return of the industrial style a few years ago, and mixing in a bit of colour is a great way to reinvent your kitchen without having to remodel. These ceramic shades from Graham & Green are the perfect way to add a little life to a tired looking light fixture.

‘Green Saucer Pendant Lampshade’ from Graham & Green

To complement your green lightshade, add an extra dash of the colour with this retro sixties style pea pod tea towel from Thornback & Peel. It’s always important to add a little fun into your interiors to keep everything flowing and light-hearted and though this print might be a little much on a sofa, it’s a fantastic print to give your kitchen a sense of playfulness.

‘Pea Pod Tea Towel’ from Thornback & Peel

When we think of smart contemporary style, we might be tempted to think monotone shades, but throwing in a colourful shade or two can really give your interiors an innovative look. This lacquered green side table from Houseology paired with a moody grey velvet sofa and a crisp white wall would create a fantastic, complete look.

‘Normann Copenhagen Stay Table’ from Houseology

Made by craftsmen in Morocco, these recycled glass tumblers from Rockett St George would make a great addition to any existing collection of glassware. Their overall style makes them smart enough for a formal dinner party, but the individual imperfections to each tumbler gives them a flair that will cut out the matchy-matchy nature of glassware. Not only will they look lovely laid out on a table, but they’ll just as nice as they glistening in the sunlight displayed in a cabinet or dresser.

‘Recycled Glass Tumbler in Green Small’ from Rockett St George

Stick to a natural aesthetic when choosing your green accessories with this interesting artificial moss spray from Graham & Green. A contemporary alternative to a bouquet of flowers, or an unusual addition to an arrangement using some moss in your interior can create a bold look. Adding some to a vase placed on the window sill in a pale coloured bathroom will add an exciting touch.

‘Faux Moss Spray’ from Graham & Green

Adding a few small touches is an easy way to get started on introducing a colour to your interior, especially if bright interiors are a little out of your comfort zone. Changing something small, like the doorknobs on your cabinet, drawer or dresser, can give a piece of furniture and the room it’s in a new look. This floral knob from Anthropologie is a sweet little touch and if you don’t want to overload on the green, you can always use a few of the pink design as well, creating a wonderful horticultural effect.

‘Floraculture Knobs’ from Anthropologie

Another small change you can make is with these exciting coasters, by their very nature each one of them is different, meaning you’re guaranteed originality with your set. You can use them by themselves for a bedside table for an interesting effect or grouped together on a coffee table to really create an impact.

‘Celestial Coasters’ from Anthropologie

Using a bold colour like green in your home can be a little daunting but there are a great deal of ways to not only have fun with the colour but invest in some wonderful pieces that will look amazing in your home for a long time to come. So choose rightly and you’ll have everyone green with envy.

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