Bold and Beautiful

Homeowner and designer Barbara Milner’s living room combines panelled walls wrapped in a rich cool blue with a hot- pink sofa to make a dramatic statement. Milner wanted to create a space that was suitable for meeting clients and entertaining friends, and this contemporary yet formal palette fits the bill. The abstract mural ( from wallpaper company Wallquest) provides another hit of colour, this time in a less saturated tone. Simple sketches framed in brass offer relief from the intense palette.

Why it works:

Because the pink and the blue are the same intensity, they function together, rather than compete for attention. Mixing a strong warm colour with a vibrant cool hue creates a sense of tension, which is pleasing to the eye. When selecting a vivid combination like this, look for shades that are opposite (or close to it) on the colour wheel.