Times Colonist

Black, red and cream a decor staple

- CATHY HOBBS Cathy Hobbs is an Emmy Award-winning television host and interior design expert. Visit her website at cathyhobbs.com

Check out a designer runway show and you are bound to catch a glimpse of the colour combinatio­n black, red and cream. Is using these colours together new? No. But seeing the colours together in home decor is a currently trend.

ON TREND VS. TRENDY

While the colour combinatio­n of black, red and cream is on trend, it certainly can’t be considered trendy. The colour combinatio­n is essentiall­y a decor staple in which decorators can feel comfortabl­e pairing and mixing these colours with a high likelihood of success nearly every time.

WHY THESE COLOURS WORK

Black and cream are foundation colours, meaning they act as a neutral palette within a space and pair well with other colours. Red is a vibrant, rich hue that makes a nice accent. A pop of red against a cream background is the ideal combo of light and dark, the cream allowing the red to shine. Conversely, if you place red against dark colours such as black, the red forces the eye to perk up and pay attention.

HOW TO USE BLACK, CREAM AND RED

In considerin­g ways to incorporat­e black, red and cream (or any colour) into your space, be sure to use colour purposeful­ly. Plan ahead and determine which pieces of furniture or which accessorie­s you want to have in a particular colour. A great design tip is to use neutral colours for large furniture pieces like sofas and chairs, while using pops of colour as accents. Colourful accents can include everything from toss pillows to throws, small sculptural items and even books.

 ??  ?? Taupe and black with a pop of red create an elegant look in this living room.
Taupe and black with a pop of red create an elegant look in this living room.

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