WHAT EXPERTS THE SAY...

Designers and stylists share their views

■ ‘OCHRE ADDS A HAPPY GLOW TO ANY ROOM AND IS PERFECT FOR HALLWAYS OR NORTH-FACING ROOMS THAT NEED TO BRING THEIR OWN SUNSHINE. TEAM WITH RICH REDS AND BROWN TONES TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL COLOUR PALETTE THAT CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE DAY AS DIFFERENT LIGHT REFLECTS ON IT,’ says Lucy St George, co-founder of Rockett St George.

■ ‘IT’S A COLOUR THAT IS WARMING AND INVITING AND THEREFORE WORKS ESPECIALLY WELL IN ENTRANCES AND HALLS. IT’S BRILLIANT AS A FEATURE WALL IN BEDROOMS AND KITCHENS TOO,’ says Paula Taylor, colour & trends specialist at Graham & Brown.

■ Try out ochre in functional rooms, such as the bathroom and kitchen. ‘IT CAN WORK REALLY WELL BY INTRODUCING AN UNEXPECTED SPLASH OF COLOUR,’ says Dominic Myland, CEO of Mylands paint. ‘IT ALSO

PAIRS WELL WITH DARK BLUES, WHICH ARE A POPULAR CHOICE FOR KITCHEN CABINETS, AS THE WARM YELLOW BALANCES OUT THE COOLER BLUE.’

■ Combining ochre with other colours is not as tricky as it might first seem, according to Annie Sloan: ‘FOR DRAMA, PAIR IT WITH STRONG GREENS IN A TROPICAL BOTANICAL SETTING; TO DIAL IT BACK, USE WITH WHITES AND FOR SOMETHING BETWEEN THE TWO, TEAM OCHRE WITH A SOFT BLACK – IT’S DRAMATIC AND INTERESTING BUT STILL VERY LIVEABLE.’

■ ‘BECAUSE THIS COLOUR CAN BE USED AS A NEUTRAL, IT WORKS WELL WITH ANY WOOD TONES, OAK THROUGH TO MAHOGANY, AND ALSO MIXES BRILLIANTLY WITH WARM METALLICS, INCLUDING GOLD, BRONZE OR COPPER,’ says Nicky Phillips, Decorating Editor at Ideal Home.

■ ‘AS AN EARTHY, GROUNDING TONE; ENHANCE THE FEELING OF RELAXATION AND CALM IN YOUR HOME BY PAIRING WITH RATTAN CHAIRS, WOVEN CANE SIDE

TABLES, BAMBOO FURNITURE, WICKER BASKETS AND HANDMADE POTTERY,’ says Lucy St George, co-founder of Rockett St George.

■ ‘FOR ACCENT COLOURS THAT PING, TRY RASPBERRY OR OLIVE GREEN, BUT AVOID ZESTY LEMON OR LIME. FOR A SOFTER LOOK, PAIR WITH EARTHY NEUTRALS OR WARM PINKS,’ says Nicky Phillips, Decorating Editor at Ideal Home.