Keeping itsweet

Five ways to work summer’s sorbet flavours into your scheme – these sugary shades are made for quick decor updates, says

Keen to give your home a summer refresh? An easy – and soulsoothing – route to bright and breezy decor updates is pretty pastels and sorbet shades. Not only do they add a sweet touch to a space, but they channel good vibes and a carefree spirit that remind us of childhood – but in a chic, contemporary, grown-up way.

It’s easy to pass pastels off as cutesy but there’s a universal charm to these ice cream colours, which can be super sophisticated when used stylishly – and sometimes it only calls for a lick of paint to make the right first impression.

1. Paint your way to an ice cream palette

“Summer is infused in pastel and sorbet shades because they hold memories of sweet-scented flowers, the taste of ice cream, bird song, laughter and the lapping of waves on a sandy shore,” says Marianne Shillingford, creative director of Dulux. “They’re colours that gift a room with these attributes every day, even when its raining, so if you have space in which you need to feel happy and uplifted, try a lick of peppermint candy, pistachio creme, berry whip and citrus sorbet.”

For these summer shades and more inspiration, visit dulux.co.uk to find your nearest store.

If you’re not sure where to start, Shillingford suggests using pastel shades in rooms where there’s enough light to enjoy them during the day, as they’re harder to appreciate at night under artificial light, and to team them with pure white on the woodwork.

Try Dulux copper blush matt rmulsion; tranquil dawn silk emulsion and citrus zing (coming soon), £16 each for 2.5L, Wickes.

“Adding a delicate colour to the ceiling is one of the best-kept secrets in decorating, and pastels add just enough colour to make a huge difference, but not too much that it overwhelms the space.

“Blues and greens will make a room appear bigger, while yellow and pinks will add a touch of warm sunshine and make a room appear more intimate. Try bringing the colour down on to the walls by about 20-30cm and see how amazing it looks too,” says Marianne.

When it comes to mastering the mix, think fun and fresh, and just enough colour to add a hint without dominating everything you already have in the room.

The other great thing about ice cream shades is they’re versatile enough to be used in a sophisticated way. After all, who doesn’t adore a champagne sorbet?

“If you add a little grey to a pastel it becomes very swank indeed, so consider shades like pink parchment, milled flour, borrowed blue or beach grass. Once you’ve chosen your favourite, paint the walls, ceiling and woodwork in the same colour,” suggests Shillingford.

2. Step into the look with pastel rugs

“Colour blocking with pastels never

Summer is infused in pastel and sorbet shades because they hold memories of sweet-scented flowers, the taste of ice cream

goes out of fashion. Just the whole combination of pastel pink, mint green and baby blue works so well, especially teamed with grey and neutral tones,” says Daniel Prendergast, design director and founder at The Rug Seller. “A more graphic style works well with the sugary tones to give the design an edge.

“There’s something very fresh about pastel shades, especially mint green. Designers at Accessorize Home have teamed their signature style with pretty pastels within its range of rugs – combining powder pink, mint green and baby blue for a look that’s contemporary