ACID HOUSE
Take a fresh approach to your decor with tips from
INTERIORS inspiration can come from anywhere; a country you love, a decade you want to relive or an item of furniture around which you create an entire décor scheme. Even the most random source of inspiration can create the most beautiful room set, and this week, given we are in the height of summer, I am taking inspiration from the most refreshing of starting points and sharing how a splash of citrus can freshen up your home.
PALETTE OR PALATE?
CITRUS fruits have a striking effect on both the palette and the palate. It is their intense pigmentation that makes them perfect for interiors, while their intense flavours make for a refreshing treat in the sun.
But one thing both the palette and palate have in common, when it comes to these most acidic of fruits, is that a little goes a long way.
In the same way a slice of lemon brings new flavour to ice cold water, a single piece of furniture in a striking colour will transform even the blandest of rooms with very little effort.
A tub chair is a brilliant starting point but if you want to go even bolder, a sprawling sofa will have an amazing effect. Pair it with neutral flooring and crisp white walls and simply sit back and admire the view.
Not quite brave enough to invest fully? Try some intensely-coloured cushions and a throw, for starters, before graduating to a bigger piece of furniture.
KITCHEN DISCO
THE kitchen is the perfect room in which to experiment with acidic shades. You might even say it was made for it.
Splashbacks, the area around the sink and the cooker, are great for playing with colour and pattern.
Tiles are your best option here; after all, you want something easy to keep clean and resistant to water damage. Fortunately for us, the market is awash with fantastically vibrant tiles in a myriad of different colours.
This solution is ideal if you want to inject some freshness into the kitchen without breaking the bank. A splashback is a relatively small area so you won’t need a huge amount of tiles, plus, if you’re going to bring in an expert to do the job – it won’t be a big one so will keep labour costs to a minimum.
If your budget will stretch a little further, consider installing clever lighting to really make the most of your new tiles. Some strip lighting under the kitchen wall cupboards will make your brightest of tiles shine that little bit brighter.
ACCENT-UATE YOUR DéCOR
GREY been a staple of the interiors scene for a few seasons and by the looks of things, it’s not going anywhere. And why would it? It’s timeless and classic and works in all homes, from period properties to new builds.
But if you want to shake up your existing scheme try introducing citric shades as an accent to break up the swathes of grey.
Lemon is a great choice and there are all sorts of accessories on the market in this most vibrant of shades – everything from curtains and cushions to prints and crockery.
If you’re feeling particularly bold, why not shop around for a really vibrant wallcovering for a single wall?
Accent walls are ideal for injecting colour and pattern without overwhelming a space. It gives you a palette around which you can fill your room with accessories and will draw attention, as well as brightening the mood of all inhabitants.
■ Lesley Taylor is the author of 10 interior design books and has appeared on a range of network TV shows, including This Morning, giving inspirational advice on home styling. For more information on her work, head to lesleytaylor.co.uk