Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
Crazy for colour Inspiration and palettes galore to bring gorgeous colour into your home
With inspiration galore, you’ll succumb and join the club of bold painters and decorators
does the thought of choosing a colour palette for your home or even a room send you into a mild panic? You’re not alone. Most of us feel the same, so we tend to settle for the safety net of neutrality. These pages will encourage you to switch from colourless to colourful, whether you decide to rock a monochromatic scheme, add a dreamy blush to neutrals, or use soft furnishings fora spark of brightness – why not take the plunge and paint your walls (or kitchen) a beautiful shade of bold.
2 Paint is not always the answer. With a wild complexity of colour, the exotic design of this floral velvet fabric brings an extravaganza of sophisticated energy to the room.
3 A touch of turquoise or jade is enough to cut through and cool down dusty purples. Ramp up the texture quotient and you’ll liven up your rooms brilliantly. And, if you’re crushing on the current metallics trend, matt gold tones match regal purple.
4 Lend an additional layer of purple with a sublime photographic print. Peony Starburst photographic print (unframed), Artistudio.
5 Opt for pastel purple as a backdrop for gentle washed blues and pinks. You’ll discover these are excellent partners for caramels and softer pearl greys for a more country-style effect. PS, instead of wallpaper, roll a pattern on your wall. Tussock patterned roller, etsy.com.
6 Channel your inner boho with striking amethyst walls. Here, the wall treatment was a textured wallpaper. Break up the amethyst with other jewel tones – try citrine and turquoise – and use ethnic patterns to counter blocks of colour.
Purple can be soft and feminine, relaxed and comfy, or luxe and glam
Go for an unexpected hit of glorious fuchsia pink on a single item and possibly an accessory or two. Teamed with a liberal amount of white, black and metallic touches, the look spells confidence. Note to self: shop for an old dresser to repaint, today!
Pink is the ultimate pickme-up, but understandably it takes courage to paint your walls this hot hue. Limit it to an alcove to make a positive impact without overwhelming the room. For subtlety, layer, layer, layer! Team it with a smart white desk and black accents.
Cushions are your go-to accent pieces for colour in an instant. Lovin’ this cushion’s vibrant leafy digital print on velvet with a linen blend reverse. Ghost cushion cover in Fuchsia, 50 x 50cm, $79.95, Luxotic.
Not ready to commit to pink in a big way? Whether you go for hot pink, magenta or a softer version of this shade, pink scatter cushions and a throw blanket (you decide if you want lamps as well) offer just the right amount of bright colour. It will perk up a handsome suitgrey scheme instantaneously.
Pink, from powder to fuchsia, has moods from ethereal and exuberant to strong and sexy
Blue is such a versatile hue. It’s easily infused into homes, making it popular around the globe
Go beyond the pale with the drama of deep marine blue walls – and curtains – setting the stage for plush velvets and metallics. You can bathe the whole room in varying degrees of this sumptuous shade and let texture do the talking, or add contrast with a knockout burnt terracotta. See-through glass or leggy and pale timber furniture – or a mix of all three – and neutral flooring keep the mood light.
Monochromatic schemes rely most on texture to lift rooms. Be on the lookout for materials that draw the eye or invite you to touch. Shaynna Blaze slub weave cross cushion, 50 x 50cm, Harris Scarfe.
Classic blue and white has long been a favourite scheme. Give this marine colourway a blast of new energy with a sunny yellow and turquoise.
Green, nature’s neutral, is like a breath of fresh air. Dare to go bold with it!
Do you like to have fun with a traditional interior? Opt for the formality of panelling to chair rail height – above it hang a stylised leafy-print wallpaper in vibrant greens. PS, paint the woodwork the tone of the wallpaper’s ground colour. Designers Guild Jaipur Rose Tulsi fabric in Eau de Nil (blinds) and Zardozi Tulsi Eau de Nil wallpaper, Radford.
Bring green serenity inside with a half-white, half-emerald wall, a brighter statement cabinet, a striking vignette of living greenery and a botanical print. Introduce living greens with lush house plants in gold pots. Tahoe plant stand in Gold, from $62.99, Adairs.
The heart of your home deserves big gestures. Give your kitchen great presence with style-led bold green cabinetry and marble-look benchtops. You’ll love the matt finish and high-end appearance of this budget-friendly, flatpack kitchen. Vivid Basil doors (Alpine profile), Oyster Swirl benchtops, Salted Licorice splashback, matt black cup handles, Kaboodle Kitchen.