Resident expert Shannon Vos injects some colour into this month’s all-white world
White is great but well-considered colour brings character and warmth to a home, says Shannon
The changing seasons do so much
to our lives, it’s impossible to not see the impact on our interiors, and anyone who keeps their Game Of
Thrones- inspired living room (furs and all, à la Jon Snow) through a scorching Australian summer has no idea. But while it might be nice to drop a sack of cash every few months to update your home’s interiors, it’s not a wise investment. So here’s my rundown on some fail-proof colour palettes and how to make them last longer than they should.
make colour go further
It’s no secret that colour in a home can date quicker than a MAFS contestant’s social status, but there are a few tricks to getting longevity from your favourite tones. It’s all about how you use your colour – too much and you will be sick of it in no time; not enough and you’ll barely notice it. Balance is everything.
Subtle pops of colour will date well, especially if paired with complementary tones (just remember that the more something jumps out at you, the quicker you will tire of looking at it). Go with what you love but minimise your use of colour and mix it up with tried-andtested neutrals. A soft grey can be the lifeline most tones of colours need to last through the seasons as the neutral grey can act as a buffer between your chosen (subdued) tone and the starkness of white. While Pantone’s Living Coral may be touted as this year’s must-have, most of us don’t have the guts to go all out with such a bold tone. Here are a couple of safer options with complementary finishes:
+ Dulux’s 2019 Wholeself palette offers a relaxing inhale in the busyness of the everyday. I love the muted natural tones, and Pinkham is this year’s answer to the millennial pink craze we all fell in love with a few years ago. Best paired with complementary tones, this subdued blush tone works well with a stark white, a warm wheat tone or Smartstone’s Concreto Naturale.
+ Earthy tones, greens in particular, bring a sense of ‘outside calm’ to our homes, much like a crisp mountain vista. Porter’s Paints’ range of greens runs the gamut, from foresty Emerald to the softer tones of Blackheath and Blade. Natural terracottas and rich, warm timbers work well with them, as well as striking steel and matt-black features such as tapware.
+ Sage has been touted as a hot trend for this year and next. With warm undertones, this normally cool colour is very versatile. It can be paired with cotton whites, linen greys and even ebony timber. Taubman’s Misty Lake works perfectly with all of those, as well as brass.
trending now
Trends come and go, so I would always advise against making any current trend too permanent. However, there are a few that have cemented themselves as stayers in the interior world, and if you can tap into these (now) classic selections, your home will stand the test of time.
Matt-black tapware has lasted through the fad stage and planted itself as a design staple, and this striking finish can be incorporated into plenty of looks.
Terrazzo was once loved and forgotten, but this custom concrete mix is incredibly sought after, totally personalised and a great asset to any space. Inject a touch of colour to personalise and your spaces will be the envy of the neighbours. If you can’t quite commit to a custom concrete pour, Timeless Ceppo Gris tiles from Beaumont Tiles are a damn near-perfect option. Plus there’s always terrazzo in the form of an accessory or even Fazeek’s handmade terrazzo soaps (fazeek.com.au), the latest must-have for the bathroom,
Morocco has always been the elusive fantasy for most, and now its colours, textures and materials are hot. Think palm trees and desert colours, plenty of natural materials, texture and bold pops of aqua (and funnily enough, terrazzo).
Natural never goes out of style, which is why timber and stone will always be
en vogue. A comfortable, inviting aesthetic is hard to beat, and Mother Nature is the ultimate designer.
Texture has been a huge hit in the past couple of years, with boho, hygge and other Scandinavian styles all making their mark. Indeed, nothing quite warms a room (visually) as much as bucketloads of texture. Heavily textured spaces take much longer to date, so break out the furs and fling those throws over the seating.
Textured-looking breezeblocks are back, too. They had their day decades ago and have re-emerged with vigour, popping up in boutique developments and on Pinterest feeds, channelling all the goodness of a Palm Springs-inspired home.
updating for you
When renovating or updating for yourself, the world is your oyster (and what a great shade that is to live with, too!) Pick colours and materials that absolutely captivate you (after all, you have to live with them), but try not to go overboard. Again, restraint is key and it always helps to have a bit of harmony in the room. Balance bold with subtle, cool with warm, and natural with man-made. It’s your castle – own it!
updating for a sale
Sadly, when you’re updating your home for an impending sale, it’s best to appeal to the masses because they’re the ones with all the money. So, create a canvas for them to personalise, stick as much as possible to the basics – the neutrals – and keep the colour scheme and the material palette as simple as you can. Once you’ve got those basics right, allow each of the spaces to shine, pray for good weather and watch the bids roll in.