Get inspired with hues that warm the heart and the home
From soft, muted tones to bolder choices, these colours bring a romantic touch
Is it time to brush up on romance with some beautiful hues?
Fresh paint will easily give your home that loving look, and at this time of year the colour palette generally tends toward those more romantic tones.
“I think that people probably get their inspiration from the season that they're in,” said Sharon Grech, Benjamin Moore's colour marketing expert. “So if you are thinking about painting right now, you're definitely going to be inspired by those (romantic) tones.”
She notes that these colours are more prevalent online at this time of year and in retail store displays in markets where stores are open.
For February 2021, her top four colours offer a balance of smooth neutrals and lipstick red: White Opulence OC-69, Head Over Heels AF-250, Desert Rose 2094-50 and Rapture CC-66.
“My go-to pinks are muted and warm like sun-baked clay,” said Grech. “Punctuate those soft pinks with a bold red and a crisp yet warm white for a space that feels like a cosy hug all year.”
But just because your new paint project may be a February do-over it doesn't mean the Valentine's romance inspiration won't work for the rest of the year.
Rather, Grech said it depends on how you play the colour choices throughout your home. You can play up or play down the wall, or even the ceiling colour — yes, she says consider painting the ceiling. For example, Head Over Heels with its soft hues of pink and taupe would add a subtle romantic contrast to grey walls yet the ceiling remains neutral enough to enjoy year round.
Or just add pops of colour. Want Rapture's gorgeous bold lipstick red feel but think it would look out of place later on?
Well, Grech suggests painting chairs or pieces of furniture enabling you to get that colour while still being able to easily change that item out if you need to.
On the other hand, if you really want a romantic red to play a more prominent role, Grech proposes the following:
“Since red is so attention grabbing, it is best used as an accent wall, ceiling or on all four walls in a small space like a powder room where you can enjoy its energy for a short time,” she said.
For thoroughfare spaces like hallways, stairwells and foyers, a pale neutral like Muslin — more taupe, less pink — is a great transition colour or go for a soft white like White Opulence.
“I would love to see Rapture as an accent to liven up one of these public spaces, perhaps on a door?” said Grech, adding the inside of the front door is often a blank canvas inviting personality into a foyer. “Pashmina, a deeper, warmer neutral is a cosy option for the living space and Potter's Clay, or Desert Rose are less expected options for other living spaces, even the dining and or kitchen areas.”
In the bedroom, Grech outlines a monochromatic scheme with Head over Heels, Desert Rose and white for a soothing getaway space. For a more lively contrast, she said to try Silhouette, a warm off-black, as the backdrop on the walls and accent with pinks and pale neutrals.
As for those who feel romantic colours are not their speed, there is this option.
“I hate to generalize, but for a less feminine approach, complementing a romantic colour scheme with white furnishings and black accents brings a more modern, graphic feel or adding wood and heavy textures adds a rustic element,” said Grech. “For a cosy, clay hue with less pink, Potters Clay, in Benjamin Moore's 2021 Trend Collection, is an earthy mid-tone that works well as a kitchen accent, dining or even living room.”