Pattern & colour
Breaking out from the strictures of lockdowns and rules, this look is all about bold colour and a rediscovered sense of adventure. It is interpreted in two main ways – more playful nostalgic tones such as dusty lilac, plum, burnt orange and warm charcoal, or in a richer more sophisticated palette of violet, cobalt blue, red and acid yellow. Says Davina Harper from Dulux: “There’s a new-found sense of adventure and passion for life. Interiors are layered, expressive and unapologetically individual, with decadent fabrics such as velvet, silk and buttery-soft leather, paired with one-off vintage finds. Furniture with exaggerated curves evokes a 1970s disco vibe, while luxe marble nostalgically adds an unexpected elegance. As we move towards more freedoms, these colours enrich our feelings of empowerment.” Lucy Ovenden of James Dunlop Textiles notes an increase in requests for strong emeralds and palm leaf greens. “Bright peaches, vivid blues and nostalgic teal are starting to surface in the designer market. Brights are being layered together for energy or to anchor a scheme and provide impact.”