8. PALETTE: STAYING GROUNDED

To mitigate the effects of these tumultuous times, interior designers are opting for warm colours; these include earthy hues such as Brave Ground, a muted brown tone selected as the Dulux Colour of the Year for 2021. “We are still transitioning to a post-pandemic world, so home designs should focus not just on what’s fashionable, but on timelessness, ergonomics, and comfort,” says Neo. “Earthy colours are in demand because they create a sense of tranquility.” Pair this wall paint with materials such as copper, velvet and marble to create a sophisticated study, or combine it with sky blue and ocean green tones to craft a cosy living area.

Other top picks include Faded Terracotta, a pale orange tone from the California Collection, a line of paint colours created by American designer Kelly Wearstler in collaboration with UK paint brand Farrow & Ball. This soft hue was inspired by terracotta pots and tiles. The pale shade pairs beautifully with Sand, also from the same collection, which brings to mind the soft, sandy beaches and coastal homes of Malibu.

Clockwise from top left: Brave Ground, the Dulux Colour of the Year for 2021 applied on a wall with other earthy tones; Faded Terracotta, a paint colour from the Farrow & Ball x Kelly Wearstler California Collection; a mix of fabrics in earthy tones from 2021 collections by Kvadrat; this interior by Eightytwo features earthy colours punctuated by russet red tones on the curtains and throw