BEING BOLD

HOW TO MIX DEEP, DECADENT shades WITH BRIGHT HUES

If you don’t want to play it safe, aren’t afraid to tread boldly, and have taken a shine to making a spring statement, then you’re bang up to date with the current trend for blending deep, decadent shades with bolds and brights. Designers love to keep us on our toes – and, as Donna Taylor, PPG colour expert and principal technical colour consultant at Johnstone’s Paint, says: “This year is all about embracing colour and inspiring people to use it in unique ways, whether that’s through pairing bolds with sophisticated neutrals, or being clever with palettes and design features to make the most of different spaces.”

To give you a head start on using colour with confidence, the stylists at Johnstone’s paint have launched three new palettes to inspire consumers to introduce bright and daring schemes – but for maximum impact, they cite the ‘feature wall’ as the biggest trend for 2019, with statement colours becoming increasingly popular.

Their Interior Walls & Ceilings Feature Wall range includes an array of tropical hues, such as Caribbean Tide, Vivid Violet and Empire Jewel, from £14.99 for 2.5L (visit johnstonespaint.com for stockists).

Elsewhere, just as we’re finally heading towards the brighter seasons, shops are welcoming in joyful shades too – all you need to do is find the right brights for you.

For inspiration, check out these 11 bold buys...

Clarissa Hulse Angeliki fabric – sunset, £103 per metre, Cushions from £40, clarissahulse.com Brooding blues and moody mauves work to spectacular effect when they collide with swathes of lustrous cotton/ silk curtains with botanical designs, to mirror more exotic climes. To be even more inventive, mix brights with brights and don’t be afraid to clash colours.

A by Amara grid crochet cushion – Pink, £40, Amara Who would have thought crochet could be cool again? The arts and craft movement is in full swing, and this bubble-gum pink cushion should inspire some creativity.

Sara Miller London Portmeirion Chelsea Collection cake plates – Set of 4, £42.50, portmeirion.co.uk Pretty as a picture, we think these decorative birds in flight would look brilliant hanging on a statement wall. Check out Pinterest for inspiration as to how to group them together.

Make your own neon light, £15, Oliver Bonas If you don’t want to hang a lot of pictures on the wall, but fancy putting your name (or a message) in lights, what’s not to love about playing around with three metres of flexi wire to make your own neon sign, pictured below.