ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

STUCK FOR COLOUR INSPIRATION? LOOK AT THE ACCESSORIES IN YOUR KITCHEN. IT COULD BE A FAVOURITE POT, A LE CREUSET CASSEROLE DISH OR EVEN A PIECE OF ART – PUT IT IN PRIDE OF PLACE AND PLAN YOUR PALETTE TO MATCH. IF YOUR KITCHEN OVERLOOKS THE GARDEN, STUDY THE COLOURS OUTDOORS AND HARMONISE THE TWO. IF THERE ARE SEVERAL EVERGREEN SHRUBS OR TREES, FOR INSTANCE, OPT FOR SAGE OR FOREST GREEN; WITH RED FOLIAGE OR FLOWERS, TRY BERRY SHADES; OR WITH YELLOW, CONSIDER MUSTARD OR CREAM. ACCENTS NEED CAREFUL MATCHING WITH YOUR BASE COLOUR. IT’S ALL ABOUT TONAL HARMONIES – WARM NEUTRALS WITH WARM ACCENTS, AND COOL WITH COOL. THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS, THOUGH – GREEN CAN GO WARM WITH CREAMY HUES, OR FRESHER WITH GREY-WHITES.

IF YOU’RE USING AN ACCENT COLOUR IN SMALL DOSES, BE CREATIVE WITH PLACEMENT: HAVE TOUCHES AROUND THE ROOM TO GIVE BALANCE. THINK SHELVES ABOVE WORKTOPS AND A LARDER CUPBOARD ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROOM; OR A COLOURED ISLAND THAT ANCHORS THE SPACE.

KITCHEN COMPANIES NOW OFFER FAR MORE COLOUR OPTIONS. IF IT DOESN’T HAVE THE PERFECT SHADE IN ITS RANGE,

ASK IF IT CAN MATCH UNITS TO YOUR CHOSEN SWATCH.

MAKE SURE YOUR APPLIANCES WORK WITH YOUR PALETTE,

NOT AGAINST IT. BRANDS LIKE STOVES AND AGA LET YOU MATCH YOUR COOKER TO YOUR UNITS, WHILE BLACK APPLIANCES LOOK BETTER THAN WHITE ONES WITH DARKER COLOURS.