TONES OF BERRY

Fruitful partners that are cosy and cocooning

Shades inspired by the colours of fruits and berries have an appealing, organic origin, which is cosy and warming. They work well in small spaces or cooler, north-facing rooms, which they imbue with friendliness and comfort. Choose softer tones or ones that have a degree of blue in them, which stops them being too ‘hot’ or appearing to advance too much into a room.

Small, darker rooms such as a snug are perfect for them, as they give a cocooning feel that works well on the dullest day. Limit the other colours you add and use ones from the cooler side of the spectrum or natural shades – grey blues, greys, warm blues or even a dash of purple. Deep, saturated berry tones are best kept contained in a small area or used as an accent, otherwise they can become too overpowering, whereas gentler ones can decorate walls and larger expanses.

RICH PICKINGS Strong and intense, yet warm and derived from nature, these shades especially suit darker rooms and furnishings. This daybed, dressed with rich wool and printed textiles in tones of raspberry, goes well with polished dark wood floorboards and accents of cool grey green and metallic furnishings

CONCEAL AND REVEAL A vivid pink is a surprise when you open this larder door. It suits a small space: it’s a colour you wouldn’t want to live with every day but a glimpse would raise the spirits. Pantry in Rangwali; door in Paean Black, both Farrow & Ball (farrow-ball.com)