Decorating with strong shades: how to go bold
PAINT is the perfect way to transform a space easily, adding personality and character, says Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene. ‘Bold, vivid tones work well in rooms made for entertaining, or see a lot of activity, such as kitchens and living rooms. A pop of colour is a great way to add impact and an element of surprise to a scheme. Bold colours are also great for spaces with lots of light and can be used in bigger proportions without being “too much”.’
For a strong approach, embrace the colour drenching trend. This sees mid-strength tones, in just one or two closely related colours, used to create enveloping cohesive interiors that allow colour to be a focal point. It’s an approach used by interior designer Sarah Brown for her kitchen – ‘all the walls and woodwork are in the same colour with contrasting notes. It’s a way of straddling the design gap between town and country, traditional and contemporary,’ says Sarah. The beauty of colour drenching is that it can be applied to a variety of different spaces. It can’t make a small room larger, warns Ruth, but it can embrace the size of the space and create something that lifts the mood and feels engaging, inviting and contemporary.
Colour in the kitchen is a relatively new concept. Historically, says Edward Bulmer, the considerations taken into account were that the materials used were fire-proof, serviceable, sturdy and washable.
But for those who want to embrace bolder tones, the best bet is to consider the light and volume of the space, says Louisa Greville-williams of Vanrenen GW Designs. ‘If the kitchen is large, we might use a patterned wallpaper and then contrast, rather than match, with a paint colour. We think kitchens should be just as decorative as the rest of the house.’
Bedrooms can take bold hues too, adds Camilla Clarke, creative director of Albion Nord. ‘It’s easy to shy away from bold colours in bedrooms but they work wonderfully when paired with white sheets and the creamy tones of a headboard and cushions,’ she says.
Bear in mind, you don’t need to go bold with walls – you can focus on big colour pops instead. ‘I live with a lot of boldly painted woodwork and objects, which have a lot to say when they’re put together,’ says Bridie Hall, interior designer and co-founder of Pentreath & Hall. ‘My trick is to sink it all into a neutral environment; all my walls are painted Dulux trade white. Those blank spaces create a negative where the eyes can take a breather and are just as important as the positive, impactful burst of colour and form.’
Sarah Peake, founder of Studio Peake, says she likes to pick out one or two colours that anchor the room and then mix in other complementary colours, with the main anchor tones being the common threads that run through the scheme. You can also use pattern to ensure that even a bold colour scheme is dispersed throughout the space in a subtle, harmonious way; for example, a plain wallpaper or paint on the walls offset by patterned cushions and soft furnishings that quietly pick up that tone. It is also important to limit the overall number of colours you use, otherwise the space may feel unstructured and overwhelming.’
Colourful art is another way to go bold. A favourite painting can be a good inspiration and art is always the starting point for any scheme by Sophie Ashby of Studio Ashby who is known for her dynamic designs. ‘Ideally, we would work from a client’s own collection. From that, we can then build a colour palette and design references,’ says Sophie. ‘In a new build, I like to go with all-white walls and curtains and put colour into the middle of the room with art and textiles. While in a period house, I might go for a strong colour on the wall picked out by a white ceiling and skirtings.’ →