The colour edit
This month, our colour consultants give their views on this delicious shade and how to use it for a beautiful home
Learn how to use teal for a beautiful home
■ ‘FOR A SOPHISTICATED FEEL, CONCENTRATE ON
MID TO DARK TEAL TONES, WHICH CAN BEAUTIFULLY ENVELOP A ROOM,’ says head of Zoffany Studio
Peter Gomez. ‘THE DEEPER THE COLOUR, THE GREATER THE DRAMATIC EFFECT.’
■ ‘TEAL’S VIBRANCY CAN BRING NEW LIFE TO TIRED FURNISHINGS, SO IT’S THE PERFECT SHADE FOR UPCYCLING PROJECTS,’ says Sue Kim, senior colour designer at Valspar. ‘TRY REFRESHING KITCHEN CABINETS BY PAINTING THEM IN A RICH TEAL HUE.’
■ ‘TEAL IS ON THE COOLER END OF THE SPECTRUM, SO WALLS IN THIS COLOUR RESPOND BRILLIANTLY WHEN BATHED IN BRIGHT NATURAL SUNLIGHT,’ advises Jody Hudson, stylist at Graham & Brown. ‘IF YOU’RE USING THE SHADE IN A NORTH-FACING ROOM THAT RECEIVES COOLER LIGHT, BE SURE TO COUNTERACT WITH WARM TONES OF MUSTARD AND ORANGE.’
■ ‘EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT FINISHES TO
CREATE A UNIQUE DECORATIVE FEATURE,’ says
Charlotte Cosby, head of creative at Farrow & Ball. ‘TEAL COMES ALIVE IN FULL GLOSS. USE IT ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF WALLS TO CREATE A STRIKING CONTRAST WITH ESTATE EMULSION ABOVE.’
■ ‘TEAL IS INCREDIBLY VERSATILE,’ says Nelly Hall, brand director at M&L Paints. ‘IT LOOKS WONDERFUL IN CONTEMPORARY SETTINGS, PAIRED WITH CHALKY WHITES AND SOFT GREY TO ENSURE IT ISN’T OVERWHELMING.’
■ Inject metallic elements into the mix – think shimmer-effect wallpaper or copper and brass accessories. ‘THIS WILL ADD DEPTH AND MOVEMENT TO WHAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE A SOLID BLOCK OF COLOUR,’ explains Jody Hudson, stylist at Graham & Brown.
■ If you’re feeling bolder, take teal across all four walls. ‘THIS MAY SEEM LIKE AN OVERZEALOUS USE OF COLOUR BUT ACTUALLY IT SIMPLIFIES THE ROOM, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WITH AWKWARD PROPORTIONS,’ says Charlotte Cosby, head of creative at Farrow & Ball.
■ ‘TEAL WORKS WELL WITH MUTED PINKS,’ says
Sue Kim, senior colour designer at Valspar. ‘THESE COMPLEMENTARY SHADES FUNCTION TO BRIGHTEN
THE SPACE AND BRING OUT THE WARMER UNDERTONE OF THE TEAL, CREATING A TROPICAL FEEL.’
“Teal is a great accent colour for rooms, it brings a calm intensity to scheme” an otherwise neutral NELLY HALL, BRAND DIRECTOR AT M&L PAINTS