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For several years now we’ve seen a welcome transition away from cold greys towards much warmer stones and earthier, cosier colours. But the next, and glorious step we’re now seeing is referred to as colour drenching, and is towards full-on, total immersion in colour. Strong and rich shades abound, with ceilings painted in the same gorgeous colour as the walls, and coloured paintwork is back (yes, I know I’m showing my age!!!). And if that’s all a bit too much for you, gradation of colour is the order of the day. You don’t have to have a white ceiling and woodwork just because that’s the way it’s always been. Paint and Paper Library’s Architectural Colours, and Little Greene’s Colour Scales provide the ideal solution to achieving a soft, harmonious effect.
Paint & Paper Library’s latest colour card incorporates 32 fabulous new colours that really evoke the current mood. Rich sludgy blues like Mockingbird, darkened, sumptuous greens like Nori, and a gloriously intense, almost auberginey grey called Drakensberg.
One of the main factors to consider when choosing a colour for your project is orientation. The amount and type of light that is projected into your room can affect how a colour is received, as can the times of day that the room receives the sun. For example, bright yellows, such as the buttery Morning Room and contemporary Brimstone, will enhance the morning sunlight in east-facing spaces. These tones will also sustain a sense of warmth throughout the day, once the sun has moved south.
West-facing rooms receive the sun during the late afternoon and evening. These rooms benefit from a very yellow light, especially through west-facing, large windows. Rooms filled with such stunning golden warmth partner beautifully with vibrant blue-green shades like Iguana or the classic mid-strength blue, Blue Gum.
As spaces that seldom receive direct sunlight, rooms that face north tend to be the coolest areas in the home. As such, these spaces often rely on artificial light sources. When painting north-facing spaces, it is important to understand that any colour will appear flatter and greyer than it would in a more dynamically lit space. Compensate against the cool in a north-facing room by choosing a warm palette of neutrals. The Paint Library Sand family contains undertones of
pink, while Clay is subtly tinged with yellow. Use either of these groups to create something that feels warm and inviting.
If you have a space that faces south, it is the perfect chance to experiment with cooler shades. Cool shades may appear harsher in other areas but are comfortable in south-facing rooms that receive sun throughout the day. Neutrals with blue undertones, such as the Lead or Salt Architectural Colours, will create a cohesive and thoughtful space. However, the richest, deepest shades like Kigali are absolutely splendid in south-facing rooms, where they create a compelling atmosphere.
One final word about paint; as with just about everything in our wonderful industry, quality is paramount. The phrase “You get what you pay for” is just as relevant with paint as it is with curtains, carpets and furniture. You may hear a decorator say “You find me the colour and I’ll get it matched in a cheaper paint.” Believe me, it won’t be the same. The colour may be something close (although it certainly isn’t always), but the cheaper household brands can never replicate that sumptuous, flat, chalky look and feel that good quality paints like Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library exude, both initially and for years after.
JOHN BIDDELL - JOHN CHARLES INTERIORS 349 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B17 8DL
T. 0121 420 3977
www.johncharlesinteriors.co.uk LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
HOME S & INTERIORS JOHN BIDDE L L
John Biddell - John Charles Interiors
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