A classic colour combination found everywhere from Cape Cod homes to beach California bungalows, a pairing of blue and white is a great idea.

Opt for white light fixtures to maintain brightness, and add metallic finishes like silver or chrome for a contemporary feel. Blue glass accents or white ceramic pieces complete the look with elegance.

This colour scheme creates a serene, sophisticated space perfect for relaxation or entertaining.

Adding colour through a single, thoughtfully chosen textile can make a significant impact on a room’s aesthetic, providing style and personality without overwhelming the space.

A single textile in a striking colour can also enhance the room’s character and establish a focal point that draws the eye.

By using just one vibrant textile, you can create a room with both energy and balance. This approach lets you experiment with colour and style without the commitment of repainting or extensive decorating, making it a versatile, low-maintenance solution for elevating any space.

Using a single textile in a bright, intentional colour also allows for both flexibility and control over the room’s aesthetic. It’s ideal for those who prefer a minimalistic style but still want to incorporate personality and vibrancy, as it keeps the decor simple yet stylish with just one statement-making piece.

Ultimately, adding colour through textiles is an accessible way to infuse personality, warmth, and vibrancy into a home, allowing you to experiment with style without making permanent changes.

It’s a long held rule in decorating that white is a great choice when you’re trying to create the illusion of space.

But that raises a rather important question – which white? There have been plenty of jokes told where one person says white, and the other immediately starts listing out all sorts of names for white – pearl, alabaster, snow, cotton, lace… you get the idea.

Here’s the catch though – not all whites are the same. Crazy, right? In fact shades of white fall roughly into two groups – those with warm undertones, and those with cool undertones. And that’s when it becomes clear that not all whites are the same.

Whites with a warm (yellow) undertone actually do what all warm colours do – they make a space feel warmer and cosier. So they don’t achieve the object of expanding the space.

Cool whites, usually with a crisp grey or blue undertone, are the ones you need if you’re trying to create the feeling of space.

Daisy, powder, bone, ivory, linen… 122 shades? Wow.

A hunter green and red colour scheme can offer several advantages, particularly in design and aesthetics. It provides a strong visual contrast, enabling individual elements to stand out as well as being visually dynamic.

Overall, a hunter green and red colour scheme can offer a harmonious balance of traditional elegance, seasonal appeal, and visual interest, making it a versatile choice for various design projects.

Adding a pop of colour with statement lighting is a fantastic way to infuse personality and vibrancy into a space. Here are some ideas to help you achieve this:

Consider Colour Blocking

Introduce a lighting fixture that complements or matches the colour of a key element in the room, such as a piece of furniture or an accent wall. This creates a cohesive and intentional design. Colour blocking can be particularly effective in spaces with minimalist or neutral palettes.

Use Coloured Bulbs

If you already have a lighting fixture you love, you can add a pop of colour by using coloured light bulbs. These come in various hues and can instantly change the ambiance of a room. LED smart bulbs can also be controlled for different colours, allowing you to switch between tones based on your mood or the occasion.

Remember, the key is to balance the statement lighting with the overall design of the room. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and have fun incorporating a pop of colour that reflects your personality and style.

Adding a pop of colour with a rug is a great way to liven up a room and give it a fresh, vibrant look. A long runner can also add colour to unexpected places and add dimension to just about any room or hallway. Here are some tips on how to choose and incorporate a colourful rug into your space:

Consider the Room’s Colour Palette: Take a look at the existing colours in the room. Choose a rug colour that complements or contrasts with the dominant colours in the space. If your room has a neutral colour scheme, you have more freedom to select a bold, vibrant rug.

Play with Colour Psychology: Keep in mind the psychological effects of colour. For example, blue and green can create a calming atmosphere, while red and yellow can add energy and warmth. Choose a colour that matches the mood you want to evoke in the room.

Balance with Accessories: Once you’ve added a colourful rug, balance the room with coordinating accessories such as throw pillows, curtains, or artwork that incorporate the same or complementary colours. This helps tie the room together.

Maintenance: Keep in mind that colourful rugs may show dirt and stains more easily than neutral ones. Choose a rug material that is easy to clean and maintain.

Remember that adding a colourful rug should be a fun and creative process. It can instantly transform the look and feel of a room, so take your time to find the perfect rug that suits your style and the overall aesthetic of your space.

It’s a staple of interior design for main surfaces to be decorated in more neutral tones, forming a background that can be enhanced with other elements.

Doing things this way makes it quick and easy to change the feel or focus of the room. Artwork is a great way to achieve this outcome.

For a piece of art to truly stand out, it needs to take centre stage, so other elements need to be low-key, providing little or no distraction. In some ways you’re almost trying to achieve a gallery-like space.

Personally, I love colour, so I haven’t been a big fan of many of the recent monochromatic trends for interior design. I’m excited that this year we’re seeing a big shift back towards strong colours. Maybe we all just need cheering up after the last few dreary years, or maybe GenZers are just more out there in their colour choices – I don’t care! But I love it.

I’ve already looked at the “Colour of the Year” choices for 2023, but now we’re looking at full colour scheme palettes for your space. And first up is my absolute favourite colour – green!

But not just any green – deep, bold greens are coming to the fore. Still, green of all shades can make a great neutral colour at any time. Don’t believe me? Think about nature!

The beauty of green is that it can be used with almost any design trend. Looking for a natural vibe to your room? Plants! Wanting a pastel look? Soft, muted greens work well. And really looking to make a statement? Then go with bold, strong greens like emerald.

Expand your thinking about neutral colour palettes from the usual beiges and greys, to include shades of green. It will add a note of individuality to your space.

The festive season is upon us, and it’s time to start looking ahead to 2023 and what colours are predicted to be on trend.

It’s actually quite interesting this year. Two of the leading lights in this space are Pantone and Coloro + WGSN. Pantone predicts colours for fashion and design, whereas Coloro + WGSN is more focussed on online trends.

Last year, Pantone went with Very Peri, a deep periwinkle blue with with a red violet undertone. Coloro + WGSN chose Orchid Flower, a saturated magenta colour.

And in 2023? Well, it appears they’ve almost swapped!

Pantone has created Viva Magenta, a deep, soft red. Honestly, reading the blurb as to why it was chosen is a bit like reading a word salad. I think they just grab all sorts of adjectives, bundle them together in sentences and that’s it. Their version of Miranda from Devil Wears Prada explaining the periwinkle blue sweater.

Coloro + WGSN, on the other hand, has gone with Digital Lavender!

Similar outpouring of effusive words, although essentially it’s meant to evoke calmness and serenity.

So there you have it – the more things change, the more they stay the same!

Monochromatic colour schemes have been the darlings of the design world for a while now, but some people want something a little warmer and friendlier for their spaces. Welcome back cream and ivory!

Depending on how old you are, you may remember the era when the colour cream dominated, and not always in a good way.

But cream can range from the merest off-white, which is where ivory tends to sit in the range, through to something approaching yellow.

It was the stronger tones that were more in favour in the past, whereas the latest trend is for something a little less dominant in the colour scheme of your space.

While greys and whites often sit on the cool side of colour choices, cream brings a sense of warmth and calm to a space.

It’s also a marvellous choice if you’re wanting to bring a quiet sense of history to a room, particularly when paired with more historic colours.

But don’t be fooled into thinking that cream can’t look modern too. Use it with a dramatic trim in black, and you’ll be surprised to find it looks very modern, almost edgy.

Cream or ivory also work well for an accent piece, such as a cushion, against a darker background.

However you choose to use it, it’s a wonderful base to use with a large range of warm colour schemes, so its return to modern colour choices is a welcome change from the recent trend for colder colours.