Adding Warm Summer Colour to a Neutral Interior

During the last decade many residential and commercial interiors have been initially designed with a neutral interior scheme. This means that the colours that are chosen as a backdrop or foundation to a room's design scheme are easy and restful for the eye to look at.
Sail Boats on the Horizon at Bosham Textile Art

Sail Boats on the Horizon at Bosham Textile Art

The neutral choices can be described as without rich, bright or strong colours that are saturated and these calming tones do not date or go out of fashion in the same way as bold hues do.

This small rainbow coloured textile artwork can be hung on the wall in a plain environment that looks a little boring and instantly the area in transformed into somewhere uplifting and more positive.

It is possible to design stunning interiors just using neutral cream, tan, beige, silver, grey, white and black in your home palette.

However unless you are very skilled with colour, pattern, texture and lighting it is difficult to carry off a visually pared down minimal space, unless you have architecture that is very interesting or an amazing view to provide a eye catching feature. Bringing in accents of carefully chosen shades will ensure that your environment stays looking contemporary and inviting.
Dining room with cream, grey and purple

Dining room with cream, grey and purple

This year purple is everywhere and ultra violet is Pantone's prestigious colour of the year. This deep and vibrant inky colour is associated with astrology and space and it has spiritual and mystical associations.

As an alternative colour option it is often used by musicians and artists and used cleverly in lighter shades and different material finishes it can be pretty and warm looking whilst still modern and looking to the future, especially when specified in metallic leather for example.

Dining room with pretty tablecloth and china

Dining room with pretty tablecloth and china

Here in the dining room with ivory cream walls by Dulux and charcoal laminate slate look floor from Wickes and a grey rug from Ikea we have added a large framed contemporary print of a picturesque view point looking across the countryside covered with trees and hills in soft purples and heathery tones.

We have recovered the kitchen chairs in lavender cotton and custom made seat cushions out of wadding stuffing and linen. We have chosen a good quality vintage striped amethyst curtain fabric to make the cushion covers and ties.

Cream, grey and silver kitchen

Cream, grey and silver kitchen

The marble effect pattern on the fabric also adds depth and makes them easier to spot clean.

A Cath Kidson fabric tablecloth adds a bold splash with pink roses on a light blue background and it contrasts harmoniously with the soft purple colour theme.

Sitting Room with 'limewash' brick fireplace

Sitting Room with 'limewash' brick fireplace

The floral splash 'Evie' porcelain china set from Tescos is a bargain at £20 for a 12 piece set and it works perfectly in a shared house.

In smaller properties a successful interior design means spaces flow through the house and relate to each other. This is another benefit of having a neutral base to start with a then building a unique and original decoration on top in furnishing layers.

Sitting Room Upcycled Room Divider

Sitting Room Upcycled Room Divider

Here the brickwork in this mid century house has been 'limewashed' with a creamy brick paint to highlight the natural variations in the brick fireplace.

A white washed oak effect laminate flooring from B&Q gives the room a light look and the ivory cream walls continue throughout the house which has lighting from Ikea and Laura Ashley.

Sitting room mirror detail

Sitting room mirror detail

The purple and cream geometric design deep pile rug is also from B&Q and the vintage coffee table and leather sofas were gifts from friends who were moving abroad.

The old vintage mirror and shelving unit which is used as a room divider here are both painted in Alfie from the colours range at B&Q. A purple check wool throw is an easy way to add a more intense hue and provides an extra cosy touch for evenings enjoyed at home.

   
https://www.diy.com/ B&Q white oak effect flooring
http://www.tesco.com/ Tesco Evie porcelain china set
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CreateDisplay Create Display online Etsy Shop
https://www.cathkidston.com/ Cath Kidson fabrics
https://www.diy.com/ Dulux paint at B&Q
https://www.wickes.co.uk/ Wickes Mustang laminate flooring

 

https://www.thewoolcompany.co.uk/

The Wool Company purple wool throw
http://www.lauraashley.com/ Laura Ashley lighting
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/ Ikea rugs and lighting