How to choose the colours that go.
Thank you for stopping by to read this post in my blog. As an interior designer I’m often asked to share hints, tips and insights which make my projects special. You’ll find helpful how-tos, dos and don’ts within my posts. Please subscribe on my contact page and share with a friend.
Choosing colours that go is instinctual for me, I learned pretty earlier on when I was working in retail on the shop floor that I could put colour stories together for my customers. Below are some tips on how you can do this too if this doesn’t come naturally. I’ve chosen four areas to look for inspiration – there are more, inspiration is all around us.
1. Look in your wardrobe
Some interior designers crossover both interiors and fashion such as Iris Apfel, Matthew Williamson, India Mahdavi and Alfredo Paredes. The work of these designers exemplify how creative vision can transcend disciplines – no wonder you can use your wardrobe as inspiration for your interiors.
Dressing your home is just like dressing yourself. If you like colour in the clothes you wear you will have a mass of inspiration in your wardrobe. You will have likely bought a dress because the colours make you feel good – taking this as inspiration and using these colours is a good way to get you started with your own colour brave palette.
2. The art of nature
Colours in nature go together naturally, of course they do. And there’s a reason why they are the colour they are. Designers often take their cues from nature when designing fabrics, wallpaper and fashion and you can too.
3. Browse fabrics stores
Fabric stores on the high street are few and far between and they do still exist so hunt them out and be inspired by the array of colour and pattern on offer in brave colour combos. Alternatively, many decorating centres have wallpaper books which you can take home and match with paint and fabrics. You can use these as inspiration for your own colour combos to create a stunning interior which will bring you joy!
4. Keep your eyes peeled - inspiration is all around
If you are mindful of your surroundings, inspiration is all around you. Try a mindful walk, and take in everything you see, clicking as you go. My friends find it hilarious that I take photos of everything that sparks inspiration from décor in our favourite restaurants to different green shades in you local park.
Once you have found your perfect palette (I tend to stick to 3 paint colours), you can then start mood boarding.
You will then need to test the colour works in your room and buy samples.
TIP!
Get the largest piece of paper you can find (lining paper is good for this and it’s cheap). Paint the colours on the paper and stick on the wall with masking tape. In different lights, move the paper around. Repeat until you’ve found the colour you are happy with.
I hope you enjoyed reading this, subscribe on my contact page for a regular dose of colour and please share with a friend if this is their vibe too.