To bring its new Ethereal palette to life, Dulux teamed up with stylist Bree Banfield to transform a family home – taking it from a neutral, mostly white backdrop to a soft, pastel-filled escape.
Bree explains that the key to capturing a summer mood is choosing colours that lift the space and spark joy – think sun-faded pastels, soft blues that echo the beach, or even fresh citrus-inspired hues that bring in a sunny vibe. “In the living room, we wrapped the curved walls in Dulux Blue Shell and painted the ceiling in Dulux Soft Fresco,” says Bree. “That simple change instantly opened up the space, making it feel cooler, calmer and so much more inviting.”
Bree also leaned into the room’s architecture, using its curves to enhance Dulux Ethereal’s playful, soft character. “This palette is all about creating a mood that feels effortless and light, highlighting the gentle lines of the space helps emphasise the playful mood,” she says.
Bree utilised curved furniture and rounded, tactile accessories – including a boucle coffee table, woven rug, curvy occasional chair and oversized cushions – to echo the shapes of the room and reinforce the dreamy, relaxed mood. Pastel-toned sculptural ceramics provided the final touch.
Dulux Amazon Depths was used on the cabinetry, while Dulux Tiamo echoed through soft furnishings to create a seamless flow between the room. “Through colour and styling these spaces were transformed into rooms you want to linger in,” Bree adds. “The soft pinks, blues and greens set a calm, relaxed tone that still feels uplifting. The mood feels lighter, creating that effortless feeling we associate with summer.”
In the main bedroom, the team took a bolder approach, colour-drenching the walls and ceiling in Dulux Mask, a moody, romantic pink that completely transformed the space. “Going from plain white to this deep, embracing pink has given the room such a dreamy, elegant feel,” Lauren adds. “Colour drenching is such a powerful way to uplift a space and make it feel larger and more unified.”
Rather than starting from scratch, Bree worked with what was already in the room. She kept the existing cabinetry and linens, then layered in fresh details – floral-patterned cushions, artwork and a lamp with textural accents – to create a bedroom that feels romantic, restorative and effortlessly summery.
“It doesn’t take a full renovation to transform a room,” Bree explains. “Simple updates like new bedlinen, light cotton or linen throws, or even swapping out artwork can completely reset the mood for the season. Don’t be afraid to mix pattern and colour in unexpected ways – it’s those combinations that really bring the Ethereal palette to life.”
IMAGE CREDIT: DULUX COLOUR FORECAST 2026 – ETHEREAL PALETTE | STYLIST: BREE BANFIELD | PHOTOGRAPHER: LISA COHEN
