Dulux’s Indulge palette, one of four identified in the brand’s 2020 colour forecast, combines rich tones of russet and berry with soft shades of lilac and touches of mustard that turn up the heat for winter.
Stylist Bree Leech shows just how much paint can warm up and change the feel of a room, by using colours which might not be your natural first pick, to great effect. To give them a new winter look, Bree made over a home office and study nook in a heritage home and we’re loving the results.
“These two rooms have great bones – high ceilings, ornate cornicing, natural light and a beautiful fireplace in the home office. But the steely grey on the home office walls and the white behind the study nook felt cold and uninviting. Colour has such a huge impact on the mood of a room, and I wanted to create spaces where you’d want to linger. The furniture and built-in joinery are stunning; I wished to make these more of a feature through the use of colour,” Bree says.
“I wanted to make the rooms feel cosy and inviting and play up their best features without a huge outlay of time or money. Paint was the best way to achieve this – it gave the rooms a whole new look without replacing all the furniture or blowing the budget.”
Bree chose Dulux Wash&Wear in Russet Tan for the walls and shelving in the home office, which has a luxurious, enveloping feel. “Colour contrasts can be incredibly effective when you want to highlight specific features in a room; I retained the existing white ceiling and fireplace, which were painted in Dulux Natural White – a classic warm white, that allowed the cohesion of these elements with the white desk.”
She introduced a large rug in warm colours that harmonises with the walls to provide softness underfoot, and an art-deco inspired side table to tie in with the curves of the desk and chair.
“The study nook in the child’s room was better suited to a lighter palette,” says Bree, who replaced the cool white on the walls with Dulux Wash&Wear in Subtle Violet – a gentle shade that added warmth without overpowering the space. It works beautifully with the blonde timber of the built-in joinery, as well as the skirtings, which were already painted in Dulux Vivid White, a crisp, pure white.
“I gave the chair a quick update by giving it a lick of Dulux Aquanamel paint in Lilac Light and by adding a pretty pink cushion. Fresh flowers, touches of gold and some pink and violet glass pieces reinforced the feminine palette.”
Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux’s colour and communications manager, adds: “People are often cautious about experimenting with bold colours, but there’s no need to be. Statement colours can be incredibly effective – and chances are, once you start experimenting with them in your home, you’ll never want to go back to a blank canvas. Paint is such a versatile decorating tool – if you change your mind down the track, you can easily switch it out.”
Winter styling tips:
- Up the texture: For a warm, homey vibe, mix different textures such as velvet, chenille, felt and leather.
- Love your layers: Create a luxe, layered effect by selecting one hero colour and running tonal variations of it across the large expanses in the room, such as walls, rug and the sofa covering.
- Highlight your best features: Bring original features such as beautiful cornicing or fireplaces to life by painting them in a contrasting shade of white.
- Use lighting to dial up the cosiness: Rather than harsh, overhead lighting, create a warm, layered lighting scheme with a mix of floor and table lamps.
- Mix pieces from different eras: Combine art deco, 70s and 80s pieces for an on-trend feel.
- Be space-savvy: If the room is small, opt for sofas, tables and chairs on slender legs that maximise the sense of spaciousness.
- Pared-back displays: Keep it modern by going for pared-back arrangements on shelving with plenty of breathing room. And remember – odd numbers are a stylist’s best friend.
Styling: Bree Leech | Photography: Lisa Cohen
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