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Paint: the cheaper, easier way to refresh your home office

April 13, 2021 1 Comment

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With most of us spending more time working from home thanย ever before, there has never been a better time to show yourย workspace some love. โ€œYour study should be a space of calmย and concentration, but most importantly somewhere youย actually enjoy spending time,โ€ says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Duluxย colour and communications manager.

โ€œWe all need different things from our study/home office, depending on the type of work we do โ€“ you may want it be a serene spot where you wonโ€™t get distracted, or an energising and uplifting one that inspires creativity,” Andrea explains. โ€œThis is where colour comes in; if your study is drab and lifeless, a lick of paint is the fastest, cheapest and most effective way to switch up the mood and make it a space youโ€™ll love.โ€

To show you just how easily itโ€™s done, stylist Julia Green has used colours from the Dulux Colour Forecast 2021 to style three different study areas.

โ€œWho amongst us hasnโ€™t worried about their workspace not being camera-ready when itโ€™s time for that video conference call?” Julia asks. “Fortunately, you donโ€™t need a big budget or lots of time to add style to this space.”

Andrea adds: โ€œColour can be used in clever ways too. For example, if you donโ€™t have room for a separate study and want to delineate a study nook within an open-plan room, simply choose tones for your nook that are different to, however harmonise with, the palette in the adjoining living/dining areas. You can then use folding screens to tuck your workspace away when itโ€™s time to switch off.” 

Whilst the three looks Julia created are all very different, she kept certain elements consistent throughout. โ€œWith each look, we fully committed to the colour palette, carrying it through from the walls and artwork to dรฉcor items, in order to give it a curated and intentional feel,” she explains.

โ€œNatural light is important for wellbeing, so we used soft sheers on the window that let in filtered light. We added a statement artwork to each look โ€“ this anchored the desk set-ups and gave the user something beautiful to look at. Touches of greenery help clean the air and provide that all-important connection to nature.โ€

Design 1: Inspiration station

Colours: Dulux Aura and Natural White | Art: Charlotte Taylor via Greenhouse Interiors

For the first look (above), Julia took her cues from the Reset palette and painted the walls a soft grey-mauve, and the ceiling a warm white. These were combined with pink clay and punches of terracotta in artwork and accessories. โ€œThese colours will brighten your outlook without being a distraction โ€“ the perfect tones to surround yourself with if youโ€™re in the business of ideas,โ€ says Julia. 

Design 2: Serene study spot

Colours: Dulux Five Fingers Peninsula and Whisper White | Art: Georgie Wilson via Greenhouse Interiors

When it came to the second scheme, Julia looked to the calming colours in the Retreat palette. She made a feature of the back wall by painting it a rich, oceanic blue, paired with a warm white on the ceiling. โ€œBold colour contrasts generally energise a room, but thereโ€™s a lovely muddiness to this blue that makes it feel tranquil and relaxed. Itโ€™s a classic scheme that would work beautifully in a traditional or contemporary home,โ€ she says.

Design 3: Cosy workspace

Colours: Dulux Morrocco Tan and White Exchange Half | Artwork: Leah Bartholomew via Greenhouse Interiors

For the third scheme, Julia layered earthy neutrals from the Nourish palette for a look that speaks of warmth and comfort. The earthy hue of the wall combine with tonal shades of tan and clay in the artwork, rug, and furniture. Woven detailing in the rattan screen and desk chair add texture.

โ€œWe all respond so differently to colour โ€“ the key is finding the hues that speak to you and then having the courage to pick up that paint brush,โ€ Andrea explains. โ€œLike anything, it can feel daunting the first time, but chances are once you start your colour journey, youโ€™ll never look back.โ€

Juliaโ€™s study styling tips

Consider mood: Choose colours to suit the mood you want to create. Warm tones will create a cosy, nurturing feel, while brighter hues are energising and inspiring โ€“ ideal for creative thinking. 

Personalise: Family photographs and mementos from your travels can add character to your study and make it feel more welcoming.

Buy quality: A comfortable and supportive office chair and an adjustable desk lamp that allows you to see what youโ€™re typing or writing are must-haves for a home office. 

Greenery: Add plants or fresh flowers to purify the air and provide a connection to nature. 

For more information.

Photography: Armelle Habib | Styling: Julia Green

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Renowned interior stylist Steve Cordonyย says Australians had to pivot very quickly this year to create a workspace at home but one that may not have been their ideal setup. But…

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About Caoimhe Hanrahan-Lawrence

Caoimhe is interning at Interiors Addict as part of their degree studies at the University of New South Wales

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  1. AvatarCemre says

    May 18, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    It’s out of topic but I love that painting the first one. How can I found that.

    Reply

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