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How to: Select a colour scheme for your home

October 26, 2016 Leave a Comment

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By Kerena Berry

If there’s one element of interior design that we agonise over, it’s colour. How many movies have you seen that feature a scene where a couple are debating the colour of a nursery? It’s become an old trope in film comedy.

But there are good reasons for careful consideration. Colours are like musical notes or chords for the eyes, and can be incredibly subjective, hence the common decision to go with neutrals. Let’s take a look at the options so you can decide whether to be daring or conservative with your colour palette.

Image courtesy of Mademoiselle Rose
Image courtesy of Mademoiselle Rose

Build off an existing pattern in your space

If you have patterned upholstery, a multi-coloured rug, or a striking piece of art, pull colours from this element to create your base colour palette. For a neutral base, focus on the whites, beige and grey tones. For a more striking, moody room, look to the deeper tones.

Focus on one room and let that define your scheme for the home

Working on your main living room’s colours first, and perfecting them, sets the tone for the entire home. For example, if you go for a neutral palette with deep blue textile accents, and rustic wood furniture in your living area, draw on those elements for your other spaces. Take that deep blue tone, go a little darker and paint your walls in the den, creating a cosy inviting space. Accent with white and mid blue textiles to help balance the palette. In your library try rustic, timber built-in furniture, again tying your design elements from the main living area but in a varied proportion. Use similar tones but various degrees and intensities.

Image courtesy of Mod Muse
Image courtesy of Mod Muse

Work on a dark to light philosophy

An old trick of the trade is to work dark to light, vertically. Use dark colours on the floor, mid tones on the walls, and light values on the ceiling. The floor can be any hue; just ensure it is the darkest in the space. Simple but very effective.

Follow the ratios 60-30- 10

Think of your space in three sections. Your highest percentage 60%, which is your walls and your dominant colour, 30% is your secondary colour for your main furnishings and fittings. Lastly 10% is your accent colour for your finishing touches and accessories. A Martha Stewart classic!

Image courtesy fo Architectural Digest
Image courtesy fo Architectural Digest

Trust the old Colour Wheel

Going back to basics is often the key to creating a sensitive palette. An analogue palette is one where the colours sit next to each other on the colour wheel like red and orange. Remember that this can be any tone, light through to deep. This is a slightly less daring take on a monochromatic room (focusing on one key colour in a space is a strong trend at the moment) but no less impressive!

White’s not always right

Don’t assume white is best to give small spaces that larger, brighter feel. Instead use darker or wow colours to bring punch or warmth for a room that envelops you. Embrace a space for what it is and resist the urge to go against the grain.

Image courtesy of Bloglovin
Image courtesy of Bloglovin

Grey is the way!

It’s certainly become the neutral flavour over the last few years. Paint colourist have responded with breathtaking options within their collections, making it hard to move past grey’s appeal. Grey’s also have this unique ability, similar to white, to absorb and reflect surrounding colours, becoming a chameleon of sorts.

Set the mood

Colours invoke a mood. Be mindful of this when working in areas that require a definite vibe. Let’s say that in a casual living area, you want a vibrant, fun feel. In that case, opt for warm, contrasting or vivid colours. For a more relaxed and calming space, use neutrals, deeper blues and dirty greens—nature’s primary palette.

Image courtesy of Domino
Image courtesy of Domino

Hot flushes and cool currents

Blend warm and cool tones to bring an exciting tug of war into your space; it will keep the senses guessing and the mind curious. A warm caramel tone against a cool winter grey is calming yet interesting; a good option when a compromise is needed between butting personalities.

Black & white – is it right?

People will always debate whether these are actually colours (technically), yet they still prove to be a match made in heaven in the design world. From Modern, to Country spaces, this combination has a home. One could say they are a timeless combination; a safe yet powerful one!

Image courtesy of Home Adore
Image courtesy of Home Adore

There were three in the bed…

If you are yet to find your match then work to the rule of three. Use only three colours within your space and this should erode confusion, headaches, or debates. It’s almost fool proof.

Like what you like

There are a million design philosophies, principles and thoughts on how to select colours and why. But when you whittle it down, all you need to do is surround yourself with colours that bring you happiness, patterns and textures that support and encourage your lifestyle (even if it’s a little quirky) and a home that says ‘You’.

Kerena Berry is an interior designer and Co-founder of Designbx, Australia’s online interior design solution.

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Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
Get to know me! I haven't done one of these in YE Get to know me!

I haven't done one of these in YEARS so there's possibly thousands of you who don't know my back story. Here's a few things you may not know about me!

✔️ I'm English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 and I moved here (just for one year) back in 2008😆 

✔️ I can't end the day without a bath, even if I get home really late or on a really hot day. It's a mental health thing and my happy place. 🛁 

✔️ Before becoming a blogger and running my own small business, I was a journalist from the age of 18. My favourite news gathering times were as a newspaper crime reporter (bit different to interiors!) 📓 

✔️ I once worked at New Scotland Yard in London 🚔 

✔️I had an interview at Oxford (didn't get in!) but chose not to go to uni at all after being offered a job on the local paper #universityoflife 😁

✔️ My mum died when I was 3, I have an excellent dad and one sister (younger) in the UK ❤️ 🇬🇧 

✔️ At school, my favourite subject was French 🇫🇷 and I was head girl 🤓🤓

✔️ I'm addicted to ☕️ , long hot baths and💄 (been wearing it since I was about 14!)

✔️ I'm not a phonecall person and will never ever pick up an unknown number. Ever. They can leave a message 😁

✔️ My favourite cuisine is Japanese 🍣 🍜 and Damian and I honeymooned in Tokyo and Venice 

✔️ I have zero design qualifications. I just started blogging about my passion, which is trying to persuade everyone to #heartyourhome That was 11 years ago...

✔️ My favourite tipple is a good GnT or🍷 

✔️ Cheesy as it sounds, 💁‍♀️being a mum is my absolute biggest joy in life 🧒👦

✔️ I will never give up my old school paper diary! Has to be A5 and week to view 📖 

✔️ My official surname isn't Bishop. I kept my maiden name for work after I got married but changed it for everything else. Often confuse myself!

✔️ I didn't get my Ps until I was 37 and I'm still a terrible parker 😯 🅿️

Hope you feel like you know me a bit better 😘

📸 @vanlowvanlow
Blue, green or lilac? 🎨 @nood_co coloured con Blue, green or lilac? 🎨 

@nood_co coloured concrete basins is a great Aussie business success story. Although co founder Matt Di Costa first found fame as one half of Matt and Kim on The Block, he hasn't relied on this to build his brand.

“We are very honoured to have been a part of The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,” he says.

Read our interview with Matt via link in bio now.

🙏Share your favourite colour basin in the comments!

#colouredconcrete #noodco #colouredbasin #blockheads #the block #bathroomtrends2022

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
I'd love to see more colour in Aussie interiors! I'd love to see more colour in Aussie  interiors! 🎨 

At the end of the day though, it's a matter of personal taste. I love pops of colour but it's not for everyone. 

We couldn't resist featuring this Canadian house tour today. The amazing Kelly Green  hutch (swipe) was an upcycled $200 find 🤗

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest including one of the best playrooms we've seen in ages!

Project by @in.house.design
📸 @philcrozier
Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis o Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis on light and nature.

That was the brief for the conversion of a corner shop and a warehouse bakery into a luxury family home in Sydney's Newtown. And how about the library?!

Take the tour of this very special @annacarindesign project on the blog now, via link in bio.

Pic: @justinalexanderphoto
The things that excite me as a 40 year old 🤭 N The things that excite me as a 40 year old 🤭

None of us enjoy laundry (OK, there are a few of you out there who do. Weird!) but we have to do it. And often. So if your laundry bin can be as good looking, functional and space saving as this, then why wouldn't you?!

I've lost track of how many baskets I've thrown out because they've gone soggy or mouldy. They look pretty, sure, but they're not fit for purpose and they're often messy and overflowing.

Here's what I love about his @brabantia_australia one:

✔️ ventilation holes
✔️ no need to remove the lid for small items plus it hides your dirty laundry from view
✔️ easily removable and washable inner laundry bag that velcros back on 
✔️ corrosion resistant so fine in bathroom or laundry 
✔️ Brabantia make things as sustainably as possible
✔️ compact, sleek, European design
✔️ 10 year warranty
✔️ tall and skinny so takes up less floor in my tiny laundry

The Rolls Royce of laundry bins? I think so 👌🏻

TOLD you this was going to be exciting!

Now I need to know, do you have your laundry basket in the bathroom, the laundry, every bedroom? We used to have one in each bedroom but moved to the laundry-only situation which I much prefer (one for colours and one for whites). My boys know to put their used clothes in the bin in the laundry each night and they're 7 and 3!  #raisingfuturehusbands

#gifted
"Living rooms are important spaces where our publi "Living rooms are important spaces where our public and private lives intersect."

So says stylist @nataliewalton in her gorgeous new book Style, the Art of Creating a Beautiful Home.

"They are where we gather to welcome guests and entertain. But they are also where we decompress and relax at the end of the day. Increasingly, they are open-plan spaces and need to work within a greater scheme. Bringing all the elements together cohesively requires care and consideration. And, if you want a space that lives up to its true potential, make it personal and create with conviction."

Read an extract, the chapter on elevating your living room, on the blog today via link in bio.

Published by @thamesandhudsonau Pix by @chriswarnes 

#livingroomdesigns #nataliewalton #coffeetablebooks #designbooks #interiorsbooks #livingroominteriors #elevateyourspace
Kids and husband messing with my vignettes again🤨

PS. The coaster was RIGHT THERE 🤪
#weatherforit 🥶 Need a new blanket? Look no fu #weatherforit 🥶

Need a new blanket? Look no further than these gorgeous South African blankets from @baobabcollective, sustainably sourced, ethically crafted and imported by a Southern Highlands couple.

On the blog now via link in bio.
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