Monastic minimalism rendered in an exclusively white or cream colour palette is slowly but surely falling out of style. Decorating with vibrant colours is difficult for many, with neutral hues often the default for those seeking refined, timeless interiors. However, when used well, colour has the ability to transform a space while adhering to your preferred design aesthetic. Whether you embrace the more-is-more ethos of maximalism or are looking to create a soothing space that’s equal parts bold and tranquil, adding strategic splashes of colour is key.
To showcase the best ways to add colour to your home — including rentals! —, we turned to interior stylists Bree Leech, Julia Green, and Lucy Glade-Wright who have revamped their spaces with palettes from the Dulux Colour Forecast 2022.
Cohesively colourful
Decorating for rental properties can be daunting, with renters typically not provided with the same free reign afforded to homeowners. However, just because you’re renting, doesn’t mean your space can’t feel like you. Fortunately, customising your interiors to suit your personality needn’t require major renovations or an unlimited budget.
“People often underestimate the power of paint as a cost-effective and impactful way to jazz up a space,” noted Andrea Lucena-Orr, colour and communications manager at Dulux. “Additionally, colour can be introduced in a number of ways to help tailor and refresh interiors, all whilst keeping the structure and integrity of the home intact!”
To showcase this, Dulux Trend Forecaster and stylist Bree Leech undertook a room makeover in her rental property, using hues from the whimsical and playful Wonder palette. Transforming the space without compromising its structural integrity, Leech used fluted panels to conceal an opening in the wall, painting them the Dulux Harmonious shade; a soft grey-green. The addition of chairs painted bold blue courtesy of Dulux Plunder, a striped rug, and colourful vessels make for a cohesively colourful space that exudes personality.
Sophisticated yet inviting
Proving neutrals tones and striking hues can coexist in harmony, Dulux Colour Forecaster and interior stylist Julia Green transformed an expansive heritage warehouse into a retail space for her company Greenhouse Interiors. Designed like a home, the store features a fully functioning kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and lounge space, with each room fully shoppable.
“When designing the space, we wanted people to feel like they were being invited into our home, to show them how simple it can be to style and decorate their own rooms using unique homewares and of course, colour,” Green explained. For the refresh, Green applied neutral yet expressive shades from the Flourish colour palette.
“Our aim was to demonstrate how much difference just a touch of colour can make,” said Julia. “The Flourish palette was perfect for this. It’s sophisticated without any sense of ego or pretension; sometimes earthy, sometimes daring, and easy to style. It’s also highly versatile with hues that are both soft, beautiful and timeless.”
Applications of soft neutral pink, rich blue, deep green, and terracotta provide the ideal backdrop for pops of colour in the form of decor and furnishings. Edgy yet classic, it creates a warm, welcoming environment for guests.
The new cosy
Natural light is often touted as a must-have in living and sleeping spaces. However, in its absence, a little colour can go a long way. To highlight how colour can be used to counteract structural imperfections, Lucy Glade-Wright, interior stylist and director of design platform Hunting for George, undertook a makeover of her bedroom. Set within an ’80s timber-shack home, the bedroom possessed unique character in the form of timber panelled pitched ceilings and small east and west facing windows, but was sparse in natural light.
The Restore palette made for the perfect way to inject life and tranquillity into the space. “With its gentle, earth-based neutrals and rugged, natural tones, there was something incredibly soothing and comforting about this palette,” Glade-Wright said. “The colours felt calm, natural, and grounding – everything you want in a bedroom.”
While the strength and softness of each shade was a drawcard for Glade-Wright, she felt most connected with Dulux New Penny, a soothing brown hue. “The colour has flooded the room with so much warmth while complementing the richness of the existing timber panelled ceiling. What was once a dark, lifeless space is now inclusive and inviting, feeling more like a retreat than a bedroom.”
Words by AR Staff
