Design matters

Design matterswith POPPY BEVAN

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Design by Architect George. Photography by Pablo Veiga.

THE WHITE IS OVER

I have never really understood why white is considered a safe colour choice. To me, there’s no such thing as sitting on the fence with design or colour. Whatever colour you choose, it’s out in the world and it says something. For this reason, I’m more inclined to think of white as dangerous. In the wrong room, white can so easily translate into cold, unforgiving, uninviting or unfinished. And really, what could possibly be a worse outcome for our homes than that?

Most of us feel a little reserved when it comes to choosing colour for our houses and yet who hasn’t, at least once in their life, entered into a white space only to leave, describing it as feeling like a hospital. But somehow, white is the norm. White is risk free. White is …?

The thing that people don’t realise is that working with colour as a backdrop is a clever head-start to making spaces feel good.

The most crucial thing to remember when choosing colour is the mood you want to achieve in your space.

Warm tones mean cosiness, comfort, and an invitation to linger. Cool tones give a sense of breezy airiness but be careful to pair these tones with warm textural elements so that the space feels resort-like rather than sterile.

For the amateur decorator with a fear of colour, the answer can be found in neutrals with a coloured base.

For me, the definition of a neutral colour is a mid, light-toned unsaturated colour found in large swathes in nature. Think soft sage or eucalypt greens, smooth velvety taupes (like the bark of

the eucalypt), watery pale blue-greens, the silvery off-whites of a cloudscape, or classic French greys.

Neutral colours are soft around the edges and instantly make spaces feel deliberate and complete. Using a go-to neutral colour instead of white means that the results will be timeless and have broad appeal, yet they won’t be timid and characterless.

As a good, general rule (even if you are confident with colour) it’s important to select the right kind of shade and saturation and it is always safest to avoid bold primary colours. Even if you want to go for more than a coloured neutral, remember that colour always appears much stronger on the wall. Choose something that looks softer and less intense than you think it needs to be.

If you do love bold, strong colour, consider choosing furniture or soft furnishings in these shades; they’ll be less dominating and easier to switch out seasonally when you feel like a change.

Colour is a wonderful backdrop to complement, enhance, and envelop everything that surrounds it.

Classic neutral colours and moods

Pick a colour you are drawn to at first sight. Next, refine this selection so that it works as a whole room or an element.

Feature walls inherently spell a lack of confidence and result in a mixed atmosphere. Instead, go for a neutral colour that you are happy to apply throughout the whole room for a strong, cohesive mood.

Greige (that classically elegant blend between grey and beige. Think French ‘white’.)

Timeless, and elegant. It’s a mix between cool and warm tones and this makes it extremely flexible. Sage green Approachable and serene, and warm despite being a cool tone. Soft smokey greens provide a more subtle backdrop than blue tones and work equally well in contemporary or classic spaces. Eau de Nil (watery soft blue/green/grey) Restful and calming. Evocative of the seaside, pristine springtime flowers and fresh morning dew – a wonderfully versatile shade. Soft caramel Natural and inviting. Choose a tone that has a soft brown base (steer away from yellow or cream) to pair wonderfully with whites, timber and natural fibres.