CLEVER DECORATING

Wrap a space in wallpaper in dappled brown. Beach Nut wallpaper in Cordoba, £97 a roll, Little Greene

| IH COLOUR EDIT | Earthy browns

THIS MONTH, OUR COLOUR CONSULTANTS GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THESE RICH SHADES AND HOW TO USE THEM FOR A BEAUTIFUL HOME

What the experts say...

Designers and stylists share their views

‘Brown is surprisingly rich in itself but provides a great background for strong colours or designs that need to be well-supported but not upstaged.’

EDWARD BULMER, INTERIOR DESIGNER AND FOUNDER OF EDWARD BULMER PAINT

‘Green-based browns tend to feel more contemporary and are easy to layer with natural materials, such as raffia and light wood, for a Scandi look. Red-based browns have a more period feel as they’re associated with dark wood, gilt frames and rich damasks.’

PATRICK O’DONNELL, BRAND AMBASSADOR AT FARROW & BALL

‘To achieve a chic and contemporary scheme, style pale and earthy browns with coral and salmon pinks. Finish with accessories in a bolder colour, such as ochre or burgundy, depending on the tone of pink you choose.’

SUE KIM, SENIOR COLOUR DESIGNER AT VALSPAR ‘If you decide to use a dark brown in a dark space, accessorise with metallic accents to help to bounce light around the room and add texture.’

MARTIN WALLER, FOUNDER OF ANDREW MARTIN ‘I would always incorporate colour somewhere when using earthy browns. A bright picture frame, a painted lampshade base or a smaller piece of furniture in a fun colour will do – it’s enough to bring some vivacity to a space and stop a room feeling too hotel-y.’

ANNIE SLOAN, CHALK PAINT EXPERT ‘Use softer browns in southern light or well-lit spaces, and darker, more dramatic browns in north-facing rooms or those with little light for a cosier interior.’

PATRICK O’DONNELL, BRAND AMBASSADOR AT FARROW & BALL

‘For something dramatic, team earthy brown with black. Just make sure you break it up with areas of bright white or cream to create a simple, stylish look. Adding textures such silk cushions and woven rugs will elevate this further and prevent the scheme looking dull or flat.’

SUE KIM, SENIOR COLOUR DESIGNER AT VALSPAR Walls in Latte and Espresso Bean, both matt emulsion, £23.40 for 2.5ltr, Ideal Home at Albany

“BROWN is the decorator’s best friend; it accommodates all other COLOURS and is often present in furniture or WOODEN floors ”

EDWARD BULMER, INTERIOR DESIGNER AND FOUNDER OF EDWARD BULMER NATURAL PAINTS

theedit EARTHY BROWNS

BEST FOR PAIRING WITH CRISP WHITES Antique Armoire, £29 for 2.5ltr, Valspar v700 range, B&Q

BEST FOR NORTHFACING ROOMS Millbank No 254 marble matt, £27 for 1ltr, Mylands

BEST FOR SUNDRENCHED SPACES Potters Clay eggshell, from £25.50 for 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore

BEST FOR A HOME OFFICE Broccoli Brown estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

BEST FOR ADDING DRAMA Etruscan Brown emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer Paint

NEED HELP WITH YOUR ROOM? JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP, THE IDEAL HOME ROOM CLINIC

| CLEVER DECORATING | Furniture hacks

SIX STYLISH DIY PROJECTS TO PEP UP YOUR SPACE ON A BUDGET

WARM UP MONO

Avoid a bleak look with a rich neutral like this shade from Crown

Transform Ikea cupboards

Elevate inexpensive pine units by painting, wall mounting and adding sleek leather handles. Use as a run along a dining room wall or hallway. Give it a twist…

For an alternative to wall-hung units, attach hairpin legs to create a stand-alone sideboard.

Paint inside shelving nooks

Create a statement piece by stacking together inexpensive bookcases and painting the inside recesses to create a dramatic backdrop for everyday objects. Make sure the bookcases are secured to the wall. Give it a twist…

Swap the paint for wallpaper to match your scheme.

IN THE SHADE

Use a tonal palette of colours for a grown-up feel

Update drawer fronts with dowelling

Attach dowels in vertical strips to give a chest of drawers a designer look. Stick firmly to the drawer fronts to create an on-trend fluted finish, then paint the dowels to match the colour of the unit. Giveit a twist…

Paint the whole cabinet a bold, stand-out colour by using a furniture chalk paint, or a matt eggshell paint. WALL DISPLAY

Make a personalised piece of art with a grouping of postcards, in the same colour scheme as your room

MATERIAL CHEAT SHEETBeige marble effect film, £6 for 2m roll, B&Q Concrete adhesive film, £9 for 2m roll, Wilko

Terrazzo sticky back plastic, £10.99, Wayfair

Upcycle a simple plinth with film

Cover a display plinth with marble-effect adhesive plastic to create an elegant platform that will showcase sculptural ceramics or a statement table lamp. Give it a twist…

Replace the film with a paint effect instead – apply a coat of limewash over the plinth to give it a modern gallery-style effect. ADD CONTRAST

Accents of black in the artwork, cushions and furniture help ground this neutral scheme

Build clever banquette seating

Use a simple shelving unit as a base, combined with an upholstered headboard fixed to the wall above to create a comfy back rest. Give it a twist…

Cut foam to size and cover in a washable fabric in a toning colour, for a softer seating alternative to timber.

SOFT TOUCH

Top the seat with a fabric-covered foam cushion for extra comfort and add interest with accent cushions