Colour your world with calm: Exciting new palettes

As the world around us continues to change, bringing new challenges and adapted ways of living, creating a home that is a sustaining source of comfort and refuge has never been more important. Carefully chosen colours are a fantastic way to imbue a sense of serenity in the home and — as we spend more time within four walls during the cooler months — specialist in all things interiors, Paula Dohrman of Shepparton’s Walls and Windows, explains which colours she’s drawn to from the outside world. Paula suggests using calming hues like blues and greens to create beauty and peace in the home this winter. “The ‘winter blues’ can shoo!” Paula said. “Unless it comes in the form of a cushion, throw, rug, sofa or even a doona cover.” Blue brings to mind the sky and sea, and throughout history has been associated with sensitivity, intuition, freedom, imagination and expansiveness. Cool colours can be used to energise a space, and while they are often used for backgrounds to set off small areas that pop with warm colours, there’s every reason to bring them front and centre this season, in the form of textiles, homewares or a statement piece of furniture. Thoughtfully chosen combinations of cool colours produce a clean and crisp eff ect, creating a sense of order and calm. Those wanting to add a splash of excitement to a space are advised to choose bright blues and greens, rather than subdued pastel tones, or dark colours like forest green or navy. Green is the colour of life, renewal and nature, bringing fresh energy to living spaces, being associated with growth, harmony and safety. “Green is a lovely colour in any form throughout the home — you can have stunning vases, lamps, always cushions and occasionally a chair — just splash it around,” Paula said. “Blues and greens should always be seen together.” To pair a contrasting texture with this trending colour scheme, Paula is embracing rattan furniture, looking for unique and durable pieces like coff ee tables, buff ets, headboards and bedside tables. She recommends completing the picture with an eye-catching fl oral arrangement or house plant — whether it be living and breathing or something that will never droop or die. “Today, some of the bouquets and plants that are fake look perfectly real.”