SUMMER’S HOTTEST COLOUR TENDS PAGES

■ Dulux Summer Forecast 2022 – Wonder palette. Styling: Bree Leech. Artwork left - You’ll Find Me Here by Lindi Forde- Forman Framing; Artwork bottom- Trees at the End of a Field, Mussane #2 by Samuel Condon - Studio Gallery; Artwork right- The Seeker of Treasure Retains Tranquility by Peter Summers - Studio Gallery Pictures: Mike Baker

Invite summer in

As the last of the winter chill heads out the front door, it’s time to invite summer in by taking up the paintbrush and getting creative.

Colour is such a magical tool to transform spaces in the home, and a seasonal refresh with curated colours offers home enthusiasts the perfect inspiration, says Dulux colour and communications manager Andrea Lucena-Orr.

The Wonder palette is one of three palettes from Dulux’s Colour Forecast 2002 and is the perfect way to add some playful and vibrant hues to your home this summer.

“With a focus on celebration, regeneration and fun, the mood for summer should be light and effervescent with a layering of livelier colours to really boost your mood,” Lucena-Orr says.

To give you ideas on how you can achieve a stylish summertime look, Dulux trend forecaster and stylist Bree Leech applied a selection of colours from the Wonder palette to a modestly renovated early ‘90s family home. The living room, home office nook, dining room and children’s bedroom have been given a makeover showcasing the power of colour and inspiring homeowners to add vibrancy and liveliness to their own homes.

In the living room, Leech used Dulux Wash&Wear in Equatorial Forest as the hero wall colour to add an earthy backdrop to the playful pastels in the decor.

“The leafy, warm green helps ground us while the top third of the wall and ceiling, painted in Dulux Vivid White, and softer nature inspired hues in the furniture and decor pieces provide a light summery mood,” Leech says.

“The gorgeous palette of Wonder helped highlight the home’s natural features, whilst also complementing the beautiful outdoor greenery and brought the same inviting and lively atmosphere inside across each of the rooms.”

To help elevate the bedroom’s look and capture a feeling of whimsical fun, Dulux Harmonious was used for the walls, with Dulux Vivid White applied to trims and ceiling to complete the look.

“Paired with floral artwork and bedding in clashing patterns that feature colours from the palette, these hues can help personalise a child’s space, often inspiring feelings of creativity and sparking the imagination. Equally, the bluegreen colours in the palette, such as Dulux Harmonious and Dulux Edvard, can create a calm interior – great for a space to relax,” Leech says.

In the dining area, the combination of Dulux Celery Green on the walls complemented with Dulux Pinkham trims showcases how experimenting with colour and veering from ‘traditional’ placements can create something strikingly unique.

■ Dulux Summer Forecast 2022 – Wonder palette. Styling: Bree Leech, Artwork - Something New Something Different by Nick Olsen - Studio Gallery.

“Who says trims have to be white?!” Leech challenges. “Pinkham and Celery Green are a flawless and refreshing summer colour combination and work well in many settings.”

In the home study/office nook, Dulux Sassy is used to add warmth and works beautifully as the backdrop to lilac and yellow decor also seen throughout the connecting living space.

“The beauty of a colour palette is you can use this as a guide outside of just paint on the wall.

Leech says adding colour from the palette across furniture and home accessories can be just as impactful and important in creating a cohesive summery, mood-boosting look.

“I selected a few statement decor pieces throughout – such as some fabulous vintage items including pendants and lamps as well as a refreshed drinks trolley painted in Dulux Duramax Pax. The flower shaped tables and layers of patterned cushions like those in the living room paired with the gorgeous artworks showcased in each space add those special moments in the interior,” Leech adds.

“Don’t be afraid to incorporate flea market finds, vintage pieces and newer furniture and decor items, in addition to taking inspiration from summer blooms and English-style cottage gardens to create your own unique interior style.”

For anyone looking to achieve a Wonderinspired look in their own home, Lucena-Orr suggests keeping the overall feeling light by balancing heavier saturated colour with lighter pastel hues and using patterns and florals to liven up the scheme.

“Popular colour choices are likely to include Dulux Celery Green for its refreshing appeal, Dulux Harmonious for its calming and tranquil feel and Dulux Pinkham for its soft and subtle warmth,” Lucena-Orr says.

“No matter how you decide to incorporate colour - be it a ceiling-to-floor wall refresh or a small pop of colour in your home decor or furnishings, the most important thing to remember is to be creative and experiment with hues, textures and patterns until you find a scheme you love.” ●

SUMMER COLOUR TIPS FROM ANDREA LUCENA-ORR

• If you want to add even a small amount of colour to give your room a more

‘summery’ feel, try adding one colour in a wall nook or on the wall behind your bed. Another way to add a quick and easy pop of colour and create positive change is painting your front door – you’d be surprised at what a difference it can make to the look and feel of your home. • Before you start painting, it’s crucial when selecting colours for walls or soft furnishings that you consider other fixtures and fittings in your space that you can’t change easily – it might be carpet, tiles, laminate or stone, and/or curtains and blinds that you will need to ensure work with the new colour(s) chosen.