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CREATIVE WAYS WITH PAINT
As you know, we are always on the hunt for inspirational ideas and techniques. This week, our focus is on paint - you might not always have big budgets to splurge on wallpapers and feature walls, but with some simple (and some not so simple) paint colour combinations, we'll show you how to easily inject style and individuality into your rooms. We turned to our favourite paint companies, Farrow & Ball, Paint & Paper Library and Little Greene for inspiration...and we weren't disappointed.
Feature your woodwork
In this modern rustic interior by Farrow & Ball, the combinations (Farrow & Ball Shaded White and Pigeon) are more subtle than some examples we'll show in the rest of this post, but we love how soothing this room is. By using a slightly darker shade of the wall colour on all the woodwork, they have created a 'framed' feel which draws attention to the panelling, the beautiful original sash windows and the beams, but in a really fresh and modern way. And with such a neutral backdrop, they are free to accessorise the room in any way...here they have chosen a collection of eclectic items which still complement each other perfectly.
Highlight a nook
Another stunning image from Farrow & Ball and here they show us how to make the most of a very individual feature in your space. This amazing window and nook reminds us of a converted church building and their use of colour is certainly heavenly. Instead of being conservative and painting just in the recess, they have chosen a bold teal colour (Farrow & Ball Vardo) in a dramatic horizontal stripe which draws the eye straight to the feature. And the contrast between the teal and the white also highlights the sweet period window with interesting frame.
Modernise period features
This image epitomises subtle drama. Also by Farrow & Ball, we love how they have thrown out the rule book and shunned a typical white ceiling in favour of painting the whole room in the same colour (Farrow & Ball Green Blue). What this does is neutralise and modernise all the features (the panelling on the walls and the moulded ceiling) - you would expect that this would make the room featureless but it actually makes you concentrate even more on all the wonderful period textures.
Embrace your eclectic side
We love eclectic interiors and this room by Paint & Paper Library is certainly that. Using a bold combination of mid-grey (Paint & Paper Library Tallanstown Grey) and sunny yellow (Paint & Paper Library Morning Room), they have created a room where anything goes. This whimsical room reminds us of the writings of Roald Dahl or the imaginative visuals of Alice in Wonderland. It is a space that would make you smile every day and would certainly attract lots of compliments from visitors.
Be dramatic
Here's another inventive paint style from Paint & Paper Library in this bathroom. Bathrooms like this (especially when there is gorgeous panelling to be retained) can be painted and don’t have to be tiled. Here they have combined two blue-greys (Paint & Paper Library Steel II and Steel V) to great effect. This works best in cloakrooms and rooms with baths (rather than shower rooms) as they will be subject to less condensation. And rather than just painting the panelling in one colour, we love the two-tone bold painted stripe.
Design a graphic
One more example from Paint & Paper Library and who could say no to this graphic interpretation of the dado rail? A dado rail is expected in Victorian properties and while many people do paint above and below the rail in different colours, what is unusual here is the strongly contrasting colour combinations (top wall is Paint & Paper Library Temple and bottom wall is Paint & Paper Library Monument) and the addition of the bold stripe (Paint & Paper Library New Black). Which turns an expected traditional wall into a graphic, modern feature.
Say hello to your softer side
The dusky pink of the previous image leads us beautifully into the pinks of this Little Greene room. Much like the very first image of this post, they have used a darker shade of the wall colour (Little Greene China Clay) on the woodwork (Little Greene China Clay Mid) to create the same ‘framed’ effect. However, these two images perfectly demonstrate how important colours are, as they give a completely different effect. The technique for both though results in soft and soothing rooms where the original features are beautifully highlighted.
Bold is the new subtle
We do love a bold colour combination and this hallway by Little Greene is a masterclass in colour combos. A sunny yellow (Little Greene Light Gold) which contrasts, but doesn’t clash with, a pale grey radiator (Little Greene Urbane Grey). The result is an experimental feel, perfect for someone who loves embracing colour. And they haven’t stopped at the walls – the little orange chair and teal and white patterned rug all add to the fun and quirky feel. And it all serves to remind us that even in a period property with heavy original wood finishes, you can still inject colour and life.
Just go wild
How about this image by Little Greene for a unusual colour combination that just works? The green (Little Greene Green Verditer) is supported by all the sweet natural greenery and the purple (Little Greene Pale Lupin) is echoed in the armchair. Proving that even if two colours aren't necessarily meant to complement each other, if you use them with confidence you can make them work.
We hope you are inspired by this selection of paint colour combinations and designs, and are encouraged to be more experimental in your next project.
