Colour and Texture bring an interior to life. I believe that these two elements are vital in enabling a designer to 'tell a story' through the senses of sight and touch. Colour and texture captivate the imagination and draw you in so that you become part of the story rather than simply an 'outsider looking in'. A successful interior is one that captivates you, that leads you in, one that creates curiosity and intrigue. I was always drawn to books with vibrant and colourful pictures as a child.
Home and Garden on Female First
I always steered away from books that were densely full of manuscript which looked dull and grey to the observing eye. Naturally, we are drawn to colour and beauty which is why colour plays such a vital role in creating our own design style. As individuals we are not one dimensional, we are not grey, and our hopes and dreams are not dull. Every aspect of our personality should be celebrated in colour - our personal space should be a vibrant masquerade of our inner being and our aspirations.
This celebration of colour creates happiness, confidence and empowerment. Have you ever worn a striking colour and people turn to notice you? Colour demands attention and respect which builds confidence. Our surroundings can make all the difference in how we feel about ourselves and about others, and it adds immeasurably to our wellbeing.
Below are my top tips on how to inject colour into your home.
1. Accessories are a great way to introduce colour into your scheme. Affordable and easily available, accessories such as lamps or cushions are easily interchangeable if you feel you've added too much or too little.
3. I love having fresh flowers in the house. Yet bizarrely, I am always shocked as to the amount of 'wow factor' these immediately add to a design scheme. Fresh flowers are a great way of experimenting with colour, particularly if they are brightly coloured. The fact that using fresh flowers changes your scheme's mood with the seasons, adds a deeper dimension to the overall scheme.
4. I am a huge fan of wallpaper. I cannot get enough of it! Gone are the days when wallpaper was old fashioned and something that our Grandmothers' covered their walls in. Today's wallpapers are works of art, striking and exciting, they are artistic feasts for the eyes; exuberating colour and personality. I will often show my clients' wallpaper samples at our initial consultation to see which ones they are naturally drawn to.
It's intriguing to see which colours and styles they choose, giving me an instant insight into their personality and the look they wish to create. From the chosen wallpaper, accent colours can be easily extracted and picked up at various points around the room. Wallpaper is a fantastic way to make a bold statement, as well as add character and personality in a scheme. It needn't be a whole room, perhaps start with a small area such as a chimney breast to create a focal point and go from there.
5. Invest in a piece of art. There are options for every budget, be it an investment piece by an established artist, or a piece by an unknown art student. It really doesn't matter how much it costs, what matters is that you love it and you are drawn to it. Hanging a piece of art on the wall will instantly transform any space, and will reflect your personality and style through its message and colours.
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