COTSWOLD INTERIORS – COLOUR
We’re based in the Cotswolds, so we’re very fortunate to be close to the likes of Daylesford, the Lucky Onion group and Soho Farmhouse. They each have their own unique interiors that have been fine-tuned into the ultimate manifestation of their brand.
We do something similar for each of our clients. We uncover your passions and lifestyle. We look to you and your most treasured possessions, to discover who you are and what’s important to you. Our brief is to make you feel like you’ve finally come home.
Helen is a frustrated painter, so colour has always been integral in her interior design work. Colour creates atmosphere. Depending on our clients’ preferences, that might be bold or subtle or anything in between.
With the help of hard-won experience, we’ve learnt a few things that you might find useful when you’re choosing colours for your own home. Whatever you do, don’t retreat to the bland safety of grey interiors. Houses should feel like home. Nobody wants to look like a clone, so why live within one? Colour is something to be enjoyed and it’s an easy, inexpensive way of changing a space. Admittedly it can also be a bit intimidating at first, so here are some ideas for colour inspiration.
Creating Your Own Colour Palette
We always assemble a colour palette for the whole property. We try to create a flow through the house so that you see the same family of colours appearing in different guises as you walk from room to room.
You can create your palette from any number of starting points. The history of your home, views from your windows, the art you’ve collected or treasured items from your travelling. Try to create an emotionally resonant connection. That way you won’t tire of it, and it will feel much more authentic than slavishly following the latest interior fad.
We select colours that are easy on the eye in rooms where you spend a lot of time. Intense, dramatic colours can give vibrancy to a space, but you will tire of them pretty quickly. We save stronger colours for bathrooms, cloakrooms, dining or cinema rooms. For living areas, kitchens and bedrooms, we’ll select gentler tones.
We use the lightest shades for the most substantial items (walls, ceilings & large pieces of furniture) with the colour becoming more intense as the size of the item diminishes. With this approach, you can dramatically alter the look of the room just by changing accessories or moving lighting around.
Don’t forget that the aspect of a room can have a dramatic impact on the appearance of the pigment. North facing rooms will make white and cool colours look gloomy, so brighten things up by selecting warmer tones.
Playing with Paint Samples
How often have you looked at a tiny paint chip only to find that the colour completely transforms when it’s on the wall? It’s well worth getting multiple sample pots and painting large pieces of lining paper to tape onto all the walls. Look at them in natural and artificial light before deciding.
Look out for our next blog about colour. We’ll be making colour theory easy and showing you what a great source of inspiration it is.
If you’re still feeling unsure about how to start on your next interiors project then our courses might be just the thing for you.
We have a few dates coming up in the New Year. They’ll be based at the beautiful Tower Barn which is part of Broadway Tower. Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to receive the dates and more details straight into your inbox. Alternatively call us on 01386 258007
WANT TO EXPLORE OUR COTSWOLD INTERIOR DESIGN PROJECTS?
If you are ready to start your Cotswold interior design journey then why not get in touch for an informal chat.
We offer an Interior Design Service that can take care of every aspect of your interiors project. If you’re considering a new build or home renovation and think we could help, we would love to hear from you!
Call us on 01386 258007 or email us at info@helenbainbridge.co.uk