Colour etc

Fixtures and furnishings Cushions in varying prints and colours, rococo panelling wallpaper, a hot-pink light and a bright-yellow table. It sounds like a mishmash but the finished product is, in fact, rather gorgeous. The dark wallpaper offsets all the bright colours to bring it all together and make it work.

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Fixtures and furnishings Cushions in varying prints and colours, rococo panelling wallpaper, a hot-pink light and a bright-yellow table. It sounds like a mishmash but the finished product is, in fact, rather gorgeous. The dark wallpaper offsets all the bright colours to bring it all together and make it work.

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Let other features sing out Dark, neutral carpets are a great support act to the starring role, whether that’s a piece of statement furniture, a stunning floor lamp or a standout wall finish. A dark base works so much better than a pale one for adding impact to a special feature, and if there’s a strong contrast against the flooring, then the feature will pop even more. Shades of grey If you can’t escape the allure of grey, then create interest with a soft graduation of the shade from dark to light. The colours of varying depths create a simple look that’s steady and reassuring, yet still conveys a bold character. Set a formal tone If you’re going to use carpet in a dining space, not only is it best to go dark for the practical benefits, but it’s worth sticking with a short pile that can be easily vacuumed. Warm tones such as earthy browns will set a calm and sophisticated backdrop in a formal dining space, while artwork with complementary tones will ensure the walls and floor are working in harmony.

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Boho your bedroom

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Add some rainbow brights

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Pep up your kitchen walls

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Paint your cupboards

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Play with a trio Mix up a selection of greens to create depth in your design. Here, forest-green tiles mingle happily with a sage dining set and a pale pistachio wall. To find compatible shades, try picking three from a paint colour card. Try them out on sheets of paper, and tape them on different walls and surfaces around your kitchen to see how each looks in the light and how well they work together.

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Mood indigo That inky blue-black that has whipped up a storm in the fashion world will continue to capture our hearts in interiors. If shiny, pure black is a step too far for you, a blue-black that has faded to a soft washed matt shade is another way to swing to the dark side.

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There are two options. The first is to paint the inside of the door to match the other doors inside the house so that it blends in. Alternatively, if the exterior colour works well with your interior, carry it through and make the door stand out as a feature inside as well.

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Go with glossy finishes High-shine surfaces such as stainless steel, two-pack polyurethane and ceramic tiles will not only inject your kitchen with interest and sleek sophistication, but will amplify the natural and artificial light in the room, making the area appear more spacious in size.

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Colour the base units If you can’t add paint to your walls, consider updating the units with a new lick of colour instead. By using a darker shade on the base units and a lighter tone on the walls, the room will feel bright and spacious, as well as on trend.

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this cool house uses Mexican resort style to keep things steamy. If a blanket is too daunting, start with a patchwork pillow. Comb your drawers for abandoned jumpers (or check out op-shops), wash them in very hot water (this helps to felt the wool and prevent it from unravelling), cut into squares and stitch together.

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Porter Paints -rust effect

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See how texture adds attitude to a neutral colour scheme.

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