May 19, 2011

Decorating with colour is back!

Why do we flock to the garden centres in spring?

 

By mid-March we’re tired of our grey and black clothing and grey skies, particularly those of us living in northern climates.     New York decorator Mario Buatta says that ‘colour is a mood setter’.  How true is that?  Colour psychology is a huge topic for another time.  But simply put, it affects you more than you know.

So, after more than a decade of neutrals, colour is back!  Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you have to go out and redo everything but it sure is nice to see some colour injected into neutral rooms.  That’s a good start after this way too long love affair with ‘beige’.  Forecast colours from Para Paints range from chartreuse to hot pink to orange.  (Come visit our in-studio event on May 25th for the full presentation!)

How do you inject some colour in an otherwise neutral room, you ask?  Easy.

  • Recover a chair or two and co-ordinate some toss cushions in a cheery colour
  • Wallpaper a focal wall in the master bedroom or living room
  • accessorize with a colour and repeat the colour 2-3 times around the room
  • add a vividly coloured area rug
  • add some colourful, uplifting art

The beautiful coral on the headboard is repeated on benches and cushions.

Bright pillows and art perk up this neutral space

A pretty green wallpaper makes the room feel all dressed up.

Pantone announced its colour of the year for 2011 to be Honeysuckle.

Pantone Colour of the Year 2011 – Honeysuckle

According to Leatrice Eiseman of the Pantone company energizing colour Honeysuckle is uplifting and gives the confidence to face life’s many challenges today.

What an uplifting eating area this is!

You  gotta love designer to the stars Mario Buatta.  He embraces colour and pattern wholeheartedly. No tiptoeing around here.  In the April 2011 issue of Elle Decor Mario agrees with this maximalist approach.  He believes colour can make you feel great! (How true!)  He has favourite paint schemes that he shares:  for the living room – yellow walls, a pale-blue ceiling and white woodwork. (Sarah Richardson’s paint palette for Para Paints has a beautiful pale blue for ceilings).  For Kitchens – off white cabinets painted robin’s egg blue on the inside with a lemon yellow ceiling. (sounds perfect)  For bedrooms: apricot walls, a pale blue ceiling and off white  woodwork (sounds very feminine.  Just ask Mariah Carey-he did her bedroom).

Me and Luisa having dinner with Buatta in New York

Mario Buatta – The Prince of Chintz

So, I see colour everywhere these days:  in fashion, in home decor and yes, in the flowers outside…. Must be spring for Mario all the time…..

 

    Subscribe to Receive

    Stay tuned for news & updates
    delivered straight to your inbox