Out & About Spring 2019

LIFESTYLE Going potty for this year’s hot new shade

2019’s Colour of the Year from Pantone and the hot new shade homeowners will be hankering after is Living Coral. The muted terracotta tone is highly practical and adds a flush of warmth, a pop of colour and is a softer alternative to a bold red or zesty orange. Pantone’s Colour of the Year has been influencing interiors trends for many years and people get ahead of the curve by using the shade subtly in furnishings and decorative accessories. New Jersey-based Pantone picks a new colour each year based on socioeconomic conditions, fashion trends and emerging technologies, as well as latest trends in the realms of lifestyle, art, music, travel, and of course, social media. It has chosen the peachy orange shade because it is an “animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that Mid-century is a trend that is continuing to enjoy a huge renaissance. With its roots in the 1950s and 60s, it has shaped the way we live today with its emphasis on informality and open-plan spaces. Room layout – open plan living arrangements encourage the free movement of light around a space, making it feel larger, brighter and more accessible and informal. Try creating ‘zones’ within your space using tall furniture such as storage and shelf units. Walls and floors – mid-century colour schemes favoured white or neutral walls to accentuate the bold colourful accents from a feature wall, rug, curtains or a piece of artwork. Try to think of the walls and floors as a canvas upon which to showcase your modernist furniture and accessories. Furniture – no mid-century interior is complete without a fabulous piece of furniture as its focus. Find a stunning sideboard or an iconic chair and you will have the perfect focal point around which to centre your room. Art and accessories – the sideboards of the era generally feature long, smooth expansive tops – perfect for displaying a growing Texture makes a room pop and is a simple way to turn a space from ordinary into extraordinary. Texture doesn’t always need to come from accessories. Get creative with the floor. Today’s carpets come in lots of different textures from rustic twist piles to textured loop piles and ultra- soft, deep pile carpets. Add cosiness and draw the eye – soft furnishings in a variety of textures can make a big impact when displayed together. Multiple textural elements bring the room to life – playing with different textures creates a contemporary chic look. Combine a super soft carpet with a metal table and greenery for contrast. Choose key pieces – layer textures by choosing carefully selected furniture. A single woven rattan chair or plush upholstered bed can be a real focal point. Accessorising accents – use wood and textiles, things that have pattern and movement, as they are interesting to touch and to look at. Less is often more – balance is the key. If you don’t have enough Spruce up for spring Add a little texture

energises and enlivens with a softer edge”. It is meant to reflect the “innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits” as a response to social media and digital technology.

collection of vintage collectibles. Artworks are a fantastic way of drawing attention to a specific wall and are also the perfect way of adding an injection of colour. Artwork of the era was abstract or mass market kitsch – both of which can be picked up quite reasonably – but whatever you go for, make sure you choose something big and bold which makes a statement.

textured pieces, a room can feel cold and clinical. Too many and the space can feel cluttered and busy.

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