Gone are the days when the essential palette for decorating rustic rooms was limited to burgundy, navy blue and forest green. As, er, lovely as those colours can be (although not when they’re all put together!), the trend today is to lean toward more vibrant shades to bring some luminescence to dark rustic spaces. While we love the patina of wood ceiling beams and the warm tones of antique pine furniture, the idea is to add drama and excitement to a more staid, traditional aesthetic.
Instead of competing with those neutral hues, add jewel tones of emerald green, ruby red, sapphire blue and citrine yellow. Keep in mind that these tones should be limited to the accessories you decorate with—not your wall colours. Walls should be kept in the neutral range, white or cream, say, as a clean backdrop for the rich textures and shades of furniture pieces and accessories.
Feel free to create whimsical vignettes using mismatched tones and textures for added interest. Use a critical eye to make sure you’re not overwhelming the space: remember that less is more.
Here are five ways to add colour and texture to your home
1. Porcelain perfection: Collect individual pieces—from vases to tureens—in lustrous tones to put on display in front of a neutral wall space.
2. Inside the box: Tuck clutter out of sight in a range of colourful small storage boxes that can sit out on display.
3. Go big or go home: Buy an armful of the most inexpensive, colourful flowers you can find.
4. Judge a book: Sort through your books and pick out ones with pretty covers and spines to arrange on a shelf.
5. Outside the box: Stack anything from old coloured hankies to silk slippers to add a dash of colour and patina to rooms.
Photo details
A simple pine cabinet becomes a sideboard for a festive event and a whimsical branch ‘railing’ adds a spectacular touch.
Boxes and notebooks from Essence du Papier.
The jewel tones of glassware and vase work together in surprising harmony.
Vase from Ludovik; flowers from Fauchois Fleurs; ribbon from Master-stroke; tray from Arthur Quentin.
Read more in Decorating and Inspiration
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