PAINT ME PRETTY: The right shade for your space

 

WHITE OUT

White is classic for a reason. White shades create light and make a room feel more spacious, perfect if you don’t get a lot of natural light or are dealing with a small space. Although whilst it seems like the simplest choice it can actually be one of the hardest. One trip to Bunnings will prove that white just isn’t white, there’s thousands of white paints on the market and all will have a slight tint, blues, greys, pinks, yellows… you name it. The only way of getting around this is to take some samples and test it in the room with both natural and artificial light as this will really show you what undertones are most prominent in those conditions.

As a general guide blue or grey undertones will create more of a moodiness and are best suited to a modern monochrome aesthetic. Whites with a beige-ey or slightly warmer undertone suit a broader range of decorating styles, and are particularly helpful if your aim is to create a feeling of spaciousness as a more neutral hue on the warmer side of things will mimic the feeling of sunlight.

BLACK IS BACK

For instant dramatic effect a black wall can’t be beaten. Go for a statement wall or if you’re game the whole room, the important thing to consider is that black will advance towards the eye, which basically means that whatever wall you coat will appear to draw forward and close in the space. It is for this reason that people can shy away from this bold statement but you can really work it to your advantage by using it to create a sense of coziness in a lounge room corner nook or a sense of drama by coating all four walls of the bedroom.

POSITIVELY BLUSHING

For a deliciously retro look why not embrace those feminine vibes and add a splash of blush pink to your bachelorette pad. Be sure to select a hue with a dusty grey undertone for a sophisticated look, anything too candy-floss toned and you risk running into Barbie dream house territory. The key to modernizing this aesthetic is by pairing it with black statement décor and sleek, Scandi- inspired furnishings. Brass and copper work as the perfect accents to compliment this scheme.

CALMING DOVE

If your home is designed to be a serene escape, then cooling grey is the perfect way of creating a calming aura in your space. Similar to our notes on white, look out for subtle undertones and bring home a sample first to see if the light plays up the green, blue or maybe even pink subtleties in the lacquer. An easy way of deciding which hue is right for you is by considering what colours you will be incorporating into the styling- if you’re opting for blues and silvers chose a cool-based grey, or if you’re adding splashes of blush and lavender pastels make sure that a warmer base is present. The best bit about grey is that it works with a softly styled, delicate look just as well as it does for a chic contemporary statement with bold, avant-garde décor.

INK BLOT

Royal blue has always had a certain air of elegance and luxe when it comes to decorating. When selecting the right shade the inkier and deeper the better, to create serious drama and a unique statement. Deep blue has always been the perfect complement to gold highlights, and the best way to accentuate this luxe look is by pairing these metallic accents with rich textures such as velvets, lush greenery or a shag rug or cushion. With this rich hue as a base it’s your chance to go all out with the drama.

 IMAGERY VIA THE VAULT ONLINE PINTEREST 

 

---