An 'inspired by nature' guide to decorating your home with colour
Talking about colour in interiors you may have noticed is a favourite subject of mine. I think it's because introducing colour can be so evocative and so stimulating to a room interior. When applied cleverly, decorating with colour can be both quietly subtle as well as stunningly striking in equal measures.Inspired by nature I've been lucky enough to do a bit of travelling recently and it's always the colours of the environment that leave a lasting impression on me when discovering places new. Nature always gets it right when putting colour combinations together and it's always my 'go-to' for inspiration when considering presenting colour palettes, whether for new designs or a new room interior project. For example, consider the harmonious blue greens of peacock feathers or the complementary red and green of the macaw. Nature is a perfect source to refer too when considering how to pair colours together.Colour and mood The ability by which colour can affect our mood is a well known topic and one that I love exploring. I find the power of colour psychology intriguing. When travelling for example we seek the tranquility of turquoise waters and vast blue skies and it's true that when we look up to a wide blue sky we instantly feel a sense of calmness.
Luberon Lavender fields-51
So with all this in mind, and as a result of my recent travel adventures, I wanted to share with you a guide to decorating with colour and how we can use travel and nature as an opportunity to reflect into interiors, and provide ideas on how to add colour into your home decor.Decorating with blue Introducing blues and turquoises into the home provides a sense of tranquility and calm. Decorating with the colour blue can help to create an interior when we can relax, reflect and unwind.
Good for - bedrooms
sea blue colours
Photograph taken in Mljet National Park, Dubrovnik
PAINT COLOUR TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR WALLS - Mylands Morning Blue
morning blue detail mylands paint
Photograph courtesy of Mylands Paint
Suggested accent COLOUR
When introducing an accent colour into a blue scheme, whether that be a statement cushion or feature wallpaper, try adding accents of a warm colour to stand out against the blue - think how clearly the bright yellow sunflower heads above stand out against the deep blue skies.
mairi helena cobalt blue thistle wallpaper moodboard
Mood board featuring Mairi Helena Cobalt Blue Thistle Wallpaper which introduces accents of warm yellows amongst a prominently blue backdrop.
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Decorating with yellow
Yellow, a sunshine colour which reminds us of Summer. It's a happy colour and instantly helps us to feel uplifted, rejuvenated and warm. Introducing yellow into an interior scheme also helps to provide an association with wealth, intellect and creativity.
Good for Kitchens and Livingrooms
sunflower fields
Photograph taken in the Luberon region of France
PAINT COLOUR TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR WALLS - Mylands Haymarket
Mylands - roomsets - wallpaint
Photograph courtesy of Mylands Paint
Suggested accent COLOUR
Consider a harmonious green similar to the leaves of the sunflowers, for example why not try adding a touch of green velvet in the form of a Mairi Helena Harris Green Thistle Cushion which plays on harmonious olive greens, warm yellows and hint of lilac purple.
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Decorating with PURPLES, HOT PINKS & violets
Decorating with purples and violets can also help to create a room set that is calming, sensitive and uplifting as well as providing a sense of serenity and royalty.
Good for - living rooms, especially if you're looking to create a sense of eminence.
Luberon Lavender fields-10
PAINT COLOUR TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR WALLS - Mylands FTT-020
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Photograph courtesy of Mylands Paint
Suggested accent COLOUR
Inject a vibrant hot crimson with accents of gold against a dark purple background and rich woods and you will instantly add richness and exuberance to a room scheme. Consider the Mairi Helena Golden Blush Velvet Thistle Cushion to help add that fusion of eye catching strong colour against a powerful purple.
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Decorating with green
scottish adventures, scottish blogger, island blogging, scottish landscapes, scottish photography
Green is very much the colour of nature and helps us to bring a sense of the outdoors in. It's beautifully calming, serene and relaxing to be surrounded be the colour green, which makes it a very practicalGood for - any space really, living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms,
Photograph taken on the Isle of Luing, looking over to Isle of Mull.
Mylands - roomsets - wallpaint
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PAINT COLOUR TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR WALLS - Mylands Primrose HillPhotograph courtesy of Mylands PaintSuggested accent colour I love how beautifully the slate greys work against the moss greens. Consider a complementing Mairi Helena Grey Tailor Thistle Cushion to help add a classic colour yet contemporary print into a relaxing room interior.
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Decorating with redsRed is known for its rich, luxurious, warm properties. It's a stimulating colour with high energy and can be very motivational.Good for - Studios, dining rooms
scotland interiors inspiraitonal places trossachs-13
PAINT COLOUR TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR WALLS - Mylands Arts Club
Arts_Club3
Photograph courtesy of Mylands Paint
mood boards mairi helena interiors
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FTT013-04. Wall and Skirting. Cotton Street No.3 Floor. Oscar Bench. Benchmark
Suggested accent accessory Consider an eye catching opposite colour such as a soft green to help stand out against the rich plum red tones. Red and green can be very impactful and particularly effective in creating a luscious living room scene for example......here's a mood board featuring plum reds and moss greens with samples of Mairi Helena Fire Thistle Wallpaper, inspired by outdoor scenes.OR...how about increasing the amber oranges and adding a flash of Mairi Helena Summer Thistle Velvet Cushion to sit back and relax against.This would also work very well against Mylands FTT-013 if considering reversing the reds and greens and opting for a dark green backdrop and keeping the warm reds and oranges as the accent colours.Photograph courtesy of Mylands Paint
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Decorating with neutralsIt doesn't always have to be about the colour in large volumes. Decorating with neutrals can be extremely versatile and adaptable. Neutral colours include black and whites, greys, browns, beiges, creams and silvers. If you're looking to decorate with neutrals and maintain a monochromatic scheme, then it's important to introduce a variety of different ways to add interest. This can be either through applying different tones of a colour, such as white, off-White, pure greys, etc or through adding different textural contrasts with materials.Good for - works well in any room, great for tranquil bedrooms
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PAINT COLOUR TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR WALLS - Mylands Chambers Gate No.85
Broughton_House_0168
Photograph courtesy of Mylands Paint
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Luxury scottish velvet contemporary cushions mairi helena
Suggested accent colour -There's a really wide scope to introduce a variety of colour accents against a neutral backdrop. Consider the Mairi Helena Bronze Flush Thistle Cushion which incorporates deep shades of blue as well as a variation of greys, browns and hints of golds to help accessorise alongside metallics.
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So there we go. Hopefully this can act as a useful guide to refer too when considering decorating with colour in your own home. This post has just really scratched the surface as there are other factors to take into consideration that we haven't touched upon when choosing colour....for example the orientation of the room (whether a room is north or south facing) as well as the scale of the interior and how much natural light enters. But I hope that it provides a tool for initial inspiration.If you look to nature to inspire, consider texture and define a mood for the room then you're definitely on the right track to create a stunning room with a colourful wow factor! I look forward to hearing how you get on!A big thank you to Mylands Paint for providing me with some gorgeous lifestyle images highlighting their finest quality paint colours - you can find out more about Mylands Paint and their sumptuous range of interior and exterior paint finishes here!Until next time....