Colour has the power to evoke emotion, lift spirits and make life feel better. Here’s how the founder of Designers Guild Tricia Guild picks her palette.
Blue & white
This classic combination relies on its simplicity – dreamy, egalitarian, almost like a uniform – but you must still take care to create the necessary harmony and balance for it to succeed.
GO MODERN: White is the dominant colour here, emphasising the high ceilings and spaciousness, while rich tones of indigo, navy, cobalt and Prussian blue bring an intimacy to the space. The result is a sleek, contemporary incarnation of a classic palette
GO BOLD: This colour combination does not need any shouts of contrast, but further interest and depth can be created with different texture. Mix bold print with plain to make a visual statement in both big and small spaces
Keep the palette tightly controlled and allow pattern and accessories to create energy and dynamism
Nature-inspired
Green does not need to be an overpowering colour to work with. This palette is all about cooler shades, so to keep the look strong and tonal don’t be tempted to add warm contrasts. Use elements such as wood, slate, glass or stone that underline the natural beauty of the scheme.
NEW FOREST: Take inspiration from nature and use the materials to your advantage. Shades of pebble grey have a lightness and ease to them that can brighten a room. Heathery mixes of graphite, dove grey and grass green provide lively yet plain expanses of colour
SHORE LINES: Shades of the seashore are among the most relaxing to live with. Keep the palette tonal but play with texture for added depth. Shimmering silk and velvet perfectly capture the ocean’s luminosity
Balance blue with shades of sandstone or taupe to create that seashore feeling. White adds definition in this scheme, keeping it light and effortless
Modern monochrome
Black and white can be used anywhere, but choosing the right shades is crucial. A sharp, clear white and black feels powerful, timeless and strong, whereas a softer white and charcoal is a gentler incarnation of monochrome. Shades of graphite and charcoal, platinum and silver work well together.
SILVER GREY: The trick here is to unite all the shades by their underlying tonality: in this instance, shades that have a clear blue/grey tone which feels contemporary and crisp
This monochrome palette is united and tight, so textures and patterns can be mixed with abandon, in the safe knowledge that they will add interest while remaining harmonious
CHARCOAL: This look harnesses all the power and graphic detail of black and white but adds softer edges and warmth with tones of cloudy grey, charcoal and mist
In this eclectic sitting room the monochrome palette is employed in every possible way, from floor to walls to furnishings. The mix of patterns and textures adds vivacity and a sense of fun without feeling frivolous or feminine
This is an edited extract from Paint Box: 45 Palettes for Choosing Colour, Texture and Pattern by Tricia Guild, published by Quadrille, price £25. To order a copy for £18.75 (a 25 per cent discount) until 24 September, visit you-bookshop.co.uk or call 0844 571 0640; p&p is free on orders over £15
designersguild.com