In spite of the warmer weather, there’s no better time to chill. Calm and relaxing living spaces are all the rage in home decor this season, with trendy walls sporting soft and subtle colours, according to leading brand Sico paint in unveiling its spring and summer 2016 palette.
"From yellow-tinged whites to pale, floral-like pastels anchored by dark grey and black accents, the season’s paint palette is a reflection of the public’s increasing desire for tranquility and balance," said Geneviève Paiement, brand manager for Sico paint, a brand of PPG. "The cocooning trend is back in full force, as consumers choose to create home-based sanctuaries and cut through the technological, political and economic clutter of the outside world by lightening up their surroundings."
When asked how dark tones figure into the mix, Paiement said, "The contrast between soft and dark tones delivers a sense of stability to a room." She added that soothing, powdery pastels work well with earthy neutrals to create an aura of wellness, purity and peace.
The dark furniture, accent wall and fireplace in our feature photo are a good example of how dark and light can work in harmony. Even with the unexpected pink wall colour, this room has tons of style and personality.
Here is some advice on incorporating the season’s trendy colours into your decor:
Pick a room, any room:
No longer are pastels confined to nurseries, kids’ rooms or feminine-style decor. Today’s pale hues work well in any space, from kitchens to living rooms, and can actually appear masculine when paired with bold colours and patterns. Add warmth, charm and depth to a kitchen, for example, by painting cabinets in a soft colour rather than traditional white. Or make a living area appear larger yet cosy by painting the walls a soft blue and decorating with navy blue or turquoise patterned fabrics.
Incorporate the unexpected:
Use contrasting colours in surprising ways to bring interest and flair to a space. A pastel-painted room, for example, can come to life by painting an accent wall a dark grey or slate colour and adding industrial-inspired pieces, such as black-metal light fixtures, furniture or accessories. A room with pale walls can also be energized by introducing a bright punch of colour painted on the wall behind an open bookcase, around a piece of artwork or incorporated into furnishings.
Play with finishes:
Pair matte and high-gloss pastel paints side by side for a rich, current look. For example, create a chic powder room by painting the walls in alternating sheens of the Sico paint brand’s Venice Skyline (6082-31) dusty rose, using stripes or colour-blocking patterns. Or, make a statement with a piece of furniture painted a high-gloss version of the pastel wall colour. Another option is to apply pale floral-patterned wallpaper on one wall and paint the rest of the room a shade pulled from the design.
Combine with wood:
There’s something breathtaking and Zen-like about soft pastels mixed with the warmth of wood. In a room featuring natural wood furnishings, trim or decorative moulding, choose a pale pastel tone for the walls and natural fibres and textures for furniture, throw pillows and rugs. Complete the nature-infused decor by bringing in flowers, plants and floral printed-accessories.
Don’t forget about painting your wooden furniture and/or accessories. Pastel coloured dining chairs paired with a stunning black lacquer table would make a dramatic display in any dining room. If you don’t want to paint the chairs, try recovering the seats with a pastel-coloured fabric. Consider updating dated wooden photo frames or framed mirrors with a fresh pastel shade to lighten things up.
Quick projects
Dip the handles of your wooden spoons and spatulas in different pastel paints to create a colourful utensil display. Collect coloured glass vases in translucent shades that fit your decor. Take close-up photos of delicate, pastel-coloured flowers then enlarge them and frame them to create a natural pastel wall display. Update a bedroom by painting the door and trim in a lovely pastel colour that co-ordinates with your current wall colour. Consider painting a pastel colour on the ceiling in any room for added visual interest.
If you love pastels you’re in luck because they are making a comeback in the decorating arena. To view the spring and summer 2016 colour palette by Sico paint, get design inspiration from top home decor bloggers, and use a leading-edge virtual tool to try out the colours in your own — or sample — room settings, visit www.sico.ca.
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