While terracotta has shrugged off its 1980s associations and has been trending for a while now, the latest Dulux colour forecast (titled The Kinship Palette) celebrates the earthy hue in a seriously major way. And with autumn just around the corner, we’re feeling inspired by the warmth and versatility of the shade – especially when cleverly combined with white.
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“This colour palette exudes warmth, but in a sophisticated and contemporary way. It is easy to work with, allowing you to add character with minimal fuss,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour expert.
Combining terracotta tones with russet, soft grey-greens, cosy neutrals and vibrant red, the palette pairs fabulously with the tribal-inspired, earthy textures that are in vogue at the minute – think natural, warm timbers, stone and linen.
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And while these colours do require some decorating confidence, like dark paint, sometimes just a splash is all you need to ramp things up a notch. “If you’re nervous about the idea of introducing deep colours to your space, you needn’t be. You’ll find that even a small amount of these richer hues against a white or neutral background, in the right spot, can make a big impact,” says Andrea. Accent areas, ripe for colour experimentation, include the front door, the edge of a shelf or even a storage nook.
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“Paint is such an easy and affordable way to keep your interiors up-to-date, and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone colour-wise can be incredibly fun and rewarding. Best of all, if a colour isn’t what you’re looking for, you can easily change it,” says Andrea.
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Michelle Halford, interior stylist, writer and Dulux Colour Trends 2018 contributor, has plenty of great ideas for making these rich, autumnal hues work in your home. “Offset rich colours with a soft, complementary neutral to create balance and introduce furniture and accessories in warm, natural materials, such as a vintage timber console or dresser, rattan chairs, woven lighting and baskets. Bold abstract art, textured wall hangings and plenty of greenery provide the perfect finishing touches,” says Michelle.
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“You can also up the cosiness factor by adding in lashings of texture – think oversized knits, luxurious velvets and linens,” says Michelle who suggests using black accents in your furniture and artwork to ground your scheme.
Photography: Mike Baker | Styling: Bree Leech
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