Colour splash

We talk to interior design expert Sue Clark, from Inspirational Interiors, to find out the latest trends for adding an injection of colour to your home. 

This season is all about adding a touch of vibrancy to your home, think rich jewel tones and upbeat colours. Going bold can be a daunting prospect for some but according to Sue it doesn’t need to be. “If using colour in your home feels a little scary then I would suggest using a single statement piece of furniture or adding some vibrant lighting. Even a couple of brightly coloured cushions can transform the feel of your home.”

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Sue has herself recently been inspired by fabric designer Clarissa Hulse. “Here in the studio we sometimes struggle to find suitable lighting to co-ordinate with certain fabrics. We saw an image that included clever use of bright, patterned fabric on lampshades so we set about developing our own range.” Sue likes to combine her bright coloured or patterned shades with sheer embroidered fabrics and natural furniture. The juxtaposition of light and shade, with a spot injection of colour, can create a dramatic effect and Clarissa Hulse’s Calista collection is a great place to start.

IN THE MOOD

Taking inspiration from photography can be a great starting point for adding that splash of colour. Creating a mood board using photographs, fabric swatches, magazine articles, buttons and ribbons can be useful in seeing what colours work with what textures. Take photographs of your room with the pieces that you want to keep and then pin your ideas and inspirations around them. This means you can easily try different colour ways on the board before transferring them to your room.

OVER THE WALL

For the latest in room decoration Sue suggests using a fabulous wall panel. “They are all the rage,” says Sue, “not only are they a quick way of transforming your home, they turn your walls into a work of art! My current favourite is a stunning wallpaper panel, featuring whimsical goose-grass stems rising up through the design. Combined with three statement lights as the design reaches full height this creates a great impact in a room.”

BRILLIANT BOTANICALS

If you want to take a softer approach to colour then mixing it with organic textures will create a more subtle effect. Harlequin fabrics has collaborated with Clarissa Hulse to create Lilaea, a vibrant and glamorous range of fabrics displaying Clarissa’s trademark style of contemporary botanical designs injected with intense colour – perfect for creating a statement in your home.

ON THE CREST OF A WAVE

The final aspect of transforming a room is dressing the windows. Statement curtains will bring the whole project together and Sue’s current favourite is the Silent Gliss Wave contemporary curtain. This unique curtain heading system from Silent Gliss turns traditional curtains into a striking modern design statement offering a contemporary curtain presentation that, when opened, stacks the curtains neatly and straight. They can be hand, cord or electronically operated with a wide range of fabric colours and styles to chose from.

While some of you may be looking to completely revitalise your interior from the ground up, others may simply wish to add an extra touch or two to make their current colour schemes pop. Sue, who has a passion for all things interior design, loves guiding clients through every step of their home project, from inspiration to installation. At any point of the process, if you’re faced with a crisis of confidence or simply need an expert opinion, she’ll be there to take your hand and guide you.

So, if your interior could do with some TLC but you’re not sure you’ve got what it takes to do it alone, seek the safe hands of Sue and let her do the hard work for you.