WORDS: DEBBIE HATHWAY – IMAGES: SUPPLIED
Choosing the right paint and palette can make your home beautiful while being gentle on the earth
Researching colour forecasts for 2023 takes one down a very long and deep Internet rabbit hole that reveals many options from decor and design experts but can be confusing for those lacking flair in this department. The best advice is to use lifestyle as your guide. Surround yourself with colours you love, that make you feel happy, calm or focused (if you work from home) and reflect your personality.
COLOUR WITH A CONSCIENCE
Coatings manufacturer Plascon, a household name for over a century, has successfully evolved its product offerings to meet market demands for performance and sustainability. Examples of sustainable practices include water-based paint formulations, investments in upcycling initiatives, and the Double Velvet paint range with air purifying technology.
“We are committed to providing products that benefit homeowners and are eco-conscious. Micatex and WoodCare products have a long heritage with Plascon but have been recently upgraded and modified,” says Suvasin Moodley, Plascon’s Head of Marketing. “At the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show (at the Durban Exhibition Centre from 1-9 July 2023), we look forward to introducing our new products to the public and capturing their attention and imagination with our ‘2 Palettes, 2 Rooms’ colour stories activation.”
CURATE YOUR SPACE
Highlighting Plascon’s valuable insight into home decor and lifestyle trends, Cairey Baxter-Bruce, the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show Director, says, “We know full well that colour is more than just paint on a wall. It is the way in which we identify with our environment and express our different personalities. By defining our living spaces through colour, we unlock purpose and functionality by creating comfortable and multi-purpose spaces within our homes. By combining curated colour palettes, interior design elements and eco-friendly products you can create signature spaces within your own home, your way.”
PANTONE COLOUR OF THE YEAR
If you vibrate with terms like ‘vim and vigour’, then Viva Magenta 18-1750 is for you. Inspired by the cochineal scale insect native to the Americas, which produces a natural crimson dye, the colour is suitably strong and bright as a descendant from the red family. Viva Magenta communicates bravery, fearlessness, audacity, wit, exuberance, joy, optimism, and celebration, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint. “Rooted in the primordial, Pantone 18-1750 Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, [it] galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength,” says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director at the Pantone Color Institute
POLAR OPPOSITES
Go bold and beautiful or strictly neutral. Berry reds (a la magenta), deep blues, rich greens and burnt oranges double up on drama and warmth. Colour-blocking with paint is still a thing. Transform a kitchen by using complementary colours like deep green and powdery blue) on one wall, using masking tape to define the split, or create a colour accent by painting panelling or a dado rail.
Applying colour to your ceiling can change the perceived height. Some designers advocate for the pop of sunshine that yellow brings, while others suggest dark turquoise partnered with paler tones for the walls. Some areas lend themselves to creating a bold statement, like an alcove or a fireplace, which the right shade can transform into an architectural feature.
APPLY A LITTLE NATURE
Shades of blue work well together, especially if you’re playing with patterns. The colour can bring a sense of calm to a busy space and is one of the most popular hues for living rooms.
You can never go wrong with natural inspiration to retreat and relax. The great outdoors has infinite potential for a colour palette that is simultaneously stylish and soothing, dreamy and grounded. Neutral doesn’t mean white and beige and everything in between. Think mushroom, bushveld grass, soft cloud and seafoam, all of which contrast beautifully with woodwork, cabinetry and natural wood furniture. Creatives bring in colours like caramel, chocolate and mink for warmth and depth. Blush is another option, combining pink and beige to pair with hues like grey, blue, ochre and green for application in bedrooms, studies, kitchens and bathrooms.
