Trend Watch Colour Trends 2008

Date Published:

11/06/2008

Vanilla and chalky off whites, misty greys and muted slates combine in both matt and gloss finishes to create a room that's not just white, but layered, has depth, texture and pattern.

Shades used: foreground curved walls, Grey Steel 3; ceiling, Potters Clay 4; back wall area, Chalk Blush 3; paintwork, Java Cream 4; screen, Golden Jasmine 2; desk, Night Jewels 6; accessories, Vanilla Mist 3, all Dulux.

Louise Smith:

'The airiness and bright light of Hope adds luminosity, with luscious white painted floors and clean moulded materials like fibreglass, plastic, and resin, which adds a constructed yet fragile feel. Technology makes this look feel futuristic and alive - the simplicity of line and the perfection of perforated detail belie the technical complexity of the construction of such pieces.

'There are elegant, ethereal touches as well: porcelain lends an added textural dimension, opaque yet other-worldly - Ingo Maurer's folded, pleated, floating lights; Marcel Wanders' Flower chair and crochet table, Tord Boontje's Petit Jardin armchair and laser cut curtains or Louise Campell's Prince chair provide a magical quality.

'Faceted reflections from cut glass, crystals and delicately etched tableware adds a different scale to the delicacy, as do pleated or lacy fabrics, which bring another layer of intricacy. The flicker of candlelight transforms this mood from day to night, introducing yet another layer of shadow, colour and vitality.'

Orla Kiely:

'Layers of white and light give this a dream-like ethereal quality that makes white irresistible again. Not just optic, these are all shades of white from chalky to milky hues which gives depth and interest. Light beaming in through textural structures such as laser cut curtains creates ever changing patterns and atmospheres that are both enlightening and empowering.'

Daniel Hopwood:

'The future just might be pretty and feminine, who said it can't be? Transparent and fragile, pale and layered, almost trembling. I always fancied chucking an over-sized lace tablecloth over a white Saarinen table, it's a mismatch - that's how the future will be, at least I hope so, rather than controlling and regimented.'

Where And How To Use It

This colour palette suits all age of house, from boxy semis to modern flats, but is particularly stylish in period properties - and by that we mean Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian. Perfect for a bedroom, ideal in a bathroom, this palette also works well in a living room (assuming it's child-free). Shades of white will make a large room feel vast, and will stretch a small space, too.

The trick is to choose whites with the lightest touch of pink and to match them with the palest white-greys; that way, the room will have a feminine feel, but won't be exclusively so. In a north-facing room, step up the amount of pink or yellow tinged whites, and step down the greys. In a warm, sunny room, go to town with chalky, grey whites.

For practicality, coat your walls with an eggshell finish. These paints are easier to keep clean because they're wipeable, and will heighten the reflective qualities of the colours.

Where To Avoid It

High traffic areas, such as hallways, family living rooms and kitchens will all look wonderful in these colours but be prepared for their high-maintenance.

How To Furnish It

The temptation is to go for painted antiques, shabby chic chairs and sofas, and reclaimed pine. The cleverer thing to do is combine it with an eclectic mix of modern pieces - high gloss tables, curvaceous chairs, and, importantly, an abundance of texture (such as in the screen, the curtain and the light). These latter details will add depth and interest to your scheme.

Sourcebook
Pendant light from Heal's
Tord Boontje Until Dawn curtain, glass lanterns, from Pedlars
Table from Ilva
Chair from Habitat
Table lamp from Ikea
Glamour screen by Kelly Hoppen at Bhs
White cutwork bench from Ferrious