Add some colour!
April 20, 2009
By Olive O’Donnell
What with the “R” word on the tip of every tongue and doom and gloom all around us... it only takes one or two funky changes to our interiors to give anyones spirits a lift!
When it comes to adding some colour to your living space, a splash of colourful paint can add excitement and take a room from drab to fab almost instantly. It can change the personality of a room and creates an ambiance which reflects the type of person we are. Variety is the spice of life as they say, so don’t be afraid to experiment. There are so many beautiful and interesting colours to choose from now, just follow your instinct and remember you have to live in the space, it may surprise you what it will look like when its finished. With this look one key wall was chosen to hold a vibrant raspberry red and with all the other walls and floors in neutrals and white, this allows the colourful furniture to pick up and complement the red. Check out http://www.dulux.ie/colours/mousepainter and see the difference colour can make instantly with the virtual mouse painter!
A neutral rug will allow the vibrant furniture to stand out and be striking as opposed to clashing with another pattern, the key to this look is to know when to stop! Blocks of plain vibrant colour with neutral floors and window dressings allow the furnishings of the room to shine. Tactile cushions and throw are things that can be seem almost in any home store the main thing to remember is your colour palette, if you choose a lime green for the feature wall then some of your furnishing should have hints and hues of the same green and it will all marry together perfectly!
We’ve found some great rugs at www.thecarpetshowrooms.com or your local Carpet Right showroom has a vast array of rugs on offer
Check out www.ikea.com for some striped armchairs and cushions.They have a range called KARLSTAD which comes in a fabric titled Dillne multicolour which is very funky! Another alternative to buying matching cushions and throws is to check out your local habdashery. Designer fabrics sold as remnents, in small lengths with amazing patterns can be got at a fraction of the cost and the inner domestic goddess in you gets to create a one off limited edition! Check out Murphy Sheehy in Castle market www.murphysheehy.com and The Woollen Mills on Lower Liffey street.
Even just to add some colourful details to the room can make all the difference. We found some funky storage baskets at www.instore.ie and some wonderful light fittings. Little changes that can convert your living space even in these credit crunch times!
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