As spring approaches, many of us start to think about updating our home décor and giving our rooms a fresh new look. Leigh Davies from Optimist Design has some suggestions for introducing Rose Quartz and Serenity – the colours of the year for 2016.
You may not have heard of Pantone, but you will almost certainly have seen their influence. Pantone Inc. is a world renowned authority on colour, and in 2016 they have, for the first time, named two Colours of the Year – Rose Quartz and Serenity, designed to blend and be used harmoniously.
As gorgeous as they are, it’s probably fair to say that most of us wouldn’t want a whole room in just these colours, so the trick is to introduce some key items to work the trend without overdoing it. I’ve picked some of my favourite items to demonstrate how to bring these lovely soft colours in to different rooms.
There are lots of options for your walls, with almost all the paint manufacturers having shades close to these. Check out Annie Sloan’s Antoinette for a chalky match to Rose Quartz, and also Dulux Roslyn’s Blue.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Antoinette

      Dulux Roslyn’s Blue

For a bolder and beautiful feature wall, how about the Cielo panel from Designers Guild, a digitally printed wallpaper inspired by open skies. Pop this pretty Maya sofa from Harveys in front and you’ll be instantly on-trend.

                                                          Designers Guild Cielo panel                                                            

Another option for your living room might be a rug, which can instantly transform a room. I’m very tempted by the amazing Diamond Jubilee rug from Rug Maker in St Albans, which would also make a wonderful statement wall hanging.

            Diamond Jubilee Rug from Rug Maker

Through to the dining room, and Fishpools have a stylish and comfortable chair, the Lima in Steel Blue to update your eating area. Add the Juliette pendant light above your dining table, invest in some Le Creuset cookware in Coastal Blue and Chiffon Pink,  get a big bunch of co-coordinating flowers and you’ll have a stylish spring dining table to impress your Easter visitors.

Fishpools Lima Chair                                                                          DAR Juliette Pendant Light  

Le Creuset in Coastal Blue and Chiffon Pink                         

Finally, these colours lend themselves perfectly to a restful and romantic bedroom scheme, and West Elm have some delightful Washed Lustre Velvet bed linen this season. Pictured here in Dusty Blush and Dusty Blue, it’s also available in Slate and Stone, and I’d suggest layering different shades on your bed for a truly original look.

                                     Gorgeous bedding from West Elm   

Post adapted from an article originally written for Axis Magazine, March 2016

Buying Guide/Supplier Directory:
DAR Juliette Pendant light, see www.darlighting.co.uk for local stockists
Cielo wall panel, Designers Guild www.designersguild.com
Maya sofa, Harveys, www.harveysfurniture.co.uk
Diamond Jubilee rug, Rug Maker, St Albans, http://rug-maker.com
Washed Lustre Velvet bedding, West Elm, www.westelm.co.uk
Le Creuset, www.lecreuset.co.uk
Lima Chair, Fishpools,  www.fishpools.co.uk