Goodbye grey, bonjour beige! Say hello to a new colour palette consisting of soft, neutral shades and warm, subtle contrasts.
Gradually over the past few years, cool greys have been edged out for a warmer greige, and we’re now seeing an even cosier, yellower tone emerge as the base canvas for the best Scandinavian brand’s new catalogues and inspirations shots. I’m not quite on board with Dulux’s more magnolia-esque Spiced Honey – the brand’s Colour of the Year for 2019 – but Norwegian paint brand Jotun Lady are leading the way in my opinion when it comes to creating soft, timeless decor schemes with a warm, calm atmosphere. The brand have identified three distinct palettes for the coming year – Calm, Raw and Refined – and each one has beautiful elements which are definitely inspiring me just now.
The Calm palette is a natural starting point for light and airy surroundings, layering neutral shades in perfect balance to create a relaxed and inviting environment. These shades are matte in finish, offering a creamy backdrop with dusky peach or muted pink used to add texture.
Most of the shades have a golden undertone, but one that is slightly subdued – unlike the bolder Spiced Honey I’ve yet to develop affection for. It’s a gentle stepping stone on from the greige of last season, but provides a lovely foil to the earthy golden greens we’re also seeing coming through in the new season collections, which figure significantly in Jotun Lady’s more sophisticated Refined colour palette.
There also seems to be an emerging love affair with darker woods coming through – with a nod to mid-century design – which perfectly suits the terracotta and earthy green hues of the Raw colour palette. Colours from nature are always welcome indoors, and with the trend for living with plants showing no signs of abating, and a fondness for 70s-style macramé on the rise, it makes sense that other seventies influences should also start creeping in to contemporary décor trends.
I for one am always torn between dark or light wood accents in my home, although having kitted out my home almost exclusively with blond wood accents I won’t be switching over any time soon.. and I’m not capable of living with a mix of wood tones, no matter how harmonious!
Golden peach, terracotta and olive green I can certainly see creeping into my home this season though, which will pair beautifully with the Scandifornian (Scandi minimalism meets West Coast boho) vibes I currently have going on in my home.
Ferm Living have also released their new SS19 catalogue embracing this new approach to softer, more earthy decorating neutrals. Sharp angles give way to softer, curvaceous forms with a colour palette rich in copper and russet, darker woods and metallic gold. The look feels far more refined and grown-up in comparison to previous collections from the brand, and represents a growing shift towards luxurious design without pretension, and a softer, gently cocooning, decor vibe.
I’ve heard many people muse that the uncertain political climate is leading people to seek greater comfort in their personal surrounds, and I can certainly see why creating a private sanctuary in your home is so appealing just now!
You can definitely feel the retro, Seventies vibe of the collection in the eclectic selection of kitsch decorative objects, curved furniture and rounded silhouettes. I’m definitely drawn to the bulbous shape of the new Rico sofa collection, and these organic curves are echoed throughout the new season collections, from the planters and decorative vases to the Arum lighting series – with leaf-shaped lampshades – and the sculptural, shell-shaped, decorative pieces.
What do you think of this new trend towards warmer neutral hues; a welcome respite from grey, or are you holding tight to your fifty shades?
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