Purple: autumn/winter 2011's big interiors trend
Thursday, 21 July 2011 2:00 PM
An international interiors expert has revealed that the colour set to become autumn/winter 2011's biggest decorating trend is dark, grey-ish purple.
Dulux's global colour designer Louise Smith and her international team studied the fashion catwalks closely and concluded that dark purple, their version of which they have named Twilight Cinders, will be a huge hit in homes across the globe this autumn.
British fashion designer Henry Holland has expressed his approval, saying: "This is one of my favourite colours; I always send something purple down the runway. Purple is a great alternative to black and so I expect the trend to continue – and I for one am delighted."
In terms of the use of the colour in interior design, Holland says, "Twilight Cinders feels really cosy to me. It would look super chic with white gloss woodwork and the violet undertones would look great picked out with more vivid accessories – or even gold."
But while Henry Holland is a fan of the intense, dark version of Twilight Cinders, international interior design star Nina Campbell's attention has been grabbed by its lighter hues. She says, "My favourite shade on the Twilight Cinders stripe card is 5. The hints of lavender in the shade make it feel like a very warm grey.
"I have noticed recently that grey whites have been taking over from yellow whites and I think this is because they provide a far easier background to live with."
Campbell explains that, when it comes to neutralising brighter colours, Twilight Cinders 5 provides a pleasant alternative to beige. She adds: "It would be very calming in a bedroom and at the same time would be fantastic for a living room, providing a great neutral setting for hanging pictures."
Using on-trend purple to decorate different rooms of the house
So, when it comes to actually painting with the Twilight Cinders colour palette, what works where?
Louise Smith argues that we need to abandon our preconceptions: "Deep purples have long-standing associations with luxury and even royalty, but this robust colour can also look honest and authentic when accompanied by crisp white woodwork and natural materials."
While many people are keen to make their hallway as light as possible by using pale colours, shunning tradition and using a dark colour can make an impressive impact. Just make sure you use a warm hue, like in this example:
The darker purples within the Twilight Cinders family also work fabulously in dining rooms, creating a relaxing, intimate vibe. Of the image beneath, Smith says, "Pairing Twilight Cinders 1 with the juicy fruit tone of Summer Surprise 1 in a dining room makes for a deliciously simple, harmonising combination.
"Though this palette is bold, it takes its inspiration from nature, so delivers a relaxed and laid-back feel, which is ideal for family life and entertaining."
AW11's biggest interiors trend can also be showcased in the bedroom, even if you don't want to go for the full-on impact of dark purple. Here, Dulux's designers have paired a lighter shade on the walls with a hand-painted headboard for a fun, quirky effect.
Smith says, "Create a breath of fresh air by pairing Twilight Cinders 1 with a dusty greyed-off violet and accent with crisp sky blue and warm coral.
"Potters Clay 2 on the walls lends a wonderful understated softness to the room but the deep damson of Twilight Cinders 1, used to paint the Tromp L'oeil headboard, adds the perfect amount of quirky depth and creates a dramatic centrepiece."
All colours featured are available through Dulux Tailor Made Colour, the in-store paint-mixing service, on sale in B&Q, Homebase and selected independent stores.
By Ele Cooper
Image credits
Hallway: Walls, Twilight Cinders 1 in endurance matt emulsion; Woodwork, Pure Brilliant White in satinwood.
Dining room: Main walls, Twilight Cinders 1 in matt emulsion; Chimney breast, Summer Surprises 2 in matt emulsion; Woodwork, Pure Brilliant White in satinwood.
Bedroom: Walls, Potters Clay 2 in flat matt emulsion; Headboard, Twilight Cinders 1 in matt emulsion; Second room walls, Burnt Autumn 2 in flat matt emulsion; Woodwork, Pure Brilliant White in satinwood.
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