Experimenting with new colour combinations - liven up your duck egg with orange + teal

Developing a colour palette as part of an email client consultation yesterday has inspired me to write about experimenting with colour today...

Duck egg + teal with a punch of orange - Little Greene

Humans often err towards the side of caution and when in comes to interiors opt for tried and tested colour combinations. One of the safest colours that has been a staple for residential interiors for ever is the colour duck egg blue. The likes of Laura Ashley, M&S and Next have traditionally mixed it with neutrals (cream, taupe & beige) and included into 'ready to buy' looks including brown leather seating, oak furniture and patterns including spots, stripes and florals.

Whilst this combination works, it is, dare I say, somewhat boring. I'll admit to being a victim of it in a previous house many years ago (although I did throw some fuchsia pink into the mix!) but seriously come on, let's have some fun and funk it up.

How best can we do this?

Add some depth with a deep teal hue

Add a shot of zingy orange

A varied palette of teal & orange

David Mottershead, the managing director of Little Greene, says: “Using paints effectively in interior design is a much more sophisticated process than selecting a single colour from a paint chart. One colour in isolation can be attractive, two in combination can be beautiful and three shades used together can be quite exquisite.”

Exquisite - yes! Boring - no!

Accessorising with the colour palette (image: Martha Stewart)

Moroccan colour palette - (image: from Billabong's autumn 2014 ad campaign)

Vivid orange berries, how amazing is nature! (image: Creature Comforts)

I hope seeing this stunning this colour palette has inspired you to move away from safe and go add some colour to your life *smile*

www.homerestyler.co.uk

Successfully mixing modern + traditional interior design alpine style

When I walked through the doors of Hotel Moar-Gut, I was honestly taken-a-back. I had been expecting traditional Austrian interiors; lots of wood, carved hearts, local stone, which is exactly what I found. However this was no old-fashioned alpine design, no this was so lip-smackingly on my wavelength. In fact, I think I actually squealed out loud with joy!

Sleek modern with a rustic twist

Do you see what I mean?! Hotel Moar-Gut is situated in the Großarl region of the Alps, a stunning, unspoilt and quiet resort, which prides itself on alpine ski sport but is just as incredible in the summer months. Relatively unknown to those outside of Austria and Germany, the hotel is a Kinderhotel, making for the best holiday for both children and parents alike.

Family Kendlbacher, the owners of the hotel, have created a beautiful hotel successfully marrying modern and traditional interior design together. The combination of untreated wood and natural stone with modern furniture, light fittings and decorative objects creates a non-pretentious, relaxing, all enveloping atmosphere, inspired both by nature and design.

Wonderful wood!

It's all in the detail - button back chair upholstery

Wine tasting cellar - love the circular chairs

Oversized ceiling pendants bring a traditional alpine look up-to-date

Statement styling: huge chunky legged table, enormous bowls wrapped in
antlers filled with moss & daffodils, oversized brown cowhide pendants.
I adore!

Gorgeous trio of glass pendants suspended over the bread & honey bar

Every Austrian interior needs hanging hearts!

  

Beautiful traditional honesty whisky bar for a wee dram

Don't get me started on the food! It was simply delicious and so varied, no chance of getting bored of the same old buffet day in day out. From 7am to 10pm locally sourced food galore, dinner was a 5 course affair with a vast selection of wines to choose from.

Gourmet dinners to die for!

Traditional local dishes served with a modern twist

And the service was impeccable. All of the staff were friendly and much to my daughters delight, all knew her name (one of the hotel's policies).

Kids room with single, bunk bed & TV

Solid wood furniture with  splash of bright colour

...the accommodation (family suites), the spa, the pool, the animals (you can adopt a pet to look after during your stay), the kid's wonderland, the location (near to all the ski sport activities just 5 mins away by car)...it was the ideal set up for a perfect family holiday. I thoroughly recommend it.

www.homerestyler.co.uk