Caxton magazines staffChoosing a colour scheme for your home needn’t always be overwhelming. Here are eight striking interior colour combinations we love.
Red and white
“The kiaat cabinetry, Caesarstone countertops and timber decking all have a natural feel, which offsets the vivid red walls and gives this bathroom an exciting vibe,” says interior designer Ilsa van Niekerk. “We deliberately avoided tiles in this bathroom, opting to paint the walls with Plascon Double Velvet in Hot-n-Spicy.”
READ MORE: Girl’s bedroom decor: Pink and grey
Pink and grey
“We knew we wanted grey as opposed to the traditional pink for our granddaughter Madison’s room,” says Caryn Shirley of Durban. “Little girls’ accessories tend to be in shades of pink and we thought that grey would provide a lovely contrast as well as make the room feel cooler on hot afternoons.”
READ MORE: Apartment inspiration: Elegance comes in small packages
Blue, red and yellow
To add depth to this small garden, Zania Grobelaar of Dear Zania Interiors painted one wall a deep ocean blue and highlighted it with a red metal wall-mounted tree and furniture in bright colours. The result is a happy hang-out for any time of the year.
Charcoal and blue
To create a strong backdrop for a series of artwork, Jo’burg designer David Muirhead painted the main wall in a deep charcoal shade. “People are often wary of dark colours, but I always encourage them to give it a try. It’s the most inexpensive way to highlight artwork and it looks spectacular at night.”
READ MORE: A blue and gold festive table setting
Teal, turquoise, grey and navy
“When mixed with jewel-like colours, teal gives an opulent look,” says Marc Shotland, sales and marketing director at Home Fabrics. “Here, we layered a sofa with teal, turquoise, grey and navy velvet scatters, while a single floral cushion makes the scheme pop. The embossed indigo wall covering is a strong focal point, but instead of toning it down, we added lime, aubergine and chevron drapes to create a theatrical look,” says Marc.
Pink and mauve
This pretty patio’s colour palette was inspired by the surrounding garden, which forms a backdrop of seasonal bursts of pinks and mauves. In winter the garden boasts a profusion of petunias, pansies, zinnias and begonias; in summer, it’s a riot of roses, agapanthus, azaleas and lavender. “It’s such a cheerful, feel-good space,” says the homeowner.
Charcoal, mustard and marsala
Although it’s used year-round, this covered patio in Durban comes into its own in winter. Charcoal walls give it a cosy, cocoon-like feel, and the owners, Anthony and Taryn Smith, chose spicy colours including mustard and marsala to add some winter warmth. Three nesting tables in vibrant colours make a great focal point, but also provide a spot for mugs and mags. The bright colour scheme is picked up in the series of artworks and a mirror reflects the greenery of the garden beyond.
Grey and yellow
“People are often scared to use dark colours in a small room because they’re worried it will make it feel even smaller,” says Wendy-Lee Douglas. “But this deep charcoal actually has the opposite effect; it makes the walls appear to recede enhancing the sense of space.” One of the reasons this moody hue works so well is that it’s been teamed with fresh white cabinetry. There’s also a wall of stacking doors leading out onto the patio, so the room is flooded with natural light.
