Décor trends
(NC)-You want to bring bold colour to your décor but can't quite take the plunge to paint rooms or even one wall with a vibrant hue? Then colour blocking - painting one or two colours in varying-sized 'blocks', stripes or shapes on a wall - may be your safest bet.
This technique is commonly referred to by experts as adding a "punch" colour because of its ability to bring an extreme colour spark to your décor without being overwhelming.
"Colour blocking is the hottest trend right now as it opens up a whole new perspective about colour in a space," said Dominique Pépin, Marketing Manager for the Sico brand and a Chairholder of the international colour forecaster Color Marketing Group.
"For example, you can create horizontal movement by painting the base of a wall a different colour. Or extend the line of a low table by painting a different colour zone from the top of the table up to the ceiling. With the right combination of colours, such as a mix of both light, and punch or dark colours, colour blocking can even take the place of artwork."
Pépin says that colour blocking is a great way to apply unexpected colour combinations which is the emerging trend in today's décor. "Over the next two years, we'll see unexpected colour combinations surfacing everywhere in home décor - on walls, furniture and accessories," she added. "We're talking about mixing punchy colours with pastel shades or very dark tones and complementing them with neutrals - shades that you wouldn't ordinarily think of putting together, but actually complement each other well."
Colour blocking is a license to have fun with home décor where possibilities are exciting and limitless. Pépin offers these suggestions to add colour to your rooms with colour blocking:
Sharpen your accents: If your room is already painted in a neutral tone, choose one wall and re-paint blocks or shapes with a punch colour. Freshen up the rest of the décor by introducing other colour combinations through accessories, pillows, bedding or throw rugs.
Block to the future: Create a futuristic look with various horizontal blocks and rectangular stripes in surprising colour combinations. For example chalky whites like Sico's Time Passages (6174-11) and muted shades such as Mozart (6172-52) lilac combined with purples like Deep in Time (6174-73) and dark slates such as Rembrandt Brown (6177-41) will have you ready to be beamed up to another dimension.
Stage your room: If you like a particular colour combination, but are hesitant to give it a try, introduce it in stages. Start with only one or two of the trendy colours in block patterns on your walls, and once you've lived with them for a while, introduce a third colour into your furnishings. More information and advice on colour blocking can be found visiting www.sico.ca.
- News Canada