Colour
The most versatile colour palette, according to designers
Photography: Michael J. Lee | Story: A Period Home Gets a Refined Makeover But Maintains Its Old-World Charm
Colour
The most versatile colour palette, according to designers
From light and bright to dark and daring, two Canadian designers give us the scoop on the best colour palettes for 2019.
There’s something special about the way we use colour in our home décor and how it can change the way we feel about a space. Want a cheerful kitchen? Use light and bright hues. Want a romantic serene bedroom? Go for airy calming colours. Want a dramatic bathroom? Go bold with dark shades and contrast. But what if you want it all?
Choosing a palette for your home that flows from room to room is important in order to create an inviting atmosphere that you love to spend time in. Painting is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to update your space, but not the only option. “If you really don’t want to re-paint, change a key piece of furniture, like a sofa or dining chairs, for a more modern feel,” says Designer Alykhan Velji of Calgary-based firm Alykhan Velji Designs. Or “replace window coverings, rugs, toss cushions, as well as relocating or adding art pieces,” says Lisa Lev, owner of Toronto-based company Lisa Lev Design.
We spoke to these two designers, whose work has been featured on the pages of Style at Home, for insider info on which colours are the most versatile for the main rooms in your home and how they can work with the finishes you already have.
Grey & navy
Photography: Stephani Buchman | Story: A Cozy and Modern Family Home Punctuated With Earth-Tone Accents
Aly suggests a palette of grey, white and navy blue as the perfect combination of shades to work with in any room. “In the kitchen, navy and dark green work very well when contrasted with subtle finishes like white marble or subway tile, while bolder versions of blue and green can make for a really luxe feel in a bedroom,” says Aly.
Sand & camel
Photography: Michael J. Lee | Story: A Period Home Gets a Refined Makeover But Maintains Its Old-World Charm
Lisa loves mixing bright white walls with warm woods and isn’t turned off by not-so-popular beige tones either. “I’ve been using beige these days, as I’ve been tiring of grey, but I don’t call it beige!” says Lisa. In fact, she often opts for using colours like cream, pale sand and camel because they go so well with warm woods and fun accent pieces.
Olive & magenta
Photography: Alex Lukey | Design: Lisa Lev | Architect: Evan Saskin | Styling: Ann Marie Favot | Story: Art, greenery and boho accents give this home an inviting vibe
One of the big questions is "where can I go bold?" And truth be told, you can’t make a mistake in any space as long as the room’s size, furnishings and lighting are considered. But if you’re wanting to start somewhere small, Aly suggests trying a standout hue in a powder room, and for an eye-catching look, using a bold colour on a wall with a high ceiling to keep the aesthetic unified. Feeling more adventurous? Both designers would love to see more olive green and deep shades of purple, such as dark magenta and eggplant, come into the mix.
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