True Colours

Interior Designer Anne Tuohy shares some ideas for introducing colour into your home.

Never underestimate how powerful colour can be in transforming your home and supporting your mental health. Anytime I discuss this subject, my mind is immediately brought back to a home that I completely refurbished a few years ago. I affectionately call it my ‘darkness into light’ project. This was an incredibly dark house, with lights on from early morning. It had dreary mahogany doors and stairs, dark carpets which absorbed the natural light and heavy window treatments in deep saturated colours.

It is now the most joyous, light filled family home which puts a smile on your face every time you walk in the front door.

I have a formula for using colour to boost your mood.

Fabric First

Believe it or not, I start with the fabric. My preference is generally for a material with a light background and an energising pop of colour. I frequently choose colours like coral, fuchsia pink, soft purple, teal, yellow, orange and lime green for maximum effect.

The science of colour psychology teaches us that these colours energise and stimulate us, which is why I only use them as accent colours. With my fabric chosen, I then pick the paint colour, which is usually a fresh tone of the base colour of the fabric.

Paint Planning

To encourage calmness and cohesion, I prefer to use warm, neutral paint colours which are light reflective, visually pushing out our walls, contributing to a feeling of wellbeing.

Dark saturated colours like red, aubergine and orange are known as advancing colours which can make your space seem closed in and will compound any feelings of anxiety. The only time that I use strong colour on all walls is when I am designing a snug which will be used only for night-time use. In this instance, I tend to opt for a colour like navy or dark green, illuminated by soft lamps and wall lighting to create an intimate, relaxing nocturnal space.

Accessorise

A fresh uplifting paint palette throughout your home creates positive flow and energy. Also, by introducing uplifting colour accents in cushions, throws, window treatments, occasional chairs, rugs, artwork, and fresh flowers, you bring a sense of fun and playfulness to your space. This brings much needed positivity and joy.

Bedroom Bliss

Rest and sleep are vital to your mental wellbeing, so carefully consider your colour choices in your bedroom. This space needs to be a haven of rest, comfort, and relaxation. Soft green, blue and lilac tones are known to promote feelings of ease and relaxation. If you wish to add some vibrant colour to your bedroom, use it in your accessories. Have an oversized upholstered headboard in a tactile velvet for luxury and continue this colour theme in co-ordinating cushions and artwork.

Calm Zone

You may like to create a designated ‘quiet space’ in your home. This could simply be a corner of your living room. Have a comfortable chair, with tactile cushions and throws, lit by a tall standard lamp for task lighting. Add some artwork and lush green plants and a rug to further zone the space.

Bringing the outside in

The colours of nature support tranquillity and adapt so well to indoor use. Restful shades of green, tan and ivory can be enlivened by the use of floral inspired colours, think lavender, rose pink and sunny yellow. I recently designed tiny accommodation pods on the Wild Atlantic Way. My brief was to create a contemporary, boutique hotel ambience. To achieve this, I incorporated lots of strong accent colour, evenly distributed throughout the whole space. I used vivid shades of tangerine and lime green on huge fabric headboards and on the glass splashback in the kitchen area. Then I layered in pops of vivid pink, yellow, orange, green and navy in the cushions with additional pink and orange in the rugs.

By doing this, I managed to create an open plan space that was simultaneously restful and uplifting, which has been enjoyed by many happy families.

Your Colours

Remember, that colour evokes association and memories, so only use those shades that make you feel happy and secure. Before you even think about lifting a paintbrush, think about your personal relationship with colour. What colours do you prefer? What colours do you wear and how do they make you feel? Colours that suit us also seem to work successfully in our homes.

Embrace Black

The colour black is associated with mourning, but do not be one bit afraid of it. I call black “the eyeliner” of interior design, and its inclusion can really define a colour scheme. Use in on picture frames, fireplace inserts or an occasional piece of furniture for subtle effect.

Do not feel intimidated by colour, take the time to identify the colours that ground you and eliminate any that cause distraction or anxiety.

Our home is our haven, so remember that your colour choices will have an incredibly positive effect on your mood and your natural energy, so choose wisely. You family and your home will thank you for it. WW

For more information about Anne Tuohy’s work, visit roomjunkie.com

Picture Captions From Anne

Voyage Hedgerow & Floral Meadow Classic Cushion €86, visit coachhousedingle.com

Urban Chair, EZ Living €69, visit grovefurnishings.ie

Nova Rhythm Multi NV21 Rug €99, visit rugs.ie

Colour Pops

Page 30/31 Colour Pops

Beautiful colours can enhance your mood creating lovely spaces that make you smile and calmer corners for quiet times. Norah Casey shares her design inspiration for some eye-popping statement pieces and accessories that will refresh and energise your home.

Our selection

Blue Wild Meadow Mural by Sir Edward €47/m2, visit wallsauce.com

Tudor Blue Embroidered Velvet Cushion €55.18, visit frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

Jonathan Adler Ultra Ottoman €913.85. visit sweetpeaandwillow.com

Red Hearts Throw €112.65, visit jjtextile.co.uk

Chartreuse Yellow Velvet Throw €252.89, visit frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

Mini Sophie yellow €99, visit fraumaier.com

Rice Korb Candy Red €41.90, visit takatomo.de

Annie Sloan Wall Paint Swatch English Yellow Portrait from €6.86, visit anniesloan.com

Islington 3 Seater Deluxe Sofa Bed in Sleek Mustard €1384, visit sofology.co.uk

Pola 2 Seater Sofa Teal €675, visit michaelmurphy.ie

Oliver Bonas Keena Velvet Desk Chair €571, visit oliverbonas.com

Lacey Armchair €430, visit next.ie

Joe Browns Floral Set Of 4 Bowls €20.76, visit joebrowns.co.uk

Amazon Tropical Wallpaper €12.68 per roll, visit cultfurniture.com