The bold and the colourful

If 2017 was all about vitality, relaxation and the great outdoors, then 2018 will signify felicity, mystique and charisma. This tenderness can be incorporated in your home decor with the use of muted greys through a variety of hues: 'Nile green', a grey and pistachio-green blend that makes it one soothing pastel shade; 'ash rose', which is a comforting whisk of grey and red; 'pink lavender', a popping cololur just like the fanciest bubble-gum; 'meadowlark', a blissful fusion of honey and marigold; 'ultraviolet', an electric shade of indigo. There are a lot of new colours to look forward to!

 If you adore articulation furniture, famous masterpieces, or creative wall paintings, then this colour awakening trend is just perfect for you. A sequel of this rage is the rising pursuit of laminates since they can inconspicuously raise the magnificence of the walls in the form of facades, clads, tabletops, closets and other surfaces.

 Also, the year 2018 is supposed to be the year of the dog in the Chinese calendar. It is the sign of   the male earth dog. It can be celebrated in mountain colours such as greens, browns and pastels. Enliven this spell of prestige and  manoeuvre with a mischievously curated Pantone palette. An allegory of luck, romance and personality, the greyish-pistachio, blush pink and fanatic indigo not only indicate the prospect of luck and ardour, but also project the steadfast desire to be a strong personality, whilst maintaining a sense of expression and intimacy within the home.  

Lady luck

For those who love playing with colours, 'ash rose' (auburn greyish red), 'lime punch' (bright green giving a green bamboo feel), a muted pink pastel with a grounded hue, or a basic white combined with a secondary complementing colour might just do the trick. Combining these bright shades with lighter ones results in a by-product that is highly versatile.

Throw in some furniture in ash grey smoked wood and a blonde wooden floor. Perhaps   a super-glossy or  pearlescent finish tabletops for a classy yet chic look. Possibly, a vintage look could be played around with. Think teak cabinets, airy windows with sheer curtains, wood pattern laminate furniture and a royal chandelier: they all bring opulence and radiance to your dwelling.

Spice it up

'Cherry tomato', a deeply strong and heated dynamic colour, that has an orange undertone is described as the top Pantone colour for 2018. Interestingly, yellow and red are next-door neighbours on the colour wheel that essentially say the same thing: attention! They're more than warm, they're hot. Many designers today are experimenting with the orange undertone of cherry tomato, which adds fierceness to any space with its natural aura. Place an understated bed in teak and contrasting-complementing cushions or table pieces in cherry tomato and blend it with complementing coloured laminates with a matte or glossy finish as per liking and utility. Complete the look with some fresh flowers, bookshelves for the reader in you, a patterned rug embracing the beauty of real wood flooring, and indulge in the differentiated experience.

Hues and contrasts

A little change goes a long way and a little colour goes even further. From the mainline colours, the other important focal point for the interior decor would be 'meadowlark' hue, which depicts a dream escapade. It extends as an anchoring colour with fantastic meditative abilities. This honey-marigold combination is adopted from the world of paints and is creating ripples for its ability to reflect light in remarkable ways, and is mostly acceptable outdoors. Discover a whole new world of scullery by playing with the meadowlark-white contrast, which  is a playful combination. While hitting this stark contrast, let the yellow stand out in the form of glossy cabinets neutralised by stainless grabbers, stuccoed textures or panelled walls. Embrace the beauty of the kitchen with glass lamp lights or other wall hangings to strike the perfect blend between art and nature. Indulge in these colours this season and celebrate a new life with luck, romance and vibrant colours in your home.

(The author is director, Greenlam Industries Pvt. Ltd.)