Although some see pastels as a “safe” choice for interior design, there’s a lot more to them than meets the eye. This week, with ice-cream weather hopefully on the horizon, I’ve been inspired by the summer treat’s soft yet vibrant colours – and by shades of delicate French macaroons. From pistachio and strawberry to lemon and blueberry, gelato shades are set to be a spring hit so now’s the time to join their fan club. Whether painting a wall or choosing flowers, these hues are sure to inspire.
Fabulous flowers
If you’ve ever admired photos of the gorgeous Art Deco buildings in Miami, you’ll know exactly what I mean by “ice-cream colours”. They’re not the softer-than-soft baby pinks, blues and lemon shades that were once de rigueur for children’s nurseries. These are the colours of spring; pale, yet punchy – and vibrant, without assaulting the senses. They can be left in restful solitude or livened up with stronger colours. Even black and white can look amazing when teamed with your favourite gelato hue. Just a small word of warning though: layer your pastels together carefully in order to avoid décor with an obvious lolly overload!
Less is more
Traditionally the chosen colours of country home decorators, pastels can look great in any style of
dwelling – even modern warehouse conversions, tiny apartments (they make small rooms seem larger) and cutting-edge town houses. It might be a wall, or perhaps a blind. It could just be a few hand-painted items such as chairs, bookcases or tables or it might be your choice of flowers.
Hint of mint
In living areas and even kitchens, the green of mint ice cream can look wonderful contrasted with natural materials, wood and stone in particular. Crisp white will also help bring it alive. When making a very personal choice such as this green for your joinery, remember it may not appeal to others as much as it does to you. It’s fine if you’re envisaging living years in your current home. If not, you could paint the walls in your favourite pastel colours and commission the joinery in a shade that’s less polarising.
In the pink
These stylish colours are perfect for bedrooms, where rest and relaxation are the most important activities. Try subtle lavender, the newly resurrected shades of salmon or coral – just avoid mixing them with grey, unless you’re going for an ‘80s revival theme! – soft lime or the delicate pale yellow of lemon meringue pie.
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