The ultimate neutral or a little bit murkey? As you may have seen, people are divided on the Dulux Colour of the Year for 2019, the biscuit yellow Spiced Honey. Personally, I love it. It is somehow warm and welcoming, yet cool and contemporary, and is a shade that will help homeowners find their boldness without the need for garish hues or extraterrestrial furnishings. The statement made by Dulux in crowning their champion shade is as follows: ‘As we move forward into 2019, we find this pause has given people time to re-energise and deal with the sense of unpredictability with positive action, optimism and purpose. If the unpredictability of last year forced people to retreat and regroup, 2019 is the time for their awakening. We are ready to “Let in the Light”.’ After reading this, I couldn’t have imagined a colour more suited to such an ethos than Spiced Honey, and really do thank Dulux for bringing attention to a colour that has more dimensions to it than first meets the eye.
Despite the love-it-or-hate-it first impressions, I think the majority of people will love it, or can learn to, once they see the different ways it can be styled in the home. The images that Dulux released give a small insight to some decor possibilities and offer a palatable scheme for a modern homeowner. However, this is not enough to sway all tastes, so I wanted to add a few more into the mix, and show the different and sometimes unexpected colours which work wonderfully alongside the honey tones of this gorgeous colour. I have split these into 3 “Styles” and shopped around for a few items that would fit the bill to get you started.
1.. First up, is ‘Au Naturale’. A nod to contemporary boho luxe with an inkling of Scandi. Think creams, stone, woods and wicker. Terracotta oranges add warmth, dusky pinks and lavender purple bring charm. Look to stores like Anthropologie for a sure-fire way to be enlightened.
Products Featured: Lilibet Rug, from £279, Anthropologie // Aron Chair in Blossom, £349, Swoon // Abuo Grey Round Ceramic Plant Pot, £16 Oliver Bonas // Ashtan Table Runner, £39.95, Anthropologie // Winter Morning Poster, from £11.95, DESENIO // Bedford Hanging Planter, £80, Abigail Ahern // Juoy Cabinet, Natural Reclaimed Pine & Brass, £649, Swoon // Small Petrified Wood Sculpture, £59, West Elm // Magazine Rack, £119.99, Zara Home // Taran Pillow, from £29, Anthropologie
2. Go for Gold.
I’m talking honey hued everything and oozing with luxe glamour. Be careful with yellow-gold or alloyed metals, which can look “glitzy” rather than glam by appearing stripey or giving a shiny but empty glow. Opt for caramels, coppers and a hint of shimmer. Paired with Spiced Honey, you’ll be beaming from top to bottom.
Products Featured: John Lewis & Partners Albero Wallpaper, Tiger's Eye £25.00, John Lewis // Millicent Mirror, £250, Perch & Parrow // Gold Print Cushion Cover, £29.99, Zara Home // Kira Media Unit, Dark Acacia, £399, Swoon // Amber Wine Glass, £15, Broste Copenhagen @ HEALS // Geometric Metallic Vase, £29.99, Zara Home // Hex Shelving Unit, £249, Swoon // Boulangerie Candle Jar in Espresso, £16, Anthropologie // Ziggy Bedside Table Unit, £199, Swoon // Cut Short Gold Pendant, £450, Tom Dixon // Merano 2-seater, Honey Velvet, £1,199, Swoon
3. And finally (my personal favourite), Shades of Blue. Especially petrol blue or inky indigo, the darker the better.
This is a palette more eclectic in style but one where less can be much more. Just a few items in the darker shades adds so much to the honey colours of your walls. It also works well paired with emerald greens or gloss black-purple. H&M and Abigail Ahern both do this style impeccably well (and anybody who knows me knows I love Abigail Ahern ANYTHING!)
Products Featured: Blue Tide Poster, from £6.95, DESENIO // Palm Leaves Poster, from £6.95, DESENIO // Round Glass Vase in Green, £17.99, H&M // Velvet Cushion Covers, £17.99 each, H&M // Plymouth Ottoman, Kingfisher Velvet, £449, Swoon // Urban Bahia Parrot Statue in green, £32, Maisons Du Monde // Blue Snake Vase, £26, Abigail Ahern EDITION, Debenhams // Zaire Agate Cheese Board, £68.00, Anthropologie // Set of 4 Champagne Flutes, £20, NEXT // Hammershoi Teapot Indigo, £95, Kahler @ HEALS // Osia Sheepskin Rug, £112.80, La Redoute Interiors
Just like Dulux, I am more than ready to “Let in the Light” (and couple it with dark), and I hope you consider it too.