For those in the know (by choice or otherwise), Dulux have recently announced their Colour of the Year for 2020 in the shape (shade?) of Tranquil Dawn: a very soft, pale and hazy shade of green. I commend their decision to bring this shade to the foreground as it offers a calming yet bright alternative to the bold shades of recent trends and, perhaps more significantly, a colour which provides escape from the turbulence that we are experiencing as a country and the world as a whole. I also commend Dulux for the clever timing, as the start of September is a time for new starts, fresh ideas and looking towards the upcoming months and what can be achieved. All business strategies aside, as a colour for interiors Tranquil Dawn offers versatility and subtle impact which will undoubtedly appeal to many individuals and their decorating style, and will work throughout Summer, Winter and Spring with varying palettes to match. I like the colour and do believe that many homes will be using it in years to come, including a project that I am currently building some schemes for. There are recommendations on the Dulux site as well as a hundred written pieces from the past few days describing the colour and how it can be used. Although its a hot topic, this post is actually a celebration for another Colour of the Year from across the pond, with a shade that I feel has slipped under the radar since its announcement in August. Maybe next month I’ll write about Tranquil Dawn, but for now, my attention is on Behr and their 2020 predictions.
More specifically, I want to draw attention to Behr's 2020 COTY, Back to Nature (Centre, Two Down). This was announced back in August and described as a restorative, ecological-inspired neutral, designed to bring the freshness of an outside meadow into the restlessness of our daily lives. Pre-dating the Dulux colour, this is again a softened shade of green but holds a yellow tone and is wholly reminiscent of the colours of Spring or dew-laced grass on a Winter morning. Have you ever looked out of the aeroplane window and marvelled at the checker-board fields that make up the UK? This colour is like all of those colours mixed into one and is rather magical when thought about in this way. My initial thoughts were how English the colour was: think Laura Ashley and Georgian prettiness, garden rooms and apple trees. It’s a very ‘safe’ colour and has a soothing effect - but that's exactly what Behr wanted. At first, it didn't outright excite me like Spiced Honey did last year. But after the Dulux announcement and some colour scheme research, I have been swayed. So, how to depart from the English Garden décor and get some brownie points for luxury? By scheming with some chic shadows, earthy accents and zingy counterparts, and pairing it with modern-retro shapes and some statement furnishings. To illustrate all this word-play, I have put together some quick mood boards to showcase this colour in some different lights so you can test the water and see which work best for you.
Image courtesy of Behr.
First: Pastel Palettes. Colours inspired by iced minerals, glass, shining pearls and sweet candy. Channel your inner India (the genius behind Sketch, London - you'll know the one) and choose chunky colour blocks and retro shapes to give this palette a grown-up playfulness. It's Back to Nature through a fantastical lens, and one I would be happy to wear at that.
Board Breakdown Runway shots: ACNE Studios SS2020 RTW, Gianni SS2020 RTW Products Used: Pearl Asteria Pendant Light £239.00 / Trouva Cubist Silver Leaf Sculpture MARGIAN STUDIO INC, $4200 / Blushing Birds Serving Plate – Blue, Pip Studio £32 / Large Faux Monstere Plant, Rockett St George / Pietra Oval Dining Table, Boca Do Lobo / Oscar multi-colour area rug, The Rug Society Paints: Dulux Satin Bow (behind models, top), Mineral Mist (above table, right), Pale Citrus (behind models, bottom)
Second: Earth and Fire. Paired with ground-found tones and woody textures, Back to Nature becomes warmed up and rustic. But this is not a one-sided or dampening effect as in reverse, the sweet green adds a modern twist and the essential lightness to a palette which could easily enter the 70s danger zone. Think of those camo-colours and cargo pants adorning the High Street. Opt for blue-greys or sandy shaded neutrals if you want to pair with cream, and please step away from the magnolia.
Board Breakdown Runway shot: Gianni SS2020 RTW Products Used: Figure Vase, Liberty London £350 / Fresco Bowl, now £2 Kelly Hoppen / Riff Rug, Souda / EMPIRE POPLAR ROOT TABLE Boca Do Lobo / Raffia Lamp Shade, Zara Home / Cairn Chair, Roche Bobois
Paints: Bread Basket, CROWN Paints
Third: Lime Spritzer. As hinted at in the above board (see those killer boots), lime green is a complimentary and perhaps unexpected colour to pair Back to Nature with. As opposed to the earthy brown pairing above, granny smith green cools down the colour by drawing on the yellow undertones and adding a bit of zing. I found this a bit more of a challenge for modern decor without it being gaudy, but that lime bubble chair, the disgracefully brash hide rug and little accent of envy in the placemat all added fuel to the fire (and a few ££ to my wishlist)
Board Breakdown Products Used: Fermob Dune Premium Dining Chair £139 Houseology / Gstar beaded placemat, Rockett St George / Angled Glass Sphere Pendant Light, Rockett St George / Lime Bubble Chair, Roche Bobois / Verde Cowhide Rug, 1stdibs.com / MICHAËL VERHEYDEN Cont marble pot £345 MatchesFashion.com / Leros Embroidered Linen - Green VAUGHAN List Price:$196 / Tiffany contemporary Floor Lamp emerald Silk £1,457.62, 1stdibs.com
Finale: It's Back to Nature but by Night. Deep, dark and decadent... Jewel tones and inky accents are hard to resist and looking at this board just makes me feel enriched. The trend for navy walls is still strong and I do believe that Back to Nature works well with this and provides a fantastic contrast that isn't predictable primrose or brass-toned golds. The feathers adorning the dress illustrate how light textures can add a prettiness to midnight hues without altering the depth and deliciousness. Early last year I bought Mongolian furs in shades of greens and greys and they would be perfect for such a scheme. Although I am not reaching for the blue paint, I know many who are still contemplating doing so, and I will definitely be pointing them in Behr's direction.
Board Breakdown Runway Shots: Lacoste AW2019 RTW, Givenchy AW19 Couture Products Used: Bogarde Armchair in Green Leather, 1stdibs.com / Navy Thalia Desk Box, LuxDeco.com / Green Rabbit Fur Cushion, Rex / Simon Orrell Star Green Side Table in Shagreen and Bone / Hiddenite Glass Sculpture, Mitchell Gold 7 bob Williams, $475 / Isabelle Floral Printed Bedding Set £23.60-47.20 M&S. Papers and Paints: Cole & Son Botanical Wallpaper, Navy/Green
Other colour pairings would include olives and green-greys, and I would opt for a matt finish when mixing like this. Of course, if English Garden is your thing then go for it! Whatever the style, this colour can and should be recognised in 2020 and beyond.
To finish, I have to bring a little bad news. Behr is an Orange County based paint company and can only be bought via amazon or courier service to us here in the UK. Of course I still champion the use of this paint, as it means that you will be channelling a new palette to show off to your friends. However, for those who don't want to go to such efforts, I have included a few pointers to UK Stockists who offer similar or complementary shades instead. Please note, "Match" does not mean perfect and shades will vary depending on light, space and finish.
Match – Dulux, Melon Sorbet Match – Little Greene, Kitchen Green Match – Little Greene, Olive Oil Similar – Little Greene, Edith’s Eye – shade of olive green Match – Crown Paints, Key Lime Pie Similar – Crown Paints, Khaki Twist – a little darker but probably my favourite tone from the selection.
After all this green talk, I'm off to sit in the garden! As always, comments and questions are gratefully accepted. Ciao for now! A x