COLOUR INSPIRATION

Table of Contents

02 Introduction

03 Using Colour

06 Inspiration Boards

31 Creating Your Own Colour Board

32 Sally Allgood at Furniture and Interiors

INTRODUCTION

Colour is all around us and I

guess, we often take it for
granted. However, life without
colour (which of course is sadly
the reality for some) would be
very different.

We rely on colour to instruct us -

traffic lights are the obvious
example.

It is used in marketing and

advertising to to great effect,
attracting our attention,
providing instant brand
recognition, and ultimately
luring us into purchasing,

Colour can really influence the

way we feel both positively and
negatively.

02
USING
COLOUR

Colour has always fascinated me and combining colours to

create a beautiful interior scheme is one of my favourite tasks.

I recently found my old colour theory sketch book from university,

which was fun to look through (it’s always interesting to see things
that you created many years ago!)

Colour theory can be a very involved subject, but on a basic level it can
be helpful when you are thinking about colour for interiors and craft
projects. On the following page, I have outlined some very basic
colour theory principles.

And it all starts with the colour wheel. 03

On the outer ring of the wheel you will find-

The Primary Colours (Red, Yellow, and Blue), these cannot be formed by
mixing other colours.

Secondary Colours. These are created when primary colours are mixed
together (Orange, Green and Purple).

Finally Tertiary Colours which are made when the primary and secondary
colours are mixed together.

These Primary, Secondary and Tertiary colours are called Hues.

The rest of the wheel consists of-

Tints which are created when white is added to a hue.

Tones made when grey is added to a hue.

And Shades which are achieved by adding black to a hue.

Tints, tones and shades all add a certain subtlety to the hue, making
combining colours much easier. Virtually all colours can work well together,
if the right tint, tone or shade is selected.

If you prefer a bit of drama, you can create striking colour combinations with
real wow factor, by using Complimentary Colours.
These are the colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel.
03
 COLOUR
BOARDS
If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you
may have noticed my weekly colour inspiration
posts - pops of colour inspired by my eclectic
collection of photos, to brighten up your
Mondays.

This booklet is a collection of my favourites,

with a few extra hints and tips for using them
as inspiration for your own home or craft
projects.

05
Board 01 The wind swept beach and slightly threatening
looking clouds in this photo have ironically inspired a
colour palette that is calming and relaxing.

This colour scheme is so ‘usable’, it would work well in any room,

whether it be a kitchen, bathroom, living room or even a playroom
or nursery.

05
Board 02 This dramatic photo was taken by my brother-in-law
Michael, close to where he lives in Hastings, Victoria,
Australia.

The deep grey-blue and green are given richness and depth by the
introduction of the burnt orange and terracotta. This palette would
be great in a man cave or a teenager’s bedroom.

05
Board 03 This amazing stained glass window was on the
staircase of a hotel in Wales, where we stayed a few
years ago. I don’t know when it was made, but it
certainly has a strong ‘Arts & Crafts Period’ look to it.

Purples aren’t usually my go-to colour, but I love this combination,

The lavender shades work so well with the subdued bluish-green
and mid ochre. A great choice for a beautiful bedroom scheme or a
sunny sitting room.
05
Board 04 I love fresh flowers. These were from a farm in Norfolk,
given to me by a friend. The colours and the simplicity of
the bouquet makes them so special.

Pastel blue, pink and a bright coral-orange might not be obvious

colours to put together; but along with the dark ochre shade they
create a colour palette that instantly reminded me of this vintage
fabric.
Use this board as inspiration for a cheerful room scheme, with lots of
natural wood and vintage objects.
05
Board 05 My friend’s son is a talented photographer. I love the
way he has captured the jelly fish, silhouetted
against the blue-green of the sunlit sea.
(www.josegray.com)

These gorgeous deep teal blues sit perfectly with the rich red-brown
and the almost neutral, plaster shade. These may not be colours you
would automatically put together, but they would create a dramatic
sitting room scheme.
05
Board 06 A few years ago Greg and I called at Scotney Castle in
Kent. It was the most amazing Autumn day and the clarity
of the light was incredible. Neither of us count
photography among our talents, yet every photo we took
that day looked stunning.

This blue sits so well with the warm terracotta and neutral shades.

Colourful, yet easy to live with, this scheme could be used to great
effect in a kitchen, living room or office.
05
Board 07 This is another of Jose Gray’s photos, taken on the
heather covered cliffs, near his home in Cornwall.

This pretty, but not insipid, colour palette would be a great starting
point for a bedroom. I would use the blue as an accent shade, so that
scheme doesn’t become over complicated.

05
Board 08 A gorgeous Greek sunset on the island of Zakynthos,
is the perfect inspiration for this colourful, yet serene
colour palette.

Oranges can be a challenging choice for a decorating scheme, but

used thoughtfully, they can looking amazing. These oranges are not
too intense and when combined with the warm neutral and the
gentle taupe they create a harmonious palette.
Use with natural textures such as wood, rattan and ceramic.
05
Board 09 Greens are my happy colour, and this photo is a
lovely reminder of a beautiful walk we had in the
gentle Oxfordshire countryside, on a very sunny day
last summer.

Probably because of their association with nature, greens are

considered calming and relaxing. Monochrome schemes such as this
and the one on board 22, are lovely, but they do need careful
consideration. They will need lifting with a variety of textures and
shade variation.
05
Board 10 This painting was hanging in my grandparent’s dining room
when I was a child. Many years later, when I moved into
my first home, they kindly gave it to me and now it is one
of my most treasured possessions.
It took a long time to discover where the place depicted
actually is, but after a lot of searching, while on holiday in
Italy, I finally discovered that it is a view of Amalfi.

I used this colour scheme in our guest bedroom (where the painting
now hangs). The soft, calm colours have created a welcoming space,
for our guests to enjoy.
05
Board 11 I love autumn!
Perhaps it is because it’s my birthday season, but I’m
pretty sure it’s also because of the amazing natural
colour display that we see at that time of the year.

The rich brown shades on this board are highlighted by the intense
orange-red. Natural wood and metals such as copper or bronze
would be ideal materials to compliment this scheme.

05
Board 12 Another sunset, but so different to the previous ones.
This was taken by my brother, near his home in the
village of Shelton, Nottinghamshire.

The dark charcoal creates a great backdrop for these pinks, purples
and oranges, creating a dramatic colour combination.
If you feel it is a bit too dramatic for a room scheme, why not use it as
inspiration for a craft project.
05
Board 13 Our holiday in Parga, Greece was our first European
holiday together and we made some great memories. It
was July, so the sunlight was intense, creating this
stunning contrast of bright blue against white.

This colour combination is cool and intense, so a space that has a lot
of natural light is essential. If used in a darker space, it will feel cold
and uninviting, but used the right place it will create dramatic
interior. A lovely reminder of those sunny Greek holidays.

05
Board 14 My best friend, MJ, is great at capturing photos that
are perfect for my colour boards. This was taken in
Croatia.

The bright summery colours in this scheme are prevented from

looking too primary by the addition of a small quantity of white.
These ‘modern pastels’ (deeper than the shades we would normally
associate with pastels) are an emerging trend.

Boards 07, 03 and 10 are also great examples of ‘modern pastels’

05
Board 15 One Croatian evening.
The intense dark blue sky, the soft yellow glow of the
buildings and the light reflecting off the ripples of the
water, make this a fascinating photo.

Blue and yellow are colours that have proved a popular combination
over the years. The addition of the grey-brown and the putty colour
in this scheme, give it a contemporary look.

05
Board 16 These bright dahlia flowers, creating such a contrast
against their dark leaves, were a perfect photo
opportunity. The addition of the bees on the flower
heads were a bonus.

An great way to begin creating a colour scheme with such a

vibrant palette, is to find a dramatic fabric (such as the one used
on the cushion in the image). Then use the fabric as a colour
source, and as a focal point for the room.

05
Board 17 A winter walk at Elvaston Castle, Derbyshire provided
this inspirational photo. Perhaps surprisingly, the bare
trees with their mossy trunks, the dead leaves and the
muddy track, provide a lovely colour scheme.

This versatile colour grouping, is suitable for so many interior

projects. Introduce natural textures and simple decorative items to
create a tranquil space, inspired by nature.

05
Board 18 Butterflies can be so difficult to photograph, as soon
as they sense your presence, they fly off! My friend
however, caught this small tortoiseshell butterfly just
perfectly.

By using the bright orange sparingly, with the more subtle rust and
brown shades providing the main colours, a cosy yet sophisticated
room scheme can be created.

05
Board 19 I love wandering around a walled kitchen garden.
These temptingly ripe apples were in the garden at
Greys Court. in Oxfordshire.

The muted shades of green provide the perfect backdrop to the

lovely lipstick pink, creating a great colour palette for your home or
craft projects.

05
Board 20 A tranquil Mallorcan landscape.
This photo, taken by Jose Grey, has a wonderful
relaxing air about it.

This laid-back colour scheme is suitable for a wide range of interior

and craft projects.

If you are using it in an interiors project, included a selection of

different sized plants in lovely pots, to add to the relaxed ambiance of
your room.
05
Board 21 Colour inspiration can be found anywhere! I saw this
gorgeous coloured lichen on a post, during a walk with my
niece, and I just had to go back and take a photo.

Why not go a bit retro! These colours would be ideal for a room
scheme with a nod to the vibrant colours of the 70s. These shades
are slightly de-saturated, so not as intense as some of their retro
counterparts, and consequently easier to live with.
05
Board 22 I took this photo while on a boat trip in Milford Sound,
during our amazing trip to New Zealand a few years
ago. I was blown away by the incredible landscape
there.

These lovely blue shades have a slightly green hue to them, helping
them to feel warmer than some shades of blue.

Monochrome schemes can be a great option, especially for a space

that you want to feel calm and relaxing. The inclusion of black and
white objects will help to prevent them looking one dimensional.
05
Board 23 There is nothing more beautiful in spring than a
blossom laden tree, but sadly the blossoms are gone
all too soon. This photo captures the profusion of
delicate blooms perfectly.

It can sometimes be a difficult balance between the subtle and the

insipid, when trying to come up with a gentle, soft colour scheme.
The pale gold and dark taupe on this board help to prevent the pale
pinks in this palette, from appearing insipid or wishy-washy.

05
Board 24 I love this photo of crisp, frost edged leaves on a
November walk. There are a few leaves in the
background that are still green.

Here is an on trend colour palette of rich warm browns, accented

with a deep sage green and a complimentary neutral shade.

Brown and beige are definitely the ‘new grey’, when it comes to
interiors.
05
CREATING
YOUR OWN
COLOUR BOARD

If you have been inspired by

these photo derived colour
boards, why not have a go
yourself.

I use Canva - a great online

design tool for creating
visuals - it’s very user-
friendly and the basic version
is free.

Simply upload you photo and

use the colour picker to select
various colours, until you
have created a palette that
you are happy with.

06
For more information about my affordable interior
design services, soft furnishings and workshops,
please get in touch

sally@furniture-and-interiors.co.uk
www.furniture-and-interiors.co.uk
07971 443590