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SUMMER COLOUR TRENDS:
CAUGHT IN THE NUDE
Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gaugin
was living in isolation in Tahiti when he
wrote that colour was the lingua-franca
of dreams. Although he only found fame
posthumously, his understanding of colour
as a secret language of the unconscious
has marked the world of art and design
ever since.
“Colour! What a deep and mysterious
language, the language of dreams.”
It’s a theory that gains further traction when
we consider what hues emerge during
times of upheaval. Ever since the beginning
of 2020, our digital and print feeds have
been dominated by soft nudes — a
comforting and restorative counterpoint to
the frenzied global Zeitgeist.
It’s a palette that’s not without its
controversies. Nude has long been
associated with a fleshy peach tone — often
at the expense of more diverse skin tones.
In interiors, however, we’re talking about
not just one colour but a rich symphony of
hues ranging from stonewashed oatmeal
through to deepest caramel.
“The nude alone is well dressed...
One of our favourite ways to think about
nude palettes is as a springboard for tactile
interiors. Versatile yet welcoming, they can
be dressed up or down depending on the
occasion. For an understated luxe look,
consider incorporating creamy alabaster
coffee tables and marble splashbacks.
Nudes also have a natural affinity with
traditionally organic materials such as
bamboo, wicker and jute. As we each
search for ways to live more sustainably,