INTERIOR INSPIRATION
BY KATE KINGSTON
Kate Kingston, Managing Director of Kingston Shaw, an award winning
interior design company with offices on the Wirral, London and Dubai,
shares with us the latest trends for creating the perfect home.
KEEP CALM AND EMBRACE YOUR DARK SIDE THIS MONTH!
If you know me then you will know that I can be a tad dramatic. Oh
okay I am a lot dramatic and I love drama in interiors, the more drama
that is infused in a scheme the better! But don’t be fooled I am not a
drama queen for nothing, the scheme has to demand the theatrical
and the dramatic, you cannot just magic it up and expect it to be
appreciated. As with everything in life there is a cause and effect, shade
and light. Drama can be used in interiors to denote an atmosphere, to
embellish an architectural detail or to reinvent a tricky space! There is
no better way to do this than using colour and at this time of the year
embracing your dark side can not only leave a dramatic impression on
your home but also a positive impact on your health.
NAVY
Did you know that Navy (the new black in interiors), is a relaxing
hue, it soothes, calms and gently does its job without competing for
attention. It can cast a gentle zen like glow in any room, it gathers you
in and gently caresses you as it sets you down gently into a super warm
hug! It is the perfect colour for living rooms and bedrooms or wherever
you want to relax and chill. You may not want to paint all your rooms
navy so consider a sofa, or headboard for your bed, a rug or blinds.
BLACK
Oh the truest of all the hues from sophisticated elegance to evil
incarnate, few colours conjure up such strong images as black. The
origin of the word black stretches back to a group of tribes known
as the Proto-Indo-Europeans. According to etymologists, these
ancient groups likely used the rather un-elegant sounding word
bhleg- to mean burn or gleam.
We think of black as sophisticated and serious. It’s the preferred
colour for much formal attire, and the little black dress is a classic
piece of attire that’s timeless and always appropriate. Black is
unambiguous, definite. It’s not easily misunderstood, and in design
it’s dramatic and helps create a feeling of certainty. Perfect for
Hallways, guest bathrooms and formal dining spaces.
FOREST GREEN
Forest Green’s meaning resides in the aromatic depth of a drizzly pine
forest, green inspires and vitalises us in all its hues. Second only to
blue as the most common ‘favourite colour’. Do you know what your
body does in the presence of the colour green? Your pituitary gland is
stimulated. Your muscles are more relaxed, and your blood histamine
levels increase, which leads to a decrease in allergy symptoms and dilated
blood vessels, aiding in smoother muscle contractions. In short, green
is calming, stress-relieving, and–a bit paradoxically–invigorating. It’s
been shown to improve reading ability and creativity. So its great for
bedrooms, bathrooms and eating areas!
62 wirrallife.com
Whatever part of your dark nature you choose to embrace this
month, ensure you do it with dramatic flourish and commit
wholeheartedly! Happy Halloween!