Dial up the earth

Toss away the grey and can the cool whites – the mood has moved to warm and earthy. Pigmented desert colours such as rust, pink clay and terracotta are heating up our living rooms and shades of spiced cinnamon, whisky and burnt orange are ripe for delicious exploration. What with the perilous state of the world, tones that tie back to the land and the landscape make us feel safe and comforted. Soft sage is all the rage as nature’s neutral but if you prefer punchy and upbeat, try fresh mint tones. For a breezy coastal vibe, crisp blues channel the tropical seas and when the darker months roll around, retreat to a snug or library wrapped in fabrics with rich, deep brown tones “like a mug of creamy hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day,” says George Isles of IconRadford. Choose a patterned velvet in cocoa tones (such as Ikebana velvet from Designers Guild, pictured at right) and you’ve nailed two trends in one.