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FIONA DE LYS, COLOUR CONSULTANT

MAKE A COLOUR CHART: I USE PHOTOS I’VE TAKEN OF PLACES AND OBJECTS, BUT PINTEREST IS ALSO HELPFUL. YOU WILL IMMEDIATELY SEE WHICH COLOUR SPARKS WHICH EMOTION

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olour holds power, impacting our mood, emotions, and behaviour. And while it’s all down to personal preference, understanding colour psychology and emotion (aka the meaning of colour) can be a valuable tool in creating a personal palette that speaks to you. Whether you're a seasoned decorator or are just starting out, choosing a colour scheme for

Interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe shares expert advice and her must-have pieces from Furniture Village’s latest collection

your home requires an expert touch. To help you uncover the true meaning behind your favorite shades, colour consultant Fiona de Lys and paint brand Benjamin Moore reveal how to take your decorating to new, emotive heights.

The foundations of colour psychology lie in the understanding of how different hues affect our emotions. We don’t just see colours, we feel them – which is what makes finding exceptional quality paint so important. Each shade has its own individual characteristics that can incite a range of emotions, with unique experiences also coming into play. By delving deeper into colour, we can understand how it affects the way we feel in a space. And that’s where Benjamin Moore’s rich range comes in. ‘We all have emotional connections with colours and often these are inspired by experiences and memories, or an aspiration of how we want to feel,’ explains Fiona. ‘Those are the colours that are unique to us, so when it comes to decorating, you really want to embrace your emotions for guiding your colour choices.’

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Shop the look and find more inspiration at Furniture Village a.

Geometry 3 Framed Art

£89.00

Set of 4 Natural Water Hyacinth Placemats

£20.00

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Printed Tasseled Outdoor Cushion

£17.50

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16 Piece Maxim Brushed Cutlery Set

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SHOP THE LA MODE LOOK

Colour consultant Fiona de Lys and paint brand Benjamin Moore show you how to harness the power of colour psychology to build your personal palette

Find Joy In Colour

HOW TO DECORATE WITH FEELING

Scenic Drive 697

Bed of Ferns 1511

Rattan AF-375

Mayflower Red HC-49

Italianate AF-215

* ALL PRODUCTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGES & AVAILABILITY.

THE MEANING OF COLOUR

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Buxton Blue HC-149

Before even taking out your paint, you need to get to know the lighting in each room, and, crucially, how it behaves and at what time of day. As natural light changes throughout the day, so will the appearance of colour in that room. This is why swatching on every wall of the space, and checking it at different times of the day, is vital. Benjamin Moore’s easy-to-use, flawless application means this couldn’t be easier. Start by taking into account the natural light in a space, and then consider the way you want to feel when you enter that room. ‘It’s not just the hue, of course: the shade, tone, or tint of a colour are important factors in achieving the right temperature - particularly for the light and aspect of your room,’ Fiona advises. Thankfully, Benjamin Moore’s range spans 3,500 unique colours for you to find your perfect match. For example, Fiona suggests comparing Benjamin Moore’s Scenic Drive, a soft, versatile green with a dose of gray, to Bed of Fern’s, a rich mix of green, brown, and gray that feels like a cleansing rainfall: while they’re both “green”, the differences in tone and temperature between them make them very different options for your space.

COLOUR TEMPERATURE

‘If you want every space to have a clear purpose, colour is a great way to do it,’ suggests Fiona. ‘It can really help define a space in a way that feels cohesive and characterful.’ Spend some time getting to know the Benjamin Moore colour chart to curate a personalized scheme that will help you define the purpose of each room of your home. Having a good grasp of the distinction between warm and cool colours can help to inspire a harmonious scheme. Warm tones such as reds, oranges, and yellows are known to evoke emotions like energy, passion, and happiness. These colours grab attention and create a sense of excitement. Cool colours, on the other hand, such as blue, green, and purple are thought of as calm, tranquil, and relaxing – having a soothing effect on the room at large.

DEFINE YOUR PURPOSE

‘You want to be confident and make purposeful colour choices,’ adds Fiona. ‘Harmony is key, so you shouldn’t stick to a bland default such as a “builders’ white”.’ To create a unique and individual style for your home, Fiona suggests you ‘think about your surrounding environment and whether you want your home to reflect or expand beyond it.’ Look both in and outside your home for inspiration. Perhaps your personal belongings call for a minimalistic blend between Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, or, maybe you’re better suited to a palette evocative of dopamine decorating. Either way, you want your chosen colours to feel at peace with your and your home’s style. ‘If you’re in the city, some colour choices might be different to those in the countryside,’ she adds. Colour is the key to creating a happy, cozy, or calming space, so consider the setting in which you live and the elements that you want to convey indoors. Do you want to stick to a natural, of-the-earth scheme that suits a more rustic home? Or are you keen to bring a riot of joy and excitement with bold, bright colours that reflect the bustling nature of your hometown? Identifying these design ideals is key to building an emotive palette that feels at home on your walls. One final note? Colour choices are so personal to you, it’s your home and there is no right or wrong decision. Take a moment to consider what brings you joy – your personal palette should align with your style and enhance the way you feel at home to create a space that feels like ‘you’. ‘No matter which colours you choose, you can find them in the Benjamin Moore range,’ says Fiona. ‘These are the colours in my emotional palette – they inspire me to feel creative, comforted, and adventurous.’

BUILD YOUR PERSONAL PALETTE

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Colorado Gray 2136-50

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Pale Moon 289

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Kendall Charcoal HC-166

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Wild Flower 2090-40

FIONA'S COLOUR PALETTE

To start building your personal palette with Benjamin Moore, head to your local independent paint store or Benjamin Moore’s website for some tried-and-tested expertise and the most beautiful range of colours that will speak to any and all emotions.

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Knoxville Gray HC-160