With society’s growing emphasis on wellbeing, the Dulux Summer 2020 colour predictions see a return to calm, natural tones that speak of personal growth and regeneration. The Cultivate palette – one of the four trend colour palettes identified in the 2020 Dulux Colour Forecast: Essence – mixes soft, earthy greens and blue-greens with a sprinkling of bold, 70s accents, such as plum, mustard and dusty violet, making it the perfect choice to refresh your home for the new season.
Colours: Dulux Wash & Wear in Tauherenīkau, Onemana and Remuera
“Cultivate is nature’s palette,” says Davina Harper, Dulux Colour and Design Specialist. “Greens make us feel relaxed and connected to nature. They hint at new growth and fresh beginnings, which can evoke a sense of optimism and creativity. Greens are easy to live with and work brilliantly in both traditional and contemporary homes. With their warm undertones and an earthy feel, greens are best paired with a warm white with a bit of depth, such as Dulux Remuera."
The sense of nostalgia that has been creeping into design trends for a while now has been expressed with 70s references, including shades of eggplant and mustard alongside warm timbers and touches of coloured ceramics and glass. "Injecting these unexpected colours and elements into a muted, earthy scheme, from the Cultivate trend, is also a great way to add personality and fun." says Davina.
Before and After // Colours: Dulux Wash & Wear in Tauherenīkau, Onemana and Remuera
Artworks: North Field by Adam Custins, Makers Markt; Floating Leaves 3 and 5 by Paper Collective, Trit House; Yass Blue Grey Bush by Joanna Cole, Jardan
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Power of contrasts: Add interest by mixing different materials, such as timber, felt, rattan, velvet, glass and steel.
Keep it casual: Think relaxed, low-slung seating and complementary pieces with textured natural materials and an outdoor style.
Mad about rattan: A sleek rattan cabinet or armchair will suit this scheme’s natural aesthetic, while adding a contemporary touch.
Japanese subtlety: Seek out pieces with subtle Japanese styling cues such as black stained timber, handmade ceramics or delicate botanical prints.
Light and bright: Keep window furnishings simple – think linen sheers that let the sun filter through.
Green goodness: Finish off this natural look with cascading greenery and potted plants in all shapes and sizes.
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Colours: Dulux Wash & Wear in Matamata and RemueraArtwork: Foliage Study 2 by Georgina Hoby Scutt
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To demonstrate just how effective colour can be in bringing your home up-to-date, stylist Bree Leech transformed an all white living and dining room using the Dulux Cultivate palette.
“These two spaces have great foundations – natural light streaming in through glass doors in the living room and a large picture window in the dining room, warm timber flooring throughout and garden views. The spaces were painted in a beautiful timeless warm white, Dulux Remuera, but we still felt the rooms could have more life and personality."
Wanting to make the spaces feel fresh, contemporary and welcoming, while keeping the budget in check, updates were made through the use of colour and affordable accessories. Larger investment pieces such as the sofa, coffee table, rug and dining table were kept as is, and existing joinery was used as inspiration for the design of the colour feature.
Colours: Dulux Wash & Wear in Tauherenīkau, Onemana and Remuera
“The first step was finding the right accent colours to work with Dulux Remuera, as well as connecting all the existing decor between the spaces. The Cultivate palette features beautiful greens and all of them harmonise with the subtle warmth of Dulux Remuera, which has just a hint of ochre in its undertone."
A natural choice, Cultivate blurs the lines between inside and out and sits comfortably alongside the timber floor, built in joinery, and the neutral grey sofa upholstery. A rattan armchair chosen for its outdoor summery vibe, sits alongside an ottoman upholstered in a deep green tactile felt fabric. “To make a distinct colour feature and tie it back to the existing design elements in the room, we used the top of the joinery to dictate where the colour would finish on the living room walls and chose Dulux Tauherenīkau – a dusty, leaf green and the perfect accent to feature with Remuera. Keeping the upper portion of the walls and ceiling white is unexpected, which makes the existing joinery a stronger design feature in the space."
The use of matte black accents in steel, stained timber and cane, further enhances the focus on texture, while adding subtle Japanese styling details. “To create a lush, layered effect, we added vessels and planters in a spectrum of green and in various materials such as ceramic, resin and glass, filled with indoor plants. Soft mauve blue (Dulux Onemana) and mustard accessories create some colour contrast in the tonal scheme. The sofa is layered with scatter cushions in botanical prints and hues to create an inviting place to rest and enjoy the view."
While the dining room was given its own distinct character, it was important to maintain a connection with the colours in the living room. This was achieved with a soft yellow-green shade (Dulux Matamata). A rich forest green table lamp provides a striking tonal contrast and draws on colours from the living room, connecting the spaces.
Before and After// Colours: Dulux Wash & Wear in Matamata and Remuera
“Paint is a homeowner’s secret weapon,” says Davina. I couldn't agree more! Fast and affordable, you can use it to completely change a space in as little as a few hours. “Use it to transform your walls, repurpose pieces that you’ve grown tired of, or add that little element of surprise to shelves or niches. There are no rules about what you should and shouldn’t do – it’s about using colour to express your personality and creating a home that's uniquely your own,” she says.
Such great advice. I also find that I'm much more motivated in summer to make changes, especially with a bit more time on my hands over the holidays!
To further inspire your Summer refresh, here are some key styling tips:
Power of contrasts: Add interest by mixing different materials, such as timber, felt, rattan, velvet, glass and steel.
Keep it casual: Think relaxed, low-slung seating and complementary pieces with textured natural materials and an outdoor style.
Mad about rattan: A sleek rattan cabinet or armchair will suit this scheme’s natural aesthetic, while adding a contemporary touch.
Japanese subtlety: Seek out pieces with subtle Japanese styling cues such as black stained timber, handmade ceramics or delicate botanical prints.
Light and bright: Keep window furnishings simple – think linen sheers that let the sun filter through.
Green goodness: Finish off this natural look with cascading greenery and potted plants in all shapes and sizes.
Styling by Bree Leech / Photography by Lisa Cohen
Dulux’s summer colour predictions are the result of extensive research into international trends, with inspiration drawn from design trade shows, fashion, technology and media.
To learn more about Dulux’s 2020 Colour Forecast or to view the eMag visit: www.dulux.co.nz
Images courtesy of Dulux