Home to colour

As more of us travel and work overseas, there's a growing sense that, after all, there's no place like home and it's a realisation that's affecting our choice of colour and design, says architect John Mills.

"A lot of people have travelled to other countries and brought a real sense of New Zealand identity back with them," he says. "They want a home that's comfortable and casual harking back to what they remember from their childhoods but married with their sophistication.

"We're also taking inspiration from our distinctive landscape. If you've got great views of the coast or the countryside, you'll want to echo them in your home."

Translated into colours, that means a move towards deep neutrals, defined by Mills as complex hues that bring life to the strongest feature colour. Deep cool browns, saturated off-whites and complex grey-greens think of a brilliant green leaf in shade are colours he has in mind.

"Typically, we'd then use a strong feature colour to accentuate a main structural wall or feature wall," says Mills. "Reds work here, but can go out of fashion quickly, so I recommend using them in small amounts in the heart of the building."

And if you're undecided about colours for your home, Mills advises checking out your choice at sunset, when you're likely to be relaxing after work or entertaining friends and want your home to look its best.

It's a test he does with his own clients. Having agreed most of the colour scheme with them, Mills will save a couple of important feature walls until last and do a few test panels at sunset, when the early evening light warms the colours up.

"Often I'll lean towards the darker, more saturated colours, as they tend to have more character and personality," he says.

"In my view, colour should make an individual statement it should be something special, with energy and excitement."

Story by: Trendsideas