A stroke of genius

Creative paint effects can bring unique beauty to a home - and the more inventive they are, the better

- KATE BURNETT

CURVE APPEAL

‘Painting a curve is soothing and satisfying to do and even more so to look at,’ says Dulux creative director Marianne Shillingford. Any combination of colours would work but these complementary shades of grey – Dulux’s Heritage Light French Grey and Heritage Country Sky – are especially serene. It isn’t difficult; as with all good paintwork, preparation is key. Marianne suggests: ‘To create the curve, you can either use chalk tied to the end of a piece of string or chalk along a length of bendy plastic electrical conduit. Once the background colour is dry, thin down the paint slightly to make it easier to get a crisp edge and use a good quality two-inch acrylic decorator’s brush to fill in the shape.’

PAGODA POP

Chinoiserie is re-emerging as an influence in fashion and interiors but it has long been a key aesthetic for de Gournay, an eminent specialist in hand-painted wallcoverings. This bold interpretation is courtesy of French designer Vincent Darré, who created this stunning dining room scheme for the private apartment of de Gournay’s Paris showroom. The primary colours of the scene dazzle against a black background and Vincent has emphasised this contrast by painting the window surround in a bold yellow and the skirting in a fresh green. The ceiling was painted black, which will give evening events an extra intensity.

DOUBLE DELIGHT