How to embrace a pastel palette for summer

Ice cream shades and warm tones inspire seasonal schemes, says Sam Wylie-Harris

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With gardens coming into full bloom, peony season peaking, and window boxes looking their most ebullient, filling our homes with colour sets the tone for decorative makeovers.

As Georgina Tarn, interior design manager at City & Country, puts it: “The transition from spring into summer is all about renewal and growth.

“Pastel colours such as soft pinks, mint greens, buttery yellows and sky blues naturally evoke a fresh, airy feeling people crave long after winter is over.”

Moreover, a pretty pastel palette has the power to transform a room when you let your primary shade take the lead, and complement it with a versatile neutral and warm brown hue.

Perfectly placed, with Pantone Colour of the Year being Mocha Mousse, Tarn says the transition into summer is the perfect time to incorporate this evocative soft brown.