Chroma Key

Welcome the right kind of vibe into your living area with the right splash of colour

- Fidz Azmin

BASIC BEAUTY

You can never go wrong with classic timeless hues such as cream, beige, taupe and shades of grey. Although neutrals often get a bad rep for being blah, these colours make the best canvas for an interior. The trick is to stir up visual interest by layering with textures. Since they are fair shades, they help to visually open up an interior – a boon if you own a diminutive space. Use this scheme all across the room for a subdued and soft look, or as a backdrop to allow dramatic accents such as a statement feature wall or a bright pop of furniture to take centre stage.

TOUGHEN UP

The masculine scheme offers a slightly lesser range of colour, but one that is undeniably packed with character and surprisingly versatile to boot. Shades that reside in this spectrum include the likes of charcoal, deep green, navy, black and chocolate. Add pops of caramel like a single soft leather lounge to enliven the common space, or counteract the moodiness with clean tones such as white and pale grey for a brighter appearance. Natural stones, rugged wood, bricks and concrete screed do double duty by injecting hue and tons of texture at a go. Experiment with these materials – or surfaces that imitate these effects as an alternative.