2011 spring/summer trend alert: bold colour from Dulux

As much as we loved ogling the autumn/winter trends last year, it’s so revitalising to welcome in the New Year with luscious grassy greens, sunny yellows, and bold fuchsia accessories.

Before Christmas, Dulux showcased Forest Falls as their colour for spring/summer 2011. It’s an intense, botanical green that will energise your home and wash away the January blues in an instant.

Dulux took inspiration from the spring/summer 2010 collections of renowned fashion designers Missoni and Paul Smith who embraced intricate floral patterns and natural greens. They want to bring this ‘naturally enlivening palette, which promises a strong sense of wellbeing’ into the world of interiors and, more importantly, your own house.

There are six shades of Forest Falls from the Dulux Tailor Made Colour range to choose between, from a rich Perspex green to subtler pastel shades.

Team with equally refreshing shades of Orchid Opera (fuchsia), Kiwi Burst (lime green), Spring Breeze (yellow) and the rich tones of Blue Diamond (teal). Need some inspiration? Dulux has created three modern looks to show you how your home can fall into the forest:

Quirky living room

‘Who says your living room has to be sensible?’ asks Louise Smith, Dulux’s global colour designer. ‘This look is imaginative yet practical,  plus if you don’t put your shelf up straight you can just paint it out and start again.’

Create the look:

Paint the shelf and lamp with Forest Falls 1 and use Orchid Opera 6 for the hint of pink on the walls, both in Flat Matt emulsion. Accessorise with heartzeena’s playful a cushion called clive, floor cushions designed by Bombarock and plates by Snowden Flood, all available from mydeco boutique.

For the bold rug, I’d love to splurge on the manari fuchsia rug from Designers Guild, but the post-Christmas savings are telling me to opt for Argos’ colour match rug which is a fraction of the cost and just as bright.

Refreshing dining room

‘Painting furniture the same colour as the wall it backs onto tricks the eye and opens up the space. We predicted that yellow was going to be a huge trend in 2010 and it’s still an important colour for spring/summer 2011, so why not combine two of the hottest colours to great effect,’ suggests Louise.

Create the look:

Create a bold dining area by revitalising old furniture with Forest Falls 1 and setting against a wall in the same colour. Contrast with a vibrant yellow, such as Spring Breeze 3 to create a statement dining area. Paint solid wooden stacking stools from Furniture at Work using Blue Diamond 5 and Forest Falls 1 in eggshell and scatter vases full of freshly picked flowers from your garden. While you wait for spring, get the kids to make bright paper flowers or paint pine cones in Orchid Opera.

Surprising home office

Louise’s advice for a bright garden shed cum home office is to ground the colour with well-loved materials like worn leather and faded wood.

British fashion designer Henry Holland says: ‘In both the fashion and decorating worlds this colour works well with all shades of grey and tan leather accessories.’

Create the look:

Upon seeing this setup at the Dulux press show I immediately thought of Stueart Padwick’s furniture, especially his maple walk desk with green panels which is a similar shade to Kiwi Burst 5. Display gardening tools such as watering cans, spades and rakes – minus the mud – and hang retro signs and chalkboards against the bold Forrest Falls wall.

All images are accredited to Dulux