Celebrating Chelsea Flower Show 2017 with pretty pastel paint colours inspired by flowers
Chelsea Flower Show 2017 begins on the 23rd of May. The annual flower show is always a highlight for me as I find it a huge source of inspiration. I do not visit it every year, but I always absorb myself in the TV coverage to find out what's the new 'it' flower for 2017, and who has designed the best show-garden.
In my coverage of London Design Week I stressed how I felt that without nature there would be no starting point for design. Florals are always such a huge influence in interiors, from images of flowers on textiles, to the use of plants indoors as a 'finishing touch.' I've been completely crushing on pastel colours in interiors, so when I was flicking though a Designers Guild paint chart recently, I was really drawn to their extensive range of pretty pastel pinks, mauve's and blues.
On further investigation, I noticed how pretty much all the pastel colours I was drawn to on the chart were named after my favourite flowers: Allium, Autumn Hydrangea, Faded Blossom, Lilac bud, Wild Violet and so on. English country garden flowers are definitely my thing, so I got a few tester pots to give the colours a try.
From left to right, pots painted in Autumn Hydrangea, French Lavender, Lilac Bud, Faded Blossom and First Wisteria. All Designers Guild paint.
I definitely preferred the colours that had more of a deeper mauve or pink tinge to them, rather than the colours that were lighter but just had a tinge of purple. Autumn Hydrangea (142) and Kyoto Blossom (130) were firm favourites.
Tray painted in Autumn Hydrangea , pot in French Lavender, both Designers Guild Paint. Chocolate biscuit worm from the 'Green Fingers' biscuit tin by Biscuiteers.
Tray in Kyoto Blossom, Designers Guild paint. Wellie and spade chocolate biscuits from the 'Green Fingers' biscuit tin by Biscuiteers.
Pastel colours in interiors are huge right now, with blush pink being the 'new neutral' colour of choice over grey, and 'millennial pink' having a slightly stronger pink tone, injecting a bit more fun into decor. I love pastel pinks that are teamed with light mint greens or green-blues - it's a feminine look but one that makes a stylish impact.
From left to right, pots painted in French Lavender, Faded Blossom, Lilac Bud and First Wisteria, all Designers Guild.
In my own opinion, I think there will be a natural shift from blush pink to delicate mauve and lilac colours in interiors by the end of summer, or possibly the start of next Spring. Team these colours with other pastels, delicate mint greens and light blues and pinks. Keep a stylish edge with muted antique brass and golds, or burnt oranges. Make sure the colour is used in a contemporary way rather than it looking all 'Laura Ashley'.
I'm thinking of re-painting my hallway a light pink, but adding in really contemporary lighting. I'm also thinking of bringing some lilac onto the bedroom walls!
From left to right, Allium, Lilac Bud, Faded Blossom, French Lavender & First Wisteria, all Designers Guild paint.
Tray painted in Autumn Hydrangea. Biscuits, as before, from the 'Green Fingers' biscuit tin by Biscuiteers.
Have you recently used pastel colours in your home? Love them or big mistake? Let me know in the comments section below....
*Thank you to Designers Guild for sending me the tester pots I wanted to write about, and Biscuiteers for sending me their always fantastic hand-iced biscuits. Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which just means if you buy some delicious biscuits or paint via the links in this article, I'll get a small commission.
