The Globe and Mail

THE LOOK

When introducing a trendy colour or shape to a room, keep the main elements of the space classically restrained and cast them in light, neutral colours. This draws the eye to areas of excitement and gives you the flexibility to change the room’s personality when the trend recedes.

(Stacey Brandford for The Globe and Mail)

WHERE TO BUY
Gold trunk, Save More Sports.

Paint colours: walls and ceiling: Cotton SR15, trim: Snowfall SR29, Sarah Richardson Designer Palette for Para Paints.

Queen headboard, Elegant Garage Sale.

Round painted folk art, Art History.

(Stacey Brandford for The Globe and Mail)

PAINT WISELY

You don’t need a gallon of paint to make a bold statement. Instead, target a small architectural detail, like the reclaimed brackets supporting this DIY desk. Then create a colour motif in the surrounding vignette by layering in accessories in matching tones.

(Stacey Brandford for The Globe and Mail)

WHERE TO BUY

Pink corbels used as desk base, The Door Store.

Orange desk lamp, Artemide.

(Stacey Brandford for The Globe and Mail)

SCOUT FOR UNEXPECTED ART

Looking for an inexpensive way to add colour, pattern and interest to your walls? Try an overscale vintage pull-down map, hung with its original roller mechanism intact, ties in nicely to the room’s bright new colour scheme and provides a big-impact solution for less than $150.

(Stacey Brandford for The Globe and Mail)

WHERE TO BUY

Vintage map, red telephone, Queen West Antiques.

(Stacey Brandford for The Globe and Mail)

OPT FOR PATTERN

This way, you can incorporate a trendy hue among other, more classic colours. Another trick is repetition: By repeating the same fabric (French toile here) in the chair and the curtains, the trendy polka-dot effect is subtle yet pulled together.

(Stacey Brandford for The Globe and Mail)

WHERE TO BUY

Desk chair, Elegant Garage Sale.

Polka-dot fabric on drapes, desk chair, Designer Fabrics.

(Stacey Brandford for The Globe and Mail)