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Summer may be over, but that’s no reason to turn your back on the soothing color palette.
Fall officially kicks off today and there’s a noticeable shift towards fuller desert and sand tones inspired by a blazing sun and velvety sand.
“We’re seeing our customers go bolder and bolder, and while lighter neutrals are still very popular, you can really brighten up a room by introducing warm sand, rust, and clay tones,” said Charlie Marshall, founder of Loaf.
Bold neutrals: yellow bedding and natural textiles create a relaxing room and bring subtle richness to the home
Adam Daghorn, head of design at Made.com is also a proponent of these more robust neutrals.
Calming sands, earthy olives and spiced terracotta tones have been called the ‘new neutrals’ as they bring subtle richness into the home and help create a seamless transition from summer to fall in any room.
“These toned-down hues complement a variety of aesthetics, from retro 70s pads to minimalist Scandi homes or relaxed bohemian homes.”
The strength of these bold neutrals is in their versatility and luckily they can be introduced in many shapes, materials and textures.
Go big on banks
These desert tones work brilliantly on large pieces such as sofas and armchairs, creating a comforting, easy-to-live-in look, while still making an impact.
Loaf’s Easy-Peasy sofa in Broken Pot, Tea Bag or Elbow Patch would make a great centerpiece in a room (£2,085 for smart velvet, £2,185 for smart linen, loaf.com).
Neptune’s Matilda Armchair in Clara Mocha cotton linen, meanwhile, will suit any color scheme and can be brightened up with a colorful cushion (£1,190, neptune.com).
Wooden furniture complements the gritty aesthetic. Cox & Cox’s Southwold side table is the epitome of rustic chic, adding some weight to a room (£295, coxandcox.co.uk).
softly soft
Fabrics, curtains, cushions and throws are a great way to take the trend. Bernie de Le Cuona, founder of Le Cuona, makes linens inspired by nature.
‘In our Overland collection we have a linen fabric called Dahna that resembles the moving desert. Warm sand goes well with off-white and old pink. For drama, add a pop of color, like teal, to make it come alive.” (Dahna, £355 per m, delecuona.com).
Sand colors are an easy way to give an impression of age to a scheme. ‘If you want to recreate a lived-in look, use sand-colored backing fabrics rather than crisp white,’ says interior designer Octavia Dickinson, whose Otis cover fabric in yolk has a warm sand shade that injects direct sunlight (£170). per m, octaviadickinson.com).
A scattering of pillows is a great way to introduce these colors in smaller quantities and will add texture and layering. Experiment with square and rectangular pillows in complementary shades.
Loaf’s Easy Squish Scatter in Terracotta Linen, Cocoa Linen or Cinnamon Velvet should do the trick (£39, loaf.com).
Want to raise the bar? Add patterned pillows like Made’s Xanthe pillow, a fun abstract patchwork and an ideal statement piece to throw on a couch (£45, made.com).
Habitat’s Jute Mono Check Cushion has a tasteful, artisan feel and adds texture (£16, habitat.co.uk).
hit the floor
Work with desert tones from the ground up to reflect nature. Birdie Fortescue’s Ghapla Jute Rug will instantly introduce warmth to a kitchen, bathroom or hallway (£350, birdiefortescue.co.uk).
Shine on: Penny Morrison’s Pleated, Brown and White Mottled Silk Lampshade (£151.80, pennymorrison.com)
Matilda Goad & Co’s quirky tufted jute rug, meanwhile, will add texture and interest to a scheme. Embellished in wool, the rug has lovely scalloped edges and would work well with warmer terracotta tones (from £198, anthropologie.com).
Warm accessories
As with all color-based trends, you can choose to pick up these warm hues in large chunks or in details like vases or lampshades. Graham & Green’s Bamboo Cane Shelves come in a round or high octagonal shape and will bring a Scandinavian element to an interior.
Add houseplants for a touch of green (from £75, grahamandgreen.co.uk).
The architectural curves and ribbed details on Made’s Zayl vase in cinnamon are modern and striking.
Daghorn suggests filling it with ‘a dried pampas grass and eucalyptus bouquet’ to keep up with the trend (£54, made.com).
Penny Morrison’s pleated, brown and white-flecked silk lampshade with red trim is a lampshade that Dickinson returns to repeatedly because it “gives such a wonderfully warm light” (£151.80, pennymorrison.com).
With the coming of the nights, it has never been more necessary to hide in these warm, comforting desert tones.