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Grounded in Nature: How to Use Earth Tones in Kitchen & Bathrooms
Soft, soothing and drawn from the landscape – earth-based colours are huge in 2021. Here’s how to make them work
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When it comes to design, gentle colours inspired by nature are having a moment. Think soft tones of clay, terracotta, mustard and green that bring a sense of calm and quiet to our homes. “As the technological world speeds up, we’re gravitating towards styles that reflect slower living,” says Luli Farrell, co-founder and product designer at ABI Interiors, a company that specialises in tapware and architectural products. “We want to ground ourselves with fresh elements that bring nature into our homes. One of the best ways to do this is through earth-based tones. Whether it is the blue night sky or the golden summer sun, our bodies feel a sense of calm when surrounded by the colours of nature.”
These muted tones work beautifully in relaxing areas such as living rooms and bedrooms, but they can also be used to bring softness and warmth to practical spots such as kitchens and bathrooms. Farrell shares five creative ways to go about it.
These muted tones work beautifully in relaxing areas such as living rooms and bedrooms, but they can also be used to bring softness and warmth to practical spots such as kitchens and bathrooms. Farrell shares five creative ways to go about it.
1. Consider coloured fixtures
Colour is no longer limited to paint and joinery – designers are now offering up fixtures such as taps and handles, in all manner of colours, that allow you to make a statement in kitchens and bathrooms.
ABI Interiors has just released the Aura Collection – a limited-edition range of their best-selling Elysian Kitchen Mixers in a range of soft, nature-inspired tones, including Posy (dusty pink), Clay (terracotta), Solis (mustard), Flora (sage green), Dusk (navy) and Almond (beige).
“Little details such as coloured taps give you an opportunity to express your creativity and add personality to a kitchen or bathroom without having to do a complete overhaul,” says Farrell. “For relatively little outlay, you can swap out old, dated taps for something more unique and create a striking and unexpected focal point. It can immediately bring a tired space back to life.”
Colour is no longer limited to paint and joinery – designers are now offering up fixtures such as taps and handles, in all manner of colours, that allow you to make a statement in kitchens and bathrooms.
ABI Interiors has just released the Aura Collection – a limited-edition range of their best-selling Elysian Kitchen Mixers in a range of soft, nature-inspired tones, including Posy (dusty pink), Clay (terracotta), Solis (mustard), Flora (sage green), Dusk (navy) and Almond (beige).
“Little details such as coloured taps give you an opportunity to express your creativity and add personality to a kitchen or bathroom without having to do a complete overhaul,” says Farrell. “For relatively little outlay, you can swap out old, dated taps for something more unique and create a striking and unexpected focal point. It can immediately bring a tired space back to life.”
Use a tap in an earthy tone to bring a bland, all-white kitchen or bathroom up to date. Or use it to draw attention to a statement kitchen island.
New, coloured handles are another way to add impact to a kitchen or bathroom with minimal fuss or outlay. Give dated joinery a refresh with coloured or leather handles, or hardware in a warm metallic finish such as copper or aged brass.
New, coloured handles are another way to add impact to a kitchen or bathroom with minimal fuss or outlay. Give dated joinery a refresh with coloured or leather handles, or hardware in a warm metallic finish such as copper or aged brass.
2. Try layering
To create a cocooning vibe, consider enveloping an entire room in tonal shades of one earthy hue.
Layering soft colours such as clay or beige creates an intimate and inviting feel that works a treat in an open-plan family kitchen or an entertainer’s cooking space. Run different shades of one colour from walls, benchtops and joinery right through to smaller details such as taps and accessories. Complete the look with a tiled or timber floor in a tonal hue.
To create a cocooning vibe, consider enveloping an entire room in tonal shades of one earthy hue.
Layering soft colours such as clay or beige creates an intimate and inviting feel that works a treat in an open-plan family kitchen or an entertainer’s cooking space. Run different shades of one colour from walls, benchtops and joinery right through to smaller details such as taps and accessories. Complete the look with a tiled or timber floor in a tonal hue.
3. Think beyond taupe tones
Mother Nature’s palette extends far beyond beige and brown tones. For a bolder look in a kitchen or bathroom, consider incorporating other earth-based colours, such as olive green, dusty blue or oceanic navy.
These shades have a calm and classic feel, and work particularly well in coastal and rural homes. “If you are going for a coastal style, try pairing these tones with warm timbers, natural linens and native plants. For something more tropical, pastel painted surfaces, tropical greenery and funky motifs would work well. Or, if you are after an art-deco style, combine these colours with dark and opulent flooring, velvets and brushed gold,” says Farrell.
Mother Nature’s palette extends far beyond beige and brown tones. For a bolder look in a kitchen or bathroom, consider incorporating other earth-based colours, such as olive green, dusty blue or oceanic navy.
These shades have a calm and classic feel, and work particularly well in coastal and rural homes. “If you are going for a coastal style, try pairing these tones with warm timbers, natural linens and native plants. For something more tropical, pastel painted surfaces, tropical greenery and funky motifs would work well. Or, if you are after an art-deco style, combine these colours with dark and opulent flooring, velvets and brushed gold,” says Farrell.
4. Accessorise with natural elements
Natural textures and materials are integral to an earthy aesthetic such as this one. Look to introduce natural elements such as timber joinery, open timber shelves, woven-rattan vanity doors, stone benchtops, terracotta flooring and exposed brick to your kitchen or bathroom design. Emphasise the laid-back and authentic feel by specifying tiles with irregular, organic edges for splashbacks.
Accessorise with lush, indoor plants, natural woven pendants and baskets, raw timber stools, and simple artworks with a botanical theme.
And be sure to light it right – maximise natural light with minimalist window furnishings, such as linen sheers, and choose warm bulbs for light fixtures that cast a cosy glow.
Natural textures and materials are integral to an earthy aesthetic such as this one. Look to introduce natural elements such as timber joinery, open timber shelves, woven-rattan vanity doors, stone benchtops, terracotta flooring and exposed brick to your kitchen or bathroom design. Emphasise the laid-back and authentic feel by specifying tiles with irregular, organic edges for splashbacks.
Accessorise with lush, indoor plants, natural woven pendants and baskets, raw timber stools, and simple artworks with a botanical theme.
And be sure to light it right – maximise natural light with minimalist window furnishings, such as linen sheers, and choose warm bulbs for light fixtures that cast a cosy glow.
5. Add playful touches
As any designer knows, little details done well can elevate a space to something truly special.
Create those little moments of magic in a kitchen or bathroom by using colour in unexpected ways. For example, you might specify dusty rose-coloured grout to match your soft pink tapware or handles (coloured grout will also serve to add a graphic, contemporary edge to the space). Or you may wish to add colour to drawer interiors with laminate or a lick of paint; or introduce a touch of luxury with timber veneer to the back of shelves or a cupboard interior. It’s those little moments of fun and surprise that lift your spirits every time you see them.
More: See the Aura Collection – ABI Interior’s new limited-edition range of Elysian Kitchen Mixers in earthy tones here.
Tell us: Would the trend for soft, earthy tones work well in your home?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
As any designer knows, little details done well can elevate a space to something truly special.
Create those little moments of magic in a kitchen or bathroom by using colour in unexpected ways. For example, you might specify dusty rose-coloured grout to match your soft pink tapware or handles (coloured grout will also serve to add a graphic, contemporary edge to the space). Or you may wish to add colour to drawer interiors with laminate or a lick of paint; or introduce a touch of luxury with timber veneer to the back of shelves or a cupboard interior. It’s those little moments of fun and surprise that lift your spirits every time you see them.
More: See the Aura Collection – ABI Interior’s new limited-edition range of Elysian Kitchen Mixers in earthy tones here.
Tell us: Would the trend for soft, earthy tones work well in your home?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
ABI Interiors is an Australian-designed fixtures supplier specialising in high-quality kitchen and bathroom... Read More
ABI Interiors is an Australian-designed fixtures supplier specialising in high-quality kitchen and bathroom... Read More
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