Nurture

The mood

Sink into these grown-up, sensual, sophisticated neutrals, boasting hints of shell pink through to nutmeg and mocha browns, and relax.

Drawing on the modern purity of the make-up artist's foundation of powdery skin tones, and infused with a warm, sensual glow, these strong neutrals provide the perfect backdrop for strong, architectural spaces and bold, curvaceous furniture and accessories.

This is not about creating a sharp masculine neutral space. The Nurture ideology instantly creates a tranquil, peaceful escape from the outside world, a world which can often feel threatening, dangerous and intimidating.

This palette allows us to retreat into a safe and secure environment, its rich, comforting, soothing tones imbibing us with the confidence to expose our inner most selves. It is about being free to feel nude without being naked, vulnerable but not exposed.

There is something intellectual and thoughtful about this palette - it echoes the catwalk's recent passion for nude tones (as Galliano said of his Dior collection where nude featured prominently, and provides the perfect backdrop against which striking, architectural pieces and rich textures can be silhouetted.

The Nurture palette's rich tones create a strong, confident, sensual mood, bringing the room, the furniture and accessories, and indeed the people who enter it, alive in an understated yet empowering way.

Using the palette

This palette is womanly and seductive - a move away from past neutral collections which were more nostalgic and girly. Keep the mood alive by adding a splash of red to these fleshy pink, nutmeg and pecan, stone and chocolate hues.

Fire Cracker 3
Nutmeg Cluster 4
Nordic Sails 1
Summer Pecan 5
Nomadic Glow 3
Sicilian Summer 5
Roman Stone 3
 

Creating the look

Gone are the days of neutrals just being a bland, safe backdrop. Make them work for you by adding mood and warmth using this wonderfully sensual skin tone palette. It's like one big maternal hug.

Simplicity is key - integrity, honesty, purity. Quality is important in every detail, from the finish of the painted woodwork to the craftsmanship of a chair. Nothing here is distressed or worn - the finish is immaculate.

This palette allows for an easy flow between spaces and moods, where nothing is harsh or disturbing and there is a rhythm and beauty to the Nurturing space. Mother Earth is at the heart of this interior - solid, refined woods (walnut, oak, mahogany), clean metals (zinc and steel) and natural fibres (cotton, linen, wool, cashmere).

Lines and shapes flow with an unexpected curvaceousness, yet there is no sense of fussiness or clutter. The glamour of Art Deco and Fifties' designs work beautifully here against this soft, soothing palette, yet so too would dynamic modern pieces like Joris Laarman's silk polished aluminium bone chair. Buttoned, studded leathers in these pale elegant hues add a sympathetic twist and a flash of red, whether in a chair, throw or dramatic piece of vintage glass, lends a racy heartbeat.

Credits

  1. Sofa from Sofa Workshop, 01798-343400
  2. Pearl leather and velvet cushions from Habitat, 0870-4115501
  3. Knoll coffee table from Ferrious, 0161-228-6880
  4. Concrete cast coral from Selfridges
  5. Jumper and shoes from Next
  6. Canvas, Necklaces - Stylist's own
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