Colour Lookbook: The bold and bright Adventure Seeker palette 

Abi Hugo, the talented DIY enthusiast behind interiors account @thewhitethistle, has always been drawn to modern classic colours. Chic but cosy, her home is a brilliant example of Traditionalist-with-a-Twist style. She showed us how she applied her go-to palette to carve out a dining area from a multi-purpose room. 

The Traditionalist-with-a-Twist style 

When it comes to colour, Abi’s home – along with the Facebook Marketplace pieces she upcycles – is painted in chic natural shades, but grounded with accents of black, grey and brown. Her take on traditional feels totally up-to-the-minute. “I have a modern take on classic style,” she says. “I love the elegance of simple tones, but then I like to be able to spice it up a little bit”. 

That’s why she used Simply Refresh Decadent Damson to create a corner with a painted split wall in this multi-purpose room. A deep and dark plum hue, it’s perfect for zoning out a space for family meals or entertaining. Abi is thrilled with the way the colour wraps around a corner of the room because “the light hits different angles and highlights the different tones in the paint.”  

Painting a split wall 

Instead of dunking the whole dining area in this rich colour, Abi created a two-tone effect by painting the top part of her walls in White Cotton. This technique creates the best of both worlds; the space will feel light and bright in the daytime, but cosy and sophisticated in the evening. 

As an upcycling expert, Abi Hugo is no stranger to paint rollers and trays – or to the joy of Simply Refresh’s one-coat formula. “That one coat… it’s instant satisfaction, instant gratification, right there on the wall,” she laughs. She also recommends applying the paint generously. “Making sure that there’s enough on the roller initially is what gets you that beautiful finish.” 

Our favourite decorating tip from this DIY expert? Have faith in the décor style you love. “I think you’ve got to trust your personal style and be OK with challenging yourself,” she says. “It’s just paint, that’s the fun of it, you can always change it!”  

You can watch Abi’s #PaintItYourWay project on her Instagram page @thewhitethistle. 

Or visit our hub to see how our influencers used Simply Refresh to bring their style to life in their home.