Colour: Exploring New and Preserving the Old
Nothing is more personally ingrained into our sense of expression and character than colour is. Colour is powerful and it’s the original influencer! With the ability to affect behaviours, perceptions and emotions, colour can produce psychological and even physiological reactions. As designers, we live to understand using colour as a communication tool and the impact it can have on our design choices, client’s preferences and the overall success of our projects!
The Preservation of Colour
When undertaking restorations or trying to recreate a particular sensibility of an era, the story of colour can be told through history. One of the most historical colours by Farrow & Ball, Calke Green, evokes a traditional feel. Traditional greens appear calm and serene and present in a sophisticated and elegant manner. These deeper traditional greens were often used for cottages to blend with their natural surroundings. Often referred to as “Hunter Green,” a rustic and earthy choice, green was typically contrasted with white porches, trim and matching boathouses. In the case of our Sturgeon Pont restoration of Cottage Appin, we kept the historical colour scheme of the Queen Anne style influenced by Gothic Revival’s gingerbread stylistic features. Keeping the green allowed the new to blend seamlessly with the original building. We also used the hunter green tone for the bathroom herringbone tile. This green has become a traditional and classic detail for many of the cottages and preserved homes in the area. At the same time, it nods to the exterior colour and allows for smooth transition and flow for old to new. Other flooring details include tumbled Nero Marquina, a natural stone that gives the impression it was laid many decades ago.
Cottage Appin.
Restoration phase.
Beautiful new porch in contrasting white against the historical green.
Bathroom tile in the same Hunter Green connects to the exterior and works to preserve historical integrity.
Blue is a popular and versatile colour choice also steeped in historic connotations. Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball was used by the Dutch as a strong, dramatic colour chosen for woodwork. Working in the Kawarthas, means we are often working with cottage restorations, preserving a historic feature or matching old with new to make a new build fit seamlessly into a place and present time.
Mixed with wood tones, Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball a warm backdrop.
In the case of Cottage Appin, beadboard treatment painted in Stiffkey Blue by Farrow & Ball helped to further accentuate the original time period.
This traditional cottage kitchen features uppers in Strong White and bottom cabinets in Vert De Terre by Farrow & Ball.
The colour Lichen by Farrow & Ball works well for built-ins alongside stone in grey tones.
Kitchen cabinetry in the colour Hay with white walls in Wevet by Farrow & Ball work together to add interest and contract. Lichen is also seen here on opposite island cabinetry.
Old Meets New
Modern design can also benefit from historic colour choices. Having an understanding of different eras can inspire and help generate new ideas for colours that can tell a story in a contemporary context. Colour can give a newly built space unique character and personality. Older colours lend sophistication and charm. Often, with new cottage builds, it’s a case of wanting the build to look like it’s been part of the landscape for decades. Using colour on cabinetry is an ideal way to build interest and give a new build, old world authenticity.
Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue on cabinetry in this project, provides contrast to the overall white palette.
Wevet white contrasted with Dix Blue by Farrow & Ball.
A close-up of Dix Blue working with darker hardware in a traditional design.
This sand colour adds warm tones to an already cozy living room. Impact art works to lift the wall colour and it becomes part of the art palette.
This blue is a custom colour made to match our client’s appliances!
Vardo by Farrow & Ball accentuates this shelf unit and provides an artful backdrop for our client’s book and art collection.
More Than A Feeling
Colour has the ability to evoke a certain mood, relay a feeling, create comfort and wrap a room in an entire aesthetic. Colour has long been one of the most rewarding ways to create a certain style and is an easy way to refresh a space. As designers, colour is how we present a vision to clients, through fabric, paint and wall coverings. Techniques like colour drenching create cozy, luxurious spaces and neutrals provide calming backdrops for colour infused art and accessories. Colour creates memories, moods and mindsets so it’s an important aspect of how a design comes together.
“Every completed project leaves a client with a feeling. Colour is a big part of that, it’s the foundational essence of a space.”
Stunning contrasted blue cabinetry in this project with Strong White on the walls adds an unexpected jolt of colour and plays off our client’s art collection.
A neutral entry with Strong White on the walls and Old White on the cabinetry, helps to balance the unexpected blue kitchen tones on the other side.
Exploring Colour
When faced with the opportunity for a new design, whether a renovation, a new build or a room refresh, colour is always an interesting journey. It can be intimidating and all consuming, as most of us, are afraid to make a mistake. But if we look at colour as exactly that: an exploration, it can be a fun and adventuresome process. It’s worth spending the time to get it right and even a little research can go a long way. Understanding light, living with a sample for a span of time and seeing the various times of day can help. Having an expert weigh in and building a mood board, are all ways to make the process easier and will help build confidence. Colour is out there waiting to be discovered and even different tints and shades can emphasize emotions and convey that right message for your space. Find your colour and let the magic happen!
