By Laura Torregrossa
There is a trend in interior design towards muted colour palettes and understated elegance. While this approach can create a sense of sophistication, it can sometimes leave you yearning for that vibrant pop of colour.
As an alternative to monochrome and subdued spaces, interiors embellished with candy-coloured accents will introduce a sense of playfulness into your home, creating striking and invigorating spaces.
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Here, using the example of the open-plan living and dining space in this two-bedroom apartment in New York, on the market for $13.8mn, I share some tips on how to breathe new life into your home with the help of some vividly coloured furnishings, lively accent pieces and bold textiles.
Draw the eye
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To create an eye-catching focal point in the Manhattan apartment, I would introduce a vibrant candy-coloured artwork or decorative piece that complements the room’s colour scheme. For example, the monochromatic painting on the wall behind the mustard yellow sofa could be swapped out for a more colourful artwork, and the playful ambience could be further enhanced by adding a large mirror that leans against the wall.
Gustaf Westman's striking Chunky mirror would provide practical as well as aesthetic benefits: contributing to illuminating the space and adding a sense of depth to that part of the living room.
Opt for comfortable colour
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Bright soft furnishings, such as these Bonbon cushions from India Mahdavi, are a great way to introduce colour to a space, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the area while also making it feel cosy and welcoming. They have a striking bicolour palette and are unusually round; I would place them on the peach banquette, with one cushion at either end, to create a vibrant contrast with the seat’s light pink velvet upholstery.
Tread Carefully
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To create a more vibrant ambience in the apartment, I’d suggest replacing the current white rug with black details with a more colourful option that departs from the conventional rectangular design, setting the stage for a lively and engaging atmosphere. A softer and rounder shape, such as Germans Ermičs’ Chroma Radiate rug, available from cc-tapis, would introduce a dynamic element to the room and break away from the traditional, staid aesthetic, ensuring that the space is never dull and neutral.
Embrace contrasts
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The Manhattan apartment would benefit from the addition of decorative pieces that would bring warmth and a more modern flair to the marble fireplace. I would suggest replacing the neutral pieces here with Helle Mardhal's 23cm-high blown-glass Bonbons in pink and blue, which would contrast with the sleek cold marble, establishing a visual balance with their lively, organic forms.
Light it up
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Placed on the black side table adjacent to the black leather sofa, a candy-coloured lamp, such as Laura Gonzalez's Momo, would be a pivotal element in the apartment. Consisting of delicately arranged flower-shaped glass discs, crowned by a wide, intricately woven raffia shade, the lamp would be an elegant source of gentle illumination. It would introduce a soft, inviting ambiance to the space and would make an alluring sculptural focal point for the seating area.
Photography: Hind Laoui; Shannon Dupre