Decorating schemes that include a strong complementary colour on accessories and trimmings bring unity and polish to interiors

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK
• Balance the combination of rich dark hues and vivid accent colours with splashes of white, using occasional furniture and accessories in this colour, choosing simple shapes.
• Conversely, in a calm, pale scheme use decorative accessories and interesting floral arrangements, such as this oriental orchid display, above, in your accent colour to create contrast.
• Use bold panels of accent colour in recesses – such as either side of a chimney breast – or alcoves for maximum effect.
• Accent colour in upholstery detailing, such as piping on chairs and trimmings and buttons on blinds and cushions, will help to create a tailored, bespoke look.
• Accent colour can also be introduced through the use of bold wallpaper or fabric to line dresser drawers or cabinets, or you can create customised photograph frames with bright wallpaper or fabrics for an unexpected shock of colour.

Picture one: Painted chair, H89 x W60 x D57 cm, Vaughan. Seat in Coral Chocolate, linen mix, 137 cm wide, Zoffany. Cushion in Pavlovsk Fuchsia F1064-13-c, silk, 140 cm wide, Designers Guild. Piping and button in Solo Chocolate 7084-12, linen, 140 cm wide, Romo. Islamist wall brackets, 28 x 28 cm, with shades, H19 x W30 cm, Mora & Upham, (020) 7731 4444. Shades trimmed in Velvet ribbon 12385/23, V V Rouleaux. Butterfly picture, Justine Smith at The Conran Shop. Paint on wall, Sepia 18, emulsion, £22·50 for 2·5 litres, Fired Earth.

Picture two:
FURNITURE Glyndbourne sofa, H84 x W180 x D100 cm, The Odd Chair Company. Avington chairs, H97 x W71 x D74 cm, Sean Cooper. Saltire coffee table, H46 x D91 x W91 cm, Oka. Bracelet drum table in Antique Bronze finish B8793, H47 x diameter 50 cm, Baker Furniture.
FABRICS Sofa in Milani Sky 7157-20, viscose/linen mix, 142 cm wide, Romo. Chairs in Fermoy ZCCW04014, cotton/linen mix, 140 cm wide, Zoffany. Backed in Doddington 36228-010, wool mix, 150 cm wide, Scalamandré. Piped in Montsegur 31167, polyester, Wemyss Houlès, (020) 7376 4430. Curtains in Carlotta Light Aqua V6032-710, linen, 300 cm wide; large cushion in Medway Aqua BF10004-725, linen mix, 133 cm wide; both GP & J Baker. Edged in and shades in Jour Raj Red, silk, 122 cm wide, Jagtar at Brunschwig & Fils. Small cushions in FC473, linen/cotton mix, 112 cm wide, Chelsea Textiles. Edged in Velvet Cord T573-05, Osborne & Little.
ACCESSORIES Wall brackets in Nickel WLA35N; long half shades; Sutton floor lamp in Nickel SL21-N; paisley shawl; all Vaughan. Venezia tie-backs 35717/9200, Wemyss Houlès, (020) 7376 4430. Pagoda mirror, H124 x W69 cm, Nicholas Haslam.
PAINT On walls, Skylight, Estate Emulsion, Farrow & Ball.

Picture three: Ellington console, H76 x W180 x D60 cm, Ma Maison. Large plates, 27 cm; small plates, 23 cm; espresso cups; espresso saucers, £13·50 each; all Fuchsia, Colours by Jasper Conran at Wedgwood. Drawer lined in Cheyne Walk 73-11046, Cole & Son. Hemstitch cocktail napkins; table napkins; all Gayle Warwick at Thomas Goode. Pink-edged linen napkins, Designers Guild. Tie-back in Lolita 35182/9420, Wemyss Houlès.

Picture four: Chest of drawers, H87 x W141 x D55 cm, Artefact, (020) 7381 2500. Antique grisaille panels, Charpentier Antiques. Celadon incense burner; Celadon glaze plate; both Guinevere Antiques. Flower design, Inwater.

STYLING KATRIN CARGILL
PHOTOGRAPHS CHRIS EVERARD
FEBRUARY 2007

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