Colour Cocktail: Chalky Grey and Warm Gold

Given the temperatures here in the UK are sub-zero this week, and with friends speaking of heavy snowfall in Vancouver and Seattle, I felt we'd all be in the mood for a warming colour cocktail to see us into the weekend. There are darker greys on the cards this week; their gentle tones make a great team when paired with a bold golden hue. If you're a modernista and like to keep things fresh, ask for your cocktail served with an extra dash of grey as this will serve well to lift the scheme. If, however, you're more akin to all things traditional, indulge in the glamour and decadence of gold by asking for a triple shot of honey-hued goodness. You can see below how a silver-grey table and accessories dominate the modern space, whilst on the right, golden tones keep things traditional with a hint of grey in the door to add dimension to the room.

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Colour Cocktail: Silky Grey and Sapphire Blue

Inspired by the royal engagement, this week's colour cocktail is about adding a touch of luxury to your space. Kate Middleton looked radiant in her sapphire blue dress, dazzling the world with that ah-mazing ring. Now your home can dazzle, too! Rather than buying the over-priced engagement mug, bag yourself a new-look interior, instead. Treat yourself to a shimmering throw cushion or perhaps dress up your lighting with a glamorous new shade. Be sure to work in some delicate grey hues to your base colour scheme, as this will ensure your homage to the royal engagement airs on the right side of sophistication. Order yourself a sapphire surprise and come next summer you'll be sat watching the wedding in your own little Buckingham Palace!

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Colour Cocktail: Cerulean Blue and Candy Yellow

Picture the scene: sunlight is pouring through your balcony doors, the chiffon curtains are billowing in the gentle breeze and the roll of cerulean blue waves sound through your apartment with comforting regularity. The brilliant white walls of your sea-view living room are like a prism of perfection to the rays of sunshine that beat down with warm abandon. Dancing around the room your loyal rays of sunshine ache for a colourful partner to accompany them during the long summer days. All they ask in return for their uplifting warmth is a splash of yellow stripes, or a familiar throw in cerulean blue to lift their spirits and complete the perfect summertime scheme.

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Colour Cocktail: Blue and Black

This cocktail is for the Nigella's of this world. You know, those of us who wake in the middle of the night and trot down to the kitchen to whip up a fabulous fruit gateau, whilst gently flirting with the camera. Similarly, whenever midnight blue finds itself in the same scheme as chalkboard black, the flirtatious twosome can't help but tease one another. However, they are always careful not to step on each other's toes; if Mrs. Black is ruling the roost, then Mr. Blue knows he's to let go of the limelight. To ensure the cocktail works its seductive magic it's important to keep the flirting between these two strong hues at bay. Achieve this with a bold wall in shimmering midnight blue hues and ground it with deep, sensual black accent accessories.

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Colour Cocktail: Plum and Apple

Friends, grab your paintbrushes and throw on a fabulous pair of overalls because it's time to strive forwards and embrace the bold adventurer inside of you! This cocktail is perfect for those of us who like to dance the night away, but is also good for the traditionalists amongst us who like a cheeky flirt with fun every now and then. Belong to the former group? Well, you'll have no problem embracing a vibrant green coat stand or going all out with the retro wallpaper. If, however, you're lifestyle is more high tea parties than all night parties, then keep things more formal with a flash of bold. To add a little flair to your scheme try adding a purple mount to one of your favourite prints or even a luxe throw over your best armchair. Either way, this cocktail will bring a bundle of happiness to your space.

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Colour Cocktail: Midnight Blue and Tomato Red

Hark! There's a new couple on the block and they're mixing things up with their seductive red style. Rumour has it that they swished into number thirty two carrying cushions, throws and art works dripping with new britannic style. Already deep navy blue fabrics teamed with glossy tomato reds have been spotted glimmering through their upstairs windows so number thirty one won't be the most stylish on this block for long. So, guys and gals, it's time to step up the game and order a double round of new britannics!

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Colour Cocktail: The Orange Crush

Moving day is looming and the Mr. isn't happy about loosing his bachelor pad. "Yikes", shrieks the Mrs. over her second Apple Martini, "He's all X Box this, PlayStation that and I'm standing there thinking: 'What about my favourite Orla Kiely prints?!'" Fear not, as this Mr. and Mrs. needn't fret for long, no sirree. The orange crush will solve their decor dilemmas. This hot little colour combo will see them through their first place together, with punchy orange tones adding masculinity for the Mr. Meanwhile, the Mrs. can work in her favourite patterns, textiles and delicate prints to soften the look. Phew! Looks like it won't be handbags and PlayStations at dawn after all.

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Colour Cocktail: The Golden Sparkle

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me with warm words of congratulations about my contributing work for sweet paul magazine. Your support means a lot to me and the fact we can share our passions, successes and inspirations with one another everyday is pretty rocking, don't you think? Well, given a celebration is order, this week's cocktail is seeing us into the weekend with a dash of shimmering honey hues. Next time it's your round at the DIY store pick up the golden sparkle and you'll be set for the party season. Don't order your black and white drink straight up; instead mix it up with a hint of golden hues, adding another dimension to this fabulous little number. Back at home upholster a couple of your dining chairs in a metallic gold fabric and then paper the inside of your drinks cabinet to really impress your guests. Cheers, friends!

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Colour Cocktail: The New Neutrals

With autumn settled in for the next few months it's time to cosy up with a new neutrals colour cocktail. Shake off those summer brights with a mix of dusty grey hues and softer nude-like neutrals. Order a metallic chaser to follow and you'll be sorted for the new season. Place a chic grey sofa next to a collection of brass, copper and silver candlesticks holding flickering nude-coloured candles proudly aloft. Then use delicate textures to balance the masculine greys; silk quilts and sumptuous wool pile rugs made up of natural, taupe and auburn tones work well to add warmth to such schemes. Meanwhile, metallic surfaces will reflect the glistening glow of your lights that will shine through the long, dark evenings.

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Colour Cocktail: Black and Pink

What a week it's been! I can't thank you enough for your kind and supportive comments on my involvement with rue magazine - you guys are the best. I'm only dropping in quickly today as I need to pack my bags for the launch party! You'll notice I've been busy with my turquoise and orange paint brushes giving Bright.Bazaar a lil' bit of spruce up. Well, I say I've been busy, the real star of the show is Kelly from Fab K Creative. Seriously, check this girl out - super friendly and her design skills are tops. Thanks, K! In the meantime, please pour yourself some pink bubbles, take a peek around the new pages from the sidebar and enjoy this week's colour cocktail. It's perfect for bringing everyday pieces to life, just as it is making a bold statement should you prefer your drinks a little stronger. 

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{Colour Cocktail: Grey and Electric Blue}

Grey is big news this season; just check out the Heals' Grey Matters collection if you're in any doubt! Now, as lovely as Mr. Grey is, I'm thinking he needs a little funk in his life. Playing matchmaker, I knew the swish and sassy nature of Mrs. Electric Blue would be perfect for a lonely heart looking to add some excitement into his life. And so started the fruitful pairing of two polar opposites who proved that together they could tackle interiors with ease. When Mr. is feeling dark and dreary in a small nook, Mrs. hops on the couch and delivers a little electric blue therapy, whilst simultaneously sorting out the dull-as-dishwater square living room with a hefty splash of her cheery hues. Well, they do say women rock at multi-tasking - go Mrs!

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{Colour Cocktail: Green and White}

Green and I have been bonding quite a bit lately. I think it was when I read this post on Full House that I started to think that we might actually have more in common than I thought. Dip dye? I never thought I'd be speaking about it in a positive light. But, that's what's fun about interiors - always surprising me. So surprised in fact, the cheeky little colour managed to twist my arm and demanded a cocktail straight up. And here it is: green and white in all it's refreshing glory. For me, I like the thought of mixing several different green hues together, much like these vases from a few weeks back. That said, if opting for one shade interest can be added through texture and distressed surfaces. So, with green and I back on an even keel (pre cocktails!) I think it's fair to say this combo can work in light and airy rooms, whilst darker shades are perfect for autumnal schemes.

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{Colour Cocktail: Blue and Yellow}

As soon as I stumbled upon the blue and yellow checkered floor (below) I knew I had to put a cocktail together for the smokin' hot duo. These two vibrant personalities make for one heck of a scorcher; they're out there loud and proud. So I guess first off it would be easy to think they could end up rubbing each other - and you - up the wrong way if used in a small space. Well, just like the mini dining space (below, left) they do actually work harmoniously in compact corners, especially if teamed with a hot-to-trot geometric pattern. Yep, I just wrote hot-to-trot. I mean, if you're gonna crack that one out, it's gotta be for this sexy number. Looking to add a splash to a larger space? Order a round or two of these in-your-face cocktails and you're Statement Sorted.

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{Colour Cocktail: Navy and White}

He's thinking green walls; you're thinking grey walls. We've all been in those situations when you just can't decide on a colour scheme that you'll both feel happy living in. Well, next time this happens, instead of grabbing the nearest pillow and heading in for your first whack (!), pour yourselves a navy and white colour cocktail. With it's perfect blend of masculine statements and feminine notes, this little number will sort you both right out. The bedrooms below show how to rock this look: a graphic wallpaper marries perfectly with the feminine floral fabric used for the bedstead. Meanwhile, across the way in bedroom deux, the three shades of navy adds visual layering and interest into the calmer scheme; that's why I picked out the ampersand (below) - a bit of cobalt thrown into the mix can help spice things up!

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{Colour Cocktail: Red and White}

For the first time in ages I am able to say that my week has flown by. That said, I'm still super glad that Friday has arrived! Tomorrow I'm off to big family birthday bash and I'm looking forward to a few cocktails, good nibbles and sharing all our news. How about you guys? I hope you have something lovely planned. This past week I've been noticing lots of reds - maybe it was those red walls in Cath Kidston's Lonny feature that started it or perhaps it's because autumn is just around the corner - either way, red and white is the perfect cocktail for the trans-fall period. The white keeps it fresh for those late summer days, whilst the red adds touches of warmth as the evenings start to cool and the nights draw in. Not only this, but it's also pretty versatile. This cocktail can look sophisticated and contemporary in your best living room, whilst just next door it can be rockin' out - alcofree style, obvs. - in the kid's playroom. 

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{Colour Cocktail: Black and Yellow}

Happy Friday, Friends! I've totally been bitten by the Friday Feeling bug today and I'm ready to wind down for a couple of days, catch up with some books and enjoy a cocktail or two. This week I've gone for a more masculine cocktail, pairing up some handsome, dark and mysterious black hues with a sunshine yellow pop. These two maybe like chalk and cheese, but they mix to perfection. Use black as the main colourway, like below, and swirl in poppy, bright sparks of lemon yellow hues for a seriously sexy and ever-so-stylish look. Then, if you want to soften the scheme, add in a few feminine touches such as the Noir Console/Dressing Table from Heals or to make a bigger statement lavish your walls with a pretty flock wallpaper, as seen below. There's something about this combo, I just love it - perfectly bright for the summer and cozy and warm in the winter. Add two to the tab, please...!

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{Colour Cocktail: Multi Coloured}

After all the lovely comments about my multi coloured striped armchair earlier in the week, I thought it would be fun to finish the week off with a multi coloured cocktail extravaganza! Not only have we seen Miss. Bradshaw embrace the style in her old apartment, but also this has to be one of the easiest ways to add a confident punch of colour to a scheme. There's no need to paint or wallpaper, rather, pick up a statement accessory in your favourite multi colourway and you've got yourself a fun and playful space in an instant. Just check this look out in action below; the upholstered sofa and rug complete each space without anything extraordinary going in the rest of the room's decor. I'd like to add some more of this style to my apartment with that Jonathan Alder 'Ties' cushion. Do you have any multi coloured accessories? How would you use this colour cocktail in a decor scheme?

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