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The Ultimate Guide to Colour

When it comes to the feel of a home, colour is key. Different tones, textures and shades all have their own power. They can spark wonderful emotional responses, inspire valued memories and create unique sensations that affect the way we feel, see and act. That’s why it’s so important to find inspiration wherever you can. It might come from anything, anywhere and at any time: from nature, travel, food, fashion, art, film… the list is endless!

The Stitched Guide to Colour is here to inspire you and help pick out the perfect shade for your home.

Finding your perfect colour palette


Here are three things to keep in mind:


Light. Colours take on a completely different look depending on the amount of natural light falling on them. For example, warmer colours tend to work better in north-facing rooms with a pale morning light, while cooler colours suit south-facing rooms with a more golden light.


View. The feel of a room doesn’t stop at the window pane: it keeps going as far as the eye can see. That’s why you want to choose colours that bridge the gap between the room itself and the world you see outside your window.


Saturation. This means how bright or dull a colour is. When a colour is of maximum saturation, it is strong, bright and clear. The purer the colour, the more intense it is. Low levels of saturation are great for creating a tranquil, relaxed space where no colours dominate.

red doorway curtains yellow living room curtains blue silk living room curtains

Choosing a colour scheme

colour wheel

One-colour scheme.

A combination of tones and shades from the same colour family can be subtle yet striking in its simplicity.

stitched colour wheel

Two-colour scheme.

Two colours opposite each other on the colour wheel provide a great balance of warmth and coolness in a room.

colour wheel

Multicoloured scheme.

A central colour, alongside two colours on each side of its opposite, can create a dramatic contrast for people looking to make a bold expression in their home.

stitched colour wheel

Related colours

Colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel - as many as five of them - can combine to make your room a centre point of different tones.

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Finding your colour


Warm colours. Reds, oranges and yellows can stimulate us and have been shown to increase pulse and respiration rates. These colours relate to the physical aspects of life - - - energy, activity, intimacy… perfect for entertaining or providing a warm welcome to friends.


Cool colours. Blues, greens and violets relax us, particularly the paler tones and have been shown to decrease temperature and relax the muscles. Cooler blues and violets are connected to the more spiritual aspects of life and work well in rooms dedicated to harmony, relaxation and rest.


Intensity. Intensity of colour also has a huge impact on how we feel about a room. Strong colours make it appear exciting, whereas softer ones have a more calming effect. High colour contrasts also add interest to a home.

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