Colour | Society of British & International Interior Design https://www.sbid.org/category/colour/ Tue, 21 Nov 2023 09:37:40 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://www.sbid.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-SBID-Breakfast-Meeting-Logo-32x32.jpg Colour | Society of British & International Interior Design https://www.sbid.org/category/colour/ 32 32 A Sustainable Approach to Specifications https://www.sbid.org/a-sustainable-approach-to-specifications/ Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:30:21 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=75659 The post A Sustainable Approach to Specifications appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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With environmental concerns becoming increasingly important within specifications, designers need to make sure that every aspect of a building is carefully considered and adheres to a project’s sustainability goals. Dulux Decorator Centre is committed to upholding sustainable standards and supporting its partners to reduce environmental impact. In this article, its commercial sustainability manager, Duncan Lochhead, discusses how sustainability can be achieved with the right paints and coatings.

The built environment is responsible for more than a quarter of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and this must be reduced if the UK is to reach net zero by 2050. To do this, low-carbon building materials must be selected across every aspect of a building, right down to the paint used on the walls.

What does sustainable paint look like?

One of the biggest environmental concerns in the paint industry is the use of solvents and the emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are chemical vapours that are greenhouse gases – and therefore contribute to global warming, as well as impacting ground level pollution.

While emissions from VOCs in decorative paint represents a small percentage of the UK’s overall pollutants (1% in the UK), they still increase environmental impact and negatively affect indoor air quality. To avoid this, it is recommended that water-based paints and coatings are used- such as the beautifully aesthetic Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood for wood and metal surfaces and ultra-low VOC content paint for walls and ceilings – to achieve a professional finish and improve sustainability.

Recent innovations like the reformulated Dulux Trade Diamond Matt are a perfect example. This product provides the industry with a durable solution that is also 99.9% VOC free (based on in-can VOC content, measured in accordance with ISO 11890-2:2013). It therefore has lower impact on indoor air quality and the overall carbon footprint of a project when compared with the previous formulation. For added reassurance that it delivers sustainability benefits, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt is compliant with green building accreditations BREEAM and LEED.

Dulux Trade

Reducing environmental impact over a building’s lifetime

Paints and coatings play a vital role in cutting carbon emissions over a building’s lifetime thanks to their ability to preserve buildings and prevent the need for regular redecoration work. Opting for durable products like Dulux Trade Diamond Matt and Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt will therefore extend maintenance cycles thanks to their ability to withstand daily wear and tear.

Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt is a tough, water-based matt emulsion paint that contains ultimate scuff resistant technology. It is perfect for use in high traffic areas such as corridors, stairwells and hallways, and busy commercial spaces and is designed to protect walls against scuff marks left behind from items such as shoes and bags, to help keep surfaces looking good for longer. It is also cleanable and offers good stain resistance.

In addition, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt is compliant with BS EN ISO 11998 Class 1 and BS 7719 Class C and can withstand 10,000 scrubs (the equivalent of five hours non-stop scrubbing). It also resists water-based stains like red wine and coffee, as well as oil-based stains such as food or cosmetics. It can be repeatedly cleaned and scrubbed, ensuring that unwanted stains can be easily removed without damaging the paint film on the wall, making the professional finish last even longer.

Products like Dulux Trade Evolve Matt that are made using recycled content are also worth considering. Dulux Trade Evolve Matt contains 35% recycled content and does not compromise on coverage or finish. It is available in white, making it the ideal choice for ceilings or to create neutral backdrops.

Choosing the right supplier

In addition to product, designers should also think about the additional benefits offered by a supplier. Partnering with Dulux Decorator Centre, for example, will ensure a dedicated team is assigned to provide expert advice from the specification stage. They are also able to look at the carbon footprint of a painting project or programme over its lifecycle and provide insight on alternative options to support more sustainable decisions. In addition, the Dulux Decorator Centre team will work closely with the Dulux Trade Colour Consultants who can provide bespoke palettes that meet the needs of building occupants.

To help with the sustainable disposal of empty paint cans at the end of a project, Dulux Decorator Centre offers a can recycling scheme. It can also help to facilitate the donation of leftover paint to good causes like Community RePaint, so nothing goes to waste.

To find out more about how Dulux Decorator Centre can support on your next project, click here.

About Dulux Trade

Dulux is the UK’s leading paint brand, with a wealth of products and services designed to help you find the colours that will suit your project, and give you the expert knowledge you’ll need to achieve great results.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

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Introducing Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2024: Sweet Embrace https://www.sbid.org/introducing-duluxs-colour-of-the-year-2024-sweet-embrace/ Tue, 24 Oct 2023 09:30:57 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=74953 The post Introducing Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2024: Sweet Embrace appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Dulux has announced its Colour of the Year for 2024, Sweet Embrace. In this article, Dawn Scott, Senior Colour Designer at Dulux explains more about the research behind the colour, introduces its complementary colour palettes and explains how to use the shades across different sectors.

The story behind Sweet Embrace

For the last 21 years, Dulux has been using trend forecasting to identify a Colour of the Year that reflects the current state of the world and needs of building occupants. Every year, Dulux colour experts and international design professionals come together for a Trend Forecast brainstorm and share insights about where the world is heading.

This year’s discussions found that although we’re better informed than ever before, we’re still searching for peace of mind, clarity and moments of joy. In a world that feels fragile and complicated, people are seeking a space where they belong.

The Colour of the Year 2024, Sweet Embrace, is a reflection of this insight. Named by Dulux for its ‘arm around the shoulder’ quality, it can be used for projects across all sectors to create a sense of belonging for building occupants.

In addition to Sweet Embrace, interior designers can also draw inspiration from the three complementary colour palettes: Warm, Calm and Uplifting. Each palette can be used alongside Sweet Embrace to support the end use of a space and evoke emotion in building occupants.

Sweet Embrace - Dulux

Using the Dulux Colour of the Year across sectors

Sweet Embrace and its complementary colour palettes are incredibly versatile and can be used across any sector:

Education

The key to designing education settings is making students, staff and visitors feel welcomed and motivated. Whilst Sweet Embrace provides a neutral backdrop that is perfect for the main walls of a classroom, the more saturated tones in the Uplifting palette like High Summer can be used to draw pupils’ attention to the teaching wall.

These bolder tones and the soft pastels such as Fragrant Peony can also be used to bring joy to education spaces, without being too overstimulating. This is key for supporting neurodiversity and making the environment comfortable for everyone.

For areas such as libraries or time-out spaces, the Calm palette is recommended. The sage greens and sea blues, which provide that subtle link to nature, will help students to unwind and feel at ease.

Sweet Embrace - Dulux

Hospitals

Across the healthcare sector, designs are moving away from industrial, sterile aesthetics. To support the softer and more comforting designs that are now becoming the norm in hospital settings, the Calm palette is recommended. Its links to nature make the colours feel restorative and soothing, which is ideal for creating positive environments for staff, patients and visitors.

Care homes (and dementia care)

For care homes, one of the top priorities is ensuring designs aid wayfinding and help residents maintain their independence. To do this, it is recommended to use softer hues like Sweet Embrace on the main walls and more saturated tones from the Warm palette, like Peanut Butter or Winter Pumpkin, for doorways and feature walls to make these elements stand out.

Sweet Embrace - Dulux

Offices

To create spaces that improve focus and boost productivity – whilst also offsetting high-intensity and stress – use the Calm palette. These colours bring the outdoors in and help people to relax, improving wellbeing in the work area.

However, to boost people’s mood and provide an upbeat welcome to those entering the building we suggest the Uplifting palette’s brighter yellows like High Summer and Ochre Sands for lobbies and entrance ways.

Hospitality and leisure

Hotels and restaurants can really benefit from the tones in the Warm palette, as they can be used to create a home-from-home feeling and make people comfortable. On the contrary, to encourage playfulness in leisure spaces, use the Uplifting palette.

Sweet Embrace - Dulux

Social housing

For social housing, it is important to make residents feel at home as soon as they enter the building. The Warm palette is ideal for this, as the tones can create a sense of belonging and connectedness. The colours chosen for communal spaces are also incredibly important and should bring joy and imply friendliness – which can be achieved with the Uplifting palette.

Selecting the right paint for the sector

Sweet Embrace and the Colour Futures palettes can be selected across a wide range of Dulux Trade products. For education environments, we recommend highly durably paints like Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt. This tough, water-based emulsion contains ultimate scuff resistant technology that is designed to protect walls against scuff marks being left behind from items such as shoes and bags, to help keep walls looking good for longer.

Sweet Embrace - Dulux

To further support hospital specifications, a tough, scrubbable anti-bacterial paint like Dulux Trade Sterishield is an ideal hygeine solution as it inhibits bacterial growth, preventing the spread of germs.

Finally, for busy hospitality, commercial and housing projects we suggest using durable paints that can be easily cleaned. For example, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt can withstand 10,000 scrubs (which is the equivalent of five hours non-stop scrubbing) so it can be repeatedly cleaned, ensuring that unwanted stains are easily removed without damaging the paint film on the wall – making the professional finish last even longer. This product also supports sustainability goals as it is 99.9% VOC free.

Dulux Trade Colour of the Year 2024, Sweet Embrace, and the palettes are available to specify from 12 September 2023. For additional guidance on the use of these colours refer to the Dulux Trade Colour of the Year 2024 Specifier Brochure here.

About Dulux Trade

Dulux is the UK’s leading paint brand, with a wealth of products and services designed to help you find the colours that will suit your project, and give you the expert knowledge you’ll need to achieve great results.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

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The Future Is Colourful: Q&A With the Creative Director of AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Centre https://www.sbid.org/the-future-is-colourful-qa-with-the-creative-director-of-akzonobels-global-aesthetic-centre/ Mon, 31 Oct 2022 10:30:00 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=67569 The post The Future Is Colourful: Q&A With the Creative Director of AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Centre appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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The annual unveiling of the Dulux Colour of the Year is a culmination of months of trend analysis from visiting exhibitions and design fairs, as well as keeping an eye on the social, cultural and economic trends to decipher the tones that capture the moment. We caught up with Heleen Van Gent, Creative Director Global of AkzoNobel’s Aesthetic Centre that is responsible for coming up with the Colour of the Year, to find out more about her role and the process behind choosing the famous Dulux Colour of the Year.

What is The AkzoNobel Global Aesthetic Centre?

Based in the Netherlands, the AkzoNobel Global Aesthetic Centre is our hub for colour trend analysis, colour research and design and art direction. For the past 30 years, the team has worked year-round, translating social trends into colour trends for the 150 countries where AkzoNobel operates.

How long have you worked at AkzoNobel and what was your path to your current role?

I have worked at AkzoNobel for just over 13 years and I am the Creative Director of the Global Aesthetic Centre.

My journey started in the magazine industry in the Netherlands. I had worked in partnership with AkzoNobel on a project and this gave me my first glimpse of the Global Aesthetic Centre. From then on, I knew that this was the job for me.

I have always had an interest in making the everyday beautiful and helping people introduce wonderful things into their living environment. I think the effect colour can have on your mood and emotions is often underestimated. A lick of paint is an excellent and relatively inexpensive way to make a tremendous impact on our lives.

Who was involved in choosing this year’s colour?

Aside from our team at the Global Aesthetic Centre, we bring together a panel of design experts from across the globe. Each member brings with them insights from their culture, way of living and how they see the year ahead.

To ensure objectivity, we look to design experts who are connected to AkzoNobel in some way but are not key customers. This is important as we need to obtain their honest professional opinions and insights to ensure that the colour chosen works in all the countries we operate in.

Why is ColourFutures such an important part of the AkzoNobel calendar?

When designing the Colour of the Year we try to capture the moment in just one colour, which, as you can imagine, isn’t a simple task. It takes almost a whole year to design the final colour, with input from all global outposts of AkzoNobel before a final decision is made. While the process is largely confined to the Global Aesthetic Centre, we do see it as a team effort for the whole company and professional panel.

What is the process for choosing the Dulux Colour of the Year?

The process of choosing the Colour of the Year is constant. Our in-house team and the design experts we work with are out visiting exhibitions and design fairs, as well as keeping an eye on the social, cultural, and economic trends. We then come together for a three-day session where we discuss what we’ve seen and share what we believe will be influential over the coming year.

We start the three-day process by asking the team questions like what keeps them awake at night or what makes them happy (since they are just as much consumers as anyone else).

This helps us to get to the root of the issues that the world is facing today. This year, we were inspired by Mother Nature fighting back – with floods and drought featuring heavily in current affairs and nature being used to inspire popular interior designs.

The discussions also led us to see that yellow was dominating. We therefore knew that this would be the base of our Colour of the Year 2023 – we just didn’t know the exact shade. Based on this insight, we came up with Wild WonderTM: a positive, glowing natural tone that connects us with nature. We see this colour as a soft gold with hints of green inspired by fresh seed pods and harvest grain.

Our discussions also help us create the four colour palettes that we launch alongside the Colour of the Year – identifying complementary shades that are all inspired by the same insight and behavioural trends. This year our four colour stories are:

  • Lush palette – has a mental health focus with colours inspired by plant-filled habitats of gardens, forests and woodlands
  • Buzz palette – inspired by collective thinking, celebrating diversity and adding joy, unity, and connectivity
  • Raw palette – draws from bio-inspiration and what nature can teach us and reflects on the richness of resources that nature offers
  • Flow palette – focuses on the cycles of life and brings a feeling of fluidity, freshness and equilibrium

Where do you see the colour being used in practice?

We make sure that the Colour of the Year and its complementary palettes can be used in any setting – from the domestic home through to commercial premises across education, healthcare, hospitality, office and residential sectors. For example, this year’s Buzz palette with its rich, diverse and joyful colours is perfectly suited for the hospitality sector. We think a hotel room or lobby painted in this bright palette will be sure to bring a smile to someone’s face.

Flow on the other hand has more subtle and timeless colours that perform well in the education sector. Both early year education settings, up to teenagers and university students can benefit from this palette thanks to its roundness and friendliness.

What was your favourite moment from this year’s Colour of the Year process?

This answer is twofold. The first moment is when we’ve settled on a story. This is no mean feat, as we have to make sure that everyone is on board and aligned with the vision.

The second moment is our “country call” where we present our new colour palette, way of thinking and messaging map to our AkzoNobel colleagues around the world. This is an opportunity for them to push back if they think the colour might not work in their region which always makes me nervous. However, when I saw everyone nodding their head and buying into the colour story, I knew we’d cracked it and found something that resonates with everyone.

For more information about Dulux’s Colour of the Year, please visit: www.duluxtrade.co.uk/COTY23

To download the ColourFutures™ 2023 Specifier Brochure, click here.

Questions answered by Heleen Van Gent, Creative Director, AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Centre.

About AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel deliver the sustainable and innovative solutions that our customers, communities – and the planet – are increasingly relying on. As experts in making coatings, chances are you’re only ever a few meters from one of their products. Active in over 150 countries, they’ve set their sights on becoming the global industry leader. It’s what you’d expect from the most sustainable paints company, which has been inventing the future for more than two centuries.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

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Sky & Earth: A Rug Collection Inspired by the Great Outdoors by Nora Chou Exclusively for Silk Avenue https://www.sbid.org/sky-earth-a-rug-collection-inspired-by-the-great-outdoors-by-nora-chou-exclusively-for-silk-avenue/ Fri, 28 Oct 2022 09:30:12 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=67516 The post Sky & Earth: A Rug Collection Inspired by the Great Outdoors by Nora Chou Exclusively for Silk Avenue appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Nora Chou is a luxury interior designer working on projects internationally in both the residential and hospitality industry. Focusing on creating layered moments through design, her mission is to create a sense of warmth, life and texture into her designs. Having grown her roots in Hong Kong and proceeding to live in equally vibrant cities including London and New York, she offers a certain cultural and lifestyle sensibility to the way she approaches creating interiors for her clients.

Sky and Earth is a rug collection inspired by colours, life and energy we find in the great outdoors. The handpicked palettes by Nora Chou (“Sunrise”, “Dusk” and “Terra”) encourage colours to be brought into our interior spaces.

Bring in your outdoors.

"Flow Ombre - Sunrise" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue
"Flow Ombre - Sunrise" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue

What was the process of designing Sky & Earth?

When I was first approached by Jeff, the managing director of Silk Avenue, to design a rug for their designer profile range, there were many ideas that came to mind. I find rugs often help ground a space by connecting the interior palette of your chosen furnishings or to make a new statement through colour and texture. From an aesthetic perspective it’s quite similar to how paintings interact with spaces. However, rugs add an additional softness into interiors.

Sky & Earth came to fruition during the Covid lockdown period. Inspired by the Great Outdoors, it is a rug collection that is all about bringing the colours and textures from nature into our interior spaces. From the get-go, I knew that I wanted to create a collection to include a broad range of designs that would fit within different settings whether it be a traditional country house, or a contemporary set up in a high-rise apartment. During the creative process, I found it important to create a collection that is a family of designs and a continuation of the narrative, allowing me to develop and experiment with the creative direction.

The 6 designs from Sky & Earth are captured moments that can be layered into interiors through the hand-picked palettes I have personally selected (“Sunrise”, “Dusk” and Terra”). The designs can also be completely customized to a palette of your choosing. 

"Dots Play - Dusk" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue
"Spring Buds - Sunrise II" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue

Is there anything else we should know about the rugs? 

Silk Avenue manufactures the hand-tufted rugs in Nepal and handles all shipping internationally.

The designs from Sky & Earth are constructed of various compositions. For example, “Spring Buds” has a composition of 100% hand-tufted wool, which is great for hospitality settings and households with children. Generally speaking, wool is low maintenance, bounces back into its original state after being walked on and is typically less flammable than other fibers. The matte finish of wool also allows the colours of the rug to appear richer and deeper.

There are also other designs from the collection with a combination composition of wool and bamboo silk. – “Petals”, “Hydrangea”, “Flow Ombre” “Flow Solid” and “Dots Play”. In these designs certain areas of the rugs are accentuated with bamboo silk and raised pile heights. The slight sheen against the matte background mimics the way light is often reflected through nature and is a play on both texture and surface.

"Petals - Dusk" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue
"Hydrangea - Dusk" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue

Do the rugs come in different sizes?

All of the designs can be customized to any size to suit your interiors. However, we do have standard sizes with the latest pricing that can be found at: www.norachou.com/collection

"Flow Ombre - Sunrise" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue
"Flow Solid - Terra II" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue

How can someone place an order?

Send an email to info@norachou.com and info@silk-avenue.co.uk specifying the design, size and palette of your choosing. Silk Avenue will guide you through the process from there!

Photo Credit: Felix Speller

About Nora Chou

Luxury Interior Designer based in London with a focus on Residential and Hospitality Design. Working on projects internationally, they offer interior design services including but not limited to project management, space planning, sourcing and creating designs that are custom to every project.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

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Nature Gives Life to Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2023 https://www.sbid.org/nature-gives-life-to-duluxs-colour-of-the-year-2023/ Fri, 07 Oct 2022 09:30:57 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=67206 The post Nature Gives Life to Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2023 appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Dulux is celebrating two decades of Colour of the Year and has just launched its colour for 2023: Wild WonderTM  – and four complementary, versatile colour palettes that can be used to create stunning spaces across all sectors.

Wild WonderTM – a soft gold with hints of green inspired by fresh seed pods and harvest grain – is Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2023. Its upbeat glow connects us with nature, creating a sense of energy and positivity.

As people search for support, connection, inspiration and balance in the world today, they’re diving into the wonders of the natural world to find it. Extensive research conducted by Dulux colour experts and international design professionals found that even with so many challenges ahead, there was hope at the heart of global social, design and consumer trends.

Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux UK, says: “Our relationship with the natural world feels more precious and precarious than ever. As well as understanding the value of nature more keenly, with climate change becoming a reality for all of us, we also feel the urgency of reconnecting with nature and the necessity of working with rather than against it.

“The earth and its materials have been inspiring humanity for centuries. Now is the time to put them centre stage and bring the outside, in.

“We’re re-evaluating our relationship with nature and sensing the importance of learning from it not just about it. Were understanding afresh that nature is the source of everything, bringing us solace, inspiration, materials and a myriad of blueprints for living. That’s why, this year, we’ve put the wonder of nature at the heart of our colour story.”

“Wild WonderTM speaks to us in a language we instinctively understand,” says Heleen van Gent, Creative Director of AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Centre, which chooses the colour. “Nature is what inspires us and makes us feel better in our lives and in our homes. That’s why, for the first time in 20 years, our entire colour palette is inspired by the rhythms of nature.”

The name Wild WonderTM was created on the basis that ‘wild’ conjures up the freedom of nature and ‘wonder’ conveys the natural magic we see all around us. Wild WonderTM is a positive, natural tone that, by connecting us with the natural world, can help us feel better in our homes.

Four decorative paint colour palettes have been designed around Wild WonderTM:

  • Lush Colours – beautiful forest hues that are inspired by the plant-filled habitats of gardens and woodlands
  • Buzz Colours – upbeat tones of pinks and ochres that capture the bustling biodiversity of a wildflower field or grassland
  • Raw Colours – harvest shades that mimic nature’s raw materials
  • Flow Colours – warm neutrals and deeper seashore tones that bring a sense of fluidity and momentum

Lisa Pilley, Dulux Trade Commercial Colour Consultant, adds: “Wild WonderTM and its four versatile colour palettes reflect the natural world and intuitively connect with nature’s supply of substrates and materials – whether structural or aesthetic. As the world strives to re-use, rescue and build sustainably within commercial design programmes, placing humanity and environment at the heart of design is becoming increasingly essential.

“Colour can be transformational and guide occupants’ feelings and emotions. This year’s Colour of the Year and associated palettes open opportunities to connect the natural world with our everyday lives in the built environment.”

The year 2023 brings two major milestones to the Global Aesthetic Centre. Its ColourFuturesTM trend forecast will celebrate its 20th anniversary, while the team also reaches three decades of trend analysis, colour research, colour design and art direction at AkzoNobel.

The launch of Wild WonderTM is supported by the Dulux Trade Colour of the Year 2023 Specifier brochure, designed to inspire commercial design professionals working in all sectors, from hospitality to healthcare.

This brochure is part of Dulux Trade’s ongoing dedication to supporting specifiers with their latest projects, and is part of a wider package of ColourFuturesTM content. The package includes design mood boards and advice videos that can be harnessed by professionals looking to create the perfect space – in any setting – using Wild WonderTM.

To download the Dulux Trade Colour of the Year 2023 Specifier Brochure and for more information visit www.duluxtrade.co.uk/COTY23 and follow #CF23 on social media.

About AkzoNobel

We supply the sustainable and innovative paints and coatings that our customers, communities – and the environment – are increasingly relying on. That’s why everything we do starts with People. Planet. Paint. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and have set our sights on becoming the global industry leader. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering paints company that’s committed to science-based targets and is taking genuine action to address globally relevant challenges and protect future generations.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

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Make a Striking Interior Transformation With Metamorfosi https://www.sbid.org/make-a-striking-interior-transformation-with-metamorfosi/ Fri, 12 Aug 2022 09:30:57 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=64507 The post Make a Striking Interior Transformation With Metamorfosi appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Creating a virtually seamless, durable mural, Metamorfosi from RAK Ceramics is a decorative porcelain surface that will make an eye-catching impression for any interior.

Metamorfosi is a large-format surface, available in two sizes – 120x260cm and 120x120cm. Inspired by the colours and shapes found in nature and responding to this important interior design trend, Metamorfosi is highly durable and splash resistant, just as porcelain should be, yet visually striking in its appeal, with several design options to choose from.

Rak Metamorfosi Boutique

From geometric and floral patterns and lush tropical leaves, to bold and vibrant shades that tap into the trend for block colouring, Metamorfosi brings the beauty of nature in all its boldness indoors.

The collection includes nine colours and 11 decors transferred on to large-format brushed resin porcelain stoneware slabs, to create striking wall decorations that become part of the interior design. The shapes on the ceramic surfaces have a handmade appearance, creating a versatile, contemporary a wallpaper effect.

Rak Oltremateria Cucina

Metamorfosi is part of the Signature Collection from RAK Ceramics, a modern, sophisticated product range of cladding solutions for all design requirements.

Cover image: Rak Oltremateria Bagno

About RAK Ceramics

RAK Ceramics is one of the largest ceramics’ brands in the world. Specialising in ceramic and grès porcelain wall and floor tiles, tableware, sanitaryware and faucets, the company has the capacity to produce 123 million square metres of tiles, 5 million pieces of sanitaryware, 24 million pieces of porcelain tableware and 1 million pieces of faucets per year at its 22 state-of-the-art plants across the United Arab Emirates, India and Bangladesh.
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, RAK Ceramics serves clients in more than 150 countries through its network of operational hubs in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Asia, North and South America and Australia.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

The post Make a Striking Interior Transformation With Metamorfosi appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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The Story Behind Dulux: Durable and Luxury Paints https://www.sbid.org/the-story-behind-dulux-durable-and-luxury-paints/ Fri, 05 Aug 2022 09:30:28 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=64367 The post The Story Behind Dulux: Durable and Luxury Paints appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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What are the origins of your brand?

AkzoNobel is one of the biggest Decorative Coating companies in the world, with a rich history. Our brand, Dulux, began its origins way back in 1919. At the end of the First World War a long-established firm of varnish makers called Naylor Brothers extended its activities into paint production and moved out of central London to set up a factory in Slough on a 30 acre site.

Jumping forward to 1931 the first ‘Dulux’ alkyd-based synthetic finish was produced, based on a new formulation and the brand name ‘Dulux’ was established (a combination of ‘Durable’ and ‘Luxury’).

In 2021, we proudly celebrated our 90th birthday!

How do you work with interior designers?

Drawing on 90yrs of experience, we help provide the tools Interior Designers require to support them in completing their projects. Distilling how colours and other materials work together, we understand that colour, in isolation, is only one part of the story. We work with the Interior Designer to carefully curate a palette of colours which tells a story, creates a desired outcome, and unlocks the potential of their project.

What value does your sector add to the interior design industry?

Our Commercial Colour Consultants are experienced in working with Contractors, Specifiers and end users. Using insights gained from these relationships, and a wealth or colour experience, our Commercial Colour Consultants can support Interior designers with their projects, across a range of sectors and working environments.

Paint has the power to pull the final design together, marrying up all elements of a space or aid as a backdrop for other elements to take centre stage. We can help you to win client confidence and underline your professionalism with brave design transformations and achieve comfortable yet functional spaces that surpass expectations.

How do your services/offering enhance an interior designer’s projects?

Working with our Commercial Colour Services team ensures that your final design serves not only to provide a beautiful place to live or work but can promote better outcomes for the people using the space, as well as helping you to deliver on the organisation’s wellbeing and sustainability goals too.

There is a vast array of building specification requirements to also be aware of and each space presents its own challenges and requirements in terms of design. Our team of expert colour consultants are on hand to support Interior Designers to meet those challenges. We support Interior Designers to deliver colour designs that optimise commercial spaces efficiently and support the occupants’ needs. We guide you through our colours & colour coding system to ensure best choice of paint colour to work with your design.

What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?

Clients are looking for more and more ways to improve people’s lives. Delivering better living and working outcomes is now an everyday expectation for building owners. The effective use of colour in a building can markedly improve how occupants feel in that building. Whether the goal is to improve wayfinding in hospitals, support the visually impaired in a care home, or create a calming space conductive to learning in schools, great colour schemes can help enhance building design.

Questions answered by Martha Dunican, Commercial Colour Services Operations Manager, Dulux.

About Dulux Trade, AkzoNobel

Dulux is the UK’s leading paint brand, with a wealth of products and services designed to help you find the colours that will suit your project, and give you the expert knowledge you’ll need to achieve great results.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

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Colourful Wallcoverings Inspired by Japanese Culture and Designs https://www.sbid.org/colourful-wallcoverings-inspired-by-japanese-culture-and-designs/ Fri, 29 Apr 2022 09:30:27 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=61901 The post Colourful Wallcoverings Inspired by Japanese Culture and Designs appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Kata Lips takes inspiration from Japanese culture and designs. Discover 3 new designs, created with oils, watercolours, pastels and acrylics. As her colours flow across the canvas, Zen-like landscapes and imaginary scenes emerge.

Nature is ever-present in Kata’s work: tall trees, bamboo forests, bark, grasses and leaves are integral to each artwork. Her colour palette however varies from soft grey, green, blue and yellow to hyperreal bright.

Tanbo in Clay

Each design can be scaled up to fill a wall 3m tall x 5m wide. All can be repeated for longer walls. Colours can be adjusted, and all designs are available as wallcovering, window fill, or printed onto Zintra acoustic panels.

Fire rating: Euroclass B

Cleaning: Washable, wipeable. Can be cleaned with diluted bleach.

Contains mildew inhibitor.

Aloe in Acid
Inaka in Firecracker
Kigi in Charcoal
Inaka in Pebble
Inaka in Lotus
Inaka in Seabreeze
Aloe in Firefly

Cover image: Inaka in Lotus

About Tektura

Tektura are specialists in contract wallcoverings. Our life is colour, pattern and texture. We believe wallcovering can transform a space and we’re dedicated to delivering outstanding product and service.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

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A Complete Guide for Using Colours in Interior Design https://www.sbid.org/a-complete-guide-to-interior-design-colours/ Tue, 09 Nov 2021 10:30:12 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=57884 The post A Complete Guide for Using Colours in Interior Design appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Colours may be complex but they’re crucial to a successful interior design. Before choosing your colours, however, it’s important to understand colour terminologies, how colour affects your mood and the three types of palettes. This guide breaks down these terminologies, moods, and palette types so that you can make decisions that accurately reflect what you want from your interior space.

Interior Design Colour Terminology

Primary Colours: Red, blue and yellow are the primary colours and they can’t be made by mixing other colours together.

Secondary Colours: Orange, green and violet are the secondary colours and they can be made by mixing primary colours together.

Tertiary Colours: When they’re mixed together, primary and secondary colours create tertiary colours like blue-violet and yellow-green.

Tone: This denotes the brightness and deepness of a colour, which can be altered by adding grey.

Tint: By adding white, a colour can have a lighter tint and seem paler.

Shade: Shades are colours that have black added to them to create a darker finish.

How Colour Affects Mood

It’s important that you carefully consider what kind of space you’re intending to recolour because it’s scientifically proven that colours evoke particular moods and emotions. Therefore, selecting the appropriate colour for the right type of space is crucial.

Warm Colours are the red, orange, and yellow sides of the colour spectrum and they’re associated with warmth and comfort. They’re generally associated with passion, playfulness, and joy, which makes them a good option for bedrooms and other intimate spaces.

By contrast, cool colours are the blue, purple, and green sides of the colour spectrum. They’re more calming and soothing than warm colours and blue is often used for confidence whereas purple is used to evoke creativity. This makes them good colours to use in kitchens, dining rooms, and studies.

A Complete Guide to Interior Design Colours

Three Types of Palletes

Monochromatic Colours: An increasingly popular option, monochromatic palettes use various shades of the same colour. Only one part of the colour wheel is used, though this can be any type of colour, and it’s a great option for minimalistic styles.

Complimentary Colours: This term denotes a pair of colours, usually a primary and a secondary, that cancel each other out when they’re mixed together by producing a white, grey, or black. They can also be called ‘opposite colours’ and they’re usually a bold combination.

Analogous Colours: This type of colour scheme is made up of three colours that are next to one another on the colour wheel, with one being a tertiary colour. This creates a rich, monochromatic look to a given palette and examples include red, orange, and orange-red, or green, blue, and blue-green.

Colours are beautiful, complex, and crucial to designing the right interior space. This guide has explained the broad terminology relating to colours, how warm and cool colours affect your mood, and the three types of palettes that you should be aware of. With this information, you can piece together the perfect palette with the right colours to fit your requirements.

Do you need specific expert colour advice for an upcoming project? Our accredited interior designers are experienced and certified design professionals who can provide qualified advice for your requirements. Explore the Designer Directory and get in touch today!

If you have any further questions about our interior design accreditation then don’t hesitate to get in touch with The Society of British International Interior Design by calling +44 (0) 207 738 9383 today!

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Rose Uniacke is Painting Your World Greener, One Room at a Time https://www.sbid.org/graphenstone-rose-uniacke-is-painting-your-world-greener/ Fri, 15 Oct 2021 09:30:43 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=58523 The post Rose Uniacke is Painting Your World Greener, One Room at a Time appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Architectural and interior designer, antiques dealer and furniture designer Rose Uniacke is pleased to present Rose Uniacke Paint, a debut paint collection that was launched this month.

Taking Rose Uniacke’s renowned fabric collection as inspiration, the range comprises 14 colours that offer a refined backdrop to the timeless decorative style that the designer is celebrated for. The debut paint range will be 100% natural and chemical-free and is suited to both traditional and modern interiors.

Paints with an environmental conscience 

An effortless versatility underpins the palette of carefully considered neutral colours which range from the gently green-hued ‘Apple Mint’ to the softly pink-toned ‘Bloom’. Made using the highest quality natural and sustainable materials, the ecologically accountable paint range offers exceptional performance, durability and coverage while being preservative and plastic-free.

“I have long mixed my own bespoke paints for the projects I design and so it made sense to share some of these colours. I wanted to do this in an environmentally conscious way, and so creating a range that’s 100% natural and chemical-free was a priority from the outset.” says Rose Uniacke.

After a long search for the perfect partner, Rose Uniacke chose Norfolk-based Graphenstone to develop the range of 100% natural and chemical-free paints.

A world-class innovator when it comes to sustainability, Graphenstone paints contain Graphene, a nontoxic pure carbon that is the strongest material known to science. Packaged using 100% recycled materials, the natural mineral base paints require some dilution before use, helping to reduce the CO2 emissions by not transporting water around the world.

The range is available in three finishes suited to both internal and external applications. Grafclean and Grafclean Midsheen are composed of vegetable resins and ecological materials, while half of the range is available in Ecosphere, a paint based on pure lime which helps purify the air by absorbing CO2. So pure is the Ecosphere paint that 15L will absorb nearly 5.0kg of CO2.

“It was an absolute must that we developed our debut paint collection in partnership with a brand which has the environment at its core” added Uniacke.

Rose Uniacke Paints are sold exclusively in the new Rose Uniacke Fabric Shop at 103 Pimlico Road, SW1, and online.

About Rose Uniacke

Rose Uniacke is an interior designer, a designer of furniture and lighting – for individual clients as well as for her shop – and a dealer in both antiques and pieces by other, usually well known, designers.

About Graphenstone

Graphenstone is the brainchild of a chemical engineer Antonio León Jiménez who dedicated himself to the idea of developing a natural, ecological and health conscious coating for the 21st century. Since the production of their initial range of paints and coatings, they have continued to work diligently creating ever more healthy and sustainable coatings for all manner of buildings.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

The post Rose Uniacke is Painting Your World Greener, One Room at a Time appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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