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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
