Australian_House_&_Garden_2016_12

(Chris Devlin) #1

ADVICE HG


AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN| 185


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Rose-Marie via H&G Advice,
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NSW 10 28, oremail
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Ilovemyindoorplantsand
they’re an important decorating
feature in our living room. I’d like
to change the colour of the walls
from white to something bolder.
It’s a large, light-filled space.
What colours would you suggest
to go with the green elements in
the room?Simone Watson, via email

AYou only have to look at nature to
find inspiration for complementary
colours. Let your eye wander around
the garden and witness the exquisite
colour relationships that exist between
flowers and foliage. My favourites are
dirty purples and burnt orange shades,
which seem to fire up the intensity
of green. But nothing brings to life
green foliage better than crisp white.
Therefore, I would suggest that you
retain your white walls but introduce the
bolder colour in a painted feature wall,
beautiful rug, expansive artwork or
armfuls of decorative cushions. Think
aqua, teal, terracotta, warm grey, indigo,
navy, even black. Better still, look to your
planters and pots to introduce colour to
your scheme. The sage-green shades of
cacti and succulents go well with the
grey of rough concrete or brushed steel,
while the bright, glossy leaves ofFicus,
ornamental palms and other tropical
plants would be enhanced by black
pots. The idea is to choose your colours
to complement, not conflict with, the
visual impact of indoor plants. >

Our interiorsexpert,Rose-Marie Hillier,recommends
the best paint colours to complement indoor plants,
then serves up her list of favourite cake stands.

Photograph by Armelle Habib/bauersydnciation.com.au.

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