Statement wall colours for 2012

Rebecca Thompson - Colour and Design Manager at Dulux

At Dulux, the latest looks for Spring/Summer 2012 are full of edgy brights, chic neutrals and delicate pastels to liven up your living space.

Rebecca says 'we predict Fire Cracker 4 to be the most important colour for Spring/Summer 2012.' Moving away from the intense fiery reds of previous years, Fire Cracker 4 is a vibrant, lively red with a duskier tone making it more versatile but still dramatic enough to create a striking feature wall. If you want to be even more adventurous, mix and match the red with neutrals and pastels such as Burnt Autumn 4 and Gooseberry Fool 6 for a truly unique design scheme. All interior paints are from the Dulux Tailor Made colour range, prices start at £13.29 for one litre.

For exterior walls, Rebecca suggests nature-inspired shades that are stylish but won't date; 'think muted greens, deep neutrals and grey-based blues for a fresh, uplifting finish.' Perfect for updating your outside walls, Dulux are adding four new colours to their Weathershield Masonry range: try Frosted Lake, Green Ivy, Spring Meadow or Intense Chestnut (available from February, prices start at £24.99 for five litres) to help your home stand out from the crowd. 

Rob Whitaker - Creative Director at Fired Earth

'People are becoming a little bored with neutrals, there's a definite move towards bright colours in interiors, echoing the acid tones on the catwalk,' says Fired Earth's Creative Director, Rob Whitaker.

Bold interiors look set to become a key trend for the season and the vivid colours from Fired Earth's range reflect this perfectly. Take a look at the Race Yellow and Festival Orange shades from the Mid-Century colours collection, £29.50 for 2.5 litres, to really liven up your living space.

Rob also recommends featuring more jewel-like colours in your design scheme to stay on trend with a real exotic feel evident in Fired Earth's Moroccan influenced wallpapers including the elegant Alhambra Palace Wallpaper, £50 per roll, available in three colours; Summer, Autumn and Winter. 

Finally, Rob suggests combining bright colours with the minimalist whites evocative of art galleries for a bold, crisp palette.

Lloyd Meheux - Paint Expert at Brewers

'2012 is all about improving rather than moving' for Lloyd Meheux, Paint Expert at Brewers. Create a stylish palette of cheerful pastels to lighten up your home and make it feel more spacious.  Add a calm and refreshing feel to your living space with pale pastels such as the lovely  Middleton Pink, Parma Gray and Dayroom Yellow shades from the Farrow and Ball designer range (all £32.50 for 2.5 litres and £58 for 5 litres).

For a more modern edge, why not try painting skirting, shelves, shutters and connecting doors in contrasting pastel shades? 'The effect is youthful yet sophisticated and works well within bedrooms and dayrooms.'

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