COLOUR EDITION INTERIOR DESIGN
If you’ve fallen out of love with your sunroom, try these full-spectrum ideas to give it a bold new lease of life
FEATURE HOLLY REANEY
1 SETTING SAIL
Fabrics are great for softening the hard edges and cold glazing of aconservatory. Whether opting for neat blinds, billowing sails or a combination of the two –as seen here –framing the space in decorative prints brings aburst of colour, while also reducing glare from sunlight and achieving amore ambient temperature. ‘Fabric sails have become popular and using fabric to enhance avaulted conservatory ceiling adds avoluminous feel to the room. Shading but not blocking the light allows for the warmth of the outdoors to seep in while cocooning you in your favourite fabric prints,’ says Claire Greenfield, lead designer, Harlequin.
2 CLIMB THE WALLS
Bring another dimension to your conservatory by creating afeature wall on anon-glazed section. This can be achieved with paint – whether simple yet effective colour blocking or with amore intricate painted mural –or by dressing asolid wall with astatement wallpaper. Exotic botanical prints are the perfect fit for a conservatory, linking the structure to its heritage as, traditionally, conservatories were used to grow exotic fruits and plants. Botanical prints are also anod to the natural world outside. Strengthen this connection by introducing tropical plants –banana plants, citrus trees and indoor palms all work well.
3 SUNSHINE SHADES
Paint is amiracle worker; anew hue can quickly take your conservatory from drab to delightful. ‘Painting asunroom is ajoy; these spaces lend themselves to experimentation and playfulness, and therefore invite colour confidence,’ says paint expert Annie Sloan. It’s essential to invest in good-quality paint as the amount of natural light will highlight even the smallest flaw. ‘Choosing the right formula is key –you’ll want something with only avery light sheen or apure matt, such as Chalk Paint which gives avelvety finish. This means even avery light pastel could be used in aconservatory without losing its pigmentation or looking thin,’ adds Annie.
