Emerging idea
The art theory known as ‘poison colour’ goes to prove that there can be nuance in choosing a contrast hue for your scheme, says Hugh Metcalf
Do you remember when the ‘colour pop’ phenomenon started? At the time, a collective love for colour was gradually seeping back into interior design, but it was before we reached the bold saturation of spaces that we’re seeing inform interior design trends in the present day. The idea is a very simple one – you bring some life and energy to your colour scheme by introducing an accent ‘pop’, usually a bright complementary shade that ensures your overall palette doesn’t feel flat. The most well-known example is probably grey and yellow – acolour combination that at one time had a grip on our homes, but has now slowed down in the style stakes.
It’s fair to say that the approach to using colour in the home has grown much more sophisticated as we move through the 2020s. Colour palettes have become more nuanced, creative and experimental, and the fear associated with using an abundance of colour (often linked to concerns over a home’s possible resale value) has faded over time. However, the one constant is the desire for a room’s colour scheme to feel energised and invigorated, not flat and toneless. But without falling back into the single colour pop situation, how do you approach making an unexciting colour palette come to life?
To elevate a colour palette with more subtlety, there’s an idea, originating in art theory, called the ‘poison colour’. ‘If you’ve spent a long time carefully picking out colours for a room, but your colour scheme feels slightly flat or boring, you need a few drops of bitterness to really make the sweetness sing,’ explains Karie Westermann, the textile designer and colour expert who introduced me to the concept. But what exactly gives a colour this poisonous quality?
There’s an instinctual nature to choosing a poison colour, Karie explains, that depends on the palette you’re working with. ‘The poison colour is not a contrast, nor can you just pick out a complementary colour on the colour scheme,’ she tells us.
‘I try to experiment because it depends upon the colour scheme I’m using and the location of the room. If it’s a harmonious scheme, you’ll want a different poison than if you have a colour scheme that works on contrasts,’ Karie continues. ‘If your room is full of earthy tones, try introducing a small amount of neon; if you’ve opted for a beachy feel with pale blues and pale browns, you might want to think about introducing a splash of black or even peach.’
There’s a je ne sais quoi you have to contend with when trying to find a poison c
