How to add colour to a minimal home, with French Connection Home [AD]

This is a paid partnership written in collaboration with French Connection Home

Colour is such a personal thing. As quite a shy, quiet person, I’m drawn to the neutral end of the spectrum; calm greys, soft beiges and tranquil greens. I’ve been hesitant to add colour to my pared-back minimal home – does my grey kitchen and love of plants count? – but with the change in seasons and chillier weather, I’ve felt the need to hunker down and create a warm, welcoming sanctuary at home. The very beginning of autumn is one of my favourite times of the year; when the light is low and golden and the leaves begin to turn crimson and copper. I want to bring some of that feeling inside.

So I’ve teamed up with British brand French Connection Home – one of my favourite stores on the High Street for simple homeware at an affordable price – to show how you can easily add a subtle hint of colour without completely overhauling a space. There’s a common misconception that minimalist homes are cold and bare, but the recent trend for warm minimalism and 70’s interiors has shown that if used in a careful, considered way, colour can give a sense of richness and understated luxury to Scandinavian-style spaces. Using colour needn’t be daunting or just for the brave – you can bring a new feeling to a space with a few simple updates and seasonal accessories.

Products featured (all French Connection Home): 
Washed velvet cushion, £36
Faux fur cushion, £34
Iniko cushion, £55
Iniko rug medium, £240
Gunmetal coffee table, £350
Frosted glass votive, £18
Glass tumblers, £4
Blue glass vase, £40
Hammered mango tray small, £20

For Autumn/Winter 2018, French Connection Home is adding new sense of tactility and texture to its signature industrial style with three different launches, each with its own unique identity and look. The collection as a whole has a pared-back, minimal feel – with simple, well-considered, timeless pieces that can be paired with a wide choice of on-trend accessories and pops of colour.

Sourcing inspiration from across the world, the Clay Collection has a warm, earthy aesthetic, with tan wooden furniture, terracotta tones and neutral accents. This look is bohemian, relaxed and rustic. Next, the Nomad Collection is a take on the modern rustic trend, with grass-woven chairs, handmade rugs and blond parquet wood. The Charcoal and Pine Collection finishes on a clean, contemporary note, with streamlined shapes, black metal furniture and inky tones.

Items from each collection can easily be mixed and matched together – for me it’s about taking inspiration from each to suit your personal style, no matter the size or era of your home.

I’ve brightened up my light, white-washed living room with rich neutrals, earthy hues and a mixture of textiles. It’s amazing how little changes can transform a space and have an impact – here bringing a sense of cosiness and comfort. The colours, tones and textures of the Clay Collection instantly remind me of our January trip to Morocco, in particular the faded ochre hue of the buildings, the ramshackle rooftops and the crumbling plaster walls. I love the way Moroccans create quiet retreats in riads, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the city – combining patterned tiles and hints of colour with white walls and artisanal touches.

The centrepiece of the room is the Gunmetal coffee table , forming a simple, utilitarian base for accessories. The circular shape encourages the idea that you want to gather around it; you could even place cushions and poufs on the floor when friends come round.

Soft, velvety cushions appeal to the senses – I’ve combined a washed velvet cushion in indigo and a faux fur cushion in tan with the more neutral Iniko cushion and rug to prevent the space looking too glam and luxe. I love that the velvet cushion looks a little faded; it looks far more natural and less jarring than bright, new velvet.

A wooden tray for frosted glass votives and glass vases helps create a space where you want to relax and unwind with candles and twinkling lights. Autumnal foliage brings the look together, providing a seasonal hint of colour that ties in with the other details. And it’s pure coincidence that my dog – miniature dachshund Francis – matches with my decor!

My tips for adding colour to a minimal home:
– Keep your colour palette to a minimum, focusing on just two or three tones that compliment and fit well with one another (such as tan and navy here). In a simple, pared-back space you want the scheme to look calm and cohesive, without colours clashing, overpowering each other or fighting for attention

– At the same time think about contrast, a colour will have a bolder impact when paired against a softer, neutral. That’s why I like to use light, pale walls as a backdrop for furniture and accessories to add colour, texture and interest

– Tie a space together by using colour in triangles – it’s a visual trick I’ve learnt from styling to create a balanced composition. That means you have points of colour dotted through the room that are connected to one another – here it’s the tan cushion with the foliage on the table and the light fitting, or the indigo tones of the velvet cushion, the vase on the small side table and the prints above the sofa.

– Layer up accessories to add colour, building your colour confidence as you go. You could start with a patterned rug with a hint of colour or a couple of new cushions to test the waters. It’s often easier to swap accessories around than paint a wall, especially if you’re renting and have restrictions with what you can do to a space

– But conversely, if you’re looking to be bolder with colour but are a little hesitant to paint a whole room, get creative with paint and use colour on skirting boards, doorways and to highlight period details. I’ve seen some Scandi-style spaces with neutral walls and a bold colour on the ceiling – daring, yes, but it really packs a punch

– If you’re struggling to decide on colours, take inspiration from a favourite piece of artwork, object or place and build a scheme around it. My home is greatly inspired by the tones of the city around me – London’s grey streets, weathered bricks, rooftops and chimney pots. I also like to take ideas from my wardrobe; if you feel good wearing something, chances are you’ll enjoy living with it too

– Take note on how colours make you feel – red, orange and pink tones have a warmer quality, instantly bringing to mind heat, roaring fires and hot days, while cooler greens and blues are more soothing and tranquil, reminding us of nature and forests. Warm colours such as terracotta, burgundy red and ochre are great for living spaces as they’re bright, stimulating colours that encourage alertness. Cooler colours are better for quieter spaces like bedrooms as they bring a more relaxing and restorative quality

– Think about the light in a space – light, south-facing spaces suit paler, cooler colours, while with dark, north-facing spaces, instead of fighting against the dinginess, embrace the lack of bright light with a darker, richer tone to make it feel cosier, like I did in my home office

– Focus on textures and tactility to build up a feeling of warmth in a space, preventing colour looking too stark – think washed velvet, hand-woven rugs, soft linens and richly grained wood. Natural tones and materials will give a feeling of honesty and authenticity to an interior

– Decorate with the seasons and bring the outdoors into the home – that might mean bright, fresh greenery in the summer or rich, russet tones in the autumnal months. Take inspiration from nature; in my opinion it’s the easiest and quickest way to insert a pop of colour

I won’t be giving up my grey anytime soon, but pulling this scheme together with French Connection Home has convinced me that I need a little more colour in my life. I can still be true to my personal style and bring a new feeling to a space. Now I just need to get the wood burner fitted and I’ll be all set for winter.

All images Cate St Hill