New season's colour is a bolt from the blue

Originally published in Retford Times - 1st May 2014

Homes & Lifestyle

The big colour story this season is Blue!  Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall explores the resurgence of a firm favourite.

This season we are seeing taupe being cast to the sidelines both in design schemes and on the High Street.  Without a doubt the hot colour for Spring Summer 2014 is that old cool customer – blue.

Designers have been looking for a new background colour to join the ranks of the neutrals and blue is coming out a clear winner. Forget the paler shades of blue we have previously encountered, the story for 2014 is the richer pigmented shades now available.  The absolute joy of blue is that despite being a bold, primary colour in its own right, it has an amazing capacity which allows it to blend into the background where it impressively accentuates key tones.

Surveys frequently conclude that blue is most people’s favourite colour, especially the male part of the population, so it is a wonder that it does not constantly dominate the interiors world. 

Importantly, it is seen as an emotionally powerful colour, which registers very clearly with its observers.   Pablo Picasso’s “Blue Period” paintings are perfect examples of this: he used only blue and green tones to enhance the feeling of melancholy within his work.  Picasso recognised the power of the hue when eliminating other colours around it and is reported as having turned to this palate as his mood darkened following the death of his friend, Carlos Casagemas.

Blue also enhances feelings of calm and tranquillity, which makes it perfect as the colour of choice for bathrooms and bedrooms where an element of escape from the everyday world is often essential.

New Carlucci Fraction fabrics from JAB Anstoetz

There is an element of decadence to the use of a confident blue.   This is hardly surprising given that many rich shades of blue were first created using incredibly expensive precious minerals.   For instance, during the Renaissance period ground lapis lazuli was used to create ultramarine, whilst cobalt has been used to colour glass since 2000BC.

It is also interesting to note that, these strong associations and emotions have led to the colour being associated with divinity, particularly in the Renaissance period.

The shades we are encountering now are definitely major statements.   These richer tones have to be chosen carefully, but the overall effects can be breath taking:  ultimately, it is a question of having confidence and sticking with it. 

If you are looking to embrace the new blue, then rich paint shades such as Little Greene’s Deep Space Blue 207 or Sanderson’s Indigo Blue will create the perfect intimate environment in which to relax.  At the same time, they are both wonderful at creating the background for impressive entertaining spaces such as formal dining rooms. 

Despite the intensity of these colours you will need to pay careful attention when painting to attain a perfect finish as every defect is likely to be shown.  We always recommend using three coats of dark paint shades to ensure a more consistent end result.

A selection of the terrific blues from Designers Guild

This season, opulent blue is very accessible in most collections.  One company who you can be sure has the perfect range of blues is Designers Guild – a brand that truly embraces bold colour.  Their Surabaya Wallcoverings and Savio Weaves boast a mass of beautiful blues in confident finishes.  In addition, their Savine Range features a striking indigo carpet, which works perfectly with their cobalt wallpaper.

If you consider a full room scheme might be a little overpowering, then use key accent pieces (such as a chair or even just a few tea light holders) to ensure your home feels relaxing, reassuring and above all “of the moment”.

Set of Four Blue Tealight holders from www.annabeljames.co.uk £14.95

Jamie Hempsall is a multi-award winning interior designer.  For more inspiration, visit him at www.jamiehempsall.com.

Answering your interior design queries from ugly lightbulbs to fab 50s

I recently answered some interior design queries for the readers of my Yorkshire Post column which I thought you may find useful

We love the current 50s revival trend. Have you any personal recommendations for wallpaper collections? CH, Harrogate

Trends are often cyclical and it is probably no co-incidence that this year sees the 60th anniversary of the 1951 Festival of Britain – which celebrated the re-emergence of the UK after a difficult post-war era. 50s design was innovative, elegant and simplistic and is perfect for the modern era which has moved away from conspicuous consumption and design excess.

Little Greene has collaborated with The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester, which houses one of the largest wallpaper archives in the UK to produce their 50s Line Papers collection. The papers are careful interpretations of the original archive documents, adapted in scale and detail to honour the spirit of the period.

My personal favourite is “Herbes” which, unsurprisingly, featuring outlines of herbs accented against a rectangle of solid colours (£38.00 for a 10m roll - 0845 880 5855; http://www.littlegreene.com/)

Alternatively, Sandersons has produced a collection of archive patterns and new designs inspired by this era. The range features bold colours and strong lines. The “Mobiles” design simply shouts 50s! (£36 for a 10m roll - 0844 543 4749; http://www.sanderson-uk.com/).


We are struggling with ugly low energy bulbs that can clearly be seen in our light fittings. Do you have any suggestions that will help overcome this problem?
BB, Tadcaster

Two thoughts spring to mind to tackle this thorny issue. Halogen bulbs are now being created in styles that replicate the traditional tungsten and candle bulbs with clear glass outsides. They are perfect for use in normal lights and with chandeliers; they give a clean light and are dimmable. These bulbs are currently around 30% more efficient than traditional bulbs.

However, if you are looking for an alternative to a true low energy bulb Hulger has just launched the Plumen 001. This stunning design looks good on its own, but also works beautifully when visible in overhead and table lamps. It has been nominated for Product Design of the Year and Overall Design of the Year by the Design Museum, London.

It is currently available only in an 11w version (equivalent to a traditional 60w bulb), but comes in both screw and bayonet fittings. Bulbs are £19.95 each (0207 650 7882; http://www.plumen.com/).


We are considering wallpapering our hallway, but are worried that it may become easily marked. What would be your advice? ME, Thirsk

I personally love wallpaper and think it gives a rich and welcoming finish to any room. It is particularly important to create an immediate welcome feeling in your hallway as it sets the tone for your entire home, so I would always recommend a paper where possible.

You will tend to find that gloss finish or woven wallpapers tend to be more hardwearing in this sort of environment and will cope with a degree of “wear and tear” as they are usually able to be wiped. Some can even cope with washing – although ensure you have checked the manufacturers details before attempting this!

However, a lot of people prefer a matt finish (particularly those with a penchant for designs that look more hand printed). If this is the case – or if you already have this type – then, once you have hung your wallcovering, you can use a protective water based decorator’s varnish which can be applied on top of the paper to provide a surface more resistant to marks and scuffing. The varnish is available in three finishes – satin, gloss and dead flat and is ideal for wallpaper, plaster, fabric and wood (£9.20 for 500ml - 0845 017 1671; ww.polyvine.com).


We want to prevent our wood furniture from marking the floors in our home?
NW, Attercliffe


With more homes opting for natural, tiled and laminate flooring marks from the wooden legs of furniture are becoming a much bigger problem. The damage is actually not just restricted to your floor, but also to the furniture which may also show signs of scuffing over time.

The simplest solution is felt padding, available from most DIY outlets, which can be cut to size and fitted to the bottom of your furniture legs. Treating your furniture in this way also helps to ease movement of these pieces.

If you are looking for a more long term solution, I would consider the Quickclick multi-part system. This uses a base cup that you attach to the leg of your furniture which can then accept four different glider types (specifically designed for wood, tiled or carpet flooring with a fourth offering anti-slip). The gliders are easily removed and interchangeable so that if you alter your flooring you can swap the glider without making a mess of your furniture. From £2.99 for 4 gliders (08454 706670; http://www.stroolmount.co.uk/).

Jamie Hempsall, BIID is winner of the Best Interior Design - North Award 2010 in the UK Property Awards in Association with Bloomberg Television.

Yorkshire Post Readers' Questions

Every quarter I answer Yorkshire Post Readers' interior design queries as part of my column.  They can ask about any subject at all.  Here is what they came up with in the last couple of months.

Q: We have just inherited a 1960s Ercol dining table, it is finished in light wood and we want to get some dining chairs to go with it that are unusual. SH, Knaresborough.

Ercol was a huge name in furniture in the 1960s, but fell out of favour in later decades. However, prices are beginning to quickly increase as vintage rises to the fore. This furniture is beautifully made and their clean design lines are amazingly contemporary. If you want to avoid scouring specialist shops for a set of matching chairs, I would recommend the new Masters chair by Kartell. This stunning design was created by Philippe Starck and is a reinterpretation of the Series 7 chair by Jacobsen, the Tulip chair by Saarinen and the Eifel Chair by Eames. It is available in red, black or white and at £120 I think it is a bargain that will become a design classic in no time at all (www.lifestylebazaar.com – 0207 739 9427).

Q: We are decorating our sitting room with an oriental inspired theme, but struggling to find a ceiling light that is not hideously expensive. We have high ceilings so would like something fairly dramatic if possible. TB, Harrogate

I would head straight for one of Gong’s eastern inspired ceiling lampshades. They have a range of light, oversized, interesting silk shades which will definitely complement an oriental theme. There are two different designs available (Lea & Lotus) which come in various sizes. The lamps are hand made in the Far East and covered in silk featuring two layers of fabric so you cannot see the bulbs. The Lotus lamp is available in white silk, whilst the Lea ceiling light (pictured) is available in a variety of finishes with the option of a black trimmed frame. Prices from £95, visit www.gong.co.uk or call 0207 370 7176.

Q: We have just purchased a Period house and wanted to work with a traditional colour range, but are not sure if there are any ranges of paint that are particularly appropriate. Could you point us in the right direction? JL, Skipton

The Little Greene Paint Company has worked with English Heritage to develop a range that reflects the true historical colours used in decoration. The colours are split into five key time periods – Georgian; Regency; Victorian; 1930s and 1950s – which are marked clearly on their colour charts. Every purchase from the range also means a generous donation goes to English Heritage – so you are also helping to preserve some of our nation’s great treasures. The range is available in all of Little Greene’s standard finishes including their Ultimatt Emulsion (a matt finish, environmentally friendly and completely washable paint – ideal for heavy usage areas such as halls, kitchens and bathrooms). Prices from £13.50 (www.thelittlegreene.com – 0845 880 5855).

Q: We have a travertine floor which is really beginning to look grubby despite regular mopping. What would you suggest to bring it back to its former glory? BB, Todwick.

If you are seeing ground in dirt you need to get back to basics. Start by stripping off your existing floor coating using the appropriate cleaner which will have a dramatic effect. You will then need to re-apply a sealant to keep this look pristine. Natural floors do require regular maintenance, so I would expect to repeat this every year or so to keep things looking tip top. I prefer the range of products available from Lithofin which includes wax-off, multi-seal and anti-slip; as well as an easy care formula that is great for regular use throughout the year once you have taken the trouble to strip back and re-apply (www.lithofin-uk.co.uk; 01962 732 126).

Jamie Hempsall is a member of the British Institute of Interior Design and an award winning interior designer. If you have an interior query you need answering call him on 0800 032 1180 or visit http://www.jamiehempsall.com/.