Tips on designing with winter colours & finding a Christmas look.

Today, we will explore the magic of winter and how we can bring it indoors in our own unique ways. So, are you a winter walker or a stay-in and talker? What's your idea of a perfect winter's day? Frosty, snow, bare silhouettes of trees against a watery sky? Do you want to walk in it, admire the detail and the changes in the textures, or snuggle up and look through the windows at it? The Rule of Winter Aesthetics The whiter you make your palette, the colder the temperature drops. If you are out in the cold for a long time it drains you and tires you out, the same happens with colours - they become drained. To warm it up but still feel the chill, add pastel watered-down colours - the palest blue, a watery pink infused with grey, or even grey itself. These very washed-out palettes also include turquoise for a cold water element and lilac taken to its greyest for the twilight feel. Recreating the Feeling of a Winter Scene Creating a winter scene is all about striking the right balance between warm and cold tones. Let's explore two distinct settings - the winter walk and the fireside evening. The Winter Walk Take the washed-out pallets and team them up with blacks from silhouettes, and the grey of the clouds to give you the quintessential winter walk. If you need the sun to wave a feeble hello, then add a touch of silver to reflect the turquoise of the frozen water. If you do not have a lot of texture to play with then add an accent of red or blue from a bolder palette just to make things pop. The Fireside Evening If the feel is to be inside with rich tones in the golden glow of candlelight and the security of the wood burner, use muted shades from the fire's glow - burgundy, red, dark emerald green, and orange tipping towards gold or a friendly copper. Traditional versus Contemporary We are all familiar with the Christmases from our childhoods. Berry red, holly green, and gold. Now bring that up to date by adding the grey-green of pine and a more orangery red from the robin's breast. Mix your metals with silver and gold. Or look at shades of just one colour for example Blue. Make it warm and golden, or muted with sky grey, frosty, and snowy with the palest in the palette then add a single metal to warm it up, copper is always lovely with a navy or royal blue. Get the Look: Winter Aesthetic Styles There are endless ways to create your perfect winter ambiance. Here are a few popular styles to inspire you: Scandinavian Walk: Opt for pine green, grey-blue, and a natural taupe. Contemporary: Use black, grey, and silver for a cool look. Add apricot to warm it a little. Romantic: Add sky-wash pink and a sparkle of frost. Winter Night: Use navy blue and silver for a starlight twinkle. Warm & Welcoming: Shades of rich red, emerald green, and firelight gold are perfect. Include some deep textures to sink into for full effect. Christmas Fairy: Use all pastel shades taken to their most watery (heavy on the pink) and frost everything with sparkle and snow. Cool & Chic: White and green paired with one metal colour will look elegant and refined. Keep your eye on the texture content otherwise, it will look flat and boring.