Ready, Set, Action
When you consider how many colours exist in the world of colours and the spectrum including the number of colour combinations possible the mind boggles. But do all those combinations work together? Well, that is a debatable topic to consider, and one we won’t delve into today. Is it all a matter of perception based on what has been and what colours and patterns we are used to seeing together. Take for example the old saying “blue and green should never be seen except in the washing machine” and “blue and green should be never seen without a colour in between” Well, I’m not sure who came up with that one, it is so outdated and the truth is, these two colours look great together. The best example of this of course is in nature and is rocked out by the pretty boy peacock with the most amazing blue and green feathers displaying a striking pattern and combination.
Image Credit: Pixabay via Pexels
Are the current trends and style dictated by so-called forecasters actually new trends? One could argue that they are revised and revamped styles, colour schemes and patterns that move in a circular cycle. If the trends and styles are dictated by influencers and trend forecasters, do creative movies and visual art also have some influence? What about movies, ever considered what great movie sets do for interiors and fashion trends? These visual spectaculars influence our perspectives and what we consider to be cool and hip and maybe even urge us to look for different styles and colour schemes.
So, the colour palette now one could say is a take on the 60’s and 70’s flare with bold patterns and vibrant colours with brown making a huge comeback. For those of us old enough to remember, the orange and brown interiors from tiles to boucle orange and brown lounge chairs, brown, yellow and orange floral designs for dresses, curtains, bedding and so much more. Not to mention the blue and red bathtubs and tapware, to this day these fittings make me yearn for more colour and variety for interiors…when did it all become so monotonal?
Image credit: designer, photographer unknown (sorry) sourced from pinterest swedish designs 60’s
I’m not the only one who is nostalgic and am happy to see a comeback of colour, texture and patterns for furnishings, interiors and fashion inclusive. The colour schemes evoke a warm and fuzzy homely and comforting vibe with the earthiness of the browns and colour just like walking through a bright and cheery garden.
A great example of seeing all this resurgence of texture and colour can be seen in Wes Anderson's movies, some of which were done over a decade ago.
Image Credit: @tamieuh via Unsplash
Image Credit: @tamieuh via Unsplash
Director/filmmaker Wes Anderson is known for his retro and kitsch sets, designed with meticulous attention to detail. The bold, saturated use of colours, patterns, and shapes transports you back to a time and place where colours, shapes, and patterns were mixed in a way not quite as less is more as in the 2000s but rather as more is more, and what a visual delight it is. Colours, patterns and shapes all work together to create a spectacular display of colour and design that one is compelled to absorb and absorb. However, it somehow works and makes one feel so cosy and inviting, bringing to mind the feeling of being in your dressing gown at Nana's house with hot milk and cookies.
If you haven’t seen any of Wes Anderson's movies, a few standouts for me include “The French Dispatch” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” both for the interior sets and attention to detail depicting an era back in time. Although all his movies have captured this element of detail, his movies are out there, refreshing and quirky in storytelling and movie style - a not so standard formula of movie.
His style is infectious, and one can see why his work has been earmarked as encapsulating a style that is a new twist of an age where nature, comfort and compassion are elements valued in these times.
As a result of his sets, the 60's and 70's colour palette has resurged with subdued browns, peaches, oranges and other colours, which has brought this style full circle. The best of an era of design is taken with a modern twist when it is resurging.
Jean-Pierre Jeunet, a French film director whose work includes 'Amelie' and 'The City of the Lost Children,' is another inspiring filmmaker. Visual pieces of artwork that I can watch over and over, never tiring of absorbing the use of colour, patterns and fashion together, all of which are timeless.
Image credit: Jean-Pierre Jeunet film maker -set of movie Amelie
Image credit: Jean-Pierre Jeunet film maker - ‘The city of the lost children”
Trends be it in colour combinations, fashion styles or interiors there are classic colour combinations and designs that just keep on giving with patterns, shapes, curves and styles. Be it they were taken from Art Deco, Victorian or mid-century times they continue to resurge and play a huge role in the colour and patterns that are present today.
Of course, for us looking at upholstery, fabrics, patterns combinations and colours rocks our world.