Colour of the Month December 2022: Pantone Wild Wonder

Colours. They surround every single step we take and are unconsciously powering our minds and moods. Whether you're a creative professional seeking inspiration or a new homeowner trying to decide on your bathroom's wall paint colour, here are the colours of each month picked out by professionals.

Colour of the Month December 2022: Pantone 7503C Wild Wonder

It’s the last month of the year – let’s end it on a hopeful note and a wish for a prosperous next year!

We take cue for our December colour of the month from AkzoNobel, the parent company of the Dulux paint, who just announced their Colour of the Year 2023.

Wild Wonder is a cheery yellow-toned medium beige inspired by the warm tones of harvested crops – think of fields of swaying wheat and freshly harvested rice with their golden husks. The colour aims to bring an upbeat glow into your space, creating a sense of energy and positivity while connecting manmade spaces with nature.

“As concerns about mental health increase around the world, creating a home that feels in touch with the natural world couldn’t be timelier,” says Oscar Wezenbeek, managing director of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints South-east and South Asia.

“We need a space that can give us support in challenging times; somewhere that brings a hint of the outdoors, the echo of a landscape and a sense of belonging.”

Wild wonder is a versatile neutral colour that’s easy to pair. Dulux has curated four colour palettes around Wild Wonder:

• Lush is dominated with shades of green inspired by gardens
• Buzz features a family of pinks and oranges for that little zest of life
• Flow introduces shades of blue that bring to mind the tranquil coastal life
• Raw layers it with other neutrals and natural textures and raw materials like wood grain and woven fibres and handmade terracotta as seen in this room

"This is a wonderful and soothing colour for a space with a neutral-scheme. When gold is toned down with a dash of white, it makes the room feel cosy and warm without being overpowering. I’d suggest this for use across large areas, such as walls or even the ceiling,” says Wong Liangyuan, colour expert at Haven Lifestyle.

Colour of the Month November 2022: Neutral Green

When we think about neutral shades, the colours that come to mind are invariably various permutations of beige, off-white, taupe, ecru, and greige.

But we’re entering a post-pandemic era, and our spaces could use something more daring and hopeful, so here we suggest sage green as the new neutral.

How can this be allowed – you ask? Just look outside – green is a natural colour; greenery goes with and complements any natural elements and man-made structures regardless of their colour palette, so yes, we stand by our recommendation.

“Pastels have made a huge comeback in recent years, and we see this trend continuing with the growing popularity of tints like sage green. It’s unique, different and really makes a space stand out," says Wong Liangyuan, colour expert at Haven Lifestyle.

Pair chalky sage green solid walls with warm-toned wood and velvety materials in orange-tinted brown for that fuzzy sweater weather vibe.

Or go the other way around and inject freshness to an otherwise conventionally neutral beige room with sage green accessories like cushions, throws and patterned wallpaper.

Colour of the Month October 2022: Radical Red

There is no other colour as eye-catching as red. The colour of passion and confidence, it injects a dose of excitement into your space. It is the perfect colour to break the ice while you host your guests, and a surefire way to make a statement, as seen in this year’s Versace Home presentation at Milan Design Week.

While tone-on-tone red shades at Versace’s showcase might only work in galleries and commercial settings, a toned-down version can work wonders to add life into your living space.

Start by choosing the temperature of your shade of red – does your space lean more towards cool-toned red or warm-toned red? Think about it like choosing a lipstick or blusher to complete your make-up.

Like Versace Home’s living room here, you can also mix up several shades of red, just make sure the colour temperatures aren’t too jarring between them. Pair these reds with black and white for a stark contrast.

In nonmonochromatic settings, it is best to have one designated area for the largest red design elements, and add smaller pops of red elsewhere via small accessories like cushions, picture frames, vessels, and so on.

Red also makes for a delightful surprise discovery, like the soles on a pair of Louboutin heels. Try painting the interior of your cabinets with solid red, and hear your guests gasp as you open them to reveal the bold contents. Be confident, this red says, fortune favours the bold.

“Contemporary homeowners prefer darker shades of red, as they are easier to pair with other colours. Pair it with muted hues for a classy look. Keen on adding red to your living room? Start safely with a red artwork on the wall before deciding if your existing decor allows for more.” says Wong Liang Yuan Haven Lifestyle's Colour Specialist

Colour of the Month July 2022: Cooling Gradients

Having been experiencing the hottest days in a long while, we in Singapore have a collective longing for the cooler climate of our favourite destinations.

So why don’t we bring it home via shades of blues and greys?

We don’t have to necessarily stick to one colour either – tonal gradations are all the rage right now, see Valentino’s recent hot pink fashion show and Versace Home’s bold red presentation at Milan Design Week.

Lladro shows how it’s done with its latest lighting collection, Seasons. We particularly love the use of cooling tones in the Winter chandelier.

It comprises exquisitely crafted porcelain pieces in gradients, starting from deep blue with burgundy undertone at its base, to medium blue with mauve, and light blue to clear blue at the tip of the chandelier.

It expresses the gradual arrival of winter that is also an embodiment of a cooling drizzle after a sweltering day.

Pair these gradient blues with teal-toned grey, seen in this room, to create a backdrop with enough contrast, yet keeping it in the cool-toned family.

“Greys and blacks are becoming popular colour options for home interiors. Not only do they make a room feel cosier and more intimate, they also help to turn your walls into an instagrammable backdrop," says Wong Liangyuan, colour expert at Haven Lifestyle.

"The great thing about these dark shades is that they help to accent other colours you add into the space, making it much easier to style your sanctuary.”

Want to add a little popping contrast? Go to the opposite side of the colour wheel and pair it with mustard upholstery and soft furnishings like throws and cushions.

Thanks to its calming effect, these blues can go in any room in our home, from the communal to the most private.

Colour of the Month June 2022: Sunshine Yellow

While it’s officially summer in many parts of the world, it’s always sunny here in Singapore, perhaps even too much sometimes as we experience some of the hottest days in a long time.

Like these sunny days, the colour yellow injects a dose of sunshine and cheer into any space, a perfect shade to welcome life gradually returning to (new) normal.

But best use in moderation. So, how do we use sunshine yellow in our spaces?

Start with small accessories like cushions, vessels and trays. Yellow is also an excellent choice for decorative tableware. Hermes’ new Soleil d’Hermes dinner service comprises 24 pieces of porcelain ware, each featuring a radiant illustration by Arielle de Brichambaut in deep yellow with a black outline that
brightens your tablescape.

Pair yellow accessories with deeper natural hues like dark wood and terracotta to create an eye-popping contrast, or go the opposite with blonde wood, white linen and pale grey for a Scandinavian look.

Yellow has a brightening effect so if you’re planning to use it for a large surface like wall and floor, consider the lighting. The dimmer or colder the lighting of your space, the more intense the shade of yellow you can use.

Yellow goes well with really dark or really pale woods. Refrain from pairing yellow with mid-tone woods. it is also a gender neutral colour than can be used in both feminine and masculine material palettes.

Also remember that yellow is a “loud” colour, so choose a softer complementing palette to harmonise it with. Use more buttery shades for rooms that require a calming effect, like the bedroom and study, and brighter ones to "wake" you up, like in the kitchen.

Colour of the Month May 2022: Pastel Olive

There is a growing awareness of personal wellbeing, and the need to be in touch with nature. But that’s easier said than done, especially when one is living in a densely populated city.

A simple way to remind oneself of the great outdoors is to add a dose of green to the interiors. Not only is the colour soothing to the eye, it also provides a beautiful backdrop to showcase your accessories with.

While various shades of the colour have been trending over the years, from the luscious and rich jade tone to the more conventional mint hue, it is this delectable variation of olive green that is on point at the moment.

With its matte finish and earthy feel, this muted olive evokes a rustic ambiance harking back to the simpler days of lazy afternoon naps and picnics by the beach. This is a green that draws you in and makes you feel relaxed.

When applied on the walls, olive green creates an intimate atmosphere full of warmth and cosiness. Anything else you add to the space becomes a reflection of your personality.

Avoid glossy finishes

In this case, we suggest elevating the look with a dash of richness by using velvet cushions in various equally muted tones for an elegant but vibrant finish.

While you might be tempted to include metallic accents to amp up the look, opt for choices in brushed or patina finishes instead of anything glossy.

The point is to create a scene that ages beautifully with time in an understated and poised manner.

Opt for soothing natural woods, stones

Consider using natural materials, such as wood and stone to complement this tone, and create a space that feels timeless and utterly soothing.

Colour of the Month April 2022: Nippon Vintage Vase

Nippon Paint Singapore’s Colour of the Year 2022, Vintage Vase (NP R 2386 P), perfectly complements these looks. A warm and soft beige with a rosy undertone, it works as a dominant or an accent colour. 

The top three most pinned style keywords in key interior categories last year on Pinterest came from shabby chic, rustic and vintage, indicating our longing for warm, welcoming spaces with the patina and imperfections of a life well-lived.

A booming industry during the pandemic was pottery, and Nippon took inspiration from that.

“As soothing, calming, as therapeutic as the feel of wet clay on a potter’s wheel, it’s what the world needs now,” says the brand. “Vintage Vase gently blankets a room and its occupants in a cosy embrace.” 

Depending on the colour palette, the shade could appear nostalgic or timeless. It sits comfortably in nature-inspired palettes of pale driftwood, ivory, amber and teak, or in trendy retro-revival of soft mint green, blush and rose gold.

“This is a really versatile shade of blush-toned beige that can be used throughout the home. On a wall, the colour looks even lighter during the day, so pair it with soft elements, such as rugs and cushions,” says Wong Liangyuan, colour expert at Haven Lifestyle.

It is especially suitable for eclectic spaces that combine old and new pieces, where thrift shop finds and DIY furniture mingle with family heirlooms and mid-century moderns.

Pair Vintage Vase with teak wood furniture with red undertone typical to SEA region, and metallic accents for a touch of luxe.

The colour is available from Nippon Paint in eight interior paint variants, two exterior paint variants, and two wood and metal paint variants.   

Colour of the Month March 2022: Pantone Very Peri Blue

Pantone has a new colour especially created for its Colour of the Year 2022: Pantone 17- 3938 Very Peri. Described as the “happiest and warmest of all blues”, it is a violet-blue with a distinct warm red undertone.

The colour conveys a positive outlook on transformative times, which presents a mix of newness and empowering energy.

How can we incorporate this colour into our palette? Start small with accessories and accent colours in Very Peri.

Besides pairing well with both cool and warm palettes, it can appear blue and purple depending on its surroundings. Peri’s red undertone also reduces harmful blue light generated by the screen.

Refresh a classic look by pairing it with natural wood tones and greys. Create a contemporary, updated look by adding Very Peri elements to muted greens, blues, dusty pink and beige – the colours popular among paint brand giants this year – like this artistic living room corner by Essential home.

With its bright blue pop, the Edith sideboard from Essential Home complements the room’s warm pastel colour scheme. Very Peri is also suitable for more extravagant, experimental textures and materials with shimmery metallic finishes and iridescent and lustrous sheens.

Colours like this encourage experimentation, and the result may surprise you, in a good way. The world needs more of that in 2022.