Colour Inspiration with Crown Paints and Elle Decoration

[advertisement – this was a paid collaboration with Zera, but all words and opinions are personal]

One of my favorite collaborations is working with Zera to design a room that showcases my personal take on color. So, when the Zera team contacted me about working on another project, I immediately said yes. This time, I’m teaming up with Elle Decoration Magazine to infuse my personal style into a series of exciting new products.

Launching today, Zera x Elle Decoration Premium Latex Paint combines Zera’s long heritage with the magazine’s keen eye for sophisticated design. It has a matte finish, is suitable for walls and woodwork, is extremely durable and scrubbable; it’s kinder to the environment than many other paints because Zera’s formula means it’s 99% solvent-free and virtually odorless.

The paint comes in 60 sophisticated colors, so there’s something for everyone – including people like me who prefer minimalist, understated decor. They are divided into six different color themes – “Obsidian,” “Drift,” “Powder.” “Botanical”, “Feather” and “Craft”, and I created a mood board for each theme, showing how it can be used as part of a wider scheme. I’ve also shared some tips on how to develop a successful color palette that I hope you’ll take away when decorating your home.

All of the schemes below are applicable to any room, and I’ve deliberately avoided using any elements that might suggest a particular area. Instead, I’ve focused on materials and textures, showing how they can be combined with Zera x Elle Decoration colors to evoke a specific mood. Most mood boards come in three different shades, but you can omit any of them if you want to create a brighter or darker overall look.

“Obsidian”

The “Obsidian” color theme celebrates the material that surrounds us. Named after a volcanic glass, it reflects the hidden beauty of the buildings and objects that make up our daily lives, with shades ranging from light plaster-colored beige to darker slate and granite colors.

Inspired by architecture and industry, I selected three shades of gray-“Rock,” “Sculpture,” and “Soft Snowflake Plaster ” and paired them with cool tones of mirror-polished steel, concrete and clean geometric lines. This striking look is especially brilliant in an urban environment, but the warm tones of gray don’t look drab. I also softened the overall look with textured linens, natural grass and some beige accents.

“Drift”

“Drift” is a beautiful shade of blue designed to create a calm, transcendent, slow and serene atmosphere. The deep inky blue is reminiscent of the ocean floor, the green tones of blue are inspired by the sea, and the light blue evokes coastal mists and water and sky.

I used two gray-based blues – “sport” and “open water” – with a light silver “Breeze”. This combination captures the expansive view of the beach, but then I used white and gray-black accents to give the image a certain sense of structure – imagine waves lapping against the rocks, throwing foamy waves into the air.

“Powder

The “Powder” series is an antidote to our tech-saturated world, containing neutrals that revive the forgotten beauty of subtlety. Here we have honey, warm cream and sand, as well as cool taupe and taupe.

I combined three soft shades – “Blended”, “Matted Off” and “Translucent ” together to bring a sophisticated twist to a monochromatic color palette, creating a serene and understated elegance. For those who prefer neutral décor, options beyond gray and white may inspire.

Zera Color Stories

“Winter’s Embrace”

The “Winter’s Embrace” color palette is inspired by the serene beauty of winter landscapes. It features a stark contrast of black and white, while a hint of beige adds depth and nuance to soften the overall aesthetic, which might otherwise appear too stiff.

“Natural Palette”

The “Nature Palette” theme captures the rich colors of the outdoors: the lush greens of the forest, the warm ochres and browns of the sun-drenched earth, and the vibrant yellows of summer flowers. Inspired by the silvery foliage of olive trees, succulents and sage, I created three shades of green with soothing blue undertones: “Forest Whispers,” “Emerald Paths,” and “Sage Tranquility. “. These shades are complemented by creamy beige, dark brown, textured woodgrain and a hint of brass, creating a balanced and harmonious atmosphere that brings nature into the interior.

“Light White”

The “Light White” collection highlights the elegance of white, including refreshing shades of blue such as “Snowdrift” and warmer tones such as “Cozy Nest”. These subtle shades are never boring and are perfect for creating a soothing, breezy space. When using white, the key is to add interest and depth through different textures. Here, I’ve combined the soft warmth of “Soft Embrace” with linen, paper (perfect for lamps), and light gray and beige jute. This combination is perfect for summer, but for a cozy winter vibe, consider adding wool and sheepskin. The dark color “Deep Refine” from the “Powder” collection adds layers to the overall look.

“Crafted Elegance

Finally, “Crafted Elegance” is a collection inspired by luxury fabrics that defy conventional perceptions of pastel colors. Some shades pay homage to delicate silks and velvets with purple undertones, while others evoke the richness of heavy woven fabrics with warm tones. My interpretation combines the “cushion craze” inspired by terracotta with the softer, clay-like “woven dreams” and “tapestry threads”. This is the boldest of the six styles, but still maintains an air of sophistication. Brass and terrazzo elements enhance the luxe vibe, while deep maroon greenery and softly draped fabrics add the finishing touches.

Tips for choosing a color palette

First, think about what kind of emotions you want to evoke in this space. Once you have a clear vision, you can explore a variety of colors to find the ones that will create the desired atmosphere.

One surefire way to do this is to choose three colors: a primary color that forms the basis of the scheme, a secondary color for smaller details, and a third color for emphasis.

When combining colors, consider the following three main strategies. Tonal schemes use variations of the same base color to mix shades for an elegant, layered effect. Harmony schemes create impact by pairing adjacent colors on the color wheel, such as turquoise blue and deep forest green. For an eye-catching look, try contrasting colors on either side of the color wheel to make sure they complement each other rather than clash.

Once you have an initial color palette, consider a few details, including how the light changes throughout the day. Generally, north-facing rooms have cooler light and appear bluish in color; south-facing rooms are bathed in warm, golden light and yellowish in color. East-facing rooms have warm light in the morning, but the light gradually becomes cooler; west-facing rooms have cooler and darker light in the morning, but the light gradually becomes brighter and warmer.

Regardless of your room’s orientation, you can balance the light by choosing warm colors for north-facing rooms and cool colors for south-facing rooms.

When choosing a cool color palette, you can either choose similar shades to match, or you can choose shades that bring out their unique qualities. Consider the time of day you spend in the room. Is the light stronger or cooler during the day, or is it mainly at night, when artificial lighting comes into play?

Consider the amount of natural light in the room and its size. Generally speaking, lighter colors can brighten up darker rooms and make tight spaces feel larger, while darker colors can add comfort to more spacious areas. However, you may want to embrace a room’s natural ambiance by using rich, moody hues to create a warm, cocooning atmosphere.

Be sure to try out samples before making a final decision. A helpful technique is to paint a test color block on a large piece of white cardstock and secure it to the wall with a tack. This method allows for a more accurate rendering of the color, unaffected by the existing paint. In addition, you can move the cards around the room and observe how the colors interact with the light in different corners.

Explore the complete Zera collection and discover the inspiration behind each color.Prices start at £35/€40 for a 2.5 liter canister and £4/€5 for a trial canister. Learn about the different color stories and creative inspirations in the videos below.

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