12 Amazing Reasons to Embrace Brown
Portrait of Chimpspeare by French Bedroom Company
Introduction
Brown is often referred to as a boring or old fashioned hue. So the introduction of this colour is often not considered. Murky, muddy, and earthy are not adjectives we think of as we revamp our spaces. In the United States, people are more comfortable with the colour but here in the United Kingdom we almost feel nauseous at the thought of brown furniture, clothing, fabric or paint. Be careful though, things are changing.
So I was just pondering and questioning why we in the UK have such a negative reaction to brown in our interiors and with a little name dropping, I thought I would give you something to think about. Some interesting points to support the colour brown.
1. Works so well with Blue
Wildbird Tea Jar from Harrods
Laura Ashley Balmoral Dark Chestnut Drawer Console Dining Table from Next home
A beautiful tea jar available from Harrods that could sit beautifully on a fabulous mahogany or fashionable walnut piece of furniture.
2. A gentleman’s Pied-a-terre
Visual board for Pied-a-terre created by Author
He said he wanted a pied-a-terre near the airport, with good links to London, a decent shopping mall, smart, of good quality and quite masculine. He would use it as a base where he could land after a business trip and his wife would use it on her shopping trips. He did not want his wife to be involved in the design as she would make it too fussy. He did not know what colours he enjoyed and said he did not have the patience to complete our questionnaire. So this is 1 of 6 concept boards we sent him. When the design was complete he approved everything.
3. Modern Design Style Embraces Brown
Living room courtesy of Ar'mes design studio
In order to maintain a streamlined look and feel and to keep the space from feeling clinical, modern interior design styles tend to use a substantial mix of natural materials. These include stone, wood, leather – faux or genuine.
With roots in Scandinavian and German architecture and design, modern style concepts are decidedly fuss-free and simple. The furnishings and decor focus on the use of neutral materials and earthy colours while eliminating unnecessary detailing. And when it comes to contemporary interior design styles, you may see hits of colour. However, with modern interior design styles, the focus is placed on the use of monochromatic colours, and patternless fabrications set among whitewashed rooms.
4. Tom Dixon (Designer)
Melt Led Trio Round Pendant System by Tom Dixon
This designer is responsible for bringing the materials copper and brass into vogue, his metal globe-shaped pendants (below) were showcased around 2005 and they are still popular today. The copper pendant light came into being with his fascination with a high-tech process called vacuum metallization commonly used in the manufacturing of sunglasses. This is a man who started his design career after he learned how to weld metals.
Many large retailers like Heals, Habitat or John Lewis have some Tom Dixon products in their catalogues. His line though is not just lighting but it is worth visiting his website and you will see a collection of stunning tables, chairs, sofas and accessories.
5. Entertainment - Changing Rooms
Bedroom seen on Episode 4 of Changing Rooms featuring stencilled panels of tropical plants and birds designed by Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen.
Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen, one of the designers in the popular television reality show Changing Room, appears to have evoked some negative responses last year according to tweets from the general public.
I suppose what I take from this is that it is made for its entertainment value. In the real world, a designer would not rock up at a client’s home with a few tins of Dulux’s strongest colours, a carpenter and a painter cleverly engaging their best friends or neighbours to roll up their sleeves and help strip wallpaper and paint walls. Secondly, the brief would not be ignored and if Mr and Mrs Johnson liked the pinks and blues of the Caribbean and hated the colour brown then …..
All in all, in my opinion, a client who is very specific as to what brings them joy is truly a dream client.
So popular was this episode, I believe, that it was covered by the Daily Mail, The Mirror, The Independent, The Sun and even The Telegraph newspaper. As long as this kind of show does not discourage potential clients from seeking professional design services then it is just an after-dinner piece of engaging television fun.
6. Current Interior Design
Poster on walls by PosterLounge
A neutral organic scheme that is very popular at the moment in many countries. At a glance, you would not describe this scheme as brown but on closer inspection, you will see that the sofa is upholstered in brown, the parquet wood flooring is brown, the metal table lamp and the wall are variations of brown.
7. Luxury Goods
Leather Luggage Tags by Aspinal of London
Classic 5oz Leather Hip Flask from Aspinal of London1
There must be a reason why brands like Harvey Nicols, Harrods, Max Mara, Aspinal of London and Yves St Laurant, Michael Kors, Designers Guild, Ralph Lauren select, design and sell so many Brown luxury products. Successfully. Top grain leather, leopard skin, cashmere, faux crocodile, tortoiseshell, walnut, mahogany, mink, faux fur, prestige wallpapers and other products. They have done so well historically and still do today.
8. Quality Mens Watches
IWC Watch Portofino Chronograph
“For those that value precision, performance and prowess just as much as aesthetic beauty need look no further than this IWC Portofino Chronograph. ………..with convex sapphire crystal glass, anti-reflective coating and a dark brown alligator leather strap handcrafted by Italian shoe manufacturer Santoni”.
This is an expensive piece but instalments are available.
9. Wood Furniture
Brown Blakely Nightstand from Ralph Lauren
A beautiful and regal bedside table made of mahogany with a “Penthouse” finish adorned with Polished Stainless Steel hardware by Ralph Lauren.
10. Our Pets
Vizsla Dog by Cole Wyland
Ahh, lovely? What else can I say but state the obvious.
11. A Sustainable, Earthy, Solid, Organic Vibe
Wood side table by Next Home
12. Abigail Ahern
Round leopard tray by Abigail Ahern
If you don’t know her then you should look her up. She has a new online shop and a bricks and mortar shop in North London. A designer and an influential tastemaker, I understand that many flock to her store for her products or simply because it is a cool place to shop. Her Flori Grass, Tala Wooden Platter, Accra Leopard Print armchair, Denton side tables and Juliana Throw are all unashamedly brown. She also has a very limited range of custom coloured paints in dark moody inky colours and guess what, many shades come in brown.
Finally …
I believe it is the adjective brown that niggles us but if we describe our interiors with a touch of caramel, mink, latte or taupe we are quite proud. With the amount of rattan, cork, stone, hessian, brick slips, antique bronze, and weathered wood, we are introducing into our interiors actually in truth we quite love brown. So we are terming it as organic interior design and then we can throw in as much brown as we like. And the brown heavyweights that are here to stay are leopard print, Burberry scarves, tortoiseshell, african sculptures and parquet floors that will always be in vogue.
So when I meet a new client I do not expect them to tell me that brown is their favourite colour, I would be quite surprised but not disappointed. Funnily enough brown in our design schemes often supports many of our fabulous colour schemes for a home.
Sofa legs, picture frames, antique furniture, retro furniture, picture frames, plants, the subject matter in traditional artwork, bamboo or wooden flooring and floral botanical displays are often there quietly supporting a wonderful interior scheme. Let me tell you what brown can be. Moody, tailored, dramatic, natural, restful, dark, expensive, supportive, defining, grounding, an alternative to black trims and a neutral colour for use with bright shades.
Happy Easter to all our readers.
The Traditional Gourmet Easter Egg by Amelie Chocolat
