Why Stop at One Colour? Ombre is the New Black

Ever since Pinterest and Instagram have burst onto the scene, people have been more brave and experimental when it comes to pattern and colour. Bold pallets have been introduced to even the most suburban homes, and sales of magnolia have plummeted. The next frontier – multicolour and blended tones. Ombre is building momentum in the industry and offering clients a really interesting, bespoke looking design.

Ombre: having colors or tones that shade into each other —used especially of fabrics in which the color is graduated from light to dark

Harlequin’s Amazilia ombre velvet is just stunning. It comes in lots of colours and is very versatile. It’s a short cut velvet, and very soft and luxurious feeling. People often tell us they want a fabric that is “that colour” but not in velvet. Can’t be done. Velvet’s unique pile allows it to take on dye in a way most other fabrics can’t, so if you want a strong sharp colour, velvet is your best bet. It’s also one of the most durable fabrics available, and the newer ones are coated with nibbling bug deterrents so you don’t end up with moth holes.

This ombre range bands 2 colours together. It looks more like a Rothko than an upholstery fabric. It’s called St Germain by Metaphors, and is available in the UK through Abbott and Boyd. The producer uses artisanal dyeing on a base of Saint Germain velvet. This unusual technique gives the colours richness and depth. The artisan dye process makes this product unique

They would make stunning curtains or a headboard. Think bigger than cushions!

The Harlequin velvet is produced in large widths specifically for sofa and curtain use.

Ombre wallpaper is available from many suppliers and can range from subtle pastel hues to deep tones with extreme transitions. Artwork looks great against it, particularly with metallic frames that go with the warmer colour tones. Don’t use ombre walls as a stand alone feature, place furniture against it and hang lots of pictures – it does a wonderful job of enhancing other objects.

A pastel ombre sunset wallpaper from Origin

Or for a more bespoke version, Dulux recently displayed a hand painted dry brush ombre wall in their colour of the year “Denim Drift” which is a lovely grey/blue shade with plenty of depth.