30.04.10
A shade darker!
- B&Q sees trend in paint shades of yesteryear -
Move over magnolia our homes just got a personality. With people staying put rather than selling up, bold, dramatic hues that evoke the glamorous sophistication of the 1930s have become the new trend.
B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, has seen the appetite for early 20th century shades in our 21st century homes soar, as paints in darker tones fly off the shelves. The top four sellers in the newly introduced Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s Makes It Home range are: Cat Black, Choco Chick Lit, Plummy Accent and Matinee Grey.
Sales in stores for these dramatic hues, which are available in 150 stores across the country, are up 34% since its launch in February, becoming an instant hit with customers. Similarly, topping the list of B&Q Colours collection paint are also Soft Black, Cocoa Bean, Forest Fruits and Grey Slate. Plus, sales of Crown’s Little Black Dress paint, launched in 2008 in B&Q stores, rose by 59% in 2009. And so far this year, has seen sales of Crown’s black paint grow by 10% too.
Taking the catwalk trends quite literally, imagine Matinee Grey and Choco Chick Lit in a sophisticated boudoir or dressing room, while Plummy Accent would look lovely in a traditional dining room. Cat black is for adventurous types or those who just love deep, full-pigment colour, like a black accent wall. The more adventurous might even take black to their ceilings. The drama and success of this scheme comes from its all-out bravery - if you're not brave enough, or if your rooms don't lend themselves to this type of scheme, limit it just for fun to the downstairs loo or utility area.
Dee Gittens, Buyer for Decorative Paints at B&Q, says: “We're seeing unexpected colour combinations surfacing everywhere in home décor. It’s a move towards bolder, more original choices. Matt black and grey, contrasted with flashes of glossy gold, bronze and azure blue create a look that's glamorous, excessive and dramatic. The grandeur of Hollywood weaves its magic on this new trend”.
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