By Lucy Lau
Vancouverites may have a soft spot for subdued neutrals—calming shades of blue, white, and grey are what commonly make up the city’s skyline, after all—but, this year, colour is in. And not just any colour: bold, unapologetic hues like key lime, fuchsia, and electric violet are invading the home through the introduction of saturated furnishings and accessories, lending living spaces a punch of playfulness and personality.
“We came into 2018 thinking we were going to see a lot of ’90s-inspired, almost pastel or dusty colours,” says Albert Yee, sales-and-design consultant at Vancouver’s Livingspace. “And we saw that a little here and there, but—out of who knows where—high saturations and primary colours have become a big hit.”
Vivid tints of burnt orange, aqua, and sunshine yellow dominate the outdoor-furnishing offerings from Italian line Paola Lenti, for instance, giving those with patios, decks, and other alfresco rooms a chance to have ivingspaceBy Lucy Lausome fun in an area that should be reserved for just that. At Livingspace’s Armoury District showroom, there are compact sofas, hand-woven armchairs, and even plush “seating islands” from the respected label—each drenched in deep plum and teal, among other shades, that scream sleek and “Miami cool”. There are even “high-tech” rugs—floor coverings crafted from Paola Lenti’s durable and weather-resistant yarns—that come in vibrant, scene-stealing patterns.
Intimidated by the idea of incorporating a hot-pink lounge chair or Kelly-green rug into your space? Ease into the trend with statement-making accessories, like those from Pulpo’s Container range or Bitossi’s Nathalie Du Pasquier collection. The former features metallic, dual-toned vessels that may be used to hold flowers, incense sticks, or even sweets, while the latter is comprised of funky, geometric vases by the esteemed French designer it’s named after.
Yee recommends letting these items be the star of the show on a countertop, credenza, or elsewhere. “Instead of a bunch of knickknacks on your shelf,” he suggests, “you’ve got one or two significant pieces that are bold.”