Colour Class #6 — Exploring colour consistency in design 

In the latest instalment of our Colour Class series, we revisit the captivating home of Céline, founder of Color Connaisseur, nestled in a listed apartment by Nyhavn in Copenhagen. The objective was to curate a cosy living room with multifunctional purposes. The challenge lay in seamlessly blending a seating area, dining space, storage for additional kitchenware, a bookshelf, and a passageway – all while maintaining a tranquil and minimalist atmosphere, even amidst the introduction of vibrant elements.

This Colour Class delves into how, despite the lively elements, the overall ambience maintains its serenity through the consistent use of the same colour across various surfaces and the repeated integration of colours in both the interior and artwork. Join us in exploring the delicate balance between vibrancy and calmness in this distinctive living space.

Location: The home of Céline, founder of Color Connaisseur, in a listed apartment in the idyllic Nyhavn area in Copenhagen.

Mission: To create a cosy living room with multiple functions. The layout needed to accommodate a seating area, dining space, storage for extra kitchenware, a bookshelf, and serve as a passageway, all while maintaining a calm and minimalist aesthetic despite the inclusion of vibrant elements. Adding to the challenge, the room has only a north-facing window.

Colours: The primary purpose of this room is to create cosiness and provide a setting for family life. The living room is an extension of the kitchen, the only two rooms in the listed apartment that do not have the original 1845 floors.

To instil a sense of tranquillity across the various zones, the ceiling, walls, and all woodwork are painted the same colour. The choice is a dark grey with no undertones, allowing it to pair seamlessly with anything without introducing any distracting elements. While many might opt for a light colour in a dark room, choosing a dark hue emphasizes the room's purpose – to create a snug cocoon.

In creating continuity between the kitchen and living room, the floors are painted a light grey. This colour makes them easier to maintain than pure white while still reflecting light effectively. To add interest to the otherwise plain floor, a pattern of scattered squares in dark green and blue is painted, two colours already present in the home's palette.

The Montana composition is both sculptural and practical. The functional aspect can store an incredible amount behind closed doors, yet the furniture appears light, blending almost seamlessly with the wall due to the identical colours. The doors feature a push function, eliminating handles to avoid visual noise. The decorative aspect of the shelf not only stands out in its choice of colours but also optically, as deeper modules are used. This provides ample space for books, and the light cream backdrop creates a beautiful display for other decorative items.

The rest of the living room is adorned with numerous colourful details, such as the various green sofas, their area defined by a rug, and around the dining table, chairs in different hues. Despite the vibrant elements, the overall ambience remains calm due to the consistent use of the same colour across many surfaces and the repeated incorporation of colours in the interior and artwork.