Chocolate

This small sitting room, in a scheme devised by Thomas Pheasant, uses rich chocolate for the walls and the leather armchairs. The mirror is also framed in brown and designed by Pheasant. The overall ambiance is conducive to a relaxed sitting room for a quiet drink, or to read. The classical elements captured in sepia coloured photographs, and in the urn atop a plinth in the next door sitting room, add to the overall sense of order, which is repeated throughout the house.

My own inclination is to shy away from such bold colours for walls, but this demonstrates admirably how effective boldness can be. I think the key however, is that it is used in a limited space, which enhances the impact, but also reduces the likelihood of getting too carried away. Also, this colour hardly screams at you, which is certainly something I would find unsettling.

By contrast, it implies richness, and I'm all for that.