Lara Khalife, brand director at Kettal UAE, shares her tips for confidently layering color in interior design.
Start with a quiet base
Every scheme begins with soft, calm shades. Warm whites, light beige, sand and gentle stone tones give the eye somewhere to rest before the color arrives.
Let surfaces lead
Look at your surfaces before choosing anything new. Wooden floors, marble, stone and concrete each suit different colors, so work with what is already there.
Pick metals early
Furniture frames, table legs and lamp bases set the mood of a scheme. Warm wood loves brass, while stone and concrete suit gunmetal gray.
Mix with intention
Burgundy with burnt orange and chocolate feels rich and very of the moment. Soft beige with sage and dusty blue feels calm.
Think in palettes
Never choose one shade on its own. Decide the mood first — warm, cool or earthy, and every later choice makes itself.
Close with pattern
Finish with one patterned piece, a stripe or a floral, that carries several colors from your scheme and quietly ties the room into one story.
