The use of colour sets the mood for the restaurant and the dining experience for customers. It can create a memorable place and a concept, which sits alongside your brand, setting a tone or mood — from mysterious and romantic to fresh and playful. Colour can emphasize architectural elements, opening up a space with brightness or enclosing it with more intimate, soothing, subtle tones. Within the restaurant environment, specific colours can help customers identify with certain foods and moods. For example, yellow and orange can give a citrus and fruity representation, while some consumers may perceive red as hot and spicy. On one hand, warm, sophisticated rich shades, such as true reds, olive greens, purples, chocolate browns and golds, can appeal to the customer looking for comfort and security. On the other hand, vibrant colours inspired by different cultures and geographic locations are proving to be increasingly popular.
The considered use of colours is a simple way to bring in points of interest and create a welcoming environment. This can be done effectively in a variety of ways, on the walls, floors, furniture, using accessories, or even with lighting.
An example of using colour on the floor is embodied by a new porcelain tile collection called Uonuon, by Strata. It draws inspiration from Andy Warhol’s works of art. The tiles have an unusual screening technique that come in a choice of 14 colours. As an alternative, existing timber floors could be brought to life by using products such as Osmo’s country colour eco wood paint. There are so many different types of flooring that could add colour and warmth to your restaurant.
Germain designed by India Mahdavi, uses a patterned floor as a platform to display a massive yellow sculpture of a women wearing an overcoat and high heels. The sculpture bursts through the first and second floors with her upper body and head being on the top VIP lounge area. The humorous focal point draws colour through the three storey Parisian restaurant, visually connecting the spaces. The striking combination of red, blue and yellow furniture gives this restaurant a friendly, fun and playful feel.
Different types of lighting will affect the perception of colour and brightness. The atmosphere of interiors can be affected by choreographing different lighting schemes at different times of the day. For example, a family-friendly cafe during the day can be transformed into a nightclub after dark by implementing an alternate coloured lighting scheme.
Switch, designed by Karim Rashid is situated in a busy Mail in Dubai. The red, blue, purple, orange and white changing colours of the wall panel create different moods and shadows during the dining experience.
Colour prediction and trends is an important tool when considering an interior scheme. Long-term and short-term trends can be used to good advantage throughout a design concept. Plan to specify short-term colours for items that will be replaced or redone regularly, such as accent items and paint. Expensive furnishings and floor coverings that will only be replaced every five years or more should be based on long-term trends. While the fashion world sees a colour palette change about every two years, the interior design palette has a slower cycle, changing every three to five years. There is a strong influence between fashion trends, that cross over into décor in both colour and textural influences. Fashion influence is a great inspirational cross-over for choosing wall colour and inventing your colour story, because clothing is scalable and easier to see in your mind’s eye.
For 2011, Pantone has chosen ‘Honeysuckle’ as its colour of the year. The colour is bright without being bold, reflecting a brighter outlook on the future, but not an ebullient one.
The prediction for 2012 is based around the theme of Bridges, which is very relevant to interior design. The trend is really about metallic’s, transparency, and optical textures in fabrics shown side-by-side with very modern matte finishes. Modern meets updated flea market. Whatever colour you chose, don’t be afraid to make a statement. It will enhance the interior environment, changing the feel and mood of the space very cost effectively.
