The perfect autumn colour? Petroleum blue

In new season, we can rely on the trans-seasonal hue to combine the vibrancy and brightness of summer with the decadence of winter style

(Sofa Workshop)

“And the sun took a step back, the leaves lulled themselves to sleep and autumn was awakened.” This short poem by Raquel Franco captures the sudden shift in season over the last few days with a sense of visceral tangibility. Also, I’m a sucker for a little personification. But it’s true, the cold clasp of autumn has claimed our wrists and ankles, and we’re kind of loving it. How will colour trends reflect this sudden nostalgia for cosiness, whether in scarves or sofas?

The colour of summer was lemon yellow – often paired with maximalist animal prints – and interior trends forecasting for autumn-winter 2018 is sure to be directed by Farrow & Ball’s recent launch of muted jewel tones and milky neutrals. However bridging the gap between summer and autumn colour trends is petroleum blue. As we find our feet suddenly socked and booted in the new season, we can rely on the trans-seasonal hue to combine the vibrancy and brightness of summer with the decadence of winter style. Here are some of my favourite petroleum blue pieces for the home...

Egyptian cotton in towels that emphasise a laid back style (Sheridan Australia)

Sheridan Towels

If you want to add an instant hint of colour to your bathroom, look no further than the towels offering from Sheridan Australia. The Luxury Egyptian Cotton collection is available in 15 colours, the most striking of which is kingfisher, a deep blue “colourway” made with 100% Egyptian cotton. The material is “composed of very long and thick thread loops”, according to Jo Ross, general manager of design at the company, “creating a greater surface area and absorbing much more moisture”. She adds: “At Sheridan, we’re passionate about capturing the unique qualities of Australia in our Sydney Design Studio; the saturated levels of colour, our beautiful natural light and that inimitable laid back lifestyle.”

Sofa Workshop

Sometimes, there is too much choice. With thousands of styles and fabrics available, many of us end up with similar iterations of the same “greige” sofa. However this year, Sofa Workshop has made selection easier. By modelling its new Eden design in a luxurious petroleum blue velvet, the brand has dramatically increased its sales in more dramatic styles. Consumer marketing manager Megan Holloway suggests this can be put down to social media. “We’ve seen people become bolder and more confident in their fabric choices. Thanks to social media and visual research tools it’s easier to imagine how something might look in your home or take inspiration from a number of sources.”

Andrew Martin

An inexpensive form of artwork (Andrew Martin)

Perhaps one of the most striking products to come out of design powerhouse Andrew Martin is the Chloe custom headboard. The curving, cascading, imposing headboard is upholstered in petroleum blue fabric Iznik Cobalt, a printed velvet vintage suzani design inspired by central Asian motifs. According to Martin Waller, the brand’s founder, “headboards are an inexpensive way of transforming a bedroom. They are essentially alternative forms of artwork.”