COLOUR FOR A SOUTH-FACING ROOM

THE COLOUR COMPASS: PART III

LIGHT FOR DAYS

 An abundance of light  

South-facing rooms in Britain are often light and bright spaces, and if the prospect allows, they are the rooms that bask in daylight for the longest. Sometimes the light can be overwhelming, and shifts across the day can cause both wear and glare.

These rooms are the 1990s super models of light. There are few colours that do not look good in a south-facing room. There are some exceptions however, and that has less to do with the colour not being lovely, but that the light sometimes removes the subtlety that some hues display. Due to their warmth and intensity, these rooms were often allocated as drawing rooms, rooms to receive guests, or principal chambers.  

The double-edged sword of brightness  

Humans love light. It is natural. However, too much of it can wash out delicate tones, fade fabrics, and flatten subtle ornaments. In addition to light strength, the south light is not static in temperature. It shifts in tone from low amber winter sun to harsh white summer brightness; whichever colour is chosen must withstand the full calendar.  

Pale tones such as pastels can sometimes struggle during the midday hours and become hard to read. At other times of the day, and if the midday sun can be softened with curtains or prospect, pastels will be beautiful choice. Due to the strength of light, one can, however, afford to dabble in richer and more striking hues. Embracing  colours with vibrancy and saturation which thrive in strong light, or temper with cooler shades to balance the heat; both approaches have precedent. If the room is used during the full day, opting for a strong colour which comfortably remains present in the midday sun, avoids leaning too chilly in the morning when the sun comes round from the east, and avoid a sense of cloying in the evening, will prove a winning formula.  

Verdigris greens, with their slightly bluish undertone can work well. It will deepen as the sun comes down but avoid feeling dull. Ultramarine is another strong colour that will survive during the long daylight without giving too much coldness. Rich reds, together with ochres, will thrive and give a lot of life. They will become very warm in the afternoon so choose crimson reds with a bluer undertone, rather than leaning orange. The reds can in summer read bright and lively, in winter warm and sun-soaked, which might be exactly what a room needs.   

When lighting a sought-facing room, a temperature middle ground is a good place to occupy. Lightbulbs with Kelvins* around 2500K, avoiding anything higher than 2700K will do the trick. The sun light in itself will oscillate around 3000K in the golden afternoon, whilst sitting squarely in the 5000K+ region in the middle of the day. The compromise of artificial light with medium amount of warmth will give some softness if the room is used in the morning and not overheat the light when the sun comes round in amber tones in the afternoon.  However, if ever in doubt, warmer light will always give more comfort than cooler light., and light bulbs down towards 2200K can be deployed in decorative lighting without fear.

Use Protection 

In the middle of the day, particularly in the summer, the sun sits high in the sky and can, if there is no shade, be merciless on both fabrics, paints and wallpaper. The use of blinds, shutters, and heavier curtains becomes necessary. The goal is to keep out heat and bleaching sunlight, rather than to keep the warmth in, as in a north-facing rooms. 

When displaying paintings, aquarelles and pastels (the art medium, not the colours) in particular, even if behind glass, be mindful of placement. Straight in front of a window without any drapes is never a good idea. They will bleach quickly, and the paper will dry out. Oil paintings might fare better and survive for longer, but any works of art should be protected from the sun.  When hanging mirrors, do consider the throwback of light. The same goes for TVs. There is nothing more irritating than not being able to see the screen for glare. If you wished to see your own reflection, you would most likely walk over to the mirror that you hung with so much thought.  

Modern day paint is more lightfast than the finishes of the past. Even so, they are not impermeable to the sun. Therefore, always keep an eye on the colour and should it show signs of bleaching, consider what remedies can be taken. Prevention is better than cure. 

Glistening gilt  

Gloss and gilt dazzle in the sun, whereas matt finishes or deep-pile textiles absorb light; period interiors often played these contrasts deliberately. If you wish for an indulgent interior, with glitter and glam, consider pairing deep coloured wallpaper or paint with gilt frames. It might be a cliché, but it will never cease to impress. Be careful not to go overboard however. A heavy Victorian look might not be for everyone.  If your style is less Napoleon III and more paired back, you might wish to forego the more glistening materials.  Fabrics such as silk will have the same effect as shiny metals: they will catch the light and draw attention to themselves. Should you wish to dampen things a little, consider matter materials. Dark wools and tweeds will soak up the light; they will however make for warm companions in the summer months. Weaves, such as damasks, give a flatter feel, whilst not being as warm as wool. Cotton sateens give more luster without going as far as silk.  

A note on true silks and velvets: they are beautiful, tactile fabrics but they will bleach readily. Silk will become brittle and prone to tearing, both with age and exposure to the weathers. Keep longevity in mind when choosing fabrics. Switchable covers for furniture in, for instance, calico or cotton, are good both for light exposure as well as the sometimes wild behaviour of pets and children, and do not have to be confined to south-facing rooms.

The theatre of light  

A south-facing room is a stage set that constantly changes with the sun, and colour must be chosen not for one moment but for the whole performance. The shift from early morning light coming in from the south-east, culminating in the potentially whiter light of midday, and softening to amber in the afternoon and early evening makes for a display of colour temperatures that will enable the room to stay alive all through the day as long as the interiors are well thought through.  

When having been given the gift of light from the south, one should be grateful. It can truly be the best gift a house can be given.  

*Light temperature. High Kelvins = cool light. Daylight equals about 5000K. Low Kelvins = warm light. Candlelight sits around 2000K.