The colour brown is currently having its moment in fashion and interiors; this colour has been utilised throughout history by artists, fashion designers and, of course, has always been in the natural world around us. Using hues of browns for interiors fell out of fashion a few years ago, but this versatile shade is back and better than ever. Brown doesn't have to look outdated, in fact, we love this colour for its warmth and think it is the perfect neutral to decorate your home with.
Brown has a rich history, in fact this colour has been used in art since prehistoric times. Paintings using umber (a natural clay pigment composed of iron oxide and manganese oxide) have been dated all the way back to 40,000 BC. The Ancient Greeks and Romans produced a fine reddish-brown ink, known as sepia, made from the ink of a variety of cuttlefish. This ink was used by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and other artists during the Renaissance, and by artists at the present time.
Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Greek art utilising the colour brown
As always, every colour can elicit both positive and negative feelings from people. Brown and its different hues are typically viewed as neutral colours. While they provide a conservative and traditional background, these shades are often perceived as somewhat dull. However, brown hues also indicate warmth, security, and productivity, making them an excellent choice for your home.
Brown is a timeless and versatile colour that can be used to create a variety of looks. From light cappuccino and taupe hues to deep chestnut and dark chocolate tones, brown provides a wide range of options for any aesthetic. Whether you are seeking a sophisticated and tailored look or a calming and nurturing ambience, brown can be used to achieve the desired effect. So, if you're looking for ways to incorporate this wonderfully versatile colour into your home, here are our top tips...
A great option for injecting some beautiful brown tones into your space is through textiles. Textiles are a really great way to add a big punch of colour into your space without having to drastically change your decor. For a really timeless look, we love pairing brown accessories with other neutral tones like blacks and whites. Our Tanzanian Throw in Camel Rose is made from super soft 100% Tanzanian cotton and each one is loomed by hand. They are perfect to use as a bed-spread, throw or blanket, making them very versatile whilst you're still experimenting with colour. The more subdued, warm-toned brown is also a great option when you're adding colour to more neutral, muted space. Another great textiles option is our Mud Cloth Cushion Covers. Available in a range of sizes, colours and designs, each cushion cover is stitched from beautiful raw mud cloth fabric sourced from Mali. The texture on these pieces is brilliant for adding some more depth and interest to a room. We love mixing textiles together - our top tip for doing this is to keep your colour palette small by picking 2 or 3 colours to use and sticking with them.
One of the easiest ways to start adding splashes of colour to your home is through smaller accessories that can easily be changed around. Brown is a versatile colour that compliments many different palettes and decor styles, making it easy to incorporate no matter the current colour palette of your home. Our Ugandan Animal Wall Head Decorations are a great, small accessory that can easily be added to any room to bring in some warm brown tones. The natural material of the wood also means that these will pair with any of your current decor beautifully. Choose from three different animals; the warthog, rhino and elephant. Another great option for small accessories are baskets. Our Kenyan Sisal Baskets are the perfect storage solution for anywhere in your home and can easily be styled alongside existing decor. We have many brown baskets available and they look great when mixed and matched, creating custom storage solutions that are perfect for you.
If you are sold on the brown colour palette, investing in some larger pieces can really help add some luxury to your home. Investing in key pieces is a great idea once you are more sure of the styles and colours you enjoy for your home, as these pieces will last you a lifetime. Our Ghanaian Sun Mirror in Terracotta is a great focal point for a room, bringing in those warm terracotta hues. Hang it on the wall amongst other brown-toned accessories to really make an impact. Our Kenyan Wall Hanging in 'Brown Sun Mask' is the perfect statement piece for your home. Expertly handwoven in Kenya, each wall hanging is it's own work of art. Featuring beautiful hues of brown, we think this is the perfect piece to tie your brown decor together.