The Importance of Getting the Joinery Colours Right

The joinery colour has a huge influence on the dynamics of your home.  The colour must be considered for both the interior and exterior aesthetics. Usually it is ordered (along with the roof) earlier in the build, so the colour decision should be made early.  I tend not to use ‘Ebony’ , as I think we have less harsh options such as ‘Flaxpod’ which reads black, but is softer/warmer.  ‘Windsor Grey’, ‘Charcoal’ or ‘Gravel’ also read as black from a distance.  They are more a charcoal, and work well with the green and blue tones. (As in the above photo).   ‘Electric Cow’ and ‘Ironsand’ are also great options where there is timber, and the warmer options work well.  There are many more options, including anodised from various suppliers to choose from.  Consideration must be given to the roof and guttering colours at this stage too.  There are no rules, and there are always exceptions, but a sense of how the colours ‘behave’ on the building, and the colours adjacent to them are crucial to the overall look. What they bring are proportion, enhancement of features, and the general sense of style. The location also has a huge influence on the colours.

When looking at the lighter colours like Duralloy’s newer ‘Okarito’ and ‘Snowstone’, or ‘Appliance White’; ‘Warm White’ or ‘Titania’, it is the time to be deciding on your interior colours – from your architrave colour to your bench top and even carpet, tiles etc.  I would avoid the stark blue white of  ‘Arctic White’ unless you are working with the icy blues.   There are many other choices in the mid tones as well.

Ideally most of the interior and exterior design is done prior to ordering the joinery and roof.  Of course there will be some adjustments along the way, but you won’t be locked into a colour choice you are not happy with, that influences the rest of the design, because you had to make the joinery colour choice in a hurry.

If you are having steel joinery …. it is black all the way!!

Interior Designer – Fiona Small