The announcement of Ravine (62) as Plascon’s Neutral of the Year tells us that, even though it has evolved over more than ten years as one of the top decorative neutrals, grey is here to stay. Ravine (62) is a timeless blend of grey and beige which invites a minimalistic yet luxurious look to a space and, according to the Plascon Colour Connoisseurs, is the perfect hue for the classic home in the 21st century.  Part of the Plascon Colour Forecast’s 2019 Luxury colour story, Ravine (62) has a soothing taupe undertone, perfect for classically decorated homes.

On grey’s enduring popularity, Colour Expert, Claire Bond says, “Ravine continues to be our warm go-to natural as it provides a neutral canvas making it a safe option when detail needs to be added, be it a coloured painted feature wall, curtaining, flooring or upholstery.” For a luxurious classic look, Claire recommends pairing it with optimistic blush pinks such as Nutmeg Dust (O3-C2-2) or gentle salmons such as Orange Delight (O5-A1-4).Partnered with bright whites and blonde wood tones, versatile Ravine (62) also invites a clean, clear and calm Scandinavian aesthetic to a home. Claire comments, “In contrast to other cooler shades that have been popular in the past, this neutral shade of grey adds warmth to a space.  

The recently launched Plascon 2019 Colour Forecast identified cocooning, mindfulness and individualisation as some of the trend drivers compelling people to transform their homes into personal sanctuaries away from a busy, technologically-driven world. Ravine (62), moving away from the ‘more is more’ concept, is about creating spaces where life’s simple pleasures take centre stage. Says Claire, “The concept of luxury has taken a new direction with the new interpretation extending to simple joys like reading a book, taking a bath or enjoying a long lazy Sunday lunch with family and friends.” Ravine (62) can be used in any space depending on the mood you want to create. A soothing relaxing bathroom would do well with a coat of this grey as would a reading nook or dining area.

To get that luxurious minimalistic look, Plascon suggests using Ravine (62) as the core colour and teaming it up with accent colours such as dramatic Dark Antelope (P7-E1-1) or Bovine (47) for a monochromatic look.Ravine (62) also works well with Golf Greens (G4-A1-1) from the colour forecast’s Urban story while rich feature colours such as Winter Storm (B3-B1-2) or Atlantic Ocean (B2-C1-1) on a feature wall or painted furniture brings the palette into the millennial age. Golden Lake (Y5-C1-3) from the forecast’s Luxury palette also combines beautifully with Ravine (62). Claire recommends introducing woods and shiny copper fittings for a modern touch to a traditional décor scheme or textural elements like a rich floor rug that inspires luxury.

The beauty of Ravine (62) is that it’s the ultimate grey that can be used for building a signature palette. Paired with colours such as calming Berry Good (P1-A2-3) and beautiful pastels, it also offers a French Provence edge which Claire sees in the classical home. “Because Ravine (62) is a blend of grey and beige, it effortlessly brings opulence into a home without having to fill the space with too much stuff. With this wonderfully adaptable grey you won’t go wrong when transforming your home into a refuge where simple luxuries are the order of the day,” Claire concludes.

Looking for a new front door handle? These make an impressive statement. Whether you want an intricate vintage-look or a bold, sleek and modern style these will definitely put a smile on your face every time you open the door.  

Priced from R650 per pair. Available from Handles Inc. 

Also, if you're in Cape Town and want to source product - we can easily arrange that. With Handles Inc you can easily create a slick designer pad, quirky villa feel, a bathroom haven or a cutting-edge office environment with their quality handles and bathroom accessories.

Architects and interior designers know that it’s details like these that make a space truly unique and exceptional. With a collection of over 9000 items to inspire you, Handles Inc has specialist designer pieces personally selected from top global manufacturers. With these exclusive ranges and a design-savvy team on hand to assist, Handles Inc will help you make your home or office a space that reflects your individuality – and a dream to live or work in.

For your local stockist visit www.handlesinc.co.za or call 021-422 2322.

The latest bathroom trend is currently experimenting with new materials and colours which brings in more decorative elements into the bathroom to create a unique and personalised look. Consumers want their bathroom to harmonise better design-wise with the rest of their home, which translates to bolder designs for wallcoverings, textured surfaces, more bronze and copper, wider use of solid surfacing and more furniture in soft greys and woodgrains.

Home buyers tend to look for key pieces selectively used for design interest, for example a focal point vanity unit or luxury freestanding bath, but the move is definitely towards a warmer, cocooning overall style.  

He who builds responsibly, builds sustainably. That is why Geberit has always devoted itself to comprehensively sustainable products that meet the highest standards, thus providing innovative system solutions for sustainable building.

The globally operating Geberit Group is a European leader in the field of sanitary products. Geberit operates as an integrated group with a very strong local presence in most European countries, providing unique added value when it comes to sanitary technology and bathroom ceramics.