Pale Blue -washed at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

The colours are fresh and bright in this kitchen. White units and appliances, pale blue -washed blue-washed floorboards and clean white walls make a simple, light, space-enhancing combination. Colour comes from the pretty pots, canisters and bowls dotted around. The pale blue -washed blue of the boards is also picked up on the retro-style fridge, which adds a dash more pastel colour to the room.

Such variations make a huge difference to the effect of color combinations; different intensities of one basic color create a completely different feel. Take an apparently simple association of blue and yellow. pale blue -washed blue and pale blue -washed yellow is a soft, unchallenging combination with a restful and airy feel to it. Now consider a mixture of golden yellow and violet blue and you have a far more vibrant and challenging effect which makes much more of a statement.

pale blue -washed blue walls and whitewashed floorboards create a bright and modern look. An all-white scheme can look rather stark, but just adding chalky baby blue to the walls gives the space a softer, more easy-going feel. Cushions and throws add splashes of bright cerise, blue and pink, and these can be swapped around or added to any time to change the feel.