We usually associate luxury interiors with minimal palettes, whether muted or rich, but rarely have we seen a soft pastel shade paired with a vibrant primary hue as beautifully as in Drake's glamorous dining room.
This unexpected color pairing introduced by designer Ferris Raffauli, offers a really unique twist on the luxe aesthetic, which, in this instance, is anchored by mirrored surfaces and a fabulous crystal chandelier. But the key to making this kind of color combination work is in the balance, according to the experts.
Louie Drehmer, Founder of Art & See explains: 'Let the pastel be the architecture and the bright be the jewellery. Anchor the room with powdery pastels on a luxe surface, then repeat the same bright two or three times only, so it reads curated rather than accidental.'
You'll find some shopping below that taps into this blue and red color combination along with the luxe vibe of Drake's dining room, from some statement velvet dining chairs from Amazon, to affordable accent pieces like this stunning red cut glass goblet from Pottery Barn. Plus, we quiz the experts on their take on incorporating this color combination in a glamorous setting.
Buys Inspired by Drake's Unexpected Dining Room Palette
A patterned area rug in a subtle hue defines a specific zone without dominating it, especially if it picks out the dominant shade in the room like this rug and the powder blue of Drake's dining room.
A traditional piece, like these dining chairs, in an unexpected hue like the powder blue of Drake's dining room, creates a welcome statement, which, when combined with a luxe fabric like velvet feels chic.
The punchy accent shade in Drake's dining room is defined by a bouquet of beautiful red roses placed on the dining table and then picked out in various pieces visible on the reflected shelving.
If Drake's Baccarat Zenith chandelier (available from Merlin lamps) is a little out of budget, a lookalike crystal chandelier like this one will achieve a similarly luxe look, reflecting the light and those unexpected colors.
Drake's mirror-top dining table is a clever design trick to enhance the feeling of space, and reflect both color and light around the room. This extendable version is ideal for smaller spaces that occasionally host more guests.
A few carefully chosen accent pieces in a brighter shade (red in this case), help to hang this look together and make it intentional as opposed to a random addition. This cut glass goblet would add both vibrancy and luxury to a dining room like Drake's.
You can think about pastel room ideas as an alternative to decorating with neutrals. Robert Aumann, interior design expert, and founding partner of Luxury SoCal Realty says: 'A soft pastel, such as blush or powder blue, can almost serve as a neutral. When you layer in a stronger color, it doesn’t feel random. The problem with combining colors is that people tend to use them in equal measure. One should be dominant, the other an accent.'
On that note, we love the way that the dining chairs and rug in Drake's dining room come together to form the dominant shade, yet as a soft pastel, it doesn't feel over-bearing. It's softly reflected by the clever use of mirrors which keeps everything feeling fresh and light, with that hint of sparkle from the statement crystal-accent chandelier (similar available at Bed Bath & Beyond).
Sydney Harrell, DFW Textile Sourcing agrees: 'I love pulling pastels into a dining room rug as a way to instantly elevate the space. Soft pinks, blues, and greens make the perfect foundation for a room that’s meant to show off china, crystal, and all those heirloom serving pieces. Going with a lighter rug is an easy way to add in some elegance while still keeping the room feeling fresh and grounded.'
The overall look of Drake's dining room feels elegant and sophisticated thanks to the traditional-style furniture, and statement pieces like the dramatic crystal chandelier, with just a hint of playfulness that comes from the bold color pairing.
Robert adds: 'In a formal dining room, symmetry and lighting are more important than color. A show-stopping chandelier and a statement focal table will anchor the space. When the architecture and the space are formal, you have more flexibility with color because the space is already composed.'
Meanwhile, the use of florals to unite the unusual color scheme feels inspired. 'I always tell clients that using fresh flowers is the easiest way to connect unexpected colors. Nature knows how to mix colors better than we do. A sculptural flower arrangement will calm the space and keep the color palette from looking forced,' explains Robert.
'In high-end interior design, elegance is not about being boring with color. It’s all about how it’s grounded,' he concludes.
There's no need to let your taste for glamorous decor hold you back from getting creative with room color ideas. Take a leaf from Drake's book and experiment with unusual pairings, remembering to keep one as the dominant shade and the other as an accent to ensure balance.
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