Choosing paint colours is a part of designing your home that can be the most tricky. With the endless choice of paints and colours the task can seem overwhelming.
In my last article I outlined tips on how to get started with a colour scheme. It goes without saying that your paints are a key element of any scheme but you can two two routes with your paint. Option one is to go neutral and have your paint colour compliment the colours in your fabrics and soft furnishings. Or option two is where your paint is the dominant colour of the room and you build a scheme around that colour.
In this article have focused on my favourite Paint and Paper Library paints as I’ve recently started using them more regularly. I love Paint and Paper Library’s Architectural palettes as they make it easy for you to pick neutrals. And secondly they have some greater bolder paint colours that have a real depth and quality to them. Do also take a look at my earlier article on Farrow and Ball paint colours.
Choosing Paint Colours
Before I outline my top 5 favourite colours, let me start with a couple of basic tips on choosing paint colours.
- The first one is to never choose colours purely from sample charts. It’s essential to buy the sample pots and paint a large sample on each wall in a room.
- Sampling paints in situ over a larger area, taking into account natural and artificial lighting changes throughout the day will enable you make decisions with confidence.
- I would also advise to use your natural intuition to instinctively pick colours that work with the feel you are trying to create. If it doesn’t feel right and makes you feel nervous then it’s probably not the right choice for you.
SLATE PAINT COLOURS
The Slate palette is my favourite of the very user-friendly Architectural colours. What is great about these scales is that they make it so easy for you to choose a palette for each key architectural element in a room – e.g. the walls, ceiling and woodwork. There is no guesswork involved in making sure the tones in one room work together.
A twist on cream, Slate has a warm undertone without being too yellow. It compliments most colours. I think it works well as a contrast in calm schemes but it can take brighter contrast accents too. In this project I worked on for Justin Van Breda Slate III was used on the woodwork. But it also looks great on walls with contrasting woodwork in one of the other Slate tones.
STONE PAINT COLOURS
Stone is one of the most useful colours on the Architectural paint charts and suits both modern and traditional interiors. It’s fantastic for open plan living and has a warm tone that compliments the majority of colour palettes. In this room the paint on the walls simply provides a backdrop to the bolder colour scheme in the furniture, fabrics and rugs. It creates a gallery like feel to showcase the bold pieces of art.
BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF PAINT
A French mid tone blue with green undertones, it works brilliantly with grey schemes and lighter blue tones, as shown in the room below with a Rug Company rug. It has a classic feel without feeling boring or cold. It also provides a lovely contrast with deeper rich tones such as dark reds. I’m about to use this colour on a wardrobe in a modern country scheme and really excited to see the results.
BLUE BLOOD PAINT
Inspired by Swedish blues Blue Blood is an ideal choice in interiors with a Scandinavian feel. It manages to combine a sophisticated feel with a touch of vibrancy. I think it’s a great colour to tie together a classic look with a more modern edge. I’m using it on a pantry cupboard in a kitchen in a modern country home that has a Scandinavian influence.
SQUID INK PAINT
Squid Ink is a recently discovery for me! I would describe it as Airforce Bue. I think it’s a very elegant colour but it also works in a contemporary context (such as industrial influenced schemes), particularly with brass fittings. It’s a bolder choice as it’s quite a deep colour. But it’s a colour that’s easy to live with.
One of my clients who loves the industrial feel is using it in her kitchen, so I will have to post some photos very soon!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this article. I have also written a piece on designing a traditional home with a modern lifestyle in mind which may be useful.
I will be running some small workshops in 2019 on colour. If you would be interested in attending please email me and I will keep you up to date.
