Colour theory.
Are accent walls outdated?
The single bright accent wall — chimney breast in one bold colour, the rest magnolia — is dated. But the principle of using colour to draw attention is very much alive; it's just done with more confidence now.
What colours go with White Clay?
White Clay is a soft, warm off-white with a gentle green-yellow cast, so it loves natural materials and earthy companions — think muted artichoke greens, soft slate blue-greys and warm off-white trim. Keep it away from cool brilliant whites, which drag the cast towards dingy.
What colours go with Jack Black?
Jack Black has a warm brown undertone, so pair it with a soft off-white like Paint & Paper Library's Sand I rather than a cold blue-white, and layer in antique brass, leather and dark timber for richness.
What colours go with pink walls?
Pink walls love muted greens, soft greys and a deep grounding tone. Pair a plaster pink with sage, slate blue-grey or a rich brown to stop it looking saccharine.
Why does my grey paint look purple?
Most greys carry an undertone, and a lot of them lean violet or red. In the wrong light — especially cool north light or warm artificial bulbs — that hidden undertone takes over and the grey reads purple or lilac.
What is greige?
Greige is a hybrid of grey and beige — a neutral that carries both a cool grey backbone and a warm beige undertone, giving you the contemporary calm of grey without the clinical chill.
What colours go with Willow Tree?
Willow Tree wants warm off-whites on the woodwork, never brilliant white. Deepen it with olive and umber accents, and bring in unlacquered brass and terracotta to draw out its yellow-green warmth.
What colours go with Wickham Gray?
Wickham Gray sits best with a clean warm white on woodwork, cool-toned neutrals like pale stone and soft off-blacks, and darker cool greens on panelling. Let the green undertone be the only source of warmth in the scheme.
What colours go with Trumpington?
Trumpington is a warm honey-gold that wants a creamy off-white on the woodwork and deeper, richer colours alongside — think oxblood, bottle green, or an inky violet-blue. Keep the metals warm: antique brass and old oak, never cool chrome.
What colours go with Tea with Florence?
Tea with Florence wants a warm off-white above it — Paper III or Au Lait — grounded with limed oak and slate, and warmed with antique brass. Deeper greens in textiles bring out its character; avoid cool whites, which turn it dishwater.
What colours go with St John?
St John is a soft, warm yellow-toned neutral that works best as a whole-room envelope paired with creamy whites, warm woods and antique brass. For contrast, reach for a deep ink like Sapphire Springs 1, a muddy green like Artichoke, or a soft greyed Slate IV.
What colours go with Saxe Blue?
Saxe Blue loves warm off-whites, smoked oak and aged brass, with oxblood or tobacco accents to stop the cool grey-green tipping clinical. Think Paint & Paper Library Sand I overhead and Mylands Cigar or Dulux Copper Glow for warmth.
What colours go with Sang de Boeuf?
Sang de Boeuf loves warm stone off-whites, soft sage greens and antique brass — keep everything on the warm side and avoid cool whites, which turn it muddy.
What colours go with Pure White No.1?
Anchor Pure White No.1 with cool greys, washed blues or soft sage, and keep your metals in the nickel, chrome or blackened steel family. Whatever you do, never put it next to cream or magnolia — the green undertone turns dirty against warm whites.
What colours go with Pure Brilliant White?
Pure Brilliant White is a cool builder's white, so keep its companions cool too — crisp greys, clean blues and white-washed timber. Avoid warm woods and brass, which make it look flat and chilly.
What colours go with Pullman Green?
Pullman Green is a deep, slightly cool club-room green that wants warm off-whites, aged neutrals and old-leather tones around it — never brilliant white. Pair it with Paper III, Au Lait, Mylands Cigar or a punch of Fuchsia Falls 2 for drama.
What colours go with Pale Walnut?
Pale Walnut sits happiest with soft whites, deeper taupes and muted greens — think natural wood and unbleached linen. Layer those quiet neutrals for a rich, grown-up scheme, then drop in a deep green or inky blue when you want contrast.
What colours go with Newby Green?
Newby Green wants warmth around it — bring in coppery tones, a soft warm off-white and a deep tobacco brown rather than crisp brilliant white. The best approach is to drench the whole room in it and let materials do the contrast.
What colours go with Natural Hessian?
Natural Hessian is a warm, woven neutral that sits happiest with terracotta, timber tones and deep earthy contrasts. Layer in soft greens, a charcoal-brown or an inky blue and you've got a grounded, natural scheme.
What colours go with Mockingbird?
Mockingbird is a moody teal-grey that wants warmth, not crisp white. Pair it with antique brass and old oak, a chalky warm white like Sand I, and lift it with a soft ochre such as Copper Glow.
What colours go with Mister David?
Mister David is a hero colour — use it sparingly on a door, woodwork or one joyful room, then ground it with warm whites and natural textures. Soft greys and muted blue-greens stop it shouting; deeper jewel tones like Night Jewels 4 or Blue Blood let it sing.
What colours go with Mallow White?
Mallow White is a brilliant whole-house neutral that happily takes warm or cool accents — sage greens, soft blues, muted pinks and warm wood all sit easily alongside it.
What colours go with Lute?
Lute is a warm earthy tone that wants a soft chalky white on woodwork, terracotta and old oak underfoot, and deeper olive, Indian-red or rich violet-blue accents to lift it.
What colours go with Livid?
Keep the whole scheme cool — chalky cool whites on trim, slate and nickel hardware, with a touch of soft oxblood as a warming accent. Avoid yellow metals, which fight Livid's blue.
What colours go with Kigali?
Kigali is a deep green-teal that wants to be drenched — walls, woodwork and ceiling — then lifted with a warm off-white like Sand I and grounded with antique brass, old leather or a rusty copper accent.
What colours go with Joanna?
Joanna is a stony, yellow-green neutral that comes alive with warm woods, terracotta and muddy sage greens. Keep cool greys well away — they turn it the colour of spilt milk.
What colours go with grey walls?
Grey is a neutral that takes accents brilliantly — warm pinks, mustard yellows, deep blues and a crisp white all sing against it. The trick is matching the undertone of your grey before you pick the partner.
What colours go with Elephant's Breath?
Ground Elephant's Breath with a warm off-white on woodwork, then add deeper drabs and aged brass for warmth. It sings alongside limed oak, faded linen, and soft greens or inky blues.
What colours go with Eau de Nile?
Hold Eau de Nile warm: creamy off-whites on the woodwork, antique brass and oak in the room, and a touch of soft ochre or stone in the textiles. Keep brilliant white well away — it turns this lovely green grubby.
What colours go with Dimpse?
Dimpse is a cool, architectural grey that sings alongside crisp cool whites and polished nickel, or deeper blue-greys for a tonal twilight scheme. Keep warm metals away — they deaden it.