Amber Grey No.156 is one of Mylands' cleverer colours — it reads as a soft, dusty taupe with a genuine warm amber undertone, which is exactly what makes it tricky. Get the pairings wrong and that warmth disappears.
First rule: resist the urge to use a brilliant white on the trim. A bright, blue-leaning white sits next to Amber Grey and visually drains the amber out of it, leaving you with a flat, slightly muddy grey. Instead, anchor your woodwork with a warm off-white so the two share the same temperature.
From there you've got two directions, and both work beautifully.
For a fresher, lighter scheme, lift it with Dulux Almost Pistachio (LRV 80.3) — a pale, gently green-yellow that picks up the warmth and keeps the room feeling open. Lovely on a ceiling or in an adjacent space if you're zoning.
For drama, go deep. Paint & Paper Library Blue Blood (LRV 16.4) is a properly handsome ink-toned blue that throws the amber into relief without fighting it — gorgeous on a single feature wall, a chimney breast, or joinery. And Mylands Cigar BH.20 (LRV 11.8) is the natural soulmate here: a rich tobacco brown that does the heavy lifting in textiles, a sofa, or the lower half of a panelled wall.
The "but what about greys?" question comes up a lot — and the answer is no. Cool, blue-based greys on the trim or as an accent will work directly against Amber Grey's undertone. If you want contrast, reach for the deeper warm tones above, not a pale grey.
Dress the room with warm metals — aged brass, antique bronze — and oak rather than chrome or nickel. Bring in oxblood and tobacco through cushions, throws and rugs to echo the Cigar without going wall-to-wall brown.
Practical tip: paint a generous test patch and view it against your chosen off-white trim at different times of day. Amber Grey shifts noticeably under warm evening light, and that's the moment it really sings.