First impressions - exterior paint shades

Delicious hues of chalky grey blue green, reminiscent of those gorgeous shutters in France, combine well with soft slate greys and gentle putties. A restful, clean palette for a warm welcome to any home whether it's of mellow stone, whitewashed render or smart red brick. Here are a few of my favourite paint shades along with some suggested plants for tubs and borders to welcome guests to your door.

Above image: The Daylesford Organic Farm Shop by blogger 213darling

Above images: 1.The Beckford Arms Country Pub Wiltshire England discovered through the blog Maitai's Picture Book 2.Cotswold chippings decorative gravel for paths, patios and terraces from Ruscrete Landscaping 3.Exterior paint in "Grey stone" by The Little Greene Paint Company 4.Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'(Purple Sage) from Crocus 5.& 6."Oval Room Blue" No:82 exterior paint by Farrow & Ball

Above image: Border Oak - bespoke oak framed houses 

Above image: Daylesford Organic Farm in Gloucestershire England

Above image: Daylesford Organic Farm and shop in Gloucestershire England taken by Gerrad Malcom via Flickr

Above images: 1.Conservatory by interior designer Sims Hilditch 2.Exterior paint in shade "Mid Lead Colour" by the Little Greene Paint Company 3.Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus' from Crocus 4.Bistro table and chairs in "Shutter Blue" from Garden Trading 5.Exterior paint in shade "Celestial Blue" by The Little Greene Paint Company 6.Iris 'Dutch Chocolate' from Crocus

Above image: Border Oak - bespoke oak framed houses 

Above image: Border Oak - bespoke oak framed houses and garden buildings (so pretty)!

Above image: Daylesford Organic Farm in Gloucestershire England

Above images:1.& 6.Details from Yiangou architects 2.Exterior paint in shade "Tempest" No:32 by Vale Interiors 3.Detail from the garden of Lady Karen Watson 4.Exterior paint in shade "Ermine" No:29 by Vale Interiors and conservatories 5.Ageratina altissima ‘Chocolate’from Crocus

Above image: photograph The Paper Mulberry our restoration project and our home until November 2012 - the front door is painted in "Card Room Green" no:79 with the porch in "Stony Ground" no:211 the windows are in shade "Matchstick" no:2013 all by Farrow and Ball. The urns are planted with lavender

For more information on anything shown in the above images please click on the names under each photograph to go through to their web sites. I create my mood boards/colour palettes with a computer programme called Photoshop by Adobe which is available for both Apple Mac and PC computers.

As always, if I have featured your photograph and you would rather I didn't, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will remove it with my sincerest apologies. 

With warmest wishes

 

Contemporary Country Colours

Fresh, clean earth tints form a soothing colour palette for today's country living. Shades of Clay, Slate, French grey, Shutter Blue, Mulberry, Damson, Willow leaf and Gooseberry green set against chalky white add a contemporary twist to traditional country styling. Modern material such a stainless steel and aluminium contrast against the natural elements of pale stone and bleached wood. Here are a few of my most recent finds starting with the heart of the country home - the kitchen.  

Above image: detail of Sims Hilditch interior design for Neptune - gorgeous bespoke kitchens and new home accessories range

Above image: a divine new kitchen design from Sims Hilditch interior design for Neptune

Above images: gorgeous new table linen china and cutlery from the Neptune range

Above images: 1. gorgeous new candle range from Neptune 2.table linen china and cutlery from the new Neptune range 3. paint shade in "Lily" by Neptune 4 from the new lighting range by Neptune

Above image: pretty contemporary coloured enamel kitchen ware from Garden Trading 

Above image: bespoke kitchens and fabulous furniture range from Neptune

Above image: 1.gorgeous pale chalky kitchen by Plain English 2. & 4.table linen and china from the new Neptune accessories range 3.beautiful handcrafted kitchens and furniture from Neptune Colour watches: The Paper Mulberry colour suggestions

Above image: handmade kitchens by Chalon in gorgeous pale chalky shades with slate grey accents try Farrow and Ball "French Grey" number 18 for a similar colour to the door and skirting board

Above image: divine oak framed homes by Border Oak with interior design and styling by Merry Albright The Paper Mulberry note: try "Card Room Green" number 79 from Farrow & Ball for a similar shade to the kitchen island - we have used it on our back door and windows

Above image: planter pots on tray in "Shutter Blue" by Garden Trading

Above image: bespoke kitchens and fabulous furniture range from Neptune

Above image: the gorgeous kitchen and dining room of interior stylist and photographer Helena Bernald of the wonderful blog The Swenglish Home

Above images: 1.lovely new lighting range from Garden Trading in fabulous colours such a "Shutter blue", "Clay" and "Slate" 2.metal trough planter by Garden Trading 3.a set of numbered, French styled, ceramic mixing bowls by Garden Trading Colour swatches: The Paper Mulberry colour suggestions 

Above image: gorgeous contemporary farmhouse in Oxfordshire location for photography and film by locations agency Light locations

Above image: divine bespoke kitchen furniture and china range from Neptune

Above image: the "Chichester" kitchen from Neptune 

Above image: classic jug in "Gooseberry" by Garden Trading

For more information on anything shown in the above images please click on the names under each photograph to go through to their web sites. The colour swatches featured are my suggestions for accent shades and do not relate to specific paints unless otherwise stated, but I'm sure your favourite paint companies would be happy to suggest matches! 

With warmest wishes