Interior Paint Shades - Soft Neutrals part 1

Soft, neutral paint shades create a calm environment for all areas of the home. Contemporary tones inspired by nature are offset against natural textures and pure white. A tranquil palette of mist, fog, putty, taupe, grey and pebble. Here are a few of my favourite decorating ideas and suggested paints to try.

Above image: Woon Magazine photography by Jonah Samyn - soft grey palette with white and black accents for this gorgeous contemporary dining room - suggested paint: 'Mist'by Neptune a soft blue grey 

Above image: French Connection Homeware - driftwood side tables, pure white sofa and palest grey soft furnishings - suggested wall paint: 'French Grey pale' 161 a soft neutral grey from the Little Greene Paint Company

Above image: contemporary living room with pale modern chaise sofa, blonde wood coffee table and neutral styling - Karin Meyn for Piet Boon via her Pinterest boards - suggested wall paint colour:'Blackened' 2011 a cool very pale grey by Farrow and Ball 

Above images: I created the paint swatches by eye using the manufacturers colour cards - for accurate samples please contact the paint companies for colour cards and test pots

Above images: 1.Homeware by French Connection - copper side table and contemporary sofa range in conjunction with DFS  2.Above image: detail of stylish linen cushions from the contemporary holiday home in the dunes by Interior design company Remy Meijers from the Netherlands 3.Enamel steel side table from French Connection Homeware 4.large grey glass vase from Conran at Marks and Spencer 5.antique metal table lamp from French Connection Homeware 

Above images: 1.Natural styling and textures of coral, stone and wood Karin Meyn for Piet Boon via her Pinterest boards 2.misty woodland image from the gorgeous Italian contemporary bathroom collection from Neutra Design 3.Chalk white bowl from the interior shop Ebury Home and Garden 4.grey glass 'Cased' votive from French Connection Homeware Paints: 5.'Lily' a soft palest neutral beige that changes in different lights by Neptune 6. 'Blackened' 2011 a cool very pale grey by Farrow and Ball 7. 'Salt' a warm white without any yellow by Neptune 8.'China Clay Dark' 178 a soft deep mauve taupe (great feature wall shade) by Little Greene Paint Company 

Above image: ??? Does anyone know who this kitchen is by please? Soft taupe grey walls, white woodwork and contemporary pale oak kitchen with granite top - suggested wall paint: 'Lamp Room Gray' 88 a warm mid grey from Farrow and Ball

Above image: soft grey and taupe contemporary dining room by Interior design company Remy Meijers from the Netherlands, with a mixture of iconic chairs such as the Panton by Verner Panton (1959/19600) from Vitra and the Plastic side chairs by Charles and Ray Eames (1950) from Vitra The mother of pearl chandelier pendants I believe are the 'Fun' 1DM by Verpan - suggested wall paint to achieve this look: 'China Clay dark' 178 a rich deep taupe with a plum overtone by the Little Greene Paint Company

Above images: I created the paint swatches by eye using the manufacturers colour cards - for accurate samples please contact the paint companies for colour cards and test pots

Above images: 1.stunning shades of taupe and grey - contemporary kitchen by Belgian interior design Bieke Vanhoutte 2.foggy lakeside image from the gorgeous Italian contemporary bathroom collection from Neutra Design 3.pale grey colour scheme against handmade blonde oak Amish chopping boards from Canvas 4.handmade dark grey mug from Ebury Home and Garden 5.deep taupe walls against white woodwork and pale blonde floorboards scheme by contemporary Belgian interior design company Bieke Vanhoutte Paint shades: 6.'Seneca Rock' a warm deep taupe with plum tones by Kelly Hoppen 7.'Asian Spirit' a cool grey taupe from Kelly Hoppen 8.'Pavilion Grey'242 a warm Swedish grey from Farrow and Ball 9.'Dove Tale' 267 a warm mauve toned grey from Farrow and Ball 

Above image: contemporary holiday home in the dunes by Interior design company Remy Meijers from the Netherlands, with a mixture of iconic chairs such as the Panton by Verner Panton (1959/19600) from Vitra and the Plastic side chairs by Charles and Ray Eames (1950) from Vitra Stunning modern fireplace - suggested wall paint to achieve this look: 'Baked Clay' a neutral rich grey by Kelly Hoppen

More in this interior paint series to follow....!

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

 

Exterior Paint Shades - Part 2

Whether it's pale hues of chalky French Grey, chic glossy charcoal against crisp pure white, or restful soft shades of dusted blue green, exterior paint shades can make a world of difference. The right paint shades add a warm welcome to any home be it of mellow stone, whitewashed render or smart red brick . Here are a few of my favourite looks to welcome guests to your front door. 

Above image:Gorgeous Belgian contemporary architecture by Archeos

Above images: 1.Stainless steel stable light by Jim Lawrence 2.Belgian contemporary architecture by Archeos detail of wooden shutters 3.Hand forged Shepard's Crook door handle with bevelled keyhole plate by Jim Lawrence 4.Belgian contemporary architecture by Archeos detail of wooden garage doors 5.Scroll iron gate detail by architects Vlassak Verhulst

Above image: detail of painted French doors by architect Yiangou

Above images: 1.Shutter detail by architects Vlassak Verhulst  2.Detail of painted wall by Belgian photographer Caroline Monbailliu 3.Belgian contemporary architecture by Archeos detail of arched wooden garage doors 4.Hand forged steel Shepard Crook door handle by Jim Lawrence 5.Front door painted in French Grey by Farrow and Ball belonging to Lucy Stokes (gorgeous stainless steel heart door knocker!) 6.'All White' 2005 paint from Farrow and Ball 7.'Lamp Room Gray' 88 paint from Farrow and Ball  8. "Manor House Grey' 265 paint from Farrow and Ball 9.'French Grey Dark' 163 paint from The Little Greene Paint and Paper

Above image: fabulous white painted New England house and grey painted trellis featured on Hus o Hem  

Above image: Prettiest pale grey front door with chalk white trim    by Henhurst Interiors 

Above image:French Grey wooden shutter detail by architects Vlassak Verhulst 

Above images: I created the paint swatches by eye using the manufacturers colour cards - for accurate samples please contact the paint companies for colour cards and test pots

Above image: the heavenly home and veranda of Room Seventeen stunning grey shutters against crisp white woodwork

Above image:the heavenly home and veranda of Room Seventeen stunning grey shutters against crisp white woodwork picking up the tones of the rattan (wicker) chairs

Above images: 1.the deep grey (gray) front door of blogger 'I found my home' 2.the home of Jen Chu Design with a chic dark grey front door 3.Gloss grey contemporary planters with Buxus (Boxwood) ball topiary by Anouska Hempel Design 4.Smart dark grey Regency front door with white trim by London Door 5.'Off-Black' 57 Farrow and Ball 6.'Railings'31 Farrow and Ball 7.Down Pipe' 26 Farrow and Ball 8.'Plummett' 272 Farrow and Ball

Above image:the home of Jen Chu Design with a chic dark grey front door and stainless steel door knocker

Above image:graphite grey door by Architects RDK

Above image:contemporary dark grey front door by architects Vlassak Verhulst

Above images: I created the paint swatches by eye using the manufacturers colour cards - for accurate samples please contact the paint companies for colour cards and test pots

Above image:pretty pale grey green door and basket of French Lavender by Belgian photographer Caroline Monbailliu

Above images: 1.Farrow and Ball front door given a modern twist with shiny stainless steel door furniture - door in Light Blue 22 2.Letter Box in pretty 'Clay' from Garden Trading 3.stainless steel letterbox at the home of Jen Chu Design with a chic dark grey front door and soft pale blue grey trim 4.Soft pale grey green woodwork on a stunning contemporary house by Frank Gruwez 5.Polished stainless steel door knocker from Willow and Stone 6.'Pearl Colour (original)'100 Little Greene Paint Company 7.'Light Blue' 22 Farrow and Ball 8.'Card Room Green' 79 Farrow and Ball 9.'Oval Room Blue' 85 Farrow and Ball

Above image:Contemporary country cottage by Belgian architects Villabouw Sels

Above image:pretty Blue grey green front door in a Cotswold village photographed by blogger 'I found my home'

Above images: I created the paint swatches by eye using the manufacturers colour cards - for accurate samples please contact the paint companies for colour cards and test pots

Above image:Front door in Card Room Green 79 by Farrow and Ball

To achieve the perfect finish on your exterior woodwork I can highly recommend watching the 'how to' videos on the English decorating tools manufacturer Hamilton. I can also highly recommend the Hamilton 'Perfection' range of brushes - 

Above image: Hamilton Perfection 

boxed set -100% natural bristle 

for use with oil based paints

Right image: Hamilton Perfection range 

of sash brushes -  wonderful for 

painting fine detailing

Left Image: Hamilton Perfection synthetic brush for use with water based paints

You may also like:
Exterior Paint Shades part I

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

 

Preview - Exterior Paint Shades part 2

Coming next week: 

Exterior paint shades, divine inspiration for chalky shades of Taupe, French Grey, Provence Blue and Zinc featuring The Little Greene Paint Company and Farrow and Ball.  In the meantime here is a preview!

 Above images: 1.Contemporary country door - Vlassak Verhulst - exclusive villas and architecture 2.Fabulous French grey exterior woodwork - Archeos - Belgian architects 3.Colour palette suggestion by The Paper Mulberry (paint details in next weeks post) 4.Palest country cottage with porch - Yiangou - English architects 5.Painted wooden shutter detail - Vlassak Verhulst - exclusive villas and architecture

Full details of paints and more suggested shades next week! In the meantime please click on the image below to view Exterior Paint Shades part I:

For more information on anything shown in the above images and links to tutorials, please click on the names under each photograph to go through to their respective 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

   

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