The colours of 2014

Whilst we are just still in the season of rounding up 2014, can I add one last offering of my own which is some great paint colours we have used, discovered and reacquainted ourselves with during the last year. Here are 10 of my favourites.

1. Fired Earth, Elizabeth’s Parrot

This is a fantastic shade of green which reminds of the colour of fresh green basil. However, the inspiration for the shade is far more glamorous as it is inspired by the beautiful Helmut Newton photograph of Elizabeth Taylor in her swimming pool with, you guessed it, her parrot.

www.firedearth.com

 

2. Abigail Ahern Bleeker

Dark colours in interiors are oh so in at the moment which is giving us lots of lovely shades to choose from. No one does dark colours better than Abigail Ahern and of her very tempting range I have chosen Bleeker because it is sophisticated and elegant but also warm and inviting. Be brave and use it liberally.

Direct from Abigail Ahern www.abigailahern.com or from Rockett St George www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk

 

3. Gold

I’m serious. Lovely lovely gold, particularly on the ceiling. Getting the look right is almost entirely dependant on using the right product and I would highly recommend specialists Gold Leaf Supplies who know what they are talking about. This beautiful room, with its lovely gold ceiling by Leslie Hayes Interiors and is taken from Decoist.com with thanks

http://www.decoist.com/2013-07-31/golden-accent-leafing-modern-interiors/

www.goldleafsupplies.co.uk/

 

4. Farrow and Ball Railings

I rediscovered this beautiful colour when looking for a black for a monochromatic scheme (so easy to get this look wrong). This black is deep inky blue and so is softer than pure black and if you use one of Farrow and Balls lighter neutral greens (such as Hardwick White or Old White) you get the lovely black and white monochrome effect with lots of class and softness.

www.farrowandball.com

 

5. Zoffany Fig Grey

An ever useful colour because it is so beautiful. It looks quite purple in the picture shown and indeed it does have those warm base notes but it is also a very modern grey so can be used in both contemporary and traditional settings.

www.zoffany.com

 

6  Marston and Langinger Peacock Blue

I treated myself to a tester of this paint when I was placing an order just because it looked so luscious and it was everything I hoped for. It has just a tinge of Teal in the blue and it is perfectly named because it absolutely could be found in the feather of a peacock. I haven’t used it in a project yet but I live in hope.

www.marstonandlanginger.com

 

7  Farrow and Ball Setting Plaster

This is one of my all time favourite pinks and so there are few years when I don’t use it somewhere. This picture is from a grown up girl’s bathroom that we did a few years ago but I am shamelessly using it in my round up for 2014. What is so lovely about this colour is that it manages to be both feminine and classy at the same time, because I think, it has no hint of bubblegum about it at all

   

www.farrowandball.com

8 Marston and Langinger Bayswater

I refuse to put together a list of 10 paint colours without including a glorious yellow – greys may be the colour du jour but I would personally never turn my back on a joyful rich mustardy yellow (there’s no primrose about Bayswater, thank goodness) which can be coupled with an off white woodwork colour and gilt picture frames – heaven.

www.marstonandlanginger.com

 

9  Sanderson Graphite

Go on then, I’ll give you just one contemporary, urban, fashionable deep grey because they are rather fabulous. Sanderson Graphite is for grown up grey lovers and it is super smart. Use it bravely and it won’t let you down.

www.sanderson-uk.com

 

10 Paint Library Paper 3

Finally, the architectural colours from Paint Library proved another winner this year – my job would be so much harder without this range. An old favourite that is still wonderful and fresh is Paper 3 which has understated class and great versatility. Use Paper 2 if your room is gloomy or Paper 4 if you are flooded with light. Often I find Paper 1 on the woodwork works brilliantly with Paper 3 on the walls – you see how useful this range is?

www.paintlibrary.co.uk

Wishing you all a wonderful colour filled 2015!

 

 

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Dark and moody new colours

If you like your environment to be deep, dark and moody, you are going to love the new paint palette from Abigail Ahern. Launched just two weeks ago and so new the paint chart has not yet arrived at the Angel and Blume office, we are already slightly in love with the feel and depth of colour of the shades. The paint (emulsion, eggshell and oil based for floors) is available from Abigail Ahern or from Rockett St George where the thirteen colours as shown in all their glory.

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Using Colour in your Home with Farrow and Ball

We are thrilled to announce that Joa Studholme, International Colour Consultant for Farrow and Ball, is coming to Cambridge to give a talk on Using Colour in your Home. Joa is an engaging and inspiring speaker and her talk will not only get you thinking about your home but will also get you painting your walls (and ceilings, floors and furniture!). The talk will be held at the fantastic Lynne Strover Gallery in Fen Ditton, one of the leading Contemporary Art Galleries in the UK, which is not only a wonderful setting for the talk but also provides the opportunity to see the current exhibition . The talk is on Tuesday March 25th at 6pm and I would advise booking early as tickets are going fast! £28 available from Angel and Blume or the Lynne Strover Gallery.

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Choosing your paint colour – featured in Cambridge News

Choosing the right paint colour can seem totally overwhelming as there are so many options available. But don’t panic, we show you how to narrow down these options and find the perfect paint colour for your home.

(This article first appeared on the Cambridge News website)

Your first step is to find the correct paint range for you, this will immediately help to edit your options. For example if you like strong, historical paint colours, the Little Green Paint Company have a range of  true historic colours authenticated by English Heritage. Or if you prefer more subtle neutrals the Paint Library have an Architectural Colours range which consists of pastel whites and neutrals arranged in graduated shades of tone.

Next, buy tester pots of the colours you like and paint up a sample, as large as possible, at least A4 sized to put on the wall. This will give you an idea of what the colour will look like in situ and will allow you to refine your choices.

While the paint sample is on the wall look at it in different lights, a colour can look totally different at various stages throughout the day and you will need to take this into account.

You will also need to look at how the colour will work with the rest of your scheme such as flooring, curtains and furniture. You can’t choose a paint colour in isolation as it will need to complement and work with all of the other elements in your scheme.

And finally consider your woodwork and ceiling as well. Do you want to make a feature out of skirting and cornicing or do you want to keep it neutral? In this image by Farrow and Ball the woodwork has been painted a strong, dark colour to contrast with the light wall colour above to create a dramatic effect.

Image credits: Little Greene Paint Company, Sanderson, Fired Earth, Farrow and Ball

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