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!

 

 

Read Full Post »

Lush new colours from Paint Library

There is nothing that pleases us more in the Angel and Blume office than brand new paint colours and as we adore Paint Library paints, the arrival of their new chart in the office today caused more than a flutter of excitement.

Blue Vein

The Long Room

Four more colours have been added to the fantastic Architectural Colours collection  – Canvas, Salt, Felt and Cotton – this range are not only exquisite colours but are also incredibly useful being produced in shades 1 to 5.

Beetlenut

Hornblende

Amongst the Original Colours collection, there are also some lovely new additions – Caravan is a gorgeous deep orange-red, Acqua Viva is an ultra smart charcoal, and Opus is a delicious grey -brown with just a hint of purple.

Fowlers Olive

Teal

And then there are a few colours that you have to love if for no other reason than that they have a great name – Between Dog and Wolf, Apple Smiles, Quench the Gloom (an oldie but a goodie) and wait for it, Divine Brown.

Read Full Post »

We love colour!

Walls in Stone Blue, woodwork in All White, both Farrow and Ball

As we are all currently decorating our houses, there has been an awful lot of talk here at the Angel and Blume office about paint colours that we personally love and although we could probably give you a hundred, here are ten colours that you will find in one or other of our homes and that we think you just can’t go wrong with.

1. Farrow and Ball String.

A beautiful golden colour with just enough brown in it to look classy but enough yellow to be cheerful. (fyi, Kate loves, loves, loves this colour)

2. Fired Earth Orchid Leaf.

One of my personal favourites, this is a warm fresh green with yellow undertones that blends perfectly with the trees seen through a window.

3. Paint Library Stone III

A fantastic neutral that manages to be both warm and contemporary. From the amazingly useful and beautiful architectural colours range from Paint Library.

Masonry in Wimborne white, door in Skimming Stone and railing in Pitch Black, all Farrow and Ball

4. Zoffany Victorian Purple

A really dark moody brown/purple that is absolutely delicious. The office loo is painted in this colour and has gone from being a boring space to a fabulous one!

5. Marston and Langinger Pearl Grey

A gorgeous bluey grey that is masculine and smart but soft and classy enough to use anywhere.

6. Farrow and Ball Elephants Breath.

A gorgeous grey that is warm to the eye but gives a cool neutral flavour to any room scheme. Really classy. (ask Jenny about this colour and watch her go all weird)

7. Paint Library Quench the Gloom

A glorious bluey turquoise which although is quite a strong colour, manages to be subtle and soft at the same time – and a really great name!

Walls painted in Shaded White and
woodwork in London Stone, both
from Farrow and Ball

8. Fired Earth Andaman Sea

This is a really jolly deep blue colour with enough green in it to keep the colour soft. It is aptly named because is conjures up images of a tropical paradise.

 9. Zoffany Beauvais Lilac

This colour starts off looking like a lovely but simple neutral but it has really beautiful undertones of pinky lilac that make it really special.

10. Designers Guild Mother of Pearl

The softest pinky pearl that is subtle and warm and perfect for grown-up girls (and boys too, if there is any left).

Happy decorating from all of us at Angel and Blume!

Read Full Post »