15 Apr Designers’ favourite paints
Country Life magazine asked eight interior designers to name their best paint colours that they couldn’t live without.
Their tried and tested recommendations are great additions to any decorating scheme. Favourite colours suggested by Susie Atkinson, Katrin Cargill, Sophie Elborne, Luke Edward Hall, Lucy Elworthy, Emma Sims Hilditch, Emily Todhunter and Henrietta von Stockhausen include:
NEUTRAL PAINT COLOURS (scroll sideways for gallery):
Farrow & Ball Wimborne White
Paint & Paper Library Slate II
Dulux Subtle Ivory 3
Farrow & Ball Slipper Satin
Papers and Paints SC292
Dulux Jabot
Neptune Shell
Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster
Farrow and Ball Wimborne White – “A perfect, soft all-rounder that I like for ceilings if rooms aren’t too tall” Henriette von Stockhausen
Paint and Paper Library Slate II – ” The perfect neutral – at once warm pebble and sandy grey, it sits beautifully next to any white” Sophie Elborne
Dulux Subtle Ivory 3 – “Our go-to off white for ceilings, cornice and woodwork” Emily Todhunter
Farrow and Ball Slipper Satin – “A gentle colour that works especially well with stone, wood and brick” Lucy Elworthy
Paper and Paints SC292 – “A white that is neither too grey nor too yellow. I use it on woodwork or to paint out a room” Susie Atkinson
Dulux Jabot – “The perfect neutral pure white, neither yellow nor blue or green, that will sit with anything” Katrin Cargill
Neptune Shell – “This is a staple for cabinetry, furniture or walls, it brings a sense of space and light to a room” Emma Sims Hilditch
Farrow and Ball Setting Plaster – “Soft and delicate. As the name suggests, it’s similar to a freshly plastered wall” Luke Edward Hall
SOFT PAINT COLOURS (scroll sideways for gallery):
Farrow & Ball Blue Gray
Zoffany Half La Seine
Cassandra Ellis Faded Blossom
Edward Bulmer Eau de Nile
Zoffany Norsk Blue
Edward Bulmer Jonquil
Little Greene Angie
Farrow and Ball Blue Gray – “Depending on the light, this can look slightly blue-toned, creating a serene atmosphere” Emma Sims Hilditch
Zoffany Half La Seine – “Fresh and serene, this works well with indigo, soft pink and almost any pastel or bright colour” Lucy Elworthy
Cassandra Ellis Faded Blossom – “The very softest of pinks with a luminosity that always makes a room feel uplifting” Sophie Elborne
Edward Bulmer Eau de Nile – “A pretty, gentle green that works well in a room with a garden view” Emily Todhunter
Zoffany Norsk Blue – “A beautiful green-blue, it’s ideal for hallways and cosy rooms” Susie Atkinson
Edward Bulmer Jonquil – “It creates a warm, comfortable atmosphere, as well as looking wonderfully old-fashioned” Henriette von Stockhausen
Little Greene Angie – “A soft, pretty pink that can work in bedrooms as well as sitting rooms – sweet but not cloying” Katrin Cargill
Papers and Paints Pistachio – “Green is my favourite colour and this ice-cream shade is calming. Nice for a 1930’s style bathroom” Luke Edward Hall
DARK PAINT COLOURS (scroll sideways for gallery):
Farrow & Ball Inchyra Blue
Farrow & Ball Studio Green
Abigail Ahern Mulberry Red
Farrow & Ball Picture Gallery Red
Papers and Paints Camo 2
Farrow & Ball Down Pipe
Paint & Paper Library Georgetown
Farrow & Ball Inchyra Blue – “Good colour for bookcases or a TV wall, inviting and smart” Lucy Elworthy
Farrow & Ball Studio Green – “I have this colour in my kitchen and love its depth and how it looks by candlelight” Henriette von Stockhausen
Abigail Ahern Mulberry Red – “A hypnotising berry red that is so dark, it’s almost black, perfect for a moody hallway” Sophie Elborne
Farrow & Ball Picture Gallery Red – “This is a beautiful rich red that can be used to accentuate the grandeur of a building” Emma Sims Hilditch
Papers and Paints Camo 2 – “Good for a dining room with rich woods, reds and candlelight” Katrin Cargill
Papers and Paints 4-050 – “I love a 1970’s shade of chocolate brown – I used it last year on the walls of a disco drawing room” Luke Edward Hall
Farrow & Ball Down Pipe – “This is a colour we use often, because it works with everything” Emily Todhunter
Paint and Paper Library Georgetown – “A cosy brown that looks great with oranges and reds. It sits well with brass or gilt picture frames” Susie Atkinson
BRIGHT PAINT COLOURS (scroll sideways for gallery):
Mylands Circle Line
Paint & Paper Library Deep Water Green
Edward Bulmer Invisible Green
Rose of Jericho Dark Yellow
Farrow & Ball Yellow Ground
Papers and Paints Manhattan
Farrow & Ball Pale Powder
Farrow & Ball Cook’s Blue
Mylands Circle Line – “A strong, but great, yellow that can give a room gravitas and it works with so many fabrics” Katrin Cargill
Paint and Paper Library Deep Water Green – “An upbeat turquoise that works in rooms that need a little oomph!” Emily Todhunter
Edward Bulmer Invisible Green (main picture) – “This looks good on skirting and doors with off-white walls” Susie Atkinson
Rose of Jericho Dark Yellow – “This gives a facelift to any room and works well with antiques, gilt frames and treacly oil portraits” Henriette von Stockhausen
Farrow and Ball Yellow Ground – “It’s warm, and particularly good with dark reds and lavender purples” Lucy Elworthy
Paper and Paints Manhattan – “This is a wonderful shade of coral. Lovely in gloss for a hallway or for a dressing room” Luke Edward Hall
Farrow and Ball Pale Powder ‘ “The most luminous of aquamarine tones that is both subtle and enlivening” Sophie Elborne
Farrow and Ball Cook’s Blue – “A deeply pigmented colour, perfect for use in both kitchens and exterior dining areas” Emma Sims Hilditch
Click link for stockists:
Cassandra Ellis
