Interior design

Amelia Thorpe goes in search of new hues

Amelia Thorpe discovers grey is not the only colour

We’ve had Fifty Shades of Grey and even Fifty Shades Darker, so is it time for something new? Of course, grey will always have its place as a timeless neutral that works beautifully as an elegant and tranquil backdrop to many a room, but if you’re itching to try something different, you may be glad to know that the paint companies are busy developing tempting new and equally subtle hues.

‘Paint companies are busy developing tempting new and equally subtle hues’

‘We’re seeing increasing interest in versatile and calming colours that work as the “new greys”, either together in a tonal palette or as individual hues that are a foil for colour-pop shades,’ says Ruth Mottershead, marketing director of Paint & Paper Library. Think gentle greens, soft sea blues, soothing aquas and the palest powder pinks, designed to complement any style of furnishings and to work well, like grey, with a wide range of other shades and tones.

There are deeper variations, too, which work just like iron grey and anthracite as darker neutrals, from deep blues, which contrast well with crisp white, or dark greens that serve as the perfect backdrop for the latest botanical fabrics and wallpapers.

So what are you waiting for? There are, of course, no rules for getting it right (far too many shades of grey for that), but plenty of enjoyment to be had in experimenting.