HOWTO GOBEIGE
ON THE WALLS What shade you use depends on the light levels in the room. ‘Beiges with warmer/yellower tones are perfect for north-facing spaces,’ says Cate. ‘Or you can embrace the moodiness and go for something darker, such as camel, ochre and terracotta. But I would add a contrasting colour such as navy or dark green to add some depth, otherwise it can feel one-dimensional. In lighter, south-facing rooms, go for a lighter beige.’
If you want to add colour, what you choose will depend on the shade of beige. ‘The undertone of the beige will dictate which brighter colours go with it,’ says Charlotte. ‘For example, if you took a sandy beige, such as Farrow & Ball’s Oxford Stone or Jitney, bright blues and greens would work – you see this a lot in nature with the sand against sea, sky, grass. In this case, I would suggest using the beige on the wall with the brighter colour on a ceiling or a door.’
AS AN ACCENT
‘You can be more daring using beige as an accent,’ says Charlotte. ‘Choose a dark colour, such as Farrow & Ball’s Paean Black, which is a deep purpley black for the walls and then a beige as a trim. If you have a dado rail, do the bottom in Paean Black and the top in Jitney.’
Cate also advocates rich colour. ‘Beige works well with white in a neutral colour scheme, but I think it’s also a great background colour when paired with darker, richer colours to add some punch – such as forest green, navy blue and orange ochre,’ she says. ‘You want to pair it with a colour either next to it on the colour wheel or opposite, so for instance, a pop of bright cobalt blue or deep ultramarine blue will work well because they’re directly opposite the yellow spectrum of colours. Pairing something like cobalt blue with beige will add depth and make the bright hue pop more because of the contrast with the paler beige tones.’
TO ADD TEXTURE
AND TONE Beige is a colour to layer, so use it not just on the walls but with accessories, too. ‘Layering shades of beige in a room creates a warm and relaxing space,’ says Charlotte. ‘Using lots of texture via natural materials in the same sandy tones will help give your room depth.’
‘Beige is all about texture and tone so a room doesn’t look flat and two-dimensional,’ adds Cate. Natural materials such as wood, rattan and linen are popular now as they speak to our desire for sustainable product. Plants, with their refreshing green, will also bring life to a beige space.
‘Add patterned tiles for depth and interest,’ advises Cate. ‘Monochrome pictures in black frames look good too, as they add a contemporary contrast and sharpness to an otherwise soft, pared-back space.’