Bold and luxurious earthy brown
THE NEUTRAL OF THE HOUR IS EARTHY BROWN AND EXPERTS AGREE IT'S A COLOUR THAT CAN BOTH SOOTHE AND STIMULATE
Earthy browns bring warmth to a space while creating a connection to the outside world.
W hen you combine them with other shades, you can create a surprisingly wide range of looks. ‘Soft taupes and creams form a neutral palette while deep off-blacks and spice tones add drama,’ says Helen Shaw, director at Benjamin Moore.
Sample shades of earthy brown in situ to check whether you prefer a green undertone or a red one.
‘Green-based browns feel more contemporary and are easier to layer with natural materials such as raffia and light wood,’ says Patrick O’donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. ‘Red-based browns have a more period feel as they’re associated with dark wood, gilt frames and rich damasks.’
‘To achieve a chic and contemporary scheme, style pale and rusty earthy browns with complementary coral and salmon pinks,’
adds Sue Kim, senior colour designer at Valspar. ‘Finish with accessories in a bolder colour such as ochre or burgundy depending on the tone of pink you’ve chosen.’
Use softer browns in southern light or well-lit rooms and darker, more dramatic browns in north-facing rooms or rooms with little light to create a cosier interior.
‘If you decide to use a dark brown in a dark space, accessorise with metallic accents, which will help to bounce light around the room and add texture,’ adds Martin Waller, founder of Andrew Martin.
Earthy brown can act as an accent colour in a neutral scheme.
‘Paint the fireplace wall or the mantelpiece in the shade while using an off-white for the rest of the living room – this will create a lovely warm focal point,’ says Judy Smith, colour consultant at Crown.
Tonal schemes can look beautiful, but colour expert Annie Sloan warns that they can sometimes lack personality.
‘I would always incorporate colour somewhere when using earthy browns,’ she says. ‘Even just a bright picture frame, a painted lamp base or a smaller piece of furniture in a fun colour will do – it’s enough to bring some vivacity to a space and stop a room from feeling too hotel-like. I love rich browns with bright colours. Warm tones such as a vivid red, a bright modern orange or a warm bold pink will give a wonderful regal effect. Earthy browns also perfectly contrast with cool natural hues: bright greens and blues will sing against it.’
A floor-to-ceiling scheme can be perfect in small spaces, making it feel more luxurious