Robert Stilin on experimenting with playful neutral tones

DESIGNER ROBERT STILIN CALLS ON PALE HUES TO FASHION THE IDEAL BACKDROP FOR HIS DYNAMIC SCHEMES

The saying ‘When in doubt, paint it white’ holds true. You almost can’t make a mistake – but keep in mind that most whites tend to yellow over time. I personally like crisp, bright whites such as Benjamin Moore’s Super White and Decorator’s White, which allow furnishings and objects to look more pronounced. Even a shade of white that has a blue or lavender hue is nice. And anything that skews toward bisque (try Benjamin Moore’s Silver Satin) would work in a traditional setting, but not in a contemporary home. Another off-white I enjoy is Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee, which has a slight green undertone.

A mostly white room can benefit from a dark anchor wall.

I love to do this in a bedroom – painting the wall with the bed a dark shade, such as a deep blue-grey, while the rest of the walls are crisp white. The contrast between light and dark delivers a spark of freshness, creating a feel that is both energising – from the bright white – and cocooning, from the richer contrast.

Some situations call for painting the mouldings and ceiling.

If you want to make a big statement and envelop the room like a cocoon, paint the walls, ceiling and mouldings the same shade. You could also try diluting the wall colour a touch before applying it to the ceiling. This slight tonal differentiation will draw one’s eye upward and add dimension to a space.

Experiment with playful neutrals.

One of my favourite colours is lavender, and I’m using it a lot at the moment. Farrow & Ball’s Calluna is a light grey-lavender that’s cosy and a bit moody – wonderful for a bedroom. The brand also makes Green Ground, a mood-lifting pale green that adds a layer of interest to a room, as well as Middleton Pink, a cheery shade that is easy to live with as it’s so soft and lovely.

A house should have colour repetition and tonal transitions.

For example, even if you are painting a room white, consider the other spaces in the house and select a white with a matching undertone. It’s nice to have one dark room – whether it be a library, powder room or guest bedroom – that is set off from the rest of the house, and then a white with a touch of that same colour in the next room. This through line helps a home to feel curated. I often gravitate to navy, brown and dark grey, or subtle jewel tones like burnt orange and deep purple.

Don’t overthink your colour selection.

After all, it’s easy to repaint if you don’t like it. I also don’t think you can make a wrong choice when it comes to colour – every shade has its advantages and my tried and true theory will hopefully give you the confidence to experiment. Just be sure not to judge a colour before the room is furnished because it will look different layered with art and furnishings. And there’s no need to match a wall shade to your decor items –simply pick a colour that feels good to you. Light tones are easier to work with, but stronger shades dissipate once they’re on the wall. Plus, a deep shade can help build charm, cosiness and depth.