There seems to be an interesting tug-of-war going on at the moment in the interiors world as regards paint colours for walls. A few weeks ago Farrow and Ball brought out a trends forecast with their key paint colours for 2015 – Pink Ground, Light Blue, Breakfast Room Green and Tanner’s Brown – which, they say
… promote relaxation and reflection in interiors. Paler in appearance they help to create spaces that live and breathe as we look to our homes as places of sanctuary from the stresses of modern day living.
At the other end of the spectrum (literally) the dark, moody look continues unabated, with the dark grey of the last few years being replaced with deep, inky blues along with true black, which has been making many, many appearances all over the internet.
All of which, to my mind, is great. There’s no right or wrong, just what speaks to us the most, makes us feel most excited and, most importantly, works best in our particular homes. Let’s have a look at the colours!
Pink Ground: pink is tricky, as it’s so easy to end up in bright, harsh Barbie territory or with pastels that appear bland but still somehow too sickly sweet. Farrow & Ball say: “Pink Ground creates rooms that feel pretty, soft edged and accessible. Although warm, this particular pink is not sugary or nursery-like, rather it feels more like a diluted plaster colour where walls look almost nude”.
Light Blue: “The use of Light Blue in the home is intended to create an interior where colours shift and change like the landscape. We instinctively gravitate towards shades that remind us of the softer side of life and that help to make our homes into an oasis of calm away from the brashness of modern life“. And just like the sky and the sea, this light blue will take on hints of grey and green depending on the light in your room and time of day. A very calming neutral, and not a hint of the nursery.
Breakfast Room Green: Now, I have to admit, I struggle with green painted walls as for me they conjure up images of hospital corridors and public toilets. However, Farrow & Ball insist that “Breakfast Room Green feels lively at any time of day. Taken straight from nature it makes us feel safe and calm in our home environment. It’s best contrasted with stronger Calke Green on the woodwork to recreate the colours derived from the irregular staining and tinting found in plants and vegetables. This trend reflects a shift away from hard, graphic interiors to a softer more natural feel with a modern twist.”
And I will bow to their superior knowledge and experience, and admit that this picture does indeed look very nice, although still probably my least favourite. As ever, it’s not what you do, it’s how you do it.
Tanner’s Brown: for spaces where there isn’t much natural light, Farrow & Ball recommend darker paint tones, and their choice for their 2015 palette is Tanner’s Brown – “this earth brown feels totally timeless and has an artisan feel to it. It is best used on the skirting boards as well as the walls, to keep it grounded and to prevent a light line around the bottom of the room, which can look hard. Muted Oval Room Blue looks magical when used as an accent colour”.
Definitely a great tip to use the same colour on skirtings, and doors/frames too (or go even darker). It’s these kind of details that brings the look right up to date.
So, what do you think? Does one of these Farrow & Ball paint colours in particular speak to you and have you seeing it in your own home?
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