We Love: The Best Dark & Moody Paint Colours

1 May 2016

At Audenza we are always repainting backdrops for photographing our products, and in fact I’m pretty sure one of the rooms in the house is decreasing in size due to the successive layers of paint it’s acquiring, which makes us extremely fussy about quality! So fussy we don’t use cheaper brands because they just don’t work hard enough. The coverage isn’t as good (and time is of the essence) and the colours never seem to come out right. You know how when you look at a paint colour card and find the one you like and then when it’s on the wall it really isn’t what you thought it would be? Well that’s what always happens to me when I use a cheaper paint brand – the depth of colour isn’t right, the nuances of colour aren’t there, the finish isn’t right – so I always go straight for my favourite brands now. They being Little Greene, Farrow & Ball and Paint by Conran. I am sure there are more out there but time being critical I stick to the known and tested ones. Kimberly at Swoonworthy recently reviewed whether Farrow & Ball was worth the money and she too has been converted to the merits of up market paint brands!

Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball

The science of colour is not something I’m going to go into here as that’s a whole book’s worth that I do not have the credentials for, but I know what I like! And I very much like the new ‘Inchyra Blue’ from Farrow & Ball for its subtlety and moodiness. If you like the current trend for grey walls but want something with that added touch of excitement and a bit different then this is the colour for you.

Basalt by Little Greene

Mirrored Drinks Stand/ Dining Accessories

‘Basalt’ by Little Greene is a stunner of a colour and changes from black to deepest blue depending on the light, and if you’ve a mind to go over the blue side (so to speak) then read Kate Watson Smyth’s blog post on the blue shade card from Little Greene.

Paint by Conran- Dark Lovage

Dark Lovage by Paint by Conran

And while we are on the subject of the dark side then consider green, another hot trend that’s gaining popularity, with good reason for its ability to make everything around it glow. My two favourite greens (at the moment!) are ‘Dark Lovage’ by Paint by Conran and ‘Studio Green’ by Farrow & Ball and we have used both as back drops for photography. ‘Dark Lovage’ is an intense, jewel like colour that positively hums with excitement whereas ‘Studio Green’ is a sedate and calming influence. ‘Yeabridge Green’ by Farrow & Ball is a colour I am desperate to have on the walls and ceiling of my garden room to create the feeling of a tropical conservatory – but that is for another blog post!

Studio Green by Farrow & Ball

Esmeralda Chair/ Artificial Areca Palm/ Crochet Table Mat

Little Greene and Farrow & Ball’s websites are full of inspiration and advice on colour schemes that helps to minimize the mistakes – and inspire – of course, and the Paint by Conran shade card, which is inspired by the colour of the British landscape, is curated into complementary colour collections that makes it easier to partner colours.

When choosing colours for the photography it has to be one that enhances furniture and accessories, but doesn’t shout (which is what most of you are also looking for in a paint for your home) , and all the paint colours I’ve mentioned here have that quality. Next time I will go over to the light side and tell you about some of my favourite pale (but definitely not boring) colours.

I’d love to know your favourite moody hues and brands, do let me know in the comments below.