Parrots in the Parlour

So many room colours fascinate me, for various reasons. Some for their calming powers, some for their vibrancy and some for the way they light up a room, but grey doesn’t fit into any of these categories as a colour, and yet it still manages to remain one of the top decoration colour trends

The daring will go for a dark grey, such as the farrow and ball colour Downpipe. With its blue-black undertones, it risks being hard looking, and yet is bold and enchanting and is a fabulous choice for walls and cabinetry.

And what about dark grey for walls….and the ceiling.                                                                In a bedroom it creates a dark and sinister look to some extent, but before you think  this ones for just the vampires, imagine how it wraps you up in a womb-like warmth after dark. I love it.

This wow hallway is stunning in mid grey. And with some funky and quirky bohemian accessories (I love the gold cranes and the gold mirror, but I’m not sure where I stand on bug art though!) I think as long as you have a plentiful light source in your hallway, why not be a bit bold with colour.

But if these dark grey’s scare you , or you want more warmth to your grey, worry not, slightly warmer shades of grey are popular too. This is a shot from the recent furniture photo shoot we did at Melody Maison, where we used 2 shades, with brown undertones, to create warmth.

‘set in stone’ is the top colour, and ‘ancient wonder’ is the darker colour,both by    Valspar at B&Q

Both would look good alone too. How great do they look with the French grey collection from Melody Maison?

Also, shown here with the Lyon range from Windsor Browne

In my own home, I have 3 rooms decorated in grey, all 3 set totally different moods. I did not realise quite how many rooms I have that are grey until I came to write this article! (My other favoured room colour seems to be green incidentally, which tops grey with 4 rooms!)

My kitchen cabinetry, in Cornforth white and Downpipe, both from Farrow and Ball , they are a classic combination, of light and dark greys, and coupled with some silver and white accessories, it creates a cool traditional look

Kitchen cabinetry in Cornforth white and Downpipe by Farrow and Ball

I love my walking silver stag on the shelf, and all the silver coloured bits and bobs against a dark background. For similar accessories in silver that work well with dark back drops, what about the single angel wing from Melody Maison

or visit at home in the country for loads more silver stag ornamentation. They have everything from photo frames to wine coolers, perfect for the current trend of stags and countryside critters

My bedroom, is a bit more of a Victorian floral vibe. I used a light-mid grey , this is   dulux  ‘goose down’ coupled with purples, pinks and greens , I love this colour combo so much , in particular the bedding,  which is from designers guild . With its dark grey background, and huge flowers in strong colours, its floral bedding on a grand scale.   They have an amazing bold collection of statement design bedding, and fabrics. The floral picture above the fire is from is also from Melody Maison

So,  if you are thinking of decorating, I hope I’ve inspired you to try a bit of grey in your life, as grey doesn’t have to mean dull!