Colour Consulting Archives

Which Grey to Choose?

Which grey to choose for your home?

Many people have been led to believe that grey and white work with every other colour. Right? Wrong! Choosing which grey to use is more involved than you may have firstly estimated. In this short video below I show you how to determine which grey to choose.

Does grey really work with everything?

Recently I had a friend from overseas staying with me. One day she said: “Look Martina, I understand you’re a colour consultant, but who actually needs a colour consultant because we all know grey works with every colour”. And this was my response that I replied to her.

“Be mindful of different colour bases”

I showed her three colour samples of three greys each with a different base tone.

Grey with a purple base (left), with a green base (centre) and with a turquoise base (right) — The left swatch has a purple base, the centre one a green base and the right one a turquoise base. They are all grey but each portray a different feeling and match other colours in a certain way. So now do you begin to see that grey is not just grey.

Which grey to choose depends on their undertones

Both the grey and the white have a purple undertone — Both the grey and the white (above) have a purple undertone.

An example: You have a sofa in the above purple based grey and are looking for a white paint colour for your walls. I would recommend to choose a white that shares the purple undertone as to best accentuate your space. This way all the chosen colours look and work beautifully together achieving a harmonious look. When you wish to add scatter cushions e.g. to your lounge go again for the purples, this way it all ties together.

Which grey to select for a harmonic colour scheme

Grey with a turquoise base works well with a crisp white. Combine it with a turquoise sheer curtain — Grey with a turquoise base works well with a crisp white. Combine them with turquoise accessories like a turqoise sheer curtain

Another example: We have now (above) a grey sofa that has a turquoise undertone, and are looking for white paint colour. You may wish to go for a crisp white in this case. Bring more turquoise in through your decorative items, such as sheer curtains. Therefore creating a harmonic colour scheme.

If you need further inspiration on your colour palette, why not have a look at the magazine’s Home Beautiful best interior colours for Winter 2019.

Deciding on which grey to choose

When deciding on which grey to choose access your space and try to determine the undertones that are existing or that you would like to create. Don’t forget about other contributing factors though such as space and light.

For more ideas and information have a look at my other post about choosing paint colours for your home.

Also be mindful that colours in photos and on screens may turn out differently.

If you find that colour matching belongs in the too-hard-basket, take advantage of our colour consulting services where we recommend a beautiful palette that brings the best out of your home.

For any questions you might have, please call me on 0434 498 450 or email to martina@martinahayes.com.au. Alternatively, you can also use this handy contact form.

Choosing paint colour

Choosing paint colour is not as easy as it sounds.

Have you found that your eyes have wandered around your home recently, wondering what a fresh coat of paint could do to your walls as well as the vibe and aesthetic of your home. This is fantastic opportunity to rejuvenate your interiors.

Choosing paint colour scheme

But what often troubles us all is the how. How do you select paint colours, what vibe am I trying to create or change? The answer is to find and then determine a new colour scheme.

Many of us are ready for the change but are just stuck at where to start when choosing paint colour.

This short video below is a great start for you to put you on the right path a determining a new colour scheme for your home.

Key Points from the Video

1. Ceiling height important for choosing paint colour

The first step towards choosing paint colour is to measure the height of your homes ceiling. If your ceiling measures less than 2.7 metres it’s best to choose a lighter colour. This is to create the illusion of a larger space avoiding cramped and squished.

2.4 metres is the standard ceiling height but you are not limited only to white, you have the opportunity to add pastel hues which can create a truly stunning and really quite unique space.

With a ceiling height of 2.7 metres or more, you can play with colour on your ceiling. A warm, dark hue gives your living area this snug atmosphere you always desired.

2. Size of the room critical for choosing paint colours

When choosing your paint colour it’s especially important to consider the size of the space. Different colours create different effects depending on the square footage of the room. If your space only measures a few square metres, be aware if choosing a dark colour of the effects they can portray. A darker wall colour can often make a space feel smaller, tighter and more enclosed than it actually is.

The smaller a room, the lighter the colour you should choose as it is making the most of the space, but if you do have a large room it’s a fantastic opportunity to use darker colours with added moody tones and drama to your space.

3. Natural Light critical for choice of colours

Lighting is incredibly important when selecting your hues. Colours are very perceptive to light and can look completely different at certain times of day depending how light is affected in the space. It’s a good start to determine how much natural light your space receives as well as determining whether your space is warm or cool in tone.

Two paint swatches — For the interiors of an Epping house I recommended Dulux Antarctica Lake 1/8 for the walls and Vivid White for the doors and trims

If your room is flooded with natural light, you are spoiled for choice when choosing paint colour. You can choose paint colours from the cooler spectrum of the colour wheel such as blues, greens or turquoise. These colours may otherwise may make a room seem smaller if your space does not have as much natural light.

This cooler hue on your walls may just take the edge off on a hot summer day in Sydney. It is a fabulous solution for Northern facing bedrooms. It goes without saying that the wall colour can’t change the temperature in reality, but your perception may be changed.

If you’re after a stunning space, but don’t want to bother about all this colour gibberish, have a look at my colour consult service.

Feature walls add interest

If you’re finding that the space you want to update lacks any particular interest, a feature wall could be the way for you to go. The idea is that of a wall, ideally located opposite the entry door and has no window or large cabinetry whose design differs from those of the other walls in the space. They are intended to break up the room and add interest and definition to the space.

Choosing the paint colour then for a feature wall should be something that inspires you or that brings out others colours in the space such as the hues of rugs and cushions.

Wallpaper can transform your space

Don’t limit yourself to a solid colour for your feature wall. There are so many beautiful and inspiring wallpapers to choose. Subtle fabric wallpapers add extra texture to your space for comfy hygge atmosphere. If your daring and really in need of change a bold pattern will transform your room from boring to absolutely stunning.

One supplier we often use is Eurowalls with a showroom in Sydney’s suburb Alexandria. But there are many other wallpaper shops to choose from.

If you find it difficult to settle on a paint colour, feel free call me on 0434 498 450 or email to martina@martinahayes.com.au.

Alternatively, you can use this contact form.

How to select paint colours for your home

Eight questions you should ask yourself before you select paint colours

Your eyes may have wandered around your home recently, thinking that it is time for a fresh coat of paint on your walls. This is a good opportunity to rejuvenate your interiors. But how do you select paint colours to determine a new colour scheme?

Select paint colour — Selected Dulux Milky Spearmint for the back wall of this Eastern Suburbs living room

But where to start? Here are eight questions to ask yourself to make your painting project successful.

What direction does the room face?

With the right paint colour choice, you are able to adjust how warm or cold a space feels. For example, with a cooler hue you can take the edge of a north facing room that is baking in the sun light. But when you always reach for this thick cardigan in a room, you might select a warm colour to make the room feel warm and comfortable.

What atmosphere do you wish to achieve?

For a fresh, coastal ambiance you are likely to look for the blues and greens in the colour chart. But to achieve a cosy and homely feeling, neutral hues in the warm spectrum are ideal for you. Or you might be an eccentric character who thrives in a clashing colour scheme. Then have fun with mixing up your colours!

What is your ceiling height?

With a ceiling height of 2.7 metres or more, you can play with colour on your ceiling. A warm, dark hue gives your living area this snug atmosphere you always wanted. Whereas a bright colour has a dramatic effect on how the space is perceived. A standard ceiling height of 2.4 metres doesn’t mean you need to go for the traditional white, a pastel colour can also look stunning without weighing the ceiling down visually.

Thought of a feature wall?

If your room lacks interest, a feature wall might be the right choice for you. Check, if you have a wall that could work as the feature wall: It is ideally located opposite the entry door and has no window or large cabinetry. Paint the wall in a contrasting colour or just a couple of tones darker than the rest of the room.

Which colour to choose for a feature wall?

Get some inspiration from looking out of the window. What about the greyish green of a gum tree? Or the deep blue of the sky? Or the colour of the blooming plants in the backyard? Alternatively, look around in your room. Is there a colour in your rug or in your cushions you fancy? Then go for it!

Select paint colour for this particular space

Get yourself some matching swatches from the paint shop or handware store and order A4 brushouts online from the paint manufacturers’ websites (Dulux, Taubmans, etc). Place the sheets against the wall, step back and compare the hues at various times of the day and at night with the lights switched on. You will soon know what colour is the right one for you.

What about wallpaper in your interiors?

Don’t limit yourself to a solid colour for your feature wall while there are so many beautiful wallpapers out there. Subtle fabric wallpapers add extra texture to your space for this comfy atmosphere. And a bold pattern can transform your room from boring to absolutely stunning.

How to match the colour of the remaining walls?

Once you made your choice, keep the remaining three walls fairly neutral. Look for a similar undertone to your feature wall. For example: If you have chosen a purple, opt for a neutral with a slight purple undertone to create a harmonious look.

If you have questions on how to select paint colour or wallpaper for your space, please contact me.