50 with a pink or yellow undertone that warms the space and is more flattering against the skin. Beyond white, pale neutrals vary in hue from cream to sand, through taupe to stone and bleached-timber tones, while darker neutrals vary from charcoal and ebony to chocolate – and there is a whole rainbow in between to choose from, including beautiful greys, from palest dove to darkest steel. Many people love the laid-back, fresh feel of a room that puts white on white, or combines a range of very pale tones, but with neutrals it is also possible to employ counterpoints of darker tones against lighter colours, or even to go dark and dramatic all over. Choose colours by trying them out in situ, using small tester pots before committing to a bigger purchase. Paint at least two coats on several pieces of card, and stick them up on every wall around the room in question. Observe the colours at the times you’ll usually be in the room, and with your lights both on and off, as lighting has a marked effect on neutrals. soft cotton, warm wool, floaty muslin, fluffy sheepskin, and so on. Bring out the cosiness of a small bedroom, for example, with a shaggy rug, matt-painted walls, velvet curtains and soft woollen throws. Or emphasise a light and airy living room with satin-varnished floorboards, glossy woodwork, sheer curtains and silk cushions. While there is inherent pattern in many of these textures (the weave of a rug or a wicker basket, for example) you may wish to introduce some surface pattern, too. In rooms that are, on the whole, relatively plain, small pattern features will stand out as focal points. Checks and stripes, chevrons and zigzags, damasks and geometrics can all look particularly good. Similarly, the occasional spot of colour, whether it’s a pale pink cushion, a turquoise vase or a mustard-coloured lampshade, may be the perfect finishing touch for an all-neutral room, adding just a touch of drama and personality to the calm and welcoming vibe. The trick is to select layers of colour rather than just one, creating an interesting, subtly varied effect. When combining neutrals, avoid using different hues that are all of the same tone. An easy way to choose is to take a colour chart and go up or down (dark to light) within the same colour family, rather than working across from colour to colour. You could use darker tones for woodwork, with lighter ones for walls or, if you have features such as cornices and dadoes, perhaps vary the wall tones with lighter ones above and darker ones below the divisions. You can also use different neutrals to provide a gentle visual link from room to room: perhaps a very pale colour in a narrow hallway, with slightly darker hues in a living room and a warm tone in a dining room, for example. With paint colours sorted, continue the layering effect with flooring, wallcoverings, furnishings and accessories. In any neutral scheme, it is surfaces that are the star, and success comes from choosing textures – hard and soft, rough and smooth, squishy and knobbly – as carefully as you would colours. Natural is key, so aim for simple upholstery, window treatments, bed linen and table linens, in fabrics that have subtle and attractive variations in texture – crisp linen, Inspired by classic wingback chairs, these stately beds have ample storage space concealed beneath. Kenley ottoman storage bed in oatmeal fabric, £699.99 (double), Furniture & Choice: 0333 015 0000; furniturechoice.co.uk
51 ASHTON UPHOLSTERY CUSTOM MADE SUITES DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER We’re now open! Family run business for over 30 years. Open 7 days. FREE Home consultation now available for any upholstery needs 23 designs, 1000’s of fabrics any spec Ashton Upholstery, 263 A Bolton Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, WN4 8TG 01942 271268 • ashtonupholstery@outlook.com Like our page for fantasic special offers www.ashtonupholstery.co.uk PHONE OR EMAIL FOR FREE BROCHURE
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