Vintage ~ Handmade ~ Homes ~ Gardens

Monday 31 October 2011

50 ways with taupe

Delighted as always to link up with Show Off Your  Cottage Monday at House in the Roses


Do you have a room where you've never quite got the colour right? My tiny sitting room has been every shade of yellow over the last 12 years or so - it's been painted more times than the Forth Bridge! My most recent attempt at getting the right shade resulted in this...


                                                            ... a little insipid 




                                     and just too .. well .. yellow




What I've been searching for is a medium neutral that has some warmth but doesn't overpower the reds and cream soft furnishings...




...and will complement my yellow fireplace tiles 





My son mentioned a meeting he was having recently with designer Kelly Hoppen. Hah, I remarked..."50 ways with taupe"... knowing Ms Hoppens predaliction for this neutral  shade.  Little did I expect him to repeat this to the the UKs number interior designer herself. I feel mortified just thinking of it. Worse he then want on to tell her about the cushions I make - jeez, talking about bigging up Mum! Fortunately, Kelly was extremely gracious and lovely. In fact I should thank her because it got me thinking about taupe as a potential neutral for my sitting room.

There are so many variations on taupe. Some of them were just too cold but umpteen test pots later the colour I have settled for is Farrow and Balls Cord - a warm mid neutral.




What a yummy colour it is. Cord is a delicious caramelly taupe that makes my walls looks soft in light daylight...




And a rich butterscotch in shadow...




It sets off pictures beautifully







And positively glows with warmth at night...







I'm chuffed with the result - I don't intend to paint this room for a long time now!

I flirt with many makes of paint but I always come back to Farrow and Ball. It's appropriate therefore that I'm linking this post to Sarah's F & B giveaway over at  Modern Country Living . Sarah offers loads of advice on using F&B Paints on her lovely blog - do go pay her a visit.

6 comments:

  1. Taupe is the right colour for your sitting room ;)
    I'm going to take a visit to Sarah, now, you are right, she an expert of Farrow and Ball painting..
    Hugs
    paola

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  2. It looks lovely. We love F and B Cord too. It works perfectly in your sitting room - plus very impressed that your son is mixing in such high circles!

    We're signing up to follow you.

    The Relics Team x

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  3. That's so funny!! I am chuckling to myself as I type!! I wish I could have been there!!

    Your living room looks BEAUTIFUL!! I have been so looking forward to seeing it...and it was well worth the wait.

    Sarahxxx

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  4. Hi , I have found your blog via Happy Homemaker post of the month club. I know this isn't the post that you linked to, but just wanted to say that I LOVE the colourful that you have chosen - it looks stunning in your home. I moved from England to Australia a few years ago and will enjoy viewing a little bit f the home land through your bog and photos.
    x

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  5. Cord is a lovely color, Louise, I like Farrow and Ball colors too !
    Wish you a nice week,
    Sylvia

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  6. wow your room is lovely, i like the lighting, so cosy :)

    ReplyDelete

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