Little Greene Paint & Paper is urging designers and homeowners to move beyond the extremes of stark neutrals and saturated hues, pushing instead toward balanced, layered palettes for interiors.
A shift toward balanced hues
The brand’s Creative Director, Ruth Mottershead, describes the current direction as a move from warm, saturated tones to colors that are neither too warm nor too cool. This evolution, she notes, is not a sudden revolution but a gradual shift. The brand’s updated Colours of England and Colour Scales collections are built around this idea of gentler, less saturated shades that still possess personality.
Mottershead compares these mid-shades to the middle of a pH scale, around 5 or 6. She suggests this appetite for colors that do not shout stems from a desire for homes that feel calm and considered rather than trendy. The new collections reflect this preference for balanced neutrals that allow a space to breathe without overwhelming the senses. This focus on light and personal preference marks a practical departure from the fleeting nature of fashion trends, prioritizing longevity over the fleeting appeal of seasonal colorways.
For those starting a decorating project, Mottershead advises choosing colors one loves rather than chasing trends. She recommends selecting a hero color first and then adding one or two shades that share the same undertone. This approach ensures the scheme feels connected. The designer also stresses the importance of sampling large swatches and living with a color on the wall for several days to observe how it reacts to different lighting conditions. She advises that a north-facing space will pull the coolness out of a color, while a south-facing room will warm it up beautifully, so letting this natural variation guide the palette is essential.
A quiet contemplation
Mottershead highlighted ‘Perpetual Blue’ as a standout shade in the new offerings. This color is drawn from a surviving paint palette in Winston Churchill’s studio at Chartwell. It is described as a mid-to-deep blue with a green undertone that responds beautifully to changing light throughout the day.
