Trend report: brown is the new grey..
Interior trends come and go, not as rapidly as fashion trends, it must be said, but if you recall the urge to paint everything grey in the last decade, you will appreciate that it is a trend we once held close to our hearts, but are now letting go.
Brown is the new grey, of course, and like grey comes in a myriad of different shades, tones and depths. The greatest difference is that browns are generally warm and reassuring, whereas grey was used as a statement of cool elegance. It seems in these more troubled times, we are seeking to wrap ourselves in warmth and comfort and nowhere more so than in our own homes.
Brown is a colour that can work in any room in your home. From chocolate in the teen boy’s room to soft creamy taupe in the living room. Use it sparingly as accessories against a neutral background, or go bold and colour drench. Dark shades have the power of invisibility, disappearing into the background and allowing brighter, bolder colours to step forward, while soft neutrals of ecru and fawn create a tonal backdrop for your existing furnishings, making the switch to browns economical, too.
How to use brown in your home
Accessories
If you love neutral tones of cream, vanilla or while, introducing accessories in shades of brown will add contrast and depth, but not in too bold a fashion. Seek out small inexpensive pieces you can swap out or change up easily, such as vases or glassware. Table lamps, wall lights and ceiling lights are also an easy way to add the colour – and when was the last time you updated your lighting? If you’re ready to commit to something more substantial, consider natural wood furniture, such as side tables, coffee tables, consoles or dining sets. Natural wood brings the brown, of course, and also taps into our increasing need to bring nature into our homes.
In a pre-existing neutral scheme, a chocolate armchair, or rich fleece throws, or a scattering of deep filled cushions in tones of brown will add a feel of comfortable luxury.
Wall colour
If you’re looking to undertake a full room refresh, first decide on whether you’re changing the walls, or flooring and furniture too. If you want to hang onto your furniture, there are shades of brown that will work with every colour there is, from caramel to red, coffee to stone.
In a smaller space, you might find a deep shade a little overwhelming, so look at colours in the caramel and cappuccino range, against which bright white woodwork and soft nature-inspired tones of greens and blue work really well. Farrow & Ball’s London Stone, for example, is a classic taupe, warm and timeless and the perfect neutral backdrop for art and furnishings.
In larger spaces, you can play around some more – go full on colour drench, taking the paint around all four walls and over the ceiling, or simply paint one wall in a rich bitter chocolate, and colour drench the rest in a gentler shade of brown. Cheshire-based eco-friendly paint company Earthborn Paints have a classic creamy brown, with their popular shade Rocky Horse, that works beautifully with shades of pink, peach or even red. Another Cheshire brand, Colours of Arley, has recently undertaken a collaboration with paint company COAT Paints, and we’re very fond of their rich, warm, red-brown, Northern Quarter, which can take dark tones of furniture as well as light coloured furnishings and accessories, and looks great with warm metallics in brushed gold.
Whether you want to entirely refresh your home, or simply freshen it up a little with updates in accessories or furnishings, using shades of brown will truly elevate any space.
Eddie – Friday 5th April 2024. (Image used Farrow & Ball collection).
