"A gradual variation in colour is a pleasing way of modulating mood and adding architectural interest to the overall subconscious of the house"
David Oliver, Design Director

The Architectural Colours is a palette of pastel whites and neutrals. Each core colour is arranged in a sequence of five chromatically graduated shades (for example Leather l -V) to give a total of 120 subtle tonal variations. We recommend that you use these colours as a uniquely simple, but highly effective method of uniting all the architectural elements in a room. Ceiling, walls and woodwork will become one coherent, harmonious space. The versatility of these colours means they can be used as a configured palette, either alone or with each other colour in combination.

One solid uninterrupted colour is seldom effective in larger rooms. Breaking up the architectural elements of each room (such as above and below the dado rail, the skirting, architraves and door moulding or panelling creates) using a variety of tones, results in a successful colour balance that mimics the natural fall of light and creates subtle crescendos of colours from light to dark.

Technical Application

Although there are no hard and fast rules, the skirting board and dado rail often look better if painted in the same or a slightly darker colour than the walls. The cornice should be 50% lighter than the walls, but 50% darker than the ceiling. Frequently for economic reasons, one sees a cornice painted as if it was part of the ceiling, and if this is done it is quite impossible to create the right balance because of the way light rests and reflects from the ceiling. Doors and architraves should be treated with similar care. One effective way is to paint the door itself in three tones of colour. The stiles and the rails should be in the darkest tone and the panels in the middle tone. The mouldings should be in the lightest tone. The same method can be applied when painting a panelled, stuccoed or wainscoted room.

Whether you are decorating large period room or a small urban apartment, our downloadable Architectural Guides, will show you how to apply this simple colour by numbers system to any interior space- be it Georgian, Regency, Victorian, Edwardian, Contemporary or a Modern Mid Centruy.

Download Architectural Guides PDF