Even architects and designers turn to their favourite colours – versatile and universally flattering – again and again. Here’s 10 that have stood the test of time.
Lexicon from Dulux
The top choice for an all-purpose white paint. Leading designers from Thomas Hamel to Iain Halliday, Greg Natale, Anna Spiro and Parterre owner Richard Haigh, love it.
Popcorn from Porter’s Paints
Clean and calm, it’s the perfect backdrop for art with a slightly tea-stained hue. Not too warm or too cool.
Parchment for Resene
It’s fresh yet has depth, and versatility. You can have it, quarter it, or double it.
Whisper White from Dulux
The warm white of old, pre-brightened starched linen has a cult following in the paint world. A fave with big-name designers who use it in half-and-quarter strength.
Hague Blue from Farrow & Ball
If you’re thinking blue, look to this quintessential shade for a fresh, modern feel. It’s the choice of celebrity London chef Skye Gyngell’s for her kitchen cabinets.
Timeless Grey from Dulux
A cult favourite grey with designers everywhere, that goes bluer or browner depending on the light.
Cashmere from Dulux
It has replaced Hog’s Bristle as the designer’s go-to neutral. It has a tiny amount of grey and warmth to it, that moves it away from pure white. It’s in tie with another great warm driftwood grey neutral, Calf Skin from Dulux, that changes from grey to beige depending on the light.
Pitch Black from farrow & Ball
When you are ready to go dark, not just any shade will do. For a dark overhaul, this colour is the blackest of shades.
White Alpaca from Taubmans
One of the best warm whites out there with just the right amount of grey and yellow, and no pink tones.
Twill, Basalt and Rock from Murobond
also belong on the greatest hits paint list. They are versatile, deep earthy shades that are the kind of colour used by A-list architects to paint landmark buildings like Boomerang, Old Government House and Hyde Park Barracks.
Honourable mentions
Beige Royal from Dulux, a warm neutral that top designers swear by which is neither too blue, or too icy or too yellow.
