Paint colours and all that

One of the most frustrating things about living in HK is the quality of the light.   As a designer, the colour of light can change the most beautiful of paint colours- so that the most subtle tones are rendered drab and lifeless.  

I love the subtlety of Farrow and Ball's paint colours from the UK.   Altfield used to carry the colours but no one ordered them (probably due to the crazy shipping prices).   However, I bit the bullet a few times and did make an order, only to be thoroughly disappointed with the results.  

However, though they didn't work in HK, it's nice to look at the new colours they introduce every season and dream.  

First up , Peignor 286, a soft subtle pink with a grey undertone.   It is inspired by the colour of chiffon dressing gowns.  You can't get more romantic than that!  

Love this colour, called Salon Drab 280.  

This is a classic 19th century drab which works well with yellows and reds.   

Love a toned down avocado green? - here is Yeabridge Green, named after the house in Somerset where it was originally found.  

Here's a lovely blue- Inchyra Blue (pronounced with a soft 'ch' like in China).   It can read as quite grey depending on the light and the juxtaposed colours.   

Remember the X-files?   They used to have an enigmatic character called Cromarty.  Alas, this colour is not named after him...Basically a neutral, it can sometimes read as blue.   

I'm quite fond of this colour. Called Worsted, it is inspired by a woollen fabric used for suits.  It reads as a clear grey.   

Drop Cloth can seem quite plain, but it is inspired by the plain cotton canvases that painters have put down to protect floors.  I like it with the wicker/straw/hide palette in the picture- I think it would work well with a scandi / heritage interior.    

Gosh, colour is an amazing thing- wish it worked better in HK.   

Fabulous fabric patterns by Christopher Farr.

There are always some classic fabric patterns that look good anywhere.  One of our favourite fabric designers is Christopher Farr.
Here are a few of our favourites...you can source all these fabrics through us.

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I'm not a huge fan of foliate patterns but this Christopher Farr design is one of my favourites.   It's called Carnival and the green and blue colourway is one of the classic combinations.   

Here's another by Christopher Farr- It's called Breakwater.   

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It looks fabulous in a headboard or as wallpaper as shown here.   

This image is from one of Kit Kemp's hotels.  The pattern on the headboard is from the fathom series and the curtains on the windows are from the RickRack range.  Kit Kemp designed this fabric and it is really lovely.   Again the patterns are beautifully graphic with strong colours and a lovely transition of colours within the colourway.   I love the mix of patterns.    

We will be ordering some Christopher Farr fabrics soon and making them into cushions and some other small items.   Let us know if you are interested.