The new neutrals

Shaynna Blaze, best known for her roles on Selling Houses Australia and The Block, says a neutral palette provides the perfect base to build on with accent colours — though the latest neutrals are anything but pale.

“There is a clever, new generation of shades which seemingly have a (stylish) foot in both the neutral and colour camps,” Blaze says.

“A pitch-perfect case in point is Taubmans Violet Verbena, the brand’s Colour of the Year for 2017.

“Whether in its paler quarter and half-strength formulations or in its striking full-strength self, the mutable chameleon colour can appear anything from palest dove to charcoal grey or in some situations (with) a graduating blue-purple haze to it.

And when it comes to painting with neutrals, Blaze has the following tip: “If you want to keep the scheme subtle, look at quarter strength of the same neutral, but make sure you have a combination low sheen for walls and gloss for trims and doors to give texture.”

Shaynna Blaze’s favourite neutrals

Greys: Taubmans Endure Winter Mist, Struan Grey and Private Jet

Whites: Taubmans Endure Tahira White, Snow Drop and Crisp White

For more colour inspiration and advice visit taubmans.com.au.