Color 2023: Stone Natural Color Palette

Continuing its collaboration with the British National Trust (Europe’s largest charitable organization for the preservation of cultural and ancient monuments), Little Greene presents a color palette of natural Stone colors. It is filled with warmth, tranquility and eternal harmony.

In January 2021, the company will introduce 36 colors, including 22 new shades and 14 shades from the company’s archives. The color palette and colors are thought out and divided into six groups that demonstrate the full breadth of the spectrum of natural stone shades. These six groups are divided into tones, and each of them is based on a pigment of natural origin: Red Ocher, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ocher, Burnt Umber, Lamp Black. and Green Earth.

The color palette chart is divided into columns to make choosing a shade easier. Colors in the same column can be used together with each other in shade schemes, while shades from different color groups can be combined to create more dynamic, accent, contrast combinations.

The eleven new colors included in the Stone collection were discovered during color surveys sponsored by the National Trust. The deep earthy red of Arras can be found in the tapestry hanging in the chapel of Hardwick Hall, a prime example of Elizabethan architecture. Book Room Green was discovered in the neoclassical Book Room at Wimpole Hall, while Baluster, a natural gray limestone color, was taken directly from the carved balustrade of the main staircase of Penrhyn Castle.

Stone’s capsule collection of warm neutrals marks a welcome departure from decade-long gray. The move towards warmer, more natural colors, often referred to as the “new neutrals”, has seen an increase in the popularity of earth and stone tones, providing an alternative to cooler color options. These soft neutral tones can be used throughout the home to create a cozy, rustic feel, and as a sophisticated backdrop for fabric wallpaper and home decor of all styles.

“Our homes have become our sanctuaries – whether we’re working or relaxing, we’re spending more and more time at home,” says Little Greene creative director Ruth Mottershead. “We are looking for comfortable interiors that awaken the desire to create cozy spaces, a kind of “cocoon” – the colors of the stone are immeasurably beautiful, soothe the eye and warm the soul. There is undoubtedly a shift from cooler grays to warmer tones, and the warm neutrals that the Stone palette offers are ideal for creating tranquil living spaces while delivering genuine elegance in both contemporary and classic settings. It’s not about returning to beige, but using these new neutral tones to create elegant and cozy interiors.”