Navigating the Paint & Paper Library Colour Card with Head of Design, Andy

The Paint & Paper Library colour card has been designed with versatility and simplicity of use at its centre. The collection comprises two complementary colour palettes: the Architectural Colours and Original Colours. Combined, these shades can create bold, impactful interior transformations, as well as quietly elegant schemes of soft contrasts.

Read this guide from Paint & Paper Library Head of Design, Andy Greenall as he explains the format of the paint colour card. Discover how you can use each palette independently or in combination…

What is included in the colour card:

The Paint & Paper Library colour card provides a shade for every interior and exterior scheme. Unfolding the full card, you will discover:

The palette of Architectural Colours, arranged in 19 groups of graduating tones.
The palette of Original Colours, inspired by historical, traditional and contemporary interiors from worldwide sources
Five versatile white shades
Painted chips using the chalky Pure Flat Emulsion finish
A useful finish guide, with representations of each of the five Paint & Paper Library finishes

Using the Paint & Paper Library colour card

You can use the colour card to create sophisticated schemes that utilise the subtle graduations of the Architectural Colours. Or introduce the unique, characterful hues of the Original Colours to add depth and character to your scheme. Versatile and easy to use, each paint collection is suitable for both classic and contemporary interiors.

Andy writes: “You should think of the Paint & Paper Library colour card as having a built-in interior designer. The range of colours is broad in the spectral sense, in that all colour families are represented. But the palette is also fine-tuned, as all the colours have a uniform character. Therefore, the colours will work well with each other whatever the combination.

The total colour offering is limited to fewer than 200 colours; each one is there on merit. The quality of the pigments and the complex recipes mean that any Paint & Paper Library scheme will have a distinctive and cohesive look.

If you don’t already have one in your hands, order your free paint colour card. Then come back to this post with your colour card in front of you, so you can follow along more easily.”

Request a complimentary colour card

The Architectural Colours

The Architectural Colours presents 95 shades grouped in families of graduated strengths of the same pigment. The palette includes versatile off-whites, warm neutrals, and cooler hues. Each of these shades can harmonise beautifully with the Original Colours to deliver effortless tonal schemes.

Andy writes: “The top half of the card displays 19 families of ‘Architectural Colours’. The name originates from the classic practice of mixing colours on-site in grand, historic projects, and using them in varying strengths to highlight architectural elements within a room - ceilings, cornicing, dado rails, panelling, doors, and trims. The top shade in each column is the lightest colour and the four chips beneath gradually increase in weight, without a change in hue.

You can simplify the process of choosing colour by considering the upper section of the card as just 19 colours. Looking at the darkest shade in each family (numbered V) will give you the best understanding of the colour.

In the early stages, you’re not trying to choose specific shades, but just to identify which Architectural families you are drawn to. Once you know this, you can consider the different ways that the subtle variations of the Architectural Colours can be useful.”

Explore how to use the Architectural Colours palette in further detail.

The Original Colours

The Original Colours palette features 80 unique shades, designed to stand alone and deliver bold, impactful interiors. Alternatively, shades in the Original Colours can work in combination or alongside complementary Architectural Colours, to create contrasting and contemporary designs.

Andy writes: “We refer to the deeper shades on the lower section of the card as the Original Colours. Unlike the Architectural Colours – they remain at their original, undiluted strength. With origins from all corners of the globe, these proven shades can really be considered independently of one another.

We have positioned the Original Colours on the card to loosely reflect the undertones of Architectural colours above. However, there is no need to assume you must stick with the colours with one column. There are some fabulous combinations of Original Colours where each one somehow improves the other – the combination being more than the sum of its parts.”

Wall/ Trim:

Mockingbird

Bath:

Kasbah

Ceiling:

Lead III

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Wall:

Morning Room

Panelling and Door:

Muga

Bench:

Bronze

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Walls:

The Long Room

Cabinets:

Roben's Honour

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The benefits of Architectural Colours

1. Add subtle depth to your scheme

“Choose shades with a visible contrast – I, III and V, for example - to add subtle depth to a room, rather than painting all surfaces in the exact same shade. Slate is a classic, timeless family of off-whites. This shade lacks any particular colour direction, making it hugely versatile.

Consider Slate III or IV on walls, with Slate I or II on the ceiling and trim. This is a great choice for an overall colour scheme, or a base from which to start building a wider spectral palette. Or choose a shade with stronger undertones such as the alluring pink, Powder, to create a scheme with more definite character and ambience.”

2. Counteract the effect of light on colour

"The Architectural Colours palette can also be useful for counteracting the effect of particularly strong or weak light in a space. In some rooms, the orientation of natural light or the window size can create a strong cast of light on one or two walls. In turn, this can make a single colour appear considerably lighter in some parts of the room compared to others.

By using a marginally darker version of the same colour on the affected walls, you can deceive the eye and achieve a more uniform scheme.”

Learn more about selecting paint colours for different room orientations.

3. Create a scheme with nuance and interest

"In more contemporary rooms, you are unlikely to be managing design details such as ornate cornicing, picture rails or dado panels. You should often try to keep the contrast of modern doors and skirting boards to a minimum, but don’t assume that pure white is the right solution here.

Next to a bold or mid-strength wall colour, brilliant white will create a very strong contrast that draws the eye. However, the beautiful wall colour should be the real focal point of your scheme. This is where the Architectural Colours are useful.

The subtle, tonal shades in the Architectural Colours bring a little depth, some interest for the eye and a softly spoken nuance. These sophisticated hues allow a stronger colour to become the colour focus in the room.”

Choosing shades from the Original Colours

“Choose colours from this section of the card using your eyes and heart. Pick out shades you instinctively like. Try to identify 8-10 colours you would consider for your scheme.

A Paint & Paper Library Fandeck is the perfect colour tool for this process. By pulling out two or three versions of your favoured Architectural families, you will immediately create your own palette of colours.

Order the Paint & Paper Library Fandeck

Creating your colour palette

“You might be surprised by how small a range of colours you might need, even for a whole house. The world’s most prolific interior designers are accustomed to working with an edited palette. This is partly because these colours will have worked successfully for them in the past. Additionally, having restrictions can often make the creative process easier."

"One of the most important things to remember is that you are your own client. It’s so important to create a space you enjoy spending time in. You shouldn’t feel like you’ve submitted to someone else’s predetermined ideas.

A good colour consultant will invest time in understanding your ideas, aspirations and taste before suggesting a solution. So, the initial effort of fine-tuning your thoughts is a good exercise to help with that process.”

The range of finishes from Paint & Paper Library

The chips on the Paint & Paper Library colour card are painted in real Pure Flat Emulsion paint, for complete colour accuracy.

Once you have selected a colour, consider what finish you will need for your project.

The Paint & Paper Library finish range is completely water-based. It includes a collection of self-priming, ultra-durable Architects’ finishes in a range of sheen levels, from flat matt to high gloss. Available in the complete colour palette, each Architects’ finish is suitable for painting all interior and exterior surfaces.

“This collection of finishes transforms how we decorate, giving designers and homeowners complete control of where and how they use colour. The self-priming and durable nature of these formulations means our entire range of colours can be used on virtually any surface.

If the beautiful interplay of light on a matt surface motivates you, use Architects’ Matt across walls, woodwork, radiators, and tiles. This stunning matt finish is as effective and hard-wearing on woodwork as a conventional, higher sheen paint. The range of finishes offers the opportunity to really play with sheen levels and their effect on colour.”

Read Andy’s guide to choosing paint colours or explore design inspiration in the gallery.