Origins of Colour

At Paint and Paper Library, our paints are designed to give a profound depth of colour by using only the finest pigments and ingredients. From burnt charcoal to rich yellow ochre, our palette comprises colours from historical settings and the natural world.

Many of our colours have been found in some of the most prestigious properties around the world to form a rich colour palette.

A ‘world traveller’ ethos has inspired many of our shades, creating a global language for both well-travelled and aspiring travellers alike.

Some colours have been taken directly from grand interior spaces, some sourced from historic locations, while others are redolent of an illustrious landmark or destination. Each colour has been studied and developed by our design team into a unique and highly versatile shade for use in modern interiors

Exploring the Paint & Paper Library Colour Palette

Georgetown – A colour of deep and richly polished wood, inspired by one of the world’s leading universities in Washington, USA.

Pair Georgetown with Plimsoll, a deep inky blue, to create a bold colour-block space. Explore the scheme in our inspiration gallery.

Drakensburg – A rich, warm grey, redolent of the highest mountain range in South Africa.

This violet-grey shade works beautifully on front doors, introducing the natural tones of its origins into a modern urban setting.

Paris Rooftops – A subdued, warm charcoal tone representative of Zinc cladding on Parisian roofs.

Create a sophisticated scheme inspired by the origin of this colour, by using in combination with muted greys like Opus or Quail.

Rouge II – An attractive muted blush which was taken from the State Rooms of the French Empire during the 19th century.

Paint adjacent woodwork in Salt II for a gentle contrast.

Teal - A blue-green hue discovered in an 18th-century Parisian salon on the Rive Gauche.

Create a complementary scheme by using this historical shade alongside the strongly contrasting Acqua Viva.

Beetlenut – Rich and exotic, this colour is inspired by the chewing of the infamous South Asian nut.

Pair with the earthy Heath on woodwork to ground the scheme.

Explore more of our historical paint colours, inspired by archival and contemporary interiors from across the globe.