Equally maybe it was hallucinations caused by flaking lead paint! Be assured, those that live in houses that have window frames or walls painted with lead paint, it’s only when the paint chips or flakes that it causes trouble. Old paint is best overcoated with a modern, lead free alternative and that's where Craig & Rose can help. Browse through our different paint ranges, from the period paint colours of 1829 to the decadent finishes in our Opulence range, you're sure to find your perfect paint. 

Naming is a double-edged exercise. A name like Linen White is pretty standard, widely understood and unlikely to upset anyone. Camisole Pink, however, is another matter. Derived from the Spanish word for skirt, this is a name that might be too much in certain quarters. The best thing, if you love the colour and find the name evocative (or neutral), but sense it might put off a significant other, is to tell a little white lie – and say it’s called Salmon!

Some of our paints are named after their source of inspiration. For example, Alhambra Stone represents the red sandstone walls of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain whilst Incarnatino is an Italian renaissance colour used in frescos of the period to represent flesh. 

Browse through our paint ranges, explore the names and discover the history behind the different colours. 

Hertz decided that yellow was the best colour for his cabs to be painted because a survey by the University of Chicago concluded it is the easiest colour for humans to see. Before long, he had. painted all of his cabs yellow, starting a tradition that continues to this day. 

New York cabs were originally coloured red and green but later repainted yellow so they were visible from a distance.

Have you ever redecorated a room in your home and discovered that the end result isn't quite what you imagined? This is because light can have a transformative effect on colour. The surface that you are painting will also affect how light is absorbed and colour reflected.  

Glossy surfaces reflect light and obscure colour, whereas dull surfaces absorb light, often making colour appear deeper and rooms calmer. Another thing to consider is contrast. Rooms with only a few windows but which get a lot of sunlight can prove a bit of an onslaught if you paint them with deep colours. Deep colours on the walls will increase the contrast between the windows and the walls. Your eyes might find this play between light and dark a challenge or, on the other hand you might revel in it. For some, dark walls in bedrooms, can create the effect of an alluring, cosy retreat. 

Craig & Rose has a range of colours and tones all available in different finishes, from eggshell to matt. Browse the collections and choose your perfect colour today. 

Some adjacent colours work in harmony, for example mocha with cream or violet with ochre. But often there’s a disharmony because the relationship between the connecting rooms hasn’t been taken into consideration. You can either go with subtle colour shifts from room to room or changes that are more abrupt and dramatic. 

Painting connecting rooms in lighter colours allows them to flow together seamlessly yet allow each to retain its own sense of identity. 

If you prefer lots of colour, you can still achieve flow by choosing one hue as the unifying thread that runs from room to room and incorporating into the woodwork, doors and ceilings. A dark, cosy room, like a study, next to a bright living room can be an inviting contrast. 

Kitchens tend to have a lot of different surfaces and textures co-habiting. Slate floors, ceramic tiles, chrome equipment and wooden cupboards demand sympathetic attention. Cooking utensils too, butchers’ blocks, copper pots, earthenware dishes and patterned crockery all lend their presence. So, not surprisingly many kitchens are predominantly white. White reflects light sources and helps with visibility, which is a matter of safety as well as utility. The question then is which white? For tips on this and a thousand and one other design decisions we recommend Eve Ashcraft’s excellent and beautifully illustrated book ’The Right Color’. 

Races were hosted in the country of the previous year's winner and when Selwyn Edge won the 1902 Gordon Bennett Cup for England it was decided that the 1903 race would be held in Ireland, then part of the United Kingdom, as motor racing was illegal in Great Britain. As a mark of respect for their Irish hosts, the English cars were painted shamrock green, and the nation’s racing colour was chosen, though shamrock is a lighter shade than the dark, elegant green now associated with the name.

The British Racing Green colour now has a wider range of uses including redecoration around the home. Rich, dark greens look great when contrasted against stark whites. Natural stone and tile complement this colour well too so there are plenty of options if you fancy introducing some green hues into your home. Browse our range of green paint or get in touch if you need some colour advice - just give us a call on 01383 740011. 

Blues are a natural choice for when considering bathroom colours. If you fancy updating this traditional look then combine with other tones to create an individual look. Fresh light colours keep things bright and breezy whilst darker, richer tones can add an air of warmth to the room. 

A light palette will help to reflect light and looks clean. Ochre yellows and peachy colours are common favourites as is the classic pink with clean white trim. If you prefer muted walls but want to brighten up the room then look at using a bold colour for the ceiling to create a fresh, contrasting finish.

If you’re looking for something more exotic – bronze, gold or passionate red - it’s worth checking out the Craig & Rose Opulence range for some ideas. When considering darker, warmer colours then it's also worth thinking about how much light your bathroom gets. Large mirrors can help to create more light in darker spaces and light coloured furniture helps to brighten things up. If your bathroom has large areas of dark tile or stone then you may want to offset with a pale wall colour instead. 

What we do know is that in the British Isles the first pillar post boxes were erected in Jersey in 1852. Roadside wall boxes first appeared in 1857 as a cheaper alternative. In 1856 an ornate pillar box was designed for use in large cities. In 1859 the design was improved, and this became the first National Standard pillar box.

Green was adopted as the standard colour for the early Victorian post boxes. Between 1866 and 1879 the hexagonal Penfold post box became the standard design and it was during this period that red was first adopted as the standard colour. The first boxes to be painted red were in London in July 1874.

Accordingly, a muted hue generally offsets these to greatest effect and helps to draw them all together in a unified whole.  Rich yellows can create a warm background for dark woods and elegant textiles. Pale blues are tranquil and work well against white fireplaces, doors and trims. Conversely, if you’ve got the conviction to make a statement then go for anything from marine blue to bright pumpkin!

Craig & Rose has a range of colours and tones that allow you create different moods and themes around your home, from creams and neutrals to yellows and oranges, browse the collections and choose your perfect colour. 

Even an overcast sky is brighter than interior lighting so before you go to the effort of repainting a whole room, stick up a sample paint card or use a sample pot to paint a small section of wall and compare morning, afternoon and evening light. 

The direction your room points will play an important role in determining the end result. North facing rooms let in less light and are therefore naturally darker. If you want to create a light, airy feeling then opt for yellow based colours as well as cream and neutral paints as both tones reflect light well. Strong dark colours also work well if you aren’t fixed on creating a light room. 

South facing rooms are easier to decorate because the abundance of light means bright and dark paints all look great. 

The same rules apply to exterior paint colours so first and foremost, don’t choose colours for your exterior when inside! Photograph your house at different times of day to see where shadows fall, where’s sunniest and where’s shadiest. This will help you make a well-considered choice for your exterior colours.

The first recorded use of orange as a colour name in English was in 1512 in a will now filed with the Public Record Office. Orange is also the name of a town on the River Rhone in France, which in 1530 passed to the House of Nassau and so to the ancestors of William III of England.

The coincidence of this name with that of the fruit made the wearing of orange coloured badges a symbol of loyalty to William and his Protestant beliefs. 

Colour associations

Colours hold different associations in countries around the globe. In the western world, the colour orange is usually linked to fun, amusement and danger, as well as being an autumnal colour. In parts of Asia orange is symbolic of Buddhism and Hinduism; Buddhist monks robes are orange and the colour is associated with wisdom, strength and dignity
. 

If you fancy introducing a spot of orange into your home, browse our range of yellow and orange paints. 

 A painted ceiling can take its cue from and expand upon a strong feature in a room like an oriental rug or dominant lamp shade. In a wall-papered bedroom a delicately coloured ceiling can be very effective. In a bathroom a touch of pink in the ceiling can cast a flattering glow and in a a children’s room a brightly coloured ceiling can be the finishing touch of gaiety.

Ceilings respond differently to light than walls as it’s unusual to have light directly pointed at them. Features that do throw light up on the ceiling will obviously highlight any colour you use.

Colour

Bear in mind that very low ceilings can be oppressive and require a colour that doesn’t add weight. Whites, creams and neutrals help to make low ceilings appear higher and can create  feeling of spaciousness in rooms that tend to feels small or cramped.

Conversely darker and warmer colours create the illusion of a lower ceiling, often used to create a more intimate atmosphere in large properties with high ceilings.

Victoria reigned for another forty years so the practice became a national habit and 90% of doors and railings remain black. Nice myth, but sadly not so say the architectural historians.

Black did not become the default colour for railings until the late 1950s with the development and availability of fast-drying alkyd resin paints. Before that painters didn’t use black paint in public places, as it was the slowest of all paints to dry and instead grey was the most popular colour for such areas, predominantly because it was an inexpensive choice.

If you fancy integrating the colour black into your home but aren’t quite sure how or where then start with small steps. Darker colours can be used to accent a variety of different areas, from bannisters to window sills. You can also use dark coloured furniture and soft furnishings, combining with lighter, brighter colours to restore balance.

See our range of dark tones for further inspiration.

Dark colours and luxurious, opulent fabrics help to create a boudoir effect whilst light colours and woods coupled with fabrics like cotton and muslin compose a light, breezy environment to relax in.

Heavy curtains or blackout blinds are an elegant means of filtering out the light and if you prefer to wake up in a light filled room then use lightweight materials in pale colours.

Clear out clutter

Clutter in the bedroom can create stress so take some time to clear out cupboards, wardrobes, drawers and keep your sleeping space neat and tidy.

Craig & Rose has a range of colours and tones that allow you create different moods and themes around your home, from creams and neutrals to blues, greys and purples, browse the collections and choose your perfect colour. 

If you are, you’re not alone. At Craig & Rose we’ve had numerous requests to match colours, from the Royal Yacht Britannia’s request to match the black of its funnel to a lady who wanted us to match the beige of her father’s suit for her study. We pride ourselves that we can indeed match any colour. To find out more explore our Superior Range or call 01383 740011 for colour advice.

Hot colours

Hot colours, such as red, orange and yellow, are bright and invigorating, helping to generate feelings of energy. Use these colours in rooms where activities occur, for example, the kitchen. If you don’t fancy painting an entire room in a hot colour then look at how you can introduce these hues with accessories and soft furnishings.

Cool colours 

Cool colours help to relax and unwind and are therefore ideal for your bathroom, bedroom or living room. Look out for blues, violets and indigos if you want to set a soothing scene.

Our website is here to help you make the right decision about the colours in your home, as are our colour chips and sample pots available in stores across the country.  We also love to talk about colour so if you need some colour advice, pick up the phone and give us a call on 01383 740011. 

Pick your perfect paint for less with a free delivery offer from Craig & Rose. 

We are offering free standard UK delivery on all orders over £50.00. Discounts will apply as you check out so no fuss with vouchers or codes.

If you haven’t decided which colour to choose yet or you need some free advice, who not visit our blog for advice and inspiration.

Start shopping now.

If you plan to go for gold in decorating your home, our paint can be used both internally and externally. Gold, or touches of it, in a bedroom or bathroom – or even in a living or dining room – can give an exotic or slightly decadent feel. Externally, it might suggest your house is a temple! Maybe it is.

Dedicated to supplying the most discerning users of paints our name has become synonymous with Paints of Quality since we first started manufacturing in Edinburgh in 1829. Now in 2012 we are preparing to release our new range of premium paint "Superior" onto the market which will be available through our website and costs between £60.00 and £110.00

In conjunction with the launch of our Superior paint range, Craig & Rose will offer a bespoke colour matching service. This service will enable you, our customers to select any colour that you desire and have it exactly matched and produced. 

This of course means that you will be able to match any trend and have your very own unique colour palette in your home.

To celebrate the launch of our new website we are offering free delivery on orders over £20 until the end of April.

We hope that you visit our blog on a regular basis for the latest Craig & Rose news, Tips and Tricks, Trend Watch and guest blog pieces from some of the best interior designers in the UK.

We will answer any questions you may have, tell you things that you didn’t already know and most importantly give you some interior design inspiration.

You can also now follow us on Twitter for daily updates and interesting Craig & Rose facts.

We hope that you enjoy our blog and find it useful. Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is a particular subject that you would like us to blog about and we will do our best.

Products Shown:

Pantry White

Products Shown:

Venetian Glamour

Decadence

Products Shown:

Pompadour

Vellum Parchment

Products Shown:

Elegant Cream

Gold Sparkle

Colours Shown:

Smalt

Chromium

However we do still take an interest in what is going on in the world around us. Everything from fashion to world events and the economy effects trends in design so after doing some research and looking closely at influencing factors around us we have come up with the following colours to watch out for in 2012.

Colors to watch:

• Black is the new black
• Neutrals will be cooler – grays and slate colors
• Pink and purple undertones will be strong
• Metallics and pearlized colors will continue to be strong
• Gold will begin to make a comeback, but with more of a satin finish
• Bronze and silver will remain strong
• Deeper undertones and monochromatic blends of purple and mauve

Spring is in the air and every shade of yellow is in ‘season’. Yellow can give a really vibrant feel to a room, particularly if you combine it with some equally bright colours. Using paler yellows can create a calming, mellow feel within a room and can also make small rooms feel bigger. So if you have a small study that you want to use for relaxing and reading a soft yellow might just be what you’re looking for. This shade also works brilliantly with wooden furniture, especially if it is dark and opulent. 

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See yellow Craig and Rose paints here