Grey is the new neutral. From chic ash greys, to soft, dove-like hues and silvery finishing touches, what’s not to love about literature’s sexiest shade? The Resident checks out the the Clapham properties embracing a grey colour palette
Words: Lizzie Henderson
We have noticed the 50 Shades of Grey trend in Clapham for a while now – and I’m talking about interior decoration. Chic and totally modern, this is a trend that is here to stay. Initially I thought that it might be like the ‘white trend’ – where the lack of colour in the home was popular for a clean look. Unfortunately with the white trend we were often left with a very bright and almost stark environment, not to mention very hard to photograph if when you are preparing to sell.
The new tone of the moment in neutrals comes via a palette of ashy winter morning light, silver branches, wisps of wood smoke and frosty windows. Grey is soft on the eye and can be complemented beautifully with touches of colour. It is comforting and homely and has a lovely cosy atmosphere. We are noticing the trend lending itself to tiling and wall paint, curtains and chairs, as well as front doors and sofas. I have even seen it as a popular choice for grouting used to contrast against white tiles as it cleverly hides water marks, extends the life of your refurbishment and defines both the tiles and the pattern.
We have a handsome five-bedroom Victorian house for sale on Clapham Common North Side, which has been exquisitely interior designed by the current owners. There are ashy shades of grey used in the flooring and dove grey for custom joinery, with metallic silver pendant lights taking prime position in the kitchen. The property has been expertly complemented with splashes of bright pink and green. When using a grey palette it creates a lovely starting point for a buyer – when everything is moved out they can easily add their own personality and not feel as though they are starting with a completely blank canvas.
MORE: INSPIRATIONAL INTERIORS IN CLAPHAM
Another great example of this trend is a superb six-bedroom house on the sought after Old Town street Orlando Road. In the master bedroom the current owners have cleverly added in blue-grey furnishings to contrast against the soft silvery sea grey of the wallpaper.
Clapham is increasingly popular to buyers who are either upsizing or are moving from renting in Fulham, Chelsea and more recently the North such as Hampstead and Belsize Park. Our buyers are fashion conscious whilst being tasteful, many being city workers who commute or stay at home parents who frequent the Old Town and Northcote Road.
They are discerning and often looking at the top of their price range, therefore not always able to do work on a property immediately. My advice to sellers would be to freshen up your property before selling and one of the best things you can do paint the interiors, look at the window coverings and light fittings – these three things can be quite cost effective and really make a difference to the appeal of your property as well as adding value.
Knight Frank, 11 The Polygon SW4 0JG; 020 3811 2153; knightfrank.co.uk
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