The Future Of The UK And An AWESOME House Exterior Makeover!!

Today has been a day of extraordinary transformations in the UK, which has left many feeling uncertain in the light of unexpected changes, so I thought I'd write this post as a message of hope. This is not meant as an economic breakdown; just my personal thoughts on choosing to take a bright view, together, of the future. So, here goes...

Sometimes you've got a house (or, ahem, a country) that looks alright...

Some good period features. A well-painted facade. Pretty good condition....

BUT, BUT, BUT...

I think we all agree that so much more could be done.

And so it is with the UK.

I adore our fantastic 'Get On With It' attitude but I am certain that with a good deal of hard work, a labour of love on behalf of our beautiful country, its inhabitants and visitors, together we can press on for a much better state of affairs.

Take a look at what's possible when you set your mind to it...

This Victorian terrace had fallen prey to many 'modern' ideas, that I'm sure seemed appropriate at the time but had left it looking dated and out of sorts. We're talking plastic double-glazing, removal of a bay window and a rendered frontage...

The house owners have looked at their neighbours (yes, I'm back on the EU allegory again) and seen what works for them, and made the very best of all the potential they had.

This process meant a lot of stripping back, an investment of money, and I bet there were times when they were sick of the sight of it... But just look at the house now!!! 

BEFORE:

AFTER:

All the pain was worth it in the end to get to a better place.

It's gorgeous!

{And so are we!!}

Images via Hackett Holland

House Tour Of Modern Country Interior With Gorgeous Front Door!

How's this for a gorgeous entrance to a really lovely Modern Country Cottage?

{Try Farrow and Ball French Gray for that beautiful grey-green front door!}

The two box balls (faux, I think!) flanking the front door set the stage for the Modern Country Interior...

I love that framed Piccadilly Bus Blind. I've got the most perfect Bus Blind for us that I keep meaning to get framed. It's going to look brilliant and the names on it are just so completely relevant for our family.

I love it when I find pieces like that. Pieces that I love but also reflect who we are as a family. I think that's what I love about this home...

It's got bags of style, yes. ...but you really feel the personality of the owners shine through.

And that's what Modern Country Style should be all about.

You. In Your home. Looking beautiful.

{I meant the home looking beautiful...but you can too!!}

Images via 25 Beautiful Homes

The Best Grey Paint Colours For Interiors

Let's continue yesterdays Best Grey Paint post (where I shared my current favourite grey paints for front doors, click the link to reveal all!) with...

The Best Grey Paints For Interiors

There's s so many good 'uns to choose from here that it was trucky to narrow down my all time favourites. I've spent ages umming and aahing but here are my current top 5 favourite grey paints.

For those of you who want a mid grey paint that has a gently warm feel, without veering at all to red, choose Manor House Gray from Farrow and Ball. 

Farrow and Ball Pavilion Grey and Manor House Grey

Farrow and Ball Manor House Gray

Hallway in Farrow and Ball Manor House Gray: 

Farrow and Ball Drop Cloth is a current favourite of mine. A grey with a whole heap of putty undertones, which at times reads as slightly greenish.

Farrow and Ball Shadow White walls and Drop Cloth woodwork

Farrow and Ball Drop Cloth 

Farrow and Ball Drop Cloth and Railings

Farrow and Ball Drop Cloth 

For a gentler take on grey paint, try Farrow and Ball Cornforth White (click through for my full case study): neutral and soft, this is a grey that let's a rooms' bones speak for themselves. 

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White



Farrow and Ball Cornforth White

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White

Little Greene French Grey is a fantastic choice for a grey painted kitchen that will truly stand the test of time. Don't compare it to Farrow and Ball's French Gray, which is far greener. They are completely different beasts! Little Greene's French Gray is a fairly clear and classic grey with the slightest hint of a blue undertone.

Little Greene French Grey

Little Greene French Grey

Little Greene French Grey

Little Greene French Grey and Dark Lead

Earthborn Gregory's Den is another huge favourite of mine. It's the colour we chose to paint our dining room in our old house and I never tired of gazing at it! A warm creamy greenish grey. Very Modern Country!

Earthborn Gregory's Den

Earthborn Gregory's Den

Earthborn Gregory's Den

And it partners superbly well with Farrow and Ball Blue Gray...

Earthborn Gregory's Den and Farrow and Ball Blue Gray

Earthborn Tom's Bakery is a warm neutral grey, with a slightly putty feel...

Earthborn Tom's Bakery

Dulux Dusted Moss 1 is gorgeously sultry deeper grey, with a definite hint of green.

Dulux Dusted Moss 1

Dulux Dusted Moss

Dulux Heritage Stone Green is a stunner! A very greyed green.... We chose this for the shower room in our last home...

Dulux Stone Green

Dulux Stone Green

Dulux Stone Green

These choices of best grey paints are very subject to change, as I come across and use new paint colours. But don't worry when and as that happens, you'll be the first to know!

Images via: Farrow and Ball,    Kate's Creative Space, unknown, Remodelista, unknown, zoebeers, Modern Country Style, unknown, Light Locations, unknown, Sydenham kitchens, unknown, unknown, Harvey Jones,  Modern Country Style, Modern Country Style, Modern Country Style, Modern Country Style, Sweet Briar Cottage, Paul Massey, Milestone Kitches, Abigail Ahern, unknown, Modern Country Style, Harvey Jones, Housetohome

The Best Grey Front Door Paint Colours

I'm often asked for my recommendations for the best grey paint colours. Your first thought should be: where will you be using the paint? Inside or out? In a south-filled spacious kitchen diner, or a small lightless downstairs loo? Or is this for your front door? Your answers, as you can see from my paint colour case studies, will hugely affect which colour you should choose....but having said that, there are some answers that come up again and again. Here, then, are my favourite grey front door paint colours.....

Grey paint sample pot

I've firstly compiled a list of my current favourite grey paints for rooms, and then tomorrow's post will reveal my current favourite grey front door paint colours (subject to change, of course!!).

 Taupey-grey living room

Really good grey paints are never simply a blend of black and white. It's why you pay more for some paints: that subtle blend of a whole range of undertones that gives a good grey paint its wow-factor. And it's these additions that create the better paint's complex undertones.

The Best Grey Front Door Paints

Farrow and Ball Railings is a great colour to choose if you want an updated version of a timeless black door with a contemporary twist. Railings is a very dark grey with undertones of deep night blue that show better in some lights.

Front door in Farrow and Ball Railings

Front door in Farrow and Ball Railings

Farrow and Ball Down Pipe (click here for my colour paint study) is a fantastic mid-dark grey with a good dose of deep teal, which comes out particularly in warmer light.

Front door in Farrow and Ball Down Pipe

Front door in Farrow and Ball Down Pipe

Front Door In Farrow and Ball Down Pipe

Front Door In Farrow and Ball Down Pipe

Farrow and Ball Pigeon looks quite strongly green in some lights, so be careful with this one, but in the shade, it gives a lovely Modern Country grey!

Front Door in Farrow and Ball Pigeon

Front Door in Farrow and Ball Pigeon

Front Door in Farrow and Ball Pigeon

Front Door in Farrow and Ball Pigeon

It's really worth looking at Dulux's excelelnt Weathershield exterior paints. One of my favourite paint colours ever is Dulux Heritage Stone Green. Stone Green is a gentle putty grey with soft green undertones.

Front Door in Dulux Heritage Stone Green

Front Door in Dulux Heritage Stone Green

Or, for a more greigey-grey, try Dulux Chalky Downs, which comes in five different shades so you can pick the perfect level of colour saturation for you front door!

Front door in Dulux Chalky Downs

Front door in Dulux Chalky Downs

And there you have it! 

My pick of the Best Gray Front Door Paint Colours!

Do you have any favourite grey paints for front doors you'd add to this list?

Now to put together my list of The Best Grey Paints For Modern Country Interiors (Edited: this is now up, you can see by clicking on the link!...).

Images via: