Discover Our Stone Palette

‘Stone’ is a continuation of Little Greene’s collaboration with Europe’s largest conservation charity, the National Trust. This collection offers a versatile palette of natural colours bringing warmth, tranquillity, timelessness and harmony.

‘Stone’ is a coordinated collection of 36 natural colours. You’ll find 22 new additions to the Little Greene palette, with 14 shades judiciously selected from the Little Greene archives.

Learn more about the stone paint colours and how to use them within the home.

About the ‘Stone’ collection

We’ve arranged the card and its contents into six columns of graduated families. Each family represents the breadth of individual stone hues. We divide the six families according to undertone, each based on naturally occurring pigments:

• Red Ochre
• Burnt Sienna
• Yellow Ochre
• Burnt Umber
• Lamp Black
• Green Earth

The card makes the colour selection simple. Colours within the same column pair well alongside each other within tonal schemes. Additionally, you can combine shades from across the colour families to deliver more dynamic, contrasting combinations.

Eleven of the new colours included in the collection have originated from Little Greene’s ongoing colour research. This research spans across the portfolio of properties in the National Trust’s care. As such, we’re continuing the cataloguing of original colours from key periods of interior design. We took readings from paint colours, architectural elements, tapestries and indeed stone itself.

‘Stone’ brings together a harmonious palette of colours from an eclectic mix of grand and humble spaces. This includes statement walls of prestigious entertaining halls. Additionally, there are delicate shades from more modest quarters, accompanying tones of decorative features. These features include woodwork, plasterwork, stonemasonry, soft furnishings, ceramics and wall coverings.

Find deep earthy red, ‘Arras’ on the tapestry hanging in the chapel at spectacular Elizabethan house, Hardwick Hall. Discover ‘Book Room Green’ in the neoclassical Book Room at Wimpole Hall. See the authentic grey limestone ‘Baluster’ in the carved balustrade. This shade accompanies the ‘Castell Pink’ stonework in the great stairwell at Penrhyn Castle.

Eleven of the new colours included in the collection have originated from Little Greene’s ongoing colour research across the portfolio of properties in the National Trust’s care, continuing the cataloguing of original colours from key periods of interior design. Readings were taken from paint colours, architectural elements, tapestries and indeed stone itself.

‘Stone’ brings together a harmonious palette of colours from an eclectic mix of grand and humble spaces; from statement walls of prestigious entertaining halls, to delicate shades from more modest quarters, to accompanying tones of decorative features, including woodwork, plasterwork, stonemasonry, soft furnishings, ceramics and wall coverings. Deep earthy red, ‘Arras’ can be found on the tapestry hanging in the chapel at spectacular Elizabethan house, Hardwick Hall, ‘Book Room Green’ was found in the neoclassical Book Room at Wimpole Hall, whilst the authentic grey limestone ‘Baluster’ was taken directly from the carved balustrade which accompanies the ‘Castell Pink’ stonework in the great stairwell at Penrhyn Castle.

Transitioning from grey to warm neutrals

The capsule collection of warm neutrals provides a welcome transition from the ever-popular, decade of grey! The move to warmer, more natural colours sees earthy, stonier tones becoming increasingly popular.

The stone paint colour collection provides a restful alternative to cooler choices. Consider using these gentle neutrals in all areas of the home. Doing so will add warmth, relaxation and simplicity. In turn, you’ll create a sophisticated canvas that complements fabrics, wallcoverings, and furnishings from all genres.

Little Greene’s Creative Director, Ruth Mottershead feels the introduction of stone is particularly timely:

Our households have become our haven, whether working or relaxing we are all spending an increased amount of time at home. We are searching for interiors that are comforting, which is driving the desire to create cocooning, cosy spaces. The colours of stone are indefinably beautiful, so pleasing to the eye and soothing for the soul.

There is certainly a shift away from cooler greys towards warmer hues. The warm neutrals that the Stone palette provides are perfect for creating restful living spaces. Additionally, the Stone collection attains elegance in both contemporary and classical settings.

This is not about a return to beige or magnolia. It’s about using these new neutrals to create interiors that are smart and inviting.’

Supporting the National Trust through our ‘Stone’ collection

Clare Brown, Head of Brand Licensing for the National Trust adds:

"The places in our care have long since been special spaces for families and communities to come together. Recently, our homes have taken on an even greater importance. So we are thrilled that our places are once again a source of inspiration and comfort.

Little Greene have created another stunning paint range. The team have expertly understood and respected the stories of the places behind the colours. Simultaneously, Little Greene have appreciated the value of caring for these places for future generations. We’re so grateful for their continued support and the income each sale contributes to our house conservation work."

Every sale of Little Greene paint will contribute to the National Trust’s conservation work. Therefore, we are helping the charity to care for the nation’s nature, beauty and history for everyone, forever.

Learn more about our partnership with the National Trust.

Please see below some more images from the collection:

Using ‘Stone’ colours within the home

Our Creative Director, Ruth Mottershead explores using warm, more natural neutral tones in the home.

‘More than ever, there is a greater need to surround ourselves with comforting, soothing colours that are easy to live with. Equally crucial is the colours’ ability to provide warmth and serenity within our living environments.

Both contemporary and traditional homes can incorporate this trend for warmer tones. Warmer hues also suit bold or softer, pared back design schemes.

Create a calming scheme with added depth

'For a more traditional stone-based design scheme, pair ‘Travertine’ with a lighter tone that has the same base pigment such as ‘Travertine - Light’. Whilst you will benefit from a slight change in tone, the overall look will be harmonious, tonal and calming with added depth.

Add a touch of drama

To add more drama to an interior, opt for contrasting colours such as ‘Nether Red’ and ‘Book Room Green’. Or go for an almost monochrome feel with ‘Pompeian Ash’. Pair this dark grey paint with ‘Lute’ and create a colour highlight with pops of bright red in your home furnishings and fabrics.

Create a serene, natural atmosphere

'Natural stone tones aren’t just about the more obvious sand shades, but also incorporate soft reds and muted greens. Green is the true colour of nature, one that we feel comfortable within the home. Green is a shade that we associate with the tranquillity of the outdoors.

Using variations of greens in graduated tones will tie the scheme together. Additionally, graduated green schemes give the illusion of texture due to the subtle shift in hue. The variations of the muted ‘Green Stone’ show how you can layer greens. This approach creates a serene space that is reminiscent of our natural surroundings.'

'Soft muted greens ‘Green Stone Light’ and ‘Green Stone’ work beautifully when paired with earthier tones such as ‘Book Room Green’ or ‘Sage Green.’ By using these traditional muted green tones in combination, you can create a scheme that emulates the natural environment. Variations of muted greens deliver a feeling of restfulness and wellbeing. Therefore, these colours are perfect for spaces used for relaxation like bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces.

Browse the Stone collection to find the perfect warm neutrals for your scheme. Or browse our inspiration gallery for ideas on combining Little Greene paints and wallpapers.