SHADES OF GREY OR MIDNIGHT BLUE

Silvered branches, wisps of wood smoke and a frosty window pane… this year’s ‘“neutrals” come in the form of a palette of winter-morning greys, as illustrated by the atmospheric new collection at From Britain With Love. Little Greene has devised a new paint collection, with English Heritage, dedicated to the shade – “the root of historical decoration, used for centuries to create tranquil interiors” – from pale “wood ash” to the smoky “dash of soot” (from £19.50 a litre, John Lewis). Calvin Klein’s soft “winter branches” bed linen, in shades of grey, is beautiful and well worth the investment (from £39-£235 a piece; House of Fraser). The White Company has elegant bed linen and towels in ash and grey pearl shades (from £13).

If you prefer a richer colour scheme for winter, look out for midnight blue, indigo and ink colours. Habitat has used these across its striking new ceramics and textiles collection, and we also love Cream Cornwall’s silk-velvet cushions.