be warned: could grey become the new magnolia?

Be Warned: Could Grey Become the New Magnolia?

Are We Experiencing a Tragic Loss in our Lives? Is it a Trend, that will Inevitably Have an End?

Do you remember the 'Magnolia Mania' of the 80s and 90s? House owners everywhere, painted their interiors, with a vast array of the warm and buttery yellowy shade. Landlords loved it, but poor old renters got sick of it. Every rental in the land oozed with variations of our beloved magnolia hues. Whatever the variation of its name, whether it was Buttermilk, Vanilla, Mellow Cotton, Morning Light, Summer Breeze, or Lemony Delight, they all have one thing in common: their distinct relationship with the mother of all shades, Magnolia herself.

She served us well; she set the tone across our nation and presided over the world of interiors for two decades. But then the hour of discontent, descended upon us, and she toppled from glory. Yet another trend consumed to the point of causing a malaise. Like all trends, they reach a fatal end. Although Magnolia's enduring natural tones, have allowed her to be reinvented, like all past trends, although they die, they often revive, and the joy of renaming begins, as I introduce to you Carter Crème, Panna Cotta and Tapestry Thread all which sound rather enticing!

In the meantime, the new contender gets to wear the crown, as the mouthwatering infinite collection of greys has become the fresh and original colour for homes in the 21st Century. But is it taking over the world? Are we becoming in danger of the grey palette gobbling us up, and our world becomes colourless and dull. Danie Dazey, (from Hulu's Trixie Motel) expresses, via the reputable Architectural Digest, that, "diminishing colour in the world means that we're losing personality, losing charm, losing uniqueness." Is she right? Is our desire for pipe, slate grey, dove grey, lilac grey, grey, grey, silver grey, traditional grey mean we are experiencing loss? What hazards could transpire?

Grey is ubiquitous. It's rise to stardom, momentous. Its origins were found in caves from 17,000 years ago. Pigments of grey were used in the Lascaux Caves in France, some of the oldest known cave paintings. So, it is only right that we pay homage to the colour grey and give our ancestors a nod with a grey wall or two. What is interesting is how such a perceived negative colour has become so hip and trendy. In the Architectural Digest, Tash, a trained colour psychologist from London points out that grey doesn't have any psychological benefits. Instead, she states "It's soulless. It honestly drains you, When I wake up in London and it's grey outside, all I want to do is pull the duvet over my head and go back to sleep." (Architectural Digest) What does this immersion mean? Have we all become dull and boring?

Tones of grey can be a welcome contrast to the sensory overload of external life. Coming home to a peaceful and calming environment, which shades of grey undoubtedly can create, is a perfectly justifiable reason for making this colour choice. It is also a safe colour if you are they type to be thinking ahead to selling, as the notion that neutral tones enhance saleability has value, but be wise, be considered and be balanced with your choices. If Kirstie Allsopp, the property guru, exclaims "think twice before painting the interior of your house grey" then I will leave it up to you to decide if you wish to take her advice on board.

My advice would be equilibrium; the layering of grey upon grey upon grey upon grey can at times feel like colour has drained from our world. Blink and nothing changes. Perhaps give some thought to the intoxicating and enhancing dopamine rush that colour evokes. Perhaps try enhancing your grey palette with hints from the theory of colour that alter mood and give textured depth and embrace our natural light.

Bibliography.

• Abrams, Loney. "Is the Color Gray Taking Over the World?" 19, October. 2020. Architectural Digest
• Heath, O. '"Think twice before painting your home grey" says Kirstie Allsopp.' 22, May. 2019. House Beautiful.
• Magnus, E. "Magnolia: Is the UK's most-hated paint colour making a comeback?" 27, September. 2022. The Standard
• Olesen, J. "The History of the Color Gray: Both Celebrated and Unappreciated." 2013. Colour Meanings

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