Oyster, dusky pink, biscuit, mink, putty...there's a good chance that the best thing in your wardrobe at the moment comes in a soft nude colourway. Now, nudes are stepping out of the wardrobe to become a sophisticated new interiors trend, too.
These soft hues are colourless enough to replace other neutrals such as grey, yet with the depth and subtlety to work on their own as well. Feminine but not saccharine, this is a grown-up choice.
"There is without a doubt a closer link than ever before between catwalk trends and home trends, especially with print, but also very much with colour. I always look to the catwalk for inspiration," says Sue Roberts, home design manager at House of Fraser. The store's Casa Couture collection, launching this autumn, embraces the nude trend with basket-weave cushions in softest pink, alongside pale greys and sandy tones, with all of these colours intended to work together. "Naturals such as greys, taupes and putty appear more frequently and are seen as staples rather than obvious fashion colours," continues Sue. "They're great to give a less obvious, contemporary edge."
Elsewhere, you'll find nudes mixed with black, gold and mirrored surfaces for boudoir glamour, or with other faded tones such as duck egg for a more antique feel. It even works with jewel-coloured brights, such as wine and sapphire, to add richness and depth. Layers of texture play a big part too, from transparent ruffles to pin-tuck pleats. So, are you ready to go nude?
Go nude
With its nude tone and lace motif, this rug takes not one but two catwalk trends and reinterprets them for the home. Lace trim rug, £360, www.hillcorugs.com
Fired Earth's new National Trust range includes several neutrals that will work well in a nude scheme. Fired Earth emulsion, £31.50 for 2.5L, www.firedearth.com
Add a subtle-toned accessory to your existing schemes to up the glamour. Lola tieback in Oyster, £25, www.johnlewis.com
The palest pinks lend themselves naturally to irreverent, 50s-influenced motifs, like this fan motif. Shoji wallpaper in Shell, from the Oriental Papers collection, £48 per roll, www.thelittlegreene.com
If you're layering up neutral tones, make sure there are also plenty of different textures to keep the look interesting. Casablanca bedlinen by Kylie at Home, £16-85, www.debenhams.com
The palest pinks lend themselves naturally to irreverent, 50s-influenced motifs, like this fan motif. Shoji wallpaper in Shell, from the Oriental Papers collection, £48 per roll, www.thelittlegreene.com
Mix creamy orange and black for high drama: the 'shattered glass' look of this wallpaper makes it right on trend. Monroe wallpaper by Ferm Living, £69.95 per roll, www.bouf.com
Rich, jewel-like colours sing out against soft pink walls. Pemberley chair, from £549; Autograph rug, from £99, velvet pouffe in wine, £99, all Marks and Spencer. For a similar shade of paint, try Earthborn's Cupcake emulsion. www.marksandspencer.com and www.earthbornpaints.com
Betty Jackson brings her sense of understated sophistication to her new homes range for Debenhams, with a subtle taupe and buff palette. Punchhole Globe Lamp, £30; Lustre Lamp, £40; Spiral Optic Tumbler, £6; Agapanthus Votive Set of 3, £18, all Betty Jackson, Black, www.debenhams.com
This chair's 'antique white' finish gives it a timeless feel that could fit in with traditional or modern homes. Classical white Emily chair, £276, www.sweetpeaandwillow.com