A pretty paint colour: My favourite neutral shade just in time for spring

Benjamin Moore Misty Blush

Last week was the interior design show here in Toronto. I'll be posting lots and lots of great finds from the show, but I can see from blog hits (which I track religiously!) that you all seem to love paint colour suggestions. So let me give you one that really took me by surprise.

It started when I was doing some last minute, sale shopping at Banana Republic and noticed the stunning pale grey-lilac colour that was on the wall in the women's spring 2011 fashion area. I noticed the clothes second (hey, that's what I do) and saw that it's all over their spring collection.

I emailed Banana Republic's PR company and word came back that the colour was Benjamin Moore's Misty Blush. I have to tell you that I have not traditionally been a purple fan. At all. Nor do I especially love grey tones since I find our skies are so grey, so much of the time. But this barely-there, blush colour acts like a cozy blanket, giving warmth to all the colours around it.

It's perfect paired with creams, greys, tans and chocolates, and is a spring hit paired with lemony yellow or aqua blues. In other words, it's an all around versatile colour.

So when I was at the IDS and saw this unbelievable sofa from Montauk in, wait for it, grey-lilac, I swooned, right into one of those feather-filled linen pillows.

It was so beautiful in front of the chalkboard wall and next to all the distressed woods that were so prominent at the show.

If you're not the type to grab a paint-roller and start redecorating something just because you absolutely must have this new colour, try a pillow to get that au-courant hit I know you're craving. I love this one from Madeline Weinrib, but as I head out to the spring gift show tomorrow, I'm sure I will see tons more lilac products.

If my house wasn't already cream and orange, I would definitely be painting at least one living room wall this colour. But orange and purple, well, I just can't go there!

By the way, I am a guest contributor on Chapters.indigo.ca's blog and will be writing this week about 10 ways to make your home a happy place, at least when it comes to decorating! Make sure to check it out!