2024 has seen the appeal of Dulux’s Egyptian Cotton soar. It’s gone viral on social media and especially on Tiktok.
So what is is about this unassuming neutral that has caught the attention and imagination of the young generation?
According to Dulux’s creative direction and Colour expert Marienne Shillingford, ‘It is a pale, visually “kitten soft” neutral that captures the essence of natural undyed cotton,’
Part of the charm of this colour is that is appears to visually shift in tone depending on the light, meaning that it appear a cool grey in some lights, and a warm beige in others. It is the epitome of the term ‘greige.’
So the question is, is ‘greige’ here to stay?
In Elle Hunt’s article in The Guardian, It’s not beige, it’s not grey: it’s greige – and it’s why all our houses look the same, Elle highlights a gradual change, suggesting ‘it might increasingly coexist alongside brighter hues’
“People are being a little more brave with colours,” says Hannah Yeo, color marketing manager at Benjamin Moore. She singles out a return of red, orange and yellow – and not just for accents. “The classic red dining room is coming back.”
So what does this all mean for preloved paint? Well, because Community RePaint shelves are filled with post project paint, they contain a lot of neutral shades alongside side brights.
According to regular Community RePaint customer Evie, “the fun of choosing a colour from a Community RePaint scheme is in the looking. I find it so inspiring to see all these potential colours and shades in front of me, I’m like a child in a sweet shop.”
Perhaps there is a tin of Egyptian Cotton waiting for you on the shelf of your nearest Community RePaint scheme, saved from going to waste at the end of someone’s project. Or perhaps you’ll be won over by another neutral tone. Perhaps you’ll fall unexpectedly in love with a vibrant blue! Whatever gem you’ll find, has been saved from unnecessary disposal.
