Love this article and love reading paint colour names. Years ago we bought our first brand new car, getting rid of our old Datsun for $800. The first and only potential buyer from our SMH classified asked one question only. What colour is it? Beige I replied. Ahh he responded - is it boring beige? Is there any other kind I replied. He didn’t ask anything else as obviously does it work wasn’t important and hung up. So boring beige is the best descriptor for that non-descript colour. What a fun job and game you had picking colour descriptors.
Would like to see some more photographs of that shop, please, Maggie. The colour naming reminds me of working on Follow Me magazine in Sydney in the Eighties. The sub-editor asked the whole floor: "Does anyone know a butch word for powder blue?"
As a art person, colour is very special and totally specific. I cannot tell you the times I have hunted down a green or lilac, not too pale , not blue toned etc. What I notice in Europe is that they have wider more subtler selections of colour. Maybe one day we will print off a bespoke piece of clothing perfect in colour and shape for us….or maybe the fun is in hunting and naming? Jacaranda ,anyone?
Hahaha, "White Handbag You Dance Around". Love it.
Farrow and Boring's Elephant Breath always makes me cackle, and Setting Plaster leaves me a little squeamish. (I actually love their paint).
Miranda's monologue in Devil Wears Prada when she's waxing lyrical about cerulean : genius.
Currently I am searching for the colour name for 16th century Tuscan sandstone buildings at the moment the setting sun hits them. Yes, I'm a total show-off. All suggestions welcomed.
Now, after reading yet another of your glorious posts, I'm heading out to hit the monthly Arezzo antique market. And then I'm going on to gaze at the luminous colours of Piero della Francesca. *sigh.
Love this article and love reading paint colour names. Years ago we bought our first brand new car, getting rid of our old Datsun for $800. The first and only potential buyer from our SMH classified asked one question only. What colour is it? Beige I replied. Ahh he responded - is it boring beige? Is there any other kind I replied. He didn’t ask anything else as obviously does it work wasn’t important and hung up. So boring beige is the best descriptor for that non-descript colour. What a fun job and game you had picking colour descriptors.
Would like to see some more photographs of that shop, please, Maggie. The colour naming reminds me of working on Follow Me magazine in Sydney in the Eighties. The sub-editor asked the whole floor: "Does anyone know a butch word for powder blue?"
How about "Drano"? Aussies should get that one 😁
"Stockbroker's Interview Shirt"? "Sinatra's Wink"? ..... not even close to butch.
Pale Prussian
Stockman blue, Speedwell, Volvo Sport P1900. I’ll stop now!
As a art person, colour is very special and totally specific. I cannot tell you the times I have hunted down a green or lilac, not too pale , not blue toned etc. What I notice in Europe is that they have wider more subtler selections of colour. Maybe one day we will print off a bespoke piece of clothing perfect in colour and shape for us….or maybe the fun is in hunting and naming? Jacaranda ,anyone?
How happy am I to be reading your writing regularly yet again Maggie. The joy! Thank you!
Hahaha, "White Handbag You Dance Around". Love it.
Farrow and Boring's Elephant Breath always makes me cackle, and Setting Plaster leaves me a little squeamish. (I actually love their paint).
Miranda's monologue in Devil Wears Prada when she's waxing lyrical about cerulean : genius.
Currently I am searching for the colour name for 16th century Tuscan sandstone buildings at the moment the setting sun hits them. Yes, I'm a total show-off. All suggestions welcomed.
Now, after reading yet another of your glorious posts, I'm heading out to hit the monthly Arezzo antique market. And then I'm going on to gaze at the luminous colours of Piero della Francesca. *sigh.