Bring a touch of grey into your home.

Byline: BY EMMA THOMPSON 

LACK may be the perennial favourite in the fashion world, but, when it comes to interiors, a greyer shade of pale is set to be the winner this season.

It's farewell to magnolia (at last), adieu to fruit-pastel whites, and a warm hello to "grey cream".

Grey cream? Well, that's the edict of interiors fashion guru, Graeme Fuller, the newly-appointed group technical designer for housebuilder Bellway who has some strong views on what the well-dressed home should be wearing this season.

"I firmly believe we should replace magnolia with a greyer shade of cream - an indeterminate, warm pebble colour that provides the neutral palette most people find comfortable to live with," says Graeme.

"This shade looks contemporary and fresh, while providing the perfect backdrop for the vibrant colours I want to see people introducing into their homes for that edgy look."

The new look for winter reintroduces colours - and lots of them, preferably mixed together.

"Forget gipsy boho," says Graeme Fuller. "By mixing colour, I'm talking about the small-scale sophisticated mixing of a variety of sharp, strong colours, green-gold yellows, blue-tinged greens, petrol blue and jewel reds with a purple cast. Introduce them in random stripes and retro designs, scatter cushions, a predictable piece of furniture painted in an unpredictable selection of bright colours; or a collection of colourful vases.

"The key is to be brave but not overpowering, remember the strength of these colours should be offset by a cool, calm backdrop."

Bellway which builds homes across the UK, sees its role as interpreting interior fashions in a way that makes for attractive and contemporary yet affordable interiors. Strict minimalism has had its day according to Graeme Fuller.

"The best interiors are elegant but comfortable. I'm thinking of large, boxy modular sofas in a neutral colour such as warm grey I would like to see more velvety plush carpets instead of the tightly woven textures so fashionable at the moment, plus texture and colour introduced through rugs on extravagantly polished dark wood floors.

"Fabulous lighting effects can dramatically change the mood and feel of your living space, and, with colourful LEDs and fibre optics now more accessible to everyone, we are no longer restricted to the conventions of the tungsten and halogen bulbs.

"Incorporate over-sized art-works - but choose pictures and objects because you like them, rather than solely because they co-ordinate; this will give the pieces longevity and a more personal touch."

The advantage of using spot colours on a plain background is that you can ring the changes when you want to - without breaking the budget or being wasteful of resources. By buying a sofa or curtains that are neutral and will last for years, you are being environmentally responsible, because these large items will last and last, but you can afford to be a little frivolous with cushion covers, ceramics, recyclable glassware, lamp-shades and other accessories. An advantage of a new home, of course, is that it is built with energy-saving in mind. "This means that you don't really need curtains for draught-proofing, as you do in older properties," says Graeme.

So the message, whether you are buying a new house or simply want to update your existing home, is that grey cream is the new magnolia; beige is definitely out; and being bold with multiple colours will transform your interior into a vibrant, modern space in which to relax and enjoy home-life.

Choose pictures and objects because you like them

FOR information on new Bellway homes, visit www.bellway.co.uk

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Colour care... welcome 'grey cream' into your home this winter