Yes, the grey grumbler is back. The one with the lead lament, the stone moaner.

Thanks for the great comments about my grey stresses – I loved reading your own recommendations for colours that might work. I noticed a few suggestions for Cornforth White, as shown in the picture below, by Farrow & Ball.

This looks so smart. This is exactly what I’m after. But behold, how it looks in the dreaded north-facer that is my front room.

It’s the menacing cloud lurking in the alcove on the left of the picture. And also, more pleasingly to my eyes, the bit immediately behind the paint tin. They’re on the same wall but look wildly different. Weird huh? But don’t think for a moment I’m defeated.

I’m going straight back to give F&B another £3.75 for a sample of Great White (above) and one of Strong White (below). I know they don’t look grey to you…

…but I’m think if all else fails maybe I’ll just do the walls white and put a little grey on the skirting board. You with me?