Jewel Beetle ceiling

The bold and luxurious Jewel Beetle 303 colour from Little Greene, along with Tallow No. 203 from Farrow and ball created an elegant yet cosy atmosphere in this living room

Introducing the green ceiling made it feel lower and created a more comfortable room for relaxing in an evening.

Little greene describe the inspiration behind the colour as Jewel Beetle is a deep green paint shade, inspired by an 1880s portrait, Ellen Terry, a renowned Shakespearean actress, was immortalised as Lady Macbeth in an 1889 portrait by John Singer Sargent. In that painting she is seen in a spectacular green dress, crocheted to look like chainmail. The dress is embroidered with gold and decorated with a thousand iridescent wings from the green jewel beetle, which shed their colourful wings naturally. The dress is preserved within the Ellen Terry Museum at Smallhythe Place, the half-timbered Kent farmhouse she fell in love with and bought in 1899.

farrow and ball say ‘This illuminating neutral takes its name from the natural material originally used to make candles. Tallow’s pale cream finish reflects the light brilliantly so it is perfect if you want to lift a darker space or paint one colour throughout a property. The slightest hint of pink and yellow pigment creates a warm but fresh feel which is often very popular in nurseries.’ About their Tallow colour. However I found it worked brilliantly with the green colour as the two tones complimented each other and created a balance within the room.