Moth Gray: 515-4; The superstar off-white. Great on exterior trim – light but not bright – and inside, on trim and ceilings beside deep colours. On walls, use it between more eye-catching hues to "cleanse the palette."

Teaberry Blossom: 131-7; Vermillion, aka Cinnabar, is red’s superstar. Seen in Chinese lacquer, on the walls of Pompeii, and every artist’s palette.

Red Gumball: 233-7; The classic red – pure, but not primary – balanced with a touch of blue.

Wet Coral: 131-6; If there is a bright red that is happy and does not take itself too seriously, this is it.

Merlot: 435-7; The plummy vintage red of leather-bound books. A rich accent for bolder reds and earthy neutrals.

New England Red: 6432-7; The earth red of brick and terracotta, a grounding colour as accent walls or floors. A Frank Lloyd Wright favourite, used on exterior window trim at Fallingwater.

Use Sharkskin 513-5 for a deeper trim and a calming influence on reds.