How to work the Lilac and Grey colour scheme into your home

Lilac was the colour of the moment back in the Nineties, but it's finding its feet once more as a natural partner for ever-popular shades of grey. Stick to a chalky finishes on walls, natural, slubby linens for fabrics and simple furniture for a relaxed, casual look that moves away from the fussy, French-inspired lilac schemes of old.

Add touches of brushed metal, and you'll really bring this soft purple shade to life.

Combine lilac walls with fabrics in a mix of grey tones, then lift the scheme with a few metal highlights. Cinder Rose Estate Emulsion, £38 for 2.5 ltr, Farrow and Ball. Plumbago matt emulsion, £35.50 for 2.5 ltr, Fired Earth.

B7 Lilac Alterior Matt Emulsion, £36.50 for 2.5 ltr, Eicó. Bellini armchair in Sloe textured cotton (H80cm x W59cm x D72cm) £475, Loaf. Woven-knit throw, £75, Shabby Chic range, House of Fraser.

Satin grey table lamp, £135, Barker & Stonehouse. Pale amethyst square velvet cushion, £40, Nigella range, Laura Ashley. Go for glamour by teaming lilac walls with sumptuous, deep-blue velvet seating.

Balance the blocks of colour with geometric pattern. Brassica Estate Emulsion, £38 for 2.5 ltr, Farrow & Ball.

Venetian blue velvet, £57 per m, Forenza collection, Romo.

Team a patterened wallpaper and French- style furniture painted in shimmering silver for a luxury feel, then layer up fabrics in a mix of soft lilac hues to add soothing colour.

Kimono wallpaper in Amethyst, £39 per roll, Laura Ashley. Old Cream matt emulsion, £35.50 for 2.5 ltr, Fired Earth.