Attic II (144) is one of Little Greene's most characterful neutrals: a deep, earthy colour that sits somewhere between brown and grey. Little Greene class it as a neutral brown and present it as a deeper, more layered relation of their Silt (40), and it is that complexity that makes it so easy to live with. It never reads as a flat brown or a cold grey, but as something earthier and more considered.
It is the kind of colour that looks quiet on a small chip and then fills a room with warmth once it is on the walls. It works on panelling, woodwork and furniture as well as walls, and it suits old houses and new ones equally well.
This guide covers what Attic II actually looks like, where it works best, which finish to choose and the colours that sit happily beside it.
Photo Credit: Little Greene; Colours Used: Attic II (144), Sky Blue (103)
What colour is Attic II?
Little Greene place Attic II among their neutral browns, and in practice it reads as a warm, earthy colour poised between brown and grey. Depending on the light and what surrounds it, you will notice the brown more on some days and the grey on others. That shifting quality is what people mean when they call a colour complex, and it is why Attic II works so well as a grown-up alternative to a standard dark grey.
It is a deep colour rather than a mid-tone, so expect a room painted in it to feel enclosed and cosy rather than bright. Its lighter relation, Silt, gives a similar character at a softer depth if you want the same feeling in a smaller or darker room.
How the light changes it
Like every complex neutral, Attic II moves with the light, so it is worth thinking about which way your room faces before you commit.
- North-facing rooms. The cooler, steadier light brings out the grey, and the colour feels calm and enveloping. Embrace the depth rather than fighting it.
- South-facing rooms. Warm light draws out the brown, and the colour looks richer and softer through the day.
- East and west. Expect a noticeable change between morning and evening. Look at your sample at both times.
- Artificial light. Warm lamps make it cosier still, which is lovely in a sitting room or bedroom in winter.
Our guide to choosing colours by room orientation explains the principles in more detail.
Where to use Attic II
- Panelling and woodwork. It is a rich colour for wall panelling, skirtings and built-in joinery, where the depth gives a room structure.
- Studies, snugs and dining rooms. Rooms used mostly in the evening suit its enveloping depth, particularly when it is taken over walls and woodwork together.
- Kitchens. Cabinets in Attic II have the weight of a dark colour without the starkness of black or navy, and look handsome beside oak, stone and brass.
- Furniture. It is a lovely choice for a chest of drawers or a dresser. Our guide to painting IKEA furniture shows how to do it with a single tin.
Photo Credit: Little Greene; Colours Used: Attic II (144), Down (242)
Which finish to choose
Attic II is available across Little Greene's finishes, so you can carry the same colour from walls to woodwork.
- Walls. Absolute Matt Emulsion gives a soft, chalky look that shows the colour at its deepest. Intelligent Matt Emulsion (2% sheen) is the tougher, wipeable choice for hallways, kitchens and family rooms.
- Woodwork and furniture. Intelligent Eggshell (10 to 15% sheen) is self-priming on most sound surfaces, so a clean and a light key is usually all the preparation needed before two coats. Choose Intelligent Satin (30 to 35%) for kitchen cabinets and anything handled constantly.
- Deep colour over a pale base. If you are covering a much lighter colour, a first coat of Intelligent ASP tinted towards Attic II helps build depth and can save a third coat.
Colours that pair with Attic II
Little Greene suggest a considered set of companions, from soft neutrals to a single bright accent:
- Whites: Linen Wash (33) and Rolling Fog Pale (158) for ceilings and adjoining rooms.
- Neutrals: Joanna (130) and Rolling Fog Light (271) for a gentle, tonal scheme.
- Colours: Aquamarine (138) and Hellebore (275).
- A contrasting accent: Sky Blue (103), for a fresh, light contrast against the depth.
- Something darker: Chocolate Colour (124) for an even deeper, tonal look.
Paint two coats of each sample onto lining paper and move the sheets around the room before deciding. Our sample pots make that easy.
Questions we are often asked
Is Attic II grey or brown?
Little Greene class it as a neutral brown, but it has a good deal of grey in it, and you will see one or the other come forward as the light changes.
Will Attic II make a room feel smaller?
It will make it feel more enclosed. In a small room, painting walls, woodwork and even the ceiling in the same colour blurs the edges so the effect feels deliberate and cosy rather than cramped.
Is there a lighter version?
Yes. Silt (40) has a similar character at a lighter depth, and works well in an adjoining room or hallway.
