Our bedlinen is traditionally named after French towns. We have Toulon Dove Gre, Parisian Blue, inspired by a painted blue door in Paris. You get the picture.
The Louvre recently opened a new satellite museum at Lens, Northern France. Lens therefore seemed the obvious choice for our new charcoal colour.
What makes the Lens museum interesting is that this stunning glass and polished aluminium building, designed by Japanese architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishiwaza was built on the site of a disused coalmine.
The decision to locate the museum on a mining wasteland was reflected in the desire to reverse the fortune of a mining community with high unemployment. It is hoped the museum will attract some 500,000 visitors a year from locals and tourists coming from Paris, London, Belgium and the Netherlands, thereby putting something back to a place which once drove the French economy.
Charcoal is very much in evidence in interiors and works well when used as an accent colour, particularly with white or pale grey. Here are a few of my favourites:
Amanda Pays & Corbin Bernsen opted for a polished concrete floor when transforming their workship into a bunkhouse and playroom for visiting children.
Charcoal and White kitchen by Gardenista. I recommend Dark Lead from Little Greene for a similar shade.
For more on our Lens Charcoal Linen, please click here
To see more Charcoal-inspired home decor, view our Darkest Shade of Grey Mood Board on Pinterest
Image Credits: cabbagesandroses.com / theguardian.com / Remodelista.com / Gardernista.com