Magnolia but NOT magnolia!

[PassTheCremeEggs]

Please help!

I have to choose a colour to paint the whole of a fairly light flat. I want it to be neutral (it's being rented out) but I loathe magnolia so much. I'm thinking white for the landings where there isn't much natural light but I need an off white recommendation for the rooms - a kind of linen-y/chalky colour if that makes sense? Anyone have any good ideas?

Thank you!

Have looked at Dulux timeless and natural hessian - anyone have those?

Dulux Egyptian Cotton. I have it throughout my house - it's perfect and very easy to live with. Have recommended to lots of others too and they also love it. It's the right blend of cream without being sickly (like magnolia). I think it has the linen-y thing you are looking for (oh, clue in the name probably!)

We have Dulux natural calico, it is similar to magnolia but doesn't have that yellow tone that magnolia sometimes has. Also Laura Ashley twine or pale twine are good too.

Homebase contemporary. We used it in our old flat everywhere to replace the magnolia before selling. Liked it so much also used it in the hallway of our current house, but we are planning to be here long term so were more adventurous colour wise with other rooms.

Ok I like the look of Egyptian cotton. With brilliant white ceilings and cornicing, will it look sufficiently different from the white, while still remaining neutral? I'd like there to be a noticeable contrast between ceiling and wall without going too dark on the walls, IYSWIM. Want a greyish off white rather than anything yellowish

Quangle - the Dulux website says it has a yellow tone, does it? I'm - riskily - decorating from afar and can't try test patches on the walls because we don't live anywhere near the flat! Plus it has to be done in the next week before next tenants move in. (Gah what am I doing...?!)

Dulux Just Walnut is a lovely pale grey. I've used it in my son's bedroom, with white ceilings and woodwork, it works really well.

We also have Egyptian cotton in our ensuite. I wouldn't say it has a yellow tone, but I much prefer the look of Just walnut, not as dark as Egyptian cotton.

It's not yellow - I was surprised to see that too. It just doesn't have the pinkish peachyness of Magnolia so maybe that's why they say that. The undertone is grey if anything - that's why I like it.

To me it's a very standard flat cream with a tiny hint of grey and no pink. It does change shades quite a bit with the light. I really like it.

Am going to PM you a photo if I can!

Egyptian cotton actually has a green undertone used to work in a Dulux trade centre

If you are wanting a lighter colour then natural calico, natural hessian is slightly darker and will show a contrast with white, natural walnut is slightly more contemporary

This is probably really unhelpful as it will depend on my camera and the light in the room but I've posted a pic on my profile. Both the walls in this pic (not my house btw!!!) are painted in EC - but it looks as though one is white and one is dark cream. The truth is somewhere between the two....not helpful I realise

Dulux chiffon, we tested loads of whites/off white and decided this was the best for us.

Seriously? Use magnolia. It's for a rental property so what matters is that the colour is neutral. The beauty of magnolia is that it is sold in industrial size tubs precisely because it's so highly in demand. For our first rental property we tried to be clever with colours but then when it came to redecorating, it was such a pain trying to recall what colour went where. Subsequent flats are magnolia.

If you insist on not magnolia, go with one of the Dulux Natural XXXX colours as at least they come in trade sizes. But make sure you remember which one you used - chances are you'll forget!

Quangle thank you for putting the pic up - more helpful than you think! Thanks everyone for input too. Still can't decide but think I now have a shorter short list.

LemonEmma - while it's a rental flat it's also our home - we rent it out while living away in accommodation provided by DH's work. It's going to cost about £3k to repaint and I just cannot face painting our own home magnolia and paying that much for the privilege. But otherwise totally understand your point!

I have just been painting our house egyptian cotton. It is not at all yellowish or greenish, it is a very pale greyish beige.

I can't stand magnolia either. Too many years spent in rented accommodation!

Pale greyish beige is exactly what I want. I think Egyptian cotton is in the lead at the moment!

Mewling when you mix Egyptian cotton the biggest percentage of colour added is green -honest

My flat (rented) is dulux Hessian. Its a little dull for the entire flat but looks great in the bedroom.

This thread is like the Sharks and the Jets except in this case it's Egyptian Cotton vs Natural Hessian

Quangle

My living room is egyptian cotton and there is a definite contrast with the white woodwork. I'd say it is a greyish beige and looks great in our bright living room. I wouldn't have put it around the whole of my house though as I think it might be a bit dark for some of my less bright rooms. It doesn't look green at all on the walls but it goes beautifully with my green sofas and artwork!

I was going to suggest natural hessian...I see that has already been suggested

We used Dulux Chalk Stone in our flat. PILs liked it so much they did their house in and we're using it again for our new house.

I've always used Laura Ashley Pale Ivory, I hate Magnolia too. It's too yellow and yuck.