Can you recommend a neutral paint colour?

[Postmanpatisarubbishpostman]

Im looking for a light, neutral paint colour for throughout the whole house. I will then brighten rooms up with pictures, curtains etc. So would like something that goes with anything.

Also for a wooden stair rail, would you varnish or paint white?

if the stair rail is a nice hardwood one, dye it (if you want to colour it or bring out the figure) then use a clear, untinted varnish.

Not a tinted varnish which will obscure the grain and tend to go patchy according to the thickness of the film and any wear.

you have to sand handrails finely so there is no chance of splinters.

Dulux 'Timeless' is often recommended on here.

I have Dulux 'Natural Calico' in my front room and that is a nice neutral, towards the warm/cream end rather than grey (which is more currently in vogue). Egyptian Cotton is more greyish.

I love Dulux White Mist. It's a white with a hint of grey, without the brown undertones you find in Egyptian Cotton.

We have Crown Period 'Sunday School which we love as the color changes throughout the day

Thank you all for replying.

I quite like all of the colour mentioned.

I hadn't realised that many seem to have grey or cream undertones.

My house is all magnolia atm and I've grown to hate it and it's yellow tones.

Dulux 'polished pebble.' White for the wood.

We have Dulux Just Walnut in our house - it's a rip off of F&B Skimming Stone.

We just redid our bedroom and used Little Greene French Grey which is lovely but pricey.

We have Polished Pebble in our hall, stairs and landing. I wouldnt describe it as neutral, it's a definite grey with a slight lavenderish tone (in the light in my house, anyway).

Dulux Almond White

White on all woodwork and Dulux Timeless everywhere else!