If you’ve ever wondered whether pale could be interesting, spend some time on Rebecca Lawson's feed: @malmo_and_moss. A Scandi-chic symphony of serene, airy neutrals, ash woods and thoughtful design, we've awarded her with Best Neutral Interior in the House Beautiful Real Style Awards 2026. Also the co-author of sumptuous new book, Scandi Modern, Rebecca has documented the renovation of her 1930s house – and it'll have you planning a calming, neutral makeover of your own.
What’s your decorating style in three words?
Calm, cosy and refined.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt about using neutral colours in your home?
There are lots of subtle differences in neutral shades and light plays a huge role in how they show up and work in a space. I was going to paint our house in a classic shade – Portland Stone from Little Greene – but trying samples on different walls at different times of day revealed that it felt much colder in our house than on the sample chart.
What advice would you share about painting with neutral colours?
Consider what texture, warmth and interest you can add. Neutrals work well with wooden floors, brass accents and marble surfaces that bring them to life.
Have you had any decorating disasters?
My main one was that my lovely decorator (perhaps rightly so) thought our three paint shades looked the same, so every now and again used them quite interchangeably, despite instructions!
What stage of decorating do you dread? Which makes you do a happy dance?
The worst for me is the masking tape preparation stage, I just don’t have the patience (which is why my husband is in charge of cutting in!). The best stage is when you have the first coat on and start to get a feel of how room will look.
There are a lot of misconceptions around neutrals. How do you make them feel exciting?
It’s a misconception that neutral colours are boring. I think neutral shades allow so many other features in the room to shine. For example, in our kitchen, neutral walls allow the floor to ceiling windows and views of garden be the main attraction, bringing nature centre stage.
What does ‘home’ mean to you?
My family! My husband, three boys and two cats are who I think of first when you say the word ‘home’, but beyond that, it’s the place where I feel safe, happy, cocooned and – when it’s tidy – calm!
