French Grey Pale paint Little Greene 161 – Little Greene

Are you unsure about the right color or finish for your interior?

Our Selected Wallpapers team of paint and interior specialists is happy to help you with personal advice.

In our Studio in Montfoort, you can experience Little Greene's colors for yourself: feel the paint texture, check out the gloss levels, and see how light affects the hue.

We help you choose the perfect color combination, finish, and primer for every room.

Visit our Studio (by appointment) for personalized color advice and material comparisons, or contact us for a customized proposal.

Together we'll find the paint color that brings your interior to life — whether it's a warm, matte wall, a satin gloss paint, or a bold accent color.

Little Greene paint types overview

Gloss level: The higher the %, the glossier the paint.

Need a primer? Wall Primer Sealer for walls, ASP for extra adhesion.

Intelligent series: Always water-based, quick-drying, environmentally friendly.

• Absolute Matt Emulsion – 2% (extra matt) • Indoor

Application: Walls, ceilings

Details: Authentic chalk-matt appearance, not washable

• Intelligent Matt Emulsion – 2% (extra matt) • Indoor

Application: Walls, ceilings

Special features: Scrub-resistant, easy to clean, ideal for kitchens/bathrooms

• Intelligent Eggshell – 10–15% (semi-gloss) • Indoor

Application: Walls, wood, metal

Features: Wear-resistant, easy to clean

• Intelligent Satin – 30–35% (satin sheen) • Indoor

Application: Wood, metal

Features: Wear-resistant, easy to clean

• Intelligent Gloss – 87–90% (high gloss) • Indoor & Outdoor

Application: Wood, metal, frames, doors

Details: High gloss, durable, traditional finish

• Intelligent Floor Paint – 30–40% (semi-gloss) • Indoor

Application: Floors (wood, concrete, MDF)

Features: Wear-resistant, quick-drying, resistant to foot traffic

• Intelligent Exterior Eggshell – 10–15% (semi-gloss) • Outside

Application: Wood, metal, frames

Features: Weather resistant, flexible

• Wall Primer Sealer – n/a • Indoor

Application: Primer for walls

Special features: Evens out suction, ensures optimal coverage

• Intelligent ASP (All Surface Primer) – n/a • Indoor & Outdoor

Application: Primer for wood, metal, plastics

Special features: Bonding primer, universally applicable

With Little Greene paint, you'll paint not only sustainably but professionally—even if you do it yourself. The paint is designed to work smoothly, cover well, and stay beautiful for a long time. Read on to learn how to get the best results.

Consumption & coverage

The average yield of Little Greene paint is approximately 14 m² per litre for a single coat, depending on the substrate and application method.

• Highly absorbent surfaces (such as new plasterwork) require more paint.
  
• Dark colors over light walls may require an extra coat for optimal coverage.
  
• For best results, always apply two coats .
  

Calculation example:

For a room with 25 m² of wall surface, you will need approximately 4 liters of paint for one coat.

Preparation of the substrate

Good preparation determines the end result.

• Make sure the surface is clean, dry and free of grease.
  
• Remove any loose or peeling paint.
  
• Fill holes and cracks and sand lightly for a smooth surface.
  
• Clean with a mild detergent (no ammonia).
  

If necessary, use a suitable primer:

• Wall Primer Sealer for walls and ceilings.
  
• All Surface Primer (ASP) for wood, metal or plastic.

Applying the paint

• Stir the paint well before use.
  
• Apply with a roller (for walls and ceilings) or brush (for wood and detail work).
  
• For the best result: apply two coats.
  
• Allow the first coat to dry thoroughly before applying the second.
  
  (Drying time ± 1–2 hours, can be overpainted after approx. 4 hours — depending on temperature and ventilation.)
  
• Work wet-on-wet to avoid brush marks.

Drying time & curing

The paint dries quickly, but reaches its full hardness after a few days.

During this period, avoid intensive cleaning or wiping with moisture.

Once cured, the Intelligent series is completely washable and can withstand daily use.

Specialist tip

For large surfaces, use a roller with a fine fleece length (8–12 mm).

Work from top to bottom, in strips of approximately 1 m wide, and roll out the paint evenly for a streak-free result.

For woodwork: always stroke in the direction of the grain.

Each Little Greene color is richly pigmented for a deep, vibrant hue that changes with the light. Thanks to the high pigment concentration, you often need fewer coats than with standard wall paint. The paint provides excellent coverage and an even, rich finish.

Gloss level and appearance

The gloss level determines the appearance and ease of maintenance of the paint.

• Extra matt (2%) – subtle, powdery look with an authentic chalky matt effect.
  
• Silk gloss (10–15%) – soft shine, easy to clean.
  
• Satin (30–35%) – elegant sheen, strong and easy to maintain.
  
• High gloss (87–90%) – mirror-like surface, ideal for wood and metal.

The higher the percentage, the glossier and more durable the finish.

Adhesion and application

The Intelligent series features special Grip technology that ensures excellent adhesion on various surfaces – from walls and ceilings to wood and metal.

Most paints are self-priming, but for untreated or smooth surfaces a suitable primer is recommended, such as:

• Wall Primer Sealer – for walls
  
• All Surface Primer (ASP) – for wood, metal and plastic

Wear resistance and maintenance

The Intelligent finishes are developed for intensive use: they are scrub-resistant, washable and moisture-resistant.

Perfect for kitchens, bathrooms and busy areas.

The Absolute Matt Emulsion is ideal for ceilings and living areas where a velvety matte appearance is desired.

Inside and outside

Little Greene has finishes for both indoor and outdoor use .

Exterior paints, such as Intelligent Exterior Eggshell , are flexible, UV-resistant and weather-resistant, protecting woodwork and metal for years to come.

Health & environment

All Little Greene paints are water-based, low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and virtually odorless.

They are safe for use in children's rooms (according to BS EN 71-3) and environmentally friendly produced – some paints even contain recycled raw materials.