Our story.
No one really likes painting. At least not the old way we used to do it. Queuing up on a Saturday morning to try and find a tiny paint swatch you like amongst a sea of colours that are just slightly different from each other really isn’t the most fun you can have. And that’s before you’ve even had the paint mixed.
So, we made it better, easier and simpler.
We collaborated with a colour psychologist, trend expert and interior decorator and together we curated a unique range of colours. How many colours, you ask? 60 to be exact. Will we add more in future? Maybe, but not too many. Let’s be honest, there are only so many off-whites you really need in your life.
In the old way we used to paint, once you’ve picked out a few colours the next issue is the hassle of buying tester pots to see how the paint will look in your space. Don’t have a small brush? Looks like you’ll need to buy one. And you’ll have to wait for the paint to dry too. And of course, don’t forget to paint over it once you’ve tried it out.
We solved that by creating South Africa’s first peel + stick swatches. They’re big enough that you can get a real sense of what the colour will look like. And once you’ve made your decision all you need to do is peel them off the wall. It’s that easy.
Aiding the fight against Gender-based violence
Our homes are meant to be places of comfort and safety yet for many women in SA (and across the world) this is sadly not the case. Gender-based violence (GBV) is an epidemic that cannot and must not continue. We believe we can all do more to make things better.
In 2017 our founder was deeply moved by an exhibition by Refinery29 that showcased female empowerment in an incredibly creative way. This work reclaimed the colour pink and allowed people to write postcards to politicians demanding respect for women and their bodily autonomy. At the time, Simply Colour was still in its infant stages, but we knew that when we got the brand up and running, we wanted it to stand for something. The power she felt writing that postcard; voicing her anger and horror at the GBV that is so prevalent in South Africa, was something she wanted to share with others.
As a result, we have included the option to buy a Simply Care card on our site, where you can quickly and easily donate money to women’s shelters across the country. In the same vein, we donate a percentage of our profits to NGOs that help women as well as empowering women in GBV shelters by painting the walls with bright, positive colours. The fact is: The gift of colour should not only be limited to those with means and resources.
If you believe in this as much as we do, you can find our Simply Care card on our Supplies page, which allows you to make a donation of your choosing.
Caring for our planet.
It’s one thing to make painting simpler and easier, but there’s no point in doing so if you can’t make the actual paint better too. Our paint formulas include little (and in some cases zero) volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are harmful gases released while you paint. Fewer VOCs means healthier people. We like that.
On top of this, all our paints are water-based and have no added chemicals. They’re better for you, better for your home and better for the environment too.
Our philosophy is this: You should never need to compromise on colour, quality or safety when it comes to our paint.
Timeless Colours
We collaborated with a colour psychologist, trend expert and interior decorator to simplify things and give you all the choices you need without the hassle of choosing between too many!
Show me the coloursColour Expert
Need help picking the perfect colour? Just answer a few questions and we’ll do the rest. Imagine how great it’s going to look!
Help me chooseNeed some tips?
Painting shouldn’t be a hassle. We’ve put together our top tips and techniques so you can get the painting out of the way and get to the fun part – looking at your upgraded space and thinking: Why didn’t I do this sooner?
Painting Guide Show me the colours