Cool-toned grays may have had their moment, but that doesn't mean that all grays are taking a backseat in 2026. In fact, those warm, more complicated grays that shift in the light are starting to feel like a welcome palette cleanser among some of the more striking hues that make up today's color trends.

While designers have long loved the timeless neutral that is Farrow & Ball's Elephant's Breath, this year, it feels like one of the few accepted gray paints that actually stand up against the eye-catching shades that are dominating this year. Layered with purple notes, it's a refreshingly layered gray that couldn't stray further from the controversial cool-tone that we've said goodbye to.

Whether you're a lover of simplicity or simply want a neutral paint color that feels classic yet still warm and interesting, Elephant's Breath is exactly how to use gray in 2026.

1. A Tranquil Home Office Bathed In Pale Gray

While plenty of hues are replacing gray in 2026, Elephant's Breath proves that not all gray paints are out of style. 'It's a very calm, sophisticated gray with the warmth of the taupe undertone,' explains interior designer Marie Kalsi, who used it on the walls of a client's home office.

'When we started this project, the only item our clients wanted to keep was the roman blind in this dark purple damask pattern. So, we chose Farrow & Ball's Elephant's Breath not only for its calming greige quality but also for its hint of magenta and taupe.'

'For contrast, we painted the bespoke cabinetry in Farrow & Ball's Brinjal to really pull the scheme together,' Marie explains. 'We also paired Elephant's Breath with Skimming Stone for the ceiling to not only accentuate the ceiling height but to also create a layered neutral aesthetic, which created a beautiful backdrop for the Roche Bobois Eden Rock collection to complete this modern, glamorous mid-century scheme.'

2. A Living Room That Changes In the Light

'I’d describe Elephant’s Breath as a neutral for people who don’t usually choose neutrals,' explains Henrietta Alice Green, of Henrietta Alice Home. 'It has beautiful lilac undertones that become especially apparent when it’s flooded with natural light in a south-facing room. During the day it feels soft, fresh and uplifting, while in the evening it settles into a cozy, warm grey that creates a really inviting atmosphere.'

There are times you should never paint a room gray, but in light-flooded rooms, it's often a clever choice. 'This room is our snug, so I wanted it to feel cozy and cocooning in the evenings while still feeling light and airy during the day,' Henrietta explains. 'The French windows bring in lots of sunlight, which really enhances the color’s subtle undertones and changing character throughout the day. I also loved how it worked alongside the original cornice detailing, highlighting the architectural features without overpowering them.'

'I think it’s an incredibly versatile color. In this room, I paired it with a palette of bright pastels and a deep teal armchair, which adds richness and depth, particularly in the evening light. Pops of pink and blue work beautifully with Elephant’s Breath’s lilac undertones.'

3. A Romantic Bedroom Layered With Gray Notes

'Elephant's Breath is a wonderfully nuanced warm gray with subtle taupe and mauve undertones,' says interior designer Juliette Saier. 'Depending on the light, it can feel soft and airy during the day, then become richer and more enveloping in the evening. It has a quiet sophistication that avoids both the coldness of traditional grays and the sweetness of beige.'

'The apartment (pictured above) features beautiful historic architecture, including detailed wall moldings, high ceilings, and herringbone parquet flooring. I wanted to highlight these classical elements while giving them a more contemporary and understated character,' Juliette explains. 'Elephant's Breath provided the perfect balance: enough depth to accentuate the moldings and architectural relief, yet soft enough to maintain a calm, residential atmosphere. It creates a refined backdrop that allows natural materials, artwork, and furniture to stand out without competing for attention.'

'Elephant's Breath pairs beautifully with layered neutrals and earthy tones,' adds Juliette. 'In this project, it was combined with Wimborne White on the ceilings and cornices to maximise light and highlight the room's original architecture, while Skimming Stone was used on the inner moulding details to create a subtle tonal contrast. Charleston Gray, on the skirting boards, adds depth and grounding to the overall palette.'

4. A Bright and Airy Laundry Room

'I describe Elephant's Breath as a muddy lilac gray, which acts as an elevated neutral,' begins Kate Daskalakis, founder of KSD Designs.

While there are colors to never pair with gray in 2026, a delicate wallpaper couldn't be a more complementary choice. In this laundry room, Kate applied it to the cabinetry for subtle depth, bringing richness without compromising the room's airiness. 'This built-in is in my studio,' she explains, 'and I chose it because I wanted to give it a moment for people to giggle at the silly name but appreciate the elegance of it in a space.'

'I love to pair it with blues, like Plummet by Farrow & Ball,' she adds, 'and greens like French Grey, and for a white, Pointing by Farrow & Ball (as shown in photo). And I love it with a sage velvet or a chocolate mohair. I love to use it in more historical homes, as it adds depth and enhances the home's natural character.'

5. A Marble Bathroom Grounded With Gray Walls

Interior designer Hazel Morris shares her thoughts on the warm gray paint. 'It's such an interesting color and can look really different placed in different spaces, sometimes lilac and sometimes gray, sometimes even off-white! Always warm and rich and quite luxurious.'

'I chose this color as, being incredibly versatile, it worked across the whole master suite (pictured above) as a perfect backdrop to some of the richer and more pigmented tones we used in the spaces, such as the burgundy bath. Timeless enough to be suitable for period properties and newer styles of property too,' she adds.

'It pairs best with stronger and more contrasting tones, such as the heavily veined marble we chose (picking out the purple-y tones here), darker-toned, antique wood and timbers, warmed based colors such as burgundy. It also works incredibly well as the more pigmented tone in a mostly neutral scheme.'

Elephant's Breath-Inspired Shopping

A complex gray that shifts in the light, Farrow & Ball's Elephant's Breath is a timeless neutral hue that strikes a balance between warm and fresh, perfect for almost every style or size room.

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Reminiscent of sunbaked terracotta, Farrow & Ball's Naperon is a gentle, peachy paint loved for its warmth and radiance.

'Inspired by the origins of the word apron, this is a familiar clay color with a well-loved feel,' explains Farrow & Ball. Naperon quietly saturates a space, bringing grounded calm and tranquillity that lasts beyond sunrise. It's the perfect summer color trend, but the earthy, almost heritage quality makes it a timeless choice too.

'Naperon is such a warm and uplifting color that feels both nostalgic and contemporary at the same time,' says designer Emily Dreelan of Emily Day Interiors. 'It has earthy terracotta qualities, but the soft pink and orange undertones stop it from feeling too heavy. In bright natural light, it almost glows, and even in the evenings, it still feels cozy and bright, which is why it works so well in living spaces.'

Part of the charm of the terracotta color trend lies in the warmth it brings to every space. Shades like Naperon serve as a quiet yet rich backdrop that beautifully envelops without overwhelming a room.

'I chose Naperon for its quiet warmth and earthy depth,' explains interior designer Noëlle Baartmans. 'The natural clay tone creates a cocooning atmosphere: soft in the morning light, intimate by evening when the lamps are on. It carries a grounded elegance that feels both organic and refined.'

While living spaces pair beautifully with the grounding hue, Naperon brings refreshing warmth to bathrooms, too, proving some all-important comfort. The sun-soaked bathroom pictured above proves its ability to make clinical rooms feel inviting and familiar. 'What I love most of Naperon it brings a sense of calm, warmth. In bedrooms especially, Naperon has a beautiful way of making the room feel layered, serene.'

Terracotta paints often work well in midcentury style interiors, too. 'When we were designing this home, we really wanted to stay true to its original 1970s character through the colors and pattern used throughout the scheme,' explains Emily. 'Naperon felt like the perfect choice because it's warm, vibrant, and full of personality, which suited the style of the house beautifully.'

'We decided to have the living room furniture sprayed in the shade rather than use it on the walls,' explains Emily, 'as it created a bold focal point whilst still feeling balanced within what was quite a tricky room layout.'

While terracotta paints like Naperon are colors replacing blush pink, they can feel a little bolder than subtler pale pink tones. To keep your scheme grounded, pair them with organic materials, advises Emily. 'I always advise clients to be brave when it comes to color. Shades like Naperon can completely transform a space and bring so much warmth and character into a home. It works beautifully paired with natural materials and layered with textures and patterns, and I personally love using colors like this on furniture and joinery rather than a full feature wall as it allows the color to make a statement without overwhelming the room.'

'Despite it having a slight plaster pink undertone to it, it’s incredibly earthy and grounding,' explains designer Nicole Thompson of Sleek Chic Interiors. 'It’s got that classic Farrow & Ball metamorphic quality to it, looking like a dusty peach in certain lights and a muted terracotta clay in other lights. Naperon reads slightly redder, more terracotta in tone when positioned next to a darker red such as Red Earth.'

'I wanted to introduce a warm, naturally earthy color that would focus the eye as you walked into the space,' explains Nicole. 'As I was working with this coffered ceiling (pictured in the living room above), the idea was to double-drench it with Red Earth in the centre and then Naperon on the outer part of the ceiling for a really interesting and colorful look that still felt subtle. Naperon is the next shade down from Red Earth, so it works perfectly in a double-drenched look.'

'It’s such a hugely warm and welcoming color that it’s perfect for pretty much any room orientation. To avoid a shade like this looking out of place, I recommend working in the color in some capacity somewhere else in your room so it feels intentional, whether that’s with some textiles or a piece of furniture.'

Naperon-Inspired Homeware

Want to bring this warm, summery yet cozy shade into your home without paint? Shop these Napoleon-inspired buys.

Naperon is quiet yet enhancing. 'As it’s a naturally earthy color, it pairs so well with other earthy shades and natural materials,' says Nicole, 'which makes Naperon such a versatile, easy color to work with. Think reds, browns, creams and greens, any colors that you find in nature, and you’ll be able to bring together for a really calm and collected color scheme that works in your space.'

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A dark sage green that shines in historic settings as well as new, Farrow & Ball's Calke Green is the perfect herby paint color that feels refreshing yet timeless.

Inspired by the iconic green dining room in Calke Abbey, in England's Derbyshire countryside, Farrow & Ball's iconic green paint is designed to complement interiors steeped in history, like many of their coveted archival colors. Best described as a deep sage with powdery notes, it's a paint color that shines in almost every setting.

There are endless ways to embrace this mid-green hue, but here's how interior designers decorate with Farrow & Ball's Calke Green.

'Farrow & Ball’s Calke Green is one of those colors that instantly brings a sense of richness and calm to a space,' says Sara Braham of Braham MacNicoll Studio. 'In this open-plan dining and lounge area, we decided to fully embrace it – color drenching the walls and cabinetry to create a cocooning, sophisticated room. It became the perfect backdrop for the client’s artwork and carefully collected furniture, allowing each piece to really shine.'

'The brief was to create a space that felt grown-up but still had a sense of playfulness, while also connecting to the greenery outside the beautiful, large windows of the Victorian villa. Calke Green did exactly that – it subtly draws the outside in, without feeling too literal.'

'What we love about this shade is how versatile it is,' adds Sara. 'Here, we paired it with Sobek on the back panels of the cabinets, which added a lovely contrast and gave the joinery a real sense of depth. It also helped to frame that mix of modern and vintage pieces, making everything feel intentional and layered rather than overly styled.'

'Calke Green is such a grounding color,; explains Kate Cox of Studio HÁM. 'It has that deep, earthy quality that feels both historic and completely liveable. In the hallway, I used it on the dado rail to feel welcoming and calm, even alongside the busy wallpaper.'

Much like the dill green color trend that took the interiors world by storm last year, Calke Green evokes a refreshing yet deeply timeless feel that couldn't be more complementary with neutrals.

'It's strong enough to hold its own beneath a pattern, which is exactly what it's doing here,' says Kate. 'As for companion colors, warm whites and dusty pinks sit beautifully with it, as does a deeper forest green if you want to go more enveloping.'

'Our clients for this project chose the color scheme for the house,' explains David Smokcum, senior architectural technician​​​​ at Verity Beverley Architects. 'They did a fantastic job, and I can’t think of a more suitable color for the paneling of this dining room.'

Breathing life into the historic space without compromising the room's integrity, Calke Green feels like the perfect middle ground for this traditional dining room. Gently uplifting the space without straying into the stark or harsh, it gently evokes the outside in and makes the color the star of the show.

'For this project, all of the timber paneling and detailing was painted with Farrow & Ball Calke Green, with the ceiling and beams being finished with Farrow & Ball's New White, explains David. 'The adjacent rooms are decorated with Farrow & Ball's Light Blue to the living room and Farrow & Ball's Light Stone to the hallway.'

'Calke Green suits houses in the countryside, bringing the vibrant green from outdoors in,' says Olivia White-Hamilton, founder of Olpol & Co. 'It works well alongside natural materials like stone, terracotta and wood.'

While decorating with Calke Green is surprisingly easy, it's best to consider the colors that go with green to ensure your scheme feels balanced and cohesive. Opt for classic neutrals (with a hint of warmth) like cream or stone grays, as well as powdery pinks or blues.

'We paired the Calke Green paint on the panelling with Farrow & Ball's School House White on the walls and a pinky red fabric,' adds Olivia. 'It’s a strong color, so it suits being used with off-white and can work well with other bold colors in a passing space.'

Shop Calke Green-Inspired Decor

A quiet green that enhances historic homes, Calke Green has long been loved for its sophisticated, timeless feel. Able to uplift a dark living room or make a hallway feel more interesting, it's versatile and enduringly elegant.

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Named after a painter's cloth that's draped across the floor, Farrow & Ball's Drop Cloth is the perfect airy neutral that feels gentle yet uplifting.

Falling somewhere between beige and gray, Drop Cloth is a versatile neutral paint, loved for its balanced, light-changing qualities. A shade that looks different depending on the time of day, it's not too yellow but still warm and cocooning, making it a timeless neutral that can work in any light.

Muted yet never bland, Drop Cloth is a designer favorite. From serene bedrooms to light-filled mudrooms, these spaces might inspire you to try Farrow & Ball's coveted neutral in your own home.

'Drop Cloth is a lovely grounded stony color, and is a beautiful backdrop to dry textured linens in khaki green and lichen colors, as well as rusty red linens and velvets,' says interior designer Olivia Outred.

In the project pictured above, Olivia used Drop Cloth on the walls of the bedroom to create a sense of serenity. Richer hues like a deep indigo headboard and a mustard throw contrast beautifully with the calming neutral.

Its depth makes it perfect for pairing with white, too. 'I use Drop Cloth on skirtings and architraves a lot,' Olivia adds, 'and when I want a crisp contrast and bright walls, I team it with Wimborne White, which is a warm white and one of my favorites.'

A versatile shade that brings depth into light spaces and vice versa, Laurie Fulkerson, interior designer at Twin Companies, used Drop Cloth to adorn the walls of a client's mudroom.

Laurie has used Drop Cloth in many settings. She explains, 'I use it often on cabinets and for walls. It is a great neutral with some depth that brings attention to a space when you want a neutral color, but not a white or cream tone on the walls. It is just one of those colors that works pretty much anywhere!'

'I think it would be a great trim color with wallpaper, painted floors, and of course, cabinets and walls,' adds Laurie. 'I am going to try it for an exterior color on an upcoming project, and I think it would look amazing with pretty green or blue windows – and of course, bronze. I like it with a warm color palette and think it would look great with a light blue, navy, sage green or a mossy green, and one of my favorite colors, a sophisticated pink!'

'Drop Cloth is a perfect mid grey‑beige,' explains Patrick O'Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball. 'Calm, balanced, and never too warm or too cool. It has this effortless, lived‑in neutrality that works in pretty much any style of home.'

In the case of the pictured dining room, Drop Cloth is a clever choice that feels warm yet still uplifting. It contrasts with the darker wood furniture and provides a brightening effect, particularly useful in a room situated at the back of the house.

'Using Drop Cloth as a soft, all‑over neutral or on cabinetry creates a warmer alternative to white,' advises Patrick. 'It pairs beautifully with natural textures like linen, oak, and stone. For the best complementary whites, Shaded White and Shadow White create a subtle, timeless gradient that feels incredibly considered.'

Drop Cloth-Inspired Decor

A noticeable neutral with grounding and uplifting qualities, Drop Cloth is one of those rare paint colors that works in every room, of any size or style. From kitchen cabinetry to bedroom walls, Drop Cloth is a timeless neutral that will always endure.

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While it's hard to imagine pastels not being associated with spring, a true spring palette includes not just muted blues and butter yellows, but unexpected colors that feel just as uplifting but more unique, in keeping with 2026 color trends.

A time to get creative with color, spring is the season many await to give their homes a much-needed refresh. With ample sun filling our homes, embracing spring color palettes that reflect the season's freshness is one of the most impactful ways to transform your space, not just for the season but for the year beyond.

While Farrow & Ball is best known for its heritage colors that complement historic settings, their refreshing spring color palette takes all the usual hues we see this time of year and gives them depth. A palette composed of nine shades designed to dance beautifully with daylight, these joyful colors are sure to make your space feel alive and inspiring.

From lavender to pastel pink, typical room colors around springtime tend to feel a little juvenile. While muted tones are in keeping with the season and work beautifully with natural light, they can feel a little overdone at times. Farrow & Ball's seasonal spring palette acknowledges color traditions, keeping the overall family relatively subdued, but features a few brighter tones to create contrast and vibrancy that feels fitting for 2026.

Undeniably colors that will make a home feel fresher, some familiar faces are balanced by unexpected additions. Scallop, a pale pink with a plaster-like feel, falls somewhere between a neutral and a pastel, making it perfect for any room in the home. Whether it's covering an entryway (matched with white trim) or covering a ceiling to add softness living room, Scallop is subdued but still interesting, a refreshing variation on pale pink that will last beyond the season.

It would be wrong not to see a yellow paint included in a spring color scheme, but for this year's selection, there's no butter yellow in sight. The shade received ample love last year, so it's about time another hue took the limelight.

Babouche, a zingy, cheerful yellow that's warm and bright all at the same time, features in Farrow & Ball's spring color palette. Ideal in darker rooms in need of some joy, yet equally as complementary in light-filled spaces that are only enhanced by vibrant hues, Babouche feels like one of those paint colors that's always uplifting, and always appreciated, not just around springtime.

Last spring, there was a clear trend that bolder colors are replacing pastels, and it seems in 2026 that rule still applies, as it's not just Babouche included in the mix; Acid Drop (zingy and acid-like as the name suggests) is the striking hue that offsets the muted tones we all know and love. This chartreuse-like green is spot on for right now, with chartreuse being the unexpected rising color trend this year.

Those on the fence about the return of pink should look to Farrow & Ball's Cinder Rose. A rosey hue with cool undertones, yes, it's a pretty pink, but unlike many of the sickly sweet pale pinks we see around spring time, its depth makes it feel liveable and rather contemporary.

Best paired with earthy greens (Yeabridge Green, we're looking at you) and muted blues (this is where the powder blue, Kittiwake, comes in), the dusty rose is perfect for those braving pink for the first time, or for pink aficionados looking to commit to a spring shade that strays from blush tones. Cover an entryway in the hue, or lease some life into your kitchen with a pink wall to make the (often chaotic) art of cooking feel a little more fun.

Powder blue is getting a lot of stage time this year. It feels rather close to pastels on the color spectrum, but with more vibrancy than a baby blue, it's a slightly more sophisticated take on a pastel.

Powder blue was an unexpected fall color trend in 2025, and continues to remain popular into spring, with Farrow & Ball including Kittiwake in their spring color palette and plenty of designers continuing to embrace similar variations of the powder-like blue.

Described as having 'a touch more black pigment creating a warmer, more relaxed feel', Kittawake would look its best in living rooms or home offices, bringing playfulness matched by comfort. If you're not quite ready to committ to a pastel room, revamp old furniture with a lick of Kittawake or try a bold window treatment, instead.

As expected, Farrow & Ball's spring color palette is the perfect blend of playful and traditional. With familiar muted tones contrasted by zingier hues that let the imagination run wild, we can't think of a better palette to embrace this spring, for a home that feels life-filled and joyous this season and beyond.

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Small kitchens, which can often be lacking in natural light, typically welcome a palette of light neutrals in efforts to make them feel more roomy, but going for something more colorful in these hardworking rooms can be much more effective.

When choosing the best colors for small kitchens, designers often turn to the much-loved paint brand Farrow & Ball, using its nuanced, earthy shades to add character and depth.

Here, we've rounded up five Farrow & Ball paints that are favorites among designers, ranging from dusky greens to soft pinks. While each of them is a bolder choice than neutrals, they feel livable and calm, while adding plenty of design flair to small kitchens.

1. Cooking Apple Green No. 32

Cooking Apple Green is one of those colors that feels soft enough to use in place of traditional neutrals. If you're looking for a paint shade that adds a hint of color to bring interest to a small kitchen, without going too bright or bold, this one could be for you.

'The starting point for this kitchen was the backsplash: an antique-feeling but lively tropical ceramic tile,' says the Florida-based designer Katherine Shenaman. 'The client wanted her small kitchen to feel like a "jewel box", so we chose a complementary green that felt understated yet luxurious at the same time. Aged brass hardware throughout and the reclaimed oak flooring also added to the overall feel of this lively but timeless kitchen.'

'Some people may think an all-white kitchen feels larger, but in general, we find that the opposite is true,' she adds. 'People seem tired of the predictable and more eager to explore more creative ways to design small spaces, especially kitchens.'

2. French Gray No. 18

French Gray is a popular Farrow & Ball paint color – an in-between shade that sits somewhere between gray and green. Because of its gray tones, it feels calm and easy to live with, especially when compared to gray paints, which can fall flat.

Here, it was used on the cabinets, adding depth and a refined feel to the room. 'The colors of the kitchen cabinets help meld the period of the house with the more contemporary aesthetic of the homeowner,' explains the designer Ryan Kopet of Tennessee-based Miles & Kirk. 'I find the color to be expansive and warm, while not diluting the charm of the space. As our primary goal was to highlight the homeowner's art collection, we love this palette as a great backdrop to modern art.'

3. Stiffkey Blue No. 281

Dark blue paints add drama to small kitchens, and shades like Stiffkey Blue lend a sense of sophistication, especially when paired with warm brass fixtures.

The designer of this small kitchen, Kristin Kostamo-McNeil, principal designer at Anne Rae Design, recalls discussions with the client to find the right shade of blue: 'We agreed that a deeper tone was essential to achieving the drama he envisioned for the space,' she says.

'We paired the paint with a slightly deeper blue tile backsplash to complement rather than compete with the blue-washed cabinets,' she adds. 'Stiffkey Blue is a wonderful choice for a small kitchen when you're after something dramatic and intimate, with a feel that's both luxurious and unexpected.'

4. Green Smoke No. 47

Green Smoke is a dark green paint that has a dusky, muted quality that makes it feel soothing and mellow. 'This shade of green works beautifully in a small kitchen because it offers a richness of color while still acting like a neutral,' says NYC designer Jennifer Hunter.

'Greens that are slightly muted with gray undertones tend to recede visually, allowing the cabinetry and walls to feel layered rather than busy,' she explains. 'Instead of relying on white or beige to make the room feel open, the green creates a calm backdrop that adds character without overwhelming the space. In a compact kitchen, it brings warmth and personality while remaining timeless and versatile.'

5. Pink Ground No. 202

Pink paints make a comforting, stylish choice in small kitchens. Soft shades feel like just a step away from neutrals, while adding warmth, character, and a cozy feel. Here, Pink Ground was used on the walls, a dusky shade that doesn't lean too sweet, along with Farrow & Ball's Pointing on the cabinets.

'Pink Ground is one of my favourite colors to use because it has such a lovely warmth to it,' explains the interior designer Sophie Garland who use in her own cozy country cottage. 'It’s especially good in smaller spaces, as the pale tone brings in color while still keeping the room feeling light and fresh.'

Landing on the right paint color is one of the most important steps in decorating compact spaces, but there are lots of other creative ways to make a small kitchen look more luxurious, from lighting to countertop ideas.

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Choosing the right paint color for a narrow room can be a tricky task, and playing it safe with white paint can, understandably, be the default. However, interior designers frequently reach for paint colors from Farrow & Ball that bring design intrigue and excitement to these compact rooms.

Whether you're decorating a laundry room, narrow bathroom, mudroom, or pantry, the right paint colors can actually have a much more flattering effect on the often-tricky proportions than white – softening harsh edges and creating a cohesive, immersive look – especially when color-drenching is used.

Here, you can browse eight of the designers' most favored Farrow & Ball paint colors for narrow rooms, proving that smaller spaces are the perfect opportunity to have fun with color.

1. Hague Blue No. 30

A dark blue paint with subtle green undertones, Hague Blue is a popular shade that adds coziness and a classic feel to rooms. In this scullery, color-drenching was used to take the color to the walls as well as the cabinets.

'I’m drawn to this particular blue for its depth and warmth; it feels enveloping and inviting rather than stark,' says Kathryn Hunt, principal designer at Kathryn Hunt Studio, based in Connecticut. 'Extending the same color and finish throughout the space gives the room a cohesive, almost lacquered quality that elevates what is traditionally considered a purely utilitarian area.'

'By leaning into such a rich, saturated color, the scullery takes on an immediate sense of character and presence, transforming it from a back-of-house workspace into a thoughtfully designed extension of the home,' she adds.

2. Card Room Green No. 79

Decorating with green can add warmth to narrow rooms, and slightly muted green paints, such as Card Room Green, feel livable and timeless, as seen in this laundry room.

'Card Room Green has a timeless, heritage quality that brings warmth and depth to a hardworking room like a laundry room,' says Trish Lynn, principal and founder of New Jersey-based Colette Interiors. 'In narrower rooms, using a deeper tone on cabinetry and trim helps create a cohesive envelope, which can actually make the space feel calmer and more expansive.'

'Rather than paint, the walls are wrapped in a soft tonal wallpaper, which adds quiet texture and subtlety while balancing the richness of the cabinetry,' she adds.

3. Peignoir No. 286

In small bathrooms, lighter colors can be a great way to add interest and depth, without overpowering the space with richness. Here, Peignoir brings a soft and feminine feel – a stylish alternative to neutrals.

'We love this mauvy dusty pink color because it is a lighter tone that reads similarly to a neutral, but it still has personality,' explains Melissa Oholendt, founder and design principal at Minnesota and Colorado-based Oho Interiors. 'It’s a great way to add some character to a space while keeping it light and airy.'

4. Brinjal No. 222

Brinjal is a rich shade of wine-tinted purple paint that adds plenty of drama to a room. In this mudroom, it sets a classic feel alongside the brass hardware, and proves that narrow rooms don't have to play it safe.

'This rich purple-red hue works beautifully in a small space because it creates a sense of warmth and depth the moment you step inside,' says NYC-based interior designer Jennifer Hunter. 'Rather than trying to make the room feel larger with a pale palette, the saturated color wraps the millwork and walls in a cocooning tone, turning a highly functional space into a focal point. The hue was chosen to subtly pick up on the tones in the brick flooring. In a hardworking entry like this, the deeper color also helps disguise everyday wear from boots, bags, and coats.'

5. Duck Green No. W55

Duck Green is a dark green that has a sophisticated and classic quality, making it a perfect choice for this narrow butler's pantry. 'This rich green works beautifully in small spaces because it envelops the room, creating a sense of depth rather than making it feel confined,' says Jennifer Hunter.

'In a butler’s pantry like this one, the color turns what could have been a purely utilitarian pass-through into a moment of drama between larger spaces,' she adds. 'The cabinetry, painted in the saturated hue, blurs the boundaries of the room and allows the millwork, hardware, and stone to really stand out.'

6. Pigeon No. 25

Pigeon is a calming, blue-gray paint shade that adds more depth than traditional neutrals while maintaining a feeling of calm. Here, it was used in a cloakroom of a country house.

'It has a great quality to it – calm and muted, but still elegant, and it sets the mood straight away,' says Tom Cox of HÁM Interiors. 'We painted the walls, ceiling, and trim in the same color to avoid awkward visual breaks and let the architecture come through subtly. Because it’s neither too dark nor too light, it gives the room an enveloping feel, and we added artwork to lift it with a brighter pop of color.'

7. Down Pipe No. 26

Down Pipe is a dark, blue-toned charcoal paint color that adds moodiness and lots of depth to narrow rooms. In this scullery, where it was used on the cabinets, it wraps the space to create a cocooning, unexpected feel.

'Down Pipe offered a rich, moody color for this space that is used primarily for evening entertaining,' says the designer Lindsay Anyon Brier of Anyon Design. 'We leaned into the principle that a rich color highlights a small space and gives it character, particularly in low lighting. Down Pipe's blue undertones complement the millwork's walnut cavities as well as the copper countertop and fittings.'

8. Stony Ground No. 211

While dark, bold paint shades work well to add drama to narrow rooms, neutral paints are an equally stylish option if you want to keep the space feeling pared-back.

Rachel Morrison of Orange County-based design studio Morrison Interiors chose Stony Ground for the cabinets in this laundry room. She describes it as 'a warm, earthy neutral that works beautifully in tighter spaces.'

'In this long, narrow room, the color adds softness and depth while keeping the space feeling light and inviting,' she continues. 'Paired with warm brass lighting and textured tile, it helps create a layered look that elevates what could otherwise feel like a purely utilitarian space.'

Before you reach for Farrow & Ball's white paints when decorating a narrow room, consider these colorful shades that add more depth, interest, and warmth. Instead of working against a room's small proportions, they lean into the limited square footage with a more confident look. And, since many of these narrow rooms are closed-off rooms, you can afford to be more adventurous with your colors than you would in the main living spaces.

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Farrow & Ball's Stiffkey Blue takes its name from a coastal English village in North Norfolk, where its marshy beaches are threaded with deep blue sea. A navy blue with a touch of inkiness, Stiffkey Blue might have nautical roots, but it's long been loved for its rich, deeply comforting qualities, able to blend into both traditional and modern settings.

A not-quite navy woven with brighter undertones, Stiffkey Blue comes up time and time again in designers' picks of the best dark blue paints, loved for its enduringly sophisticated feel and versatility.

Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball's Brand Ambassador, says, 'Stiffkey Blue is a bold, strong, regal blue. Add a splash of Stiffkey Blue for a scheme that has longevity and flexibility, especially when teamed with a clean, complementary off-white such as Dimpse. This chic and timeless combination is just the ticket for a makeover that remains relevant as you move through seasons from year to year.'

Deep enough to cocoon yet vibrant enough to dance with the light, Stiffkey Blue is a richer and naunced that a navy. While navy blues tend to cocoon and sometimes overwhelm a room, this deep blue feels distinctly brighter, perfect for both small and large spaces.

This charming powder room designed by Otta Design proves the encompassing power of this blue paint. The studio's director, Alex Keith, explains, 'The client fell in love with the Farrow & Ball Shouchikubai Wallpaper with the pops of orange and blue. The background of this wallpaper was Stiffkey Blue, so to add extra impact, we wrapped the color over the ceiling in a gloss finish and added it to the paneling.'

To integrate Stiffkey Blue into any scheme, consider the colors that go with navy blue for a balanced look. Alex adds, 'Stiffkey Blue works really well with strong accent colors, in this case the orange, but would also work well with a strong bright green like Farrow & Ball's archive color Danish Lawn.'

A jewel-toned blue, Stiffkey Blue not only enriches small spaces, but it's perfect for living rooms in need of moodiness and depth, as proven by interior designer Laura Stephens' sophisticated creation.

Laura explains, 'We were looking for a deep, grounding color that would feel both practical and considered, particularly for use below the dado rail, where it’s more prone to scuffs and everyday wear. Stiffkey Blue has a wonderful richness to it; it’s undeniably dark, but it never feels flat or heavy. There’s a subtle depth and movement in the color that keeps it visually interesting, even across larger areas, and it brings a sense of structure and calm to the space.'

'Stiffkey Blue is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a range of tones, Laura continues. 'I particularly love using it alongside a soft, ivory white such as Wimborne White, which lifts the depth of the blue and creates a really classic, balanced contrast. Metallics, particularly aged or brushed gold, also complement it beautifully, adding warmth and a touch of softness to the overall scheme.'

Stiffkey Blue Decor

Love the rich yet bright tone of Stiffkey Blue? These decor picks will bring a similar shade into any room.

A deep, inky blue with vibrant yet moody notes, Stiffkey Blue is an all-rounder paint color that works in almost any space. Whether it's a large living room in need of sophistication or a compact powder room, Stiffkey Blue enhances architecture and works with a plethora of design styles.

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Whether we're writing about the most timeless kitchen cabinet colors or sharing the hottest new interior design trend, color is part of the everyday here at Homes & Gardens. And our sources for the next biggest color trends can come from anywhere, but one voice we always listen to is that of Farrow & Ball.

Icons in the paint and color world, its brand ambassador, Patrick O'Donnell, is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to any color queries, and when he shares what's the next big thing in the color world, we listen.

Last year was defined by rich burgundies, pretty powder blues, and of course, the notorious buttery yellow, loved for its soft, enveloping qualities. And this year, the love for understated vibrancy and comforting richness continues. Sharing his color trends for 2026, Farrow & Ball's brand ambassador, Patrick O’Donnell, explains that these four color families in particular 'will be making a strong presence in 2026.'

1. Faded Terracotta

We might only be a quarter of the way into 2026, but faded terracotta is already defining this year's trends. Falling somewhere between plaster pink and orange, this earthy, quiet neutral is a warmer alternative to once-popular neutrals like gray or beige.

Patrick says, 'Faded soft terracottas, verging on blushy-pink apricots, are going to be huge.' While some of the best terracotta paints have a deep, rich orange undertone, the beauty of faded clay tones is their neutral feel, able to sing in the background of any room in the home. Patrick goes on to say this color family 'is really lovely and really gentle.'

Picture a living room donning an understated peachy tone, or a bedroom drenched in a pinker version of the hue. Patrick suggests some of Farrow & Ball's most beloved examples, the notorious Setting Plaster, and the slightly darker Templeton Pink.

2. Rich Chocolate

Deep, unctuous versions of brown had the world of interiors in a chokehold last year, with the most stylish rooms being color-drenched in glossy browns. Farrow & Ball says that the love for rich, really dark, brown will continue in 2026.

Patrick calls them 'rich chocolates', characterized by their depth. He continues, 'While chestnuts and tobaccos are really beautiful, we're going to see a little bit of a renaissance of darker browns.' Shades like Cola, a dark brown with red undertones, and the warmer Wainscot are perfect for enveloping a room with richness.

Patrick suggests these rich chocolate browns are 'beautiful for cabinetry or even a sitting room would just be heaven in a dark chocolate.' He recommends 'throwing in burnt oranges, pinks, and greens' for a harmonious contrast. Think the marmelade inspired Marmelo, the understated Pink Drab, and the charming Cooking Apple Green.

3. Eggplant

It'll come as no surprise that deep plum is a color trend Patrick predicts will only get more love in 2026. They quietly crept into the back end of last year, cropping up in cozy snugs, powder rooms, and kitchens last fall.

Patrick says, 'The other thing that's coming through quite strongly again is that aubergine note. I think we've seen a lot of that in editorial.' Referring to Brinjal (which Heidi Caillier used to decorate Kendall Jenner's mountain home last year), Patrick adds, 'we got a lot of resonance from that. Those lovely, kind of plum, winey, aubergine notes will be really big this year.'

Deep eggplant hues are best in small rooms; they pack a punch and open up restricted architecture. If you're planning to decorate with Farrow & Ball's Brinjal, pair it with crisp whites, earthy grays and greens, or pale pink.

4. Soft Yellow

All big trends have a knock-on effect. In the case of color, butter yellow took the interior world by storm for the entirety of 2025, meaning it's inevitable it will ripple into 2026, too.

Patrick says, 'I think soft yellows are going to come through. I know we keep talking about yellows and they never seem to have a full renaissance, but I think really gentle pale or buttery notes like Hay and Sudbury Yellow will.'

While soft yellows are refreshingly easy to style (unlike sunnier shades), it's still worth considering the colors that go with butter yellow to ensure your scheme feels balanced and timeless. A pastel yellow kitchen would welcome richer accents like navy or even burgundy; equally, a pale yellow bathroom might appreciate crisp white trim or crown molding to make the hue pop.

Not a white, beige, cream, or gray in sight in Patrick's predictions for the colors of 2026, proving that these once go-to neutrals are far from the radar. These colors are still very usable and livable – terracotta shades in particular are ideal if you are looking for a neutral-adjacent shade that's going to give more depth and interest.

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Renowned for its versatile palette of heritage hues, Farrow & Ball has long been the go-to destination for those in pursuit of the perfect paint color. While every shade in their extensive library has its charm, a select few 'hero' tones are particularly well-suited to small living rooms.

When it comes to standard living room color ideas, the choices can feel endless – but for more compact spaces, a handful of shades truly shine. Whether you’re styling a narrow lounge or an open-plan layout that seamlessly merges your kitchen with your living area, these designer-approved Farrow & Ball colors elevate architecture and make the most of every square foot.

From effortlessly livable off-whites to gentle, soft pinks, discover the three shades interior designers recommend for small living rooms that feel bright, inviting, and beautifully proportioned.

The Best Farrow & Ball Paints For a Small Living Room

1. Jitney

A neutral living room might sound a little boring, but Farrow & Ball's Jitney, a warm taupe-meets-brown, couldn't be further from bland. While many of us are moving away from classic neutrals for this year's living room color trends, if you're looking to keep things simple and relaxed but want to move away from using white as a neutral, Jitney is a refreshingly richer shade that's perfect for creating a timeless scheme in 2026.

While brown might not be an obvious 2026 color trend, Patrick O'Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball, explains, 'Browns as a color family are making a comeback and will make a beautiful, elegant statement in any room, but especially smaller rooms. Often, they add warmth and work effortlessly with pinks, greens, and blues.'

Deep enough to enrich yet pale enough not to overwhelm, Jitney brings unbeatable warmth to a small living room, providing the perfect canvas for richer pops of color in decor and furniture. Patrick adds, 'Earth tones offer comfort and gentle warmth without creating an overpowering statement – ultimately creating a tranquil space, and Jitney is the perfect example of a mid-earth shade.'

2. Joa's White

Undeniably one of the best cream paints on the market, Joa's White is a classic off-white color with taupe undertones. A versatile color, it's a shade that brings an openness to small living rooms, without straying into the overly clinical or sterile.

Interior designer Polly Ashman used the long-loved cream in a recent project. She explains, 'This is a north-facing living room, so we didn't want anything too heavy or cold. We wanted to keep it light and inviting and let the art, fabrics and accessories do the talking.'

While white undeniably makes smaller spaces feel larger, a cream living room is remarkably warmer and more inviting. Polly adds, 'Joa's White is a lovely warm neutral that is a great choice for a smaller living room as it doesn't take over the space, it lifts the room and allows you to layer on top with either stronger colors or earthy neutrals.'

3. Setting Plaster

Loved for its softness, you've likely heard of Setting Plaster. A Farrow & Ball color that bridges the gap between light and warm, it's a gentle pink that works beautifully for a neutral scheme. Able to cocoon and still uplift, it's the perfect color for elevating and adding an inviting warmth to a small space.

Sarah Limbert, founder of Poets Corner Interiors, explains, 'We chose Setting Plaster because we wanted the room to feel both light and fresh during the day, yet warm and cocooning in the evening, a space that could transition beautifully from morning coffee to relaxed nights in.'

Unlike bright pinks, which can feel feminine, small living rooms decorated with plaster tones feel comforting and serene. Sarah continues, 'Setting Plaster is exceptionally well-suited to small living rooms. I often describe it as an elevated neutral as it carries more personality than beige or off-white, yet remains incredibly versatile. It never feels cold or flat, but equally, it avoids the heaviness that can sometimes make compact spaces feel smaller.'

There are colors you should never paint a small living room and colors you should, and these three timeless Farrow & Ball shades definitely fall into the latter. Neutral yet still warm and interesting, they are perfect for enriching a small space with quiet vibrancy, designed to work alongside any interior design style.

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I always thought this would be the house where I finally went bold with color. But somewhere between choosing taps and tiles, decision fatigue set in – and I found myself in a committed relationship with one neutral instead: Farrow & Ball's Dimity. And I’m convinced it’s the best neutral shade around.

But rather than feeling repetitive, Dimity has become the thread that runs through the house. With subtle red undertones, it brings a warmth that many of the best neutral paints miss, without ever tipping too pink, too yellow, or too gray.

It's one of Farrow & Ball's most popular paint colors, and I certainly think Dimity deserves the fanfare. And after using it in four rooms of my home, here’s why I think it really is the perfect neutral.

After using Dimity in multiple rooms of my home, and living with it through different times of day, changing light, and a renovation that’s still yet to be finished – what’s struck me most is how un-neutral it actually feels.

On paper, it sits firmly in the soft neutral camp, but on the wall, it behaves with far more nuance than many of the other warm white shades we default to when we want to play it safe.

The key lies in Dimity’s subtle red undertones. 'Dimity has just a little red running through it, therefore making it an ideal choice for those nervous of poorly lit rooms,' Patrick O'Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball, explains.

At the same time, it avoids yellow tones that can turn creamy in strong light, and it never tips into overtly pink or gray territory – something I was particularly wary of avoiding.

'You can use it as a wall color, teamed with Pointing by Farrow & Ball on your woodwork,' Patrick suggests. 'Alternatively, try using it as a ceiling color when decorating your room in our softest red, Red Earth, as Dimity makes a wonderful, less harsh alternative to pure white.'

What this calm and cozy Farrow & Ball color achieves is feeling traditional without looking dated, warm without heaviness, and soft without tipping into baby pink. It truly is a timeless paint color, working beautifully in both period and contemporary homes.

The best part about this room color idea is that it doesn’t demand perfect light to look good.

In my home, it holds its color against east- and west-facing rooms, while supporting bolder choices in wallpaper and joinery, and makes the softest background to more vibrant color decisions elsewhere in the scheme without competing.

In our main bedroom, which is east-facing and gets plenty of sunlight in the morning, finding the perfect neutral was key. It's also one of the more color-rich rooms in the house, with a burgundy striped headboard and wine-red wardrobes to compete with.

In this room, when color-drenched, Dimity’s subtle red undertones come into their own, creating a gentle harmony between the burgundy paint and Setting Plaster wood trims that creates a really calm, relaxing bedroom.

At the back of the house, our snug is west-facing and enjoys beautiful, warm light in the afternoon before cooling in the evening, which made me particularly cautious about choosing a pale neutral. In rooms like this, softer shades can easily look washed out.

But even in strong, direct light, it never becomes sugary or pale, and it doesn’t flare too pink as the day goes on. Instead, it feels fresher and lighter earlier in the day, then warmer and more enveloping as the light softens towards evening.

Used here, Dimity acts as a lovely backdrop to layers of green and earthy brown colors that help give the room a relaxed, cocooning feel.

On entry to my home, you'll also find Dimity on the ceiling of the entryway. With ornate crown moldings and plasterwork, I knew a bright white ceiling paint wouldn't highlight the detail enough or provide a sense of warmth that I wanted to evoke as soon as you stepped in the door.

Dimity was a soft enough choice to feel intentional, and not close in the walls of the narrow space, while still highlighting the historical details. On the walls, I'm pairing it with a beige ticking stripe wallpaper that feels timeless yet light and airy.

Paint finish plays a big part in how the color reads, too. In our guest bedroom, I've chosen Dimity again for the ceiling, paired with a blockprint floral wallpaper in tones of blue and green, as well as using it on the baseboards and trims in a satin finish for added sheen and definition.

What I think Dimity offers above all is softness. I'm someone who always leans warm over cool, so this acts not only as the perfect backdrop to creating a warm and layered scheme, but does a lot on its own too.

It's also inherently timeless, forgiving, and just easy to use. 'I find Farrow & Ball's Dimity to be such a timeless color. I love using it because it gives a wonderful, warm, and cozy feeling to a space without it being too yellow or beige. It’s a terrific neutral to use, especially if you have some red tones in the space,' agrees interior designer Cindy McKay of Cindy McKay Interiors.

It’s a shade I can rely on to work in changing light, alongside pattern and bolder colors, while also holding its own when drenched across all five walls.

It’s not a color that demands attention, and that’s precisely the point. And after using it in four very different spaces, it’s the one shade I wouldn’t hesitate to choose all over and over again.

For more paint inspiration, take a look at these 15 Farrow & Ball paint colors in real homes – from calming blues to warm neutrals used throughout beautifully styled spaces.

When I think of a pale gray paint, a cool-toned hue lacking a little warmth first springs to mind. But while Farrow & Ball's Skimming Stone is described as exactly that, it's far from cold and is one of the brand's best sellers due to its versatility. Reminiscent of pebbles on a beach, it's the perfect neutral shade, long loved for its timelessness.

Skimming Stone's appeal lies in its warmth, while still remaining a gray. Falling somewhere between a pale gray and beige, it strays far from stark or clinical; it has the power to envelop any room with a careful balance of light and depth.

It makes sense that interior designers have dubbed it one of the best neutral paints, and have long been using it in their own homes and projects. Melissa Read, founder of Studio Burntwood, says, 'Skimming Stone is one of those rare Farrow & Ball shades that effortlessly bridges the gap between elegance and versatility. It's a soft, warm gray with subtle taupe undertones, it creates a calming backdrop that feels just as at home in a pared-back contemporary space as it does in a more traditional interior.'

Mix Skimming Stone with contemporary space for softness

Skimming Stone proves that decorating with gray doesn't have to be clinical and bland. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. An example of a Farrow & Ball paint in a real home, Melissa used the shade in a recent project, giving her client's dining room a contemporary quality.

The gray paint perfectly matches the modern, Scandinavian style of the furniture and decor. It gives the dining room depth without overwhelming it, allowing the space to feel bright and airy.

'Its tone shifts throughout the day,' explains Melissa. 'It tends to look cooler and more architectural in light-filled rooms and cozy in spaces with less natural light.' She adds, 'For a sleek, modern aesthetic on pristine walls, we typically opt for the Dead Flat finish (2% sheen), to give a modern, sleek feel. Alternatively, if your walls are slightly imperfect or you lean towards a traditional scheme, the Modern Emulsion finish would be better suited.'

Create a balance of warm and bright on kitchen cabinets

A timeless kitchen cabinet color, Skimming Stone is the perfect complement to a kitchen. Warm enough to accentuate yet pale enough to brighten, it's an enduring choice for kitchens of all styles, be it minimal or transitional.

Interior designer Marissa Stokes says, 'We love using Skimming Stone on cabinetry. It's soft, timeless, yet modern. It also works beautifully on walls, adding warmth without dominating the space.'

Proving the versatility of Skimming Stone, what makes the shade a timeless paint color is its ability to work alongside all materials. Marissa adds, 'It pairs easily with natural textures like oak, marble, and linen, or can be sharpened with dark accents like charcoal, black, or navy for contrast. Lighting brings out its versatility, from cozy and warm to fresh and airy.'

'Skimming Stone shines in kitchens, as in this project, but also suits living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. It's balanced warmth adapts to changing light, making it a quietly luxurious choice throughout the home.'

Pair white a crisp white for the ideal living room scheme

If you want to bring out the warmth of Skimming Stone, pair it with a crisp white. Farrow & Ball recommends the best white to pair it with is their classic Strong White. It makes for a particularly serene living room color scheme or bedroom scheme.

Interior designer Kelsey Haywood, Principal Designer of haywoodmade explains, 'It looks good on so many surfaces, but I do love it as a wall color in contrast to white trim. It’s also the perfect entry into color-drenching. That’s the beauty of this color: it will transcend any one design style. I’ve used it in a more traditional family room and in a more casual front sitting room with modern touches.'

Melissa agrees it the perfect hue for softer, more lived in rooms. She says, 'While Skimming Stone has the flexibility to enhance almost any room, it is particularly effective in living rooms and bedrooms, where its warmth gives a relaxed feel. I’ve selected this color for the walls in the living room in my home in London, precisely because of its flexibility. It provides a neutral canvas that adapts to furniture, artwork, or finish changes.'

Skimming Stone-inspired decor

These six stony decor picks are the perfect way to introduce calm into your scheme. Neutral but never boring, you needn't paint your walls with these irresistibly charming pieces.

Skimming Stone is the perfect warm stone gray. It's deep enough to frame and accentuate, but with light and bright undertones, it's guaranteed to create that unbeatable sense of airiness we all strive for. It proves that gray interiors aren't going out of style, and this specific paint is the perfect replacement for cool-toned grays lacking in warmth.

Hardworking spaces need a hardworking paint. You can't use just any paint finish on your kitchen cabinets and surfaces, it needs to be able to cope with the traffic and tasks the heart of your home faces on a daily basis.

Enter Farrow & Ball's new paint finish – Flat Eggshell.

Created to expertly balance style and function, the finish is tough enough to be used on your floors and cabinetry – and it's just made its way to the top of the best Farrow & Ball paints for kitchen cabinets. It's scrubbable, stain-resistant, and can be used on wood, metal, and concrete.

Available in all 132 colors offered by the brand, as well as its archival collections, it's the paint launch to have on your radar if you're refreshing your kitchen any time soon. Here's everything you need to know about the launch.

Kitchens are high-traffic rooms designed to be hard-working spaces, so the usual approach to paint simply won't do it. From kitchen floors to walls and even cabinet doors, some finishes won't hold up to all of the everyday wear and tear.

But Farrow & Ball's new launch is the perfect hard-wearing paint for your cooking space that blends durability with a chic, stylish look.

'The new Flat Eggshell is the latest addition to our supremely hard-wearing paint portfolio, offering both peace of mind for any domestic decorating, for its extraordinary resilience combined with a delicate low sheen (20%) that’s aesthetically pleasing,' says Patrick O'Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball.

'It marries all the properties of our Modern Eggshell with a flatter finish, but equally as durable and tough. We wanted to bridge the gap between our super matte Dead Flat (2%) and Modern Eggshell (40%) to complete our super tough interiors range of paints,' he explains.

As well as being an aesthetic finish for your kitchen, whether you apply it to your floors, woodwork, or cabinets, it's incredibly durable thanks to the ingredients and formula.

'It combines our handcrafted approach, the highest quality ingredients, and our cutting-edge technical expertise,' explains Gareth Hayfield, the brand's head of research and technical development.

'We designed it with both DIYers and professionals in mind. The water-based formula is quick drying, quick curing, and has the lowest possible VOC rating, so you can enjoy your finished space even sooner.'

The newly-launched finish will be available from 25th September across all of its colors. So, whether you're planning to refresh your worn-out baseboards and painted floors or want to give your kitchen cabinets a new look, this new formula is the one to try. And if you're unsure which hue to choose, consider using one of these interior designers' favorite Farrow & Ball paint colors.

Long loved for its range of heritage shades, Farrow & Ball is often the first place many designers head to find the perfect paint color. Their vast collection of hues makes it easy to find a shade for any room in the home, but with such subtlety and timeless elegance, there's no denying that Farrow & Ball paints are a welcome addition to a bathroom.

For a long time, bathroom color ideas were limited to a rather small range of neutral shades. Luckily, trends have now adapted to the bathroom becoming, for many, one of the best places in the home to be more experimental and daring with paint ideas. And with such a versatile selection of Farrow & Ball paints out there, it's never been easier to introduce some life into your bathroom.

From pale blues to powder pinks, these are the eight most loved shades from the renowned paint brand that designers swear by. No matter your bathroom style or size, these Farrow & Ball shades perfectly balance bathroom color trends and timeless design.

1. Setting Plaster

It's no surprise that designers love Setting Plaster. It's the perfect pale pink that's not too pink, balanced out with peach tones.

Pink room ideas can feel a little bold, but decorating with Setting Plaster is ideal if you're looking to bring subtle color into your bathroom without dominating the space. Claire Sá, director of De Rosee Sa design studio, says, 'It is the perfect dusty pink shade for a bathroom. In this primary ensuite (pictured above) within a Grade II listed London townhouse, we wanted to contrast the preceding dark wardrobe with something that feels warm yet remains classic in appearance. Together with Farrow and Balls’ ‘Railings’, the combination creates a refined and enduring atmosphere.'

Patrick O’Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball, agrees. 'Softer pinks, those without too much blue through them, can be totally flattering and a great colour choice for a small bathroom. Their gentle tone will add some warmth without overpowering the space – think Pink Ground or Setting Plaster in Modern Emulsion for a delicate atmosphere.'

2. Oval Room Blue

Long-loved for their coastal feel, blue bathrooms are enduringly classic. They perfectly balance vibrancy and subtlety, exuding a real heritage feel.

While there's a long list of the best blue paints, interior designers seem to gravitate towards Oval Room Blue. Falling somewhere between pale blue and teal, it's a refreshingly vibrant yet complementary shade that breathes life into bathrooms of pretty much all descriptions.

Featuring Slipper Satin on the walls and Oval Room Blue for the panelling, the bathroom (pictured above), designed by Jess O’Grady, feels like the perfect mixture of elegance and fun. She says, 'We love color-drenching bathrooms in neutral Farrow & Ball colours such as Slipper Satin as it creates an effortless, warm backdrop to walls and ceilings, which we often pair with tiles in a similar colour to create a textural contrast. We pair this natural base with pops of colour on bathroom joinery, such as Oval Room Blue or Brinjal, to either add a bit of contrast, as we have here, or pull out colours hiding within textural elements like fabrics in window treatments or a natural stone's veining.'

3. Peignoir

Peignoir by Farrow & Ball is a dusty rose shade with gray undertones. Colorful bathroom ideas can feel a little bold, so if you're braving pink for the first time, Peignoir might be the perfect shade for you.

Patrick says, 'Try a nuanced gray, rather than cooler, architectural grays. Look to those that have some lilac notes running through them. They will feel urban and chic without being too clinical. Peignoir or the slightly deeper Dove Tale will add a sophisticated, restrained elegance.'

Designed by Oho Interiors, the bathroom pictured above features the timeless paint color. Grace Chou says, 'Farrow & Ball Peignoir is a soft dusty pink with gentle gray undertones. It felt like the perfect choice for a shared space between two young sisters. The space is sweet and age-appropriate now, yet timeless enough to grow with them in the years ahead.'

Grace adds, 'To create balance, we layered in contrasting elements. Woven mirrors and brass lantern-style sconces add texture, maturity, and just a touch of whimsy, while the richly veined quartzite countertops bring depth and a sense of refinement. Together, these details paired with Peignoir create a bathroom that feels playful, elegant, and perfectly suited for girls of all ages.'

4. Dimity

Long believed to be one of the best white paints, Farrow & Ball's Dimity is a timeless off-white shade that brings light and airiness to bathrooms. Perfect for elevating architectural features or giving your walls a refresh, the beauty of Dimity is its versatility.

Referring to the bathroom pictured above, Katie Glaister, founder of K&H Design, says, 'In these more lived-in bathrooms, we often turn to Farrow & Ball’s School House White or Dimity. Both shades carry a chalky softness that complements wallpaper and period features beautifully. They’re calming without being cold, and versatile enough to work in both traditional and contemporary settings.'

Katie adds, 'We always begin with something we love. From there, everything followed naturally. Dimity was the perfect choice for the panelling, door, architrave, and vanity; its warm undertone harmonises with the grey and pink hues in the wallpaper.'

5. India Yellow

Yellow might not be the first color you think of for a bathroom, but in more intimate spaces like powder rooms, it's the perfect way to introduce your personality.

It's not just any Farrow & Ball yellow paint that interior designers love in these smaller spaces; the welcoming warmth of India Yellow makes it a consistent firm favorite. Falling somewhere between mustard and marigold, it's an unctuous shade that feels cheerful without being overwhelming.

Katie says, 'For smaller powder rooms, we love the drama of India Yellow, it’s immersive and cocooning, perfect for a space that invites boldness.'

6. Parma Gray

If you're looking to design a coastal bathroom, consider Farrow & Ball's Parma Gray. The perfect pale blue to give your cabinetry, walls, or trim a beachy feel, interior designer Francesca Herro explains how she used the shade in a recent project.

'It is a wonderful color for bathrooms because it is extremely versatile. Depending on what it is paired with, it can read playful for a young bathroom or elevated for a mature space. I have used this color on trims, walls, ceilings, and even custom furniture pieces, and it has never disappointed.'

She adds, 'I would style Parma Gray painted trims and ceiling with a neutral block printed textured wallpaper. This makes it super easy to pull in other pops of color for accessories (think sconce shades and artwork). If this much pattern isn't your style, Parma Gray also pairs beautifully with sleek and elegant veined gray marble. Use a variety of tile sizes in the same marble material to build interest but not overwhelm.'

7. Green Smoke

Believe it or not, green bathrooms can be just as timeless as their white counterparts. While more striking shades can date, verdant greens with deep undertones add real depth to a bathroom.

Patrick says, 'Deep but neither too dark nor too verdant, greens are a wonderful friend to bathroom schemes, especially those that offer generosity in size and good natural light. They will register beautifully against your sanitaryware and make a nice alternative to the ubiquitous blue.'

For a lasting, heritage feel, Green Smoke is a foolproof choice. Used in a bathroom designed by Jennifer Hunter, the shade accentuates the room's architecture beautifully. She says, 'I love this color for its unique green-blue undertones. Versatile and muted, yet full of depth, it brings a quiet richness to the space. It has a dynamic quality that pulls in different directions depending on the light and other design elements in the space. For example, it pairs beautifully with natural materials like the cerused oak vanity, creating a sophisticated and grounded look.'

8. De Nimes

A pale blue paint with hints of gray, De Nimes is a favorite amongst interior designers. Despite its versatility (it's one of those shades that brings elegance to every room in the house), De Nimes is an undisputed classic in the bathroom.

Whether you're color-drenching your walls or simply accentuating crown molding, the denim blue has the power to transform your bathroom from one-dimensional to one-of-a-kind. Explaining the design process of the bathroom pictured above, Katie says, 'We also styled a bathroom using de Nimes, a serene blue grey that extends the peaceful mood of the adjoining bedroom.'

Like all good vintage bathroom ideas, Katie paired the classic blue with wallpaper to bring even more charm into the space. She says, 'We paired it with Marthe Armitage’s monochromatic Windmill wallpaper. We were so pleased to keep the Victorian fireplace, which fits in seamlessly with the de Nimes.'

Whether you prefer a classic white or a heritage blue, Farrow & Ball's extensive range of colors will bring you one step closer to creating your dream bathroom.

For more color inspiration, take a look at the best Farrow & Ball shades for a bedroom that perfectly balance timelessness and trends.

An aubergine paint might sound a little bold, but Farrow & Ball's Brinjal is one of those shades that's long been loved for its warm and unctuous qualities. Its ability to warmly envelope a room is one of the many reasons why designers continue to feature the shade in homes of all descriptions.

A rich purple color with warm burgundy notes, Brinjal is a timeless paint color with a deep-rooted heritage feel. 'Brinjal is a wonderfully flexible room color', explains Patrick O’Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball. 'It is a fine choice for kitchen cabinetry, especially when paired with an empathetic neutral on your walls to knock back the strength of the colour. It can also create a deeply cozy living room or snug when drenched across walls, or even for a grown-up bedroom where it will layer rather effortlessly with lots of earthy neutral linens and cottons for a simple but dramatic effect.'

It's undoubtedly a brave decision to introduce one of the best purple paints into your scheme, so to provide some beautiful inspiration and design tips, I spoke to interior designers who have used the shade in their own projects to understand the best ways to incorporate Brinjal into the home.

1. Use it as an accent color

When decorating with purple, home bar is the perfect place to introduce a striking paint color like Brinjal. It's typically a more compact area that's tucked away, so using a bold shade will feel far less daunting and equally as impactful.

Brinjal has a wonderfully rich feel, making it the perfect choice for a small room such as a bar or pantry, ensuring the space feels just as accomplished as the larger communal areas by providing greater depth and comfort.

Interior designer Lindley Arthur transformed a rather small home bar into an irresistible room that beckons to be used. She says, 'This bar is a small space and tucked right off a white oak kitchen, so we knew we wanted to use a saturated accent color that would be a statement. Aubergine was a natural choice, as it provided a nice contrast to the dusty pinks and Aegean blues that were threaded throughout the home. Aubergine is an easy color to add to a design because it adds instant depth.'

Acknowledging the wallpaper idea and using Brinjal as a window treatment and on the door frames, Lindley says, 'Brinjal is the perfect shade for the job, it's sophisticated, has just the right amount of depth, and pops against our hand-marbleized wallpaper from Cat Alexander.'

2. Color drench a small space

Using color-drenching, interior designer Lauren Rasken of Lauren A Balkan Designs applied Brinjal to all four walls of the powder room (pictured above). The aubergine shade creates some crucial depth and warmth, transforming a sometimes clinical space into a welcoming room for guests to use.

Lauren says, 'In a powder room of such an intimate scale, color was a key design element, echoing the natural veining of the marble vanity to create a sense of dimension and captivating detail. The color Brinjal infused the space with a rich, saturated palette, adding depth and sophistication.'

The success of the space is down to the hardware and finishes that offset the shade with just the right amount of contrast. Laura adds, 'We like to style dark aubergine shades with rich textures and warm finishes. In this space, the depth of the walls is lifted by a honed marble vanity that introduces light and movement, while brass fixtures add warmth and elegance. Layered lighting, such as this vintage crystal chandelier, enhances the cocooning effect and brings balance and dimension to the moody palette.'

3. Apply it to built-in cabinetry

Proving that purple is making a comeback, this sophisticated mudroom is the perfect entry that welcomes you in from a long day. Using Brinjal on the cabinetry, wall panelling, and built-in bench, the designer created an ultra-chic space that perfectly balances both practicality and style.

When asked about the space, interior designer Jessica Schwartz of Stanton Schwartz Design Group said 'The use of Brinjal is what makes it so special.'

The paint shade gives a functional room an edge and sense of luxury, which is an unexpected yet pleasant surprise. Jessica adds, 'Brinjal is a unique color that is both sophisticated and whimsical. For this fashion-minded mom of three, she was willing to take the risk, and it certainly paid off. The depth of color makes this beautifully designed utilitarian space more of a showpiece, injecting it with as much energy as the three boys and dog who live there.'

The wood textures and gold hardware contrast with the moody-toned Brinjal, creating the perfect balance of dark and light whilst also providing texture.

4. Balance it with organic textures

Acknowledging the colors that go with purple, interior designer Luiza Anyszka, founder of Anyszka Studio, added Brinjal to the kitchen cabinetry and balanced it with layers of organic textures.

Luiza said, 'This apartment is in a pre-war tenement house in Warsaw, and Brinjal felt like the perfect choice because it resonates so beautifully with the spirit of historical interiors.' Proving that Brinjal is sympathetic to many house styles, she adds, 'I absolutely love Brinjal because it reminds me of old historical interiors – it has that richness and depth which instantly brings character into a space. It works beautifully as a backdrop for other colors, making them stand out while still feeling cohesive.'

Suggesting which shades pair best when decorating with burgundy, Luiza adds, 'Personally, I’m crazy about the combination of deep burgundy with strong blues, and Brinjal gave me the perfect base to play with that contrast. When styling dark aubergine shades, I think it’s important to balance them with lighter or brighter accents, natural textures, and unexpected color pairings, so that the space feels layered and full of life rather than heavy.'

Brinjal-inspired decor picks

If you want to incorporate aubergine into your scheme but you're not quite ready to brave deep purple walls, these decor picks are the perfect way to create warmth and drama.

Brinjal is a deeply luxurious shade that gives a room a warmth and richness that's hard to resist. No matter your interior design style, Brinjal is a shade that's timeless in both big and small doses and can make all the difference to a one-dimensional space in need of some depth. With the ability to cocoon any room, it's no wonder that aubergine is a color replacing burgundy.

Best known for its range of trendy yet deeply timeless paint colors, Farrow & Ball is one of the biggest paint brands loved by interior designers and homeowners alike. But with such a versatile collection of paint shades available at your fingertips, deciding on the perfect one for your bedroom isn't always easy.

As Farrow & Ball is the first place many interior designers head to when choosing their bedroom color ideas, we thought we would ask a collection of designers to share the favored colors they return to time and time again for their projects. These Farrow & Ball paints in real homes will be sure to help you choose the perfect color scheme for your sleep space.

From tranquil grays to pale pinks, these are the eight shades that designers rely on when designing beautiful bedroom paint ideas.

1. White Tie

A classic shade that will never stray from far from bedroom color trends, you can't beat cream. Some may say decorating with cream is boring, but White Tie by Farrow & Ball proves otherwise. With warm undertones, it's the perfect choice for a scheme of any style, be it a vintage bedroom or a minimalist one.

Interior designer Nina Long from Mathews Design Group designed the cozy bedroom pictured above. She says, 'This color is perfect in this space because it doesn't have yellow undertones and its warmth pairs perfectly with the fabrics and gives a great backdrop for the other colors and patterns to pop.'

White Tie is the perfect choice for a transitional design; it delicately frames a bedroom just enough for it to be noticed. Nina adds, 'I love how it feels cozy and elegant at the same time! It also looks nice and fresh with the ample natural light the room gets from the two windows and the doors.'

2. Setting Plaster

Known as one of the best bedroom colors for sleep, pale pinks are a refreshingly elegant choice for a sleep space. Acting as a source of color but still quiet enough to soothe, the tranquil yet deeply inspiring qualities of pastel pinks make them a much-loved choice amongst designers and paint experts.

Not all pink bedroom ideas are childish; in fact, they can feel as timeless and elegant as more neutral shades like white or beige. Patrick O'Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball, says, 'Pink is a colour for those poorly lit north-facing bedrooms. Choose a smoky pink to deliver just a hint of warmth. Try our discreet Setting Plaster for a truly flattering shade. It is a nuanced pink that’s anything but sugary, and it will layer beautifully with so many shades from blues to greens and muted, stony browns.'

Providing the perfect amount of warmth and whimsy, Setting Plaster is the ideal accompaniment to the country bedroom (pictured above).

3. Pigeon

Proving that gray bedroom ideas aren't cold and clinical, interior designer Alison Anderson used Farrow & Ball's Pigeon to frame the built-in cabinetry and panelling in a recent bedroom project.

Channeling neutral bedroom ideas, Alison used Farrrow & Ball Pigeon on the fitted furniture, with Shadow White on the walls. She explains, 'The clients wanted the room to feel calm and restful, but with a bit of personality too. For me, the bay window and the cabinetry were always going to be the stars, so the walls needed to sit quietly in the background.'

She adds, 'I feel that Pigeon gives the fitted furniture real presence and grounds the scheme. It has this really soothing, timeless feel, and in the evening, the colour deepens beautifully. Shadow White then softens everything and brings just enough warmth without looking too creamy.'

4. Oxford Stone

The perfect beige that accentuates and frames, Oxford Stone has long been loved for its timeless qualities. Balancing neutrality and warmth, the shade is far from mundane, making any bedroom feel tranquil and oh-so welcoming.

Interior designer Adam Knight, director of Nefarious Design, used the taupe shade for the bedroom walls of a recent project (pictured above). He says, 'For the main wall color, we selected the classic dark taupe of Oxford Stone. This shade enhances the bedroom’s purpose, promoting rest, comfort, and calm, thanks to its soothing and less stimulating nature compared to stronger hues. Its timeless quality also makes it versatile, allowing the space to evolve effortlessly as the homeowner’s personal style develops over time.'

A color interior designers always use in a bedroom, Adam adds, 'The paint works beautifully in the space, providing a versatile backdrop that complements other design choices, such as the Green Smoke skirting and high-level wallpaper border, ensuring harmony without clashing. A neutral palette also allows for the layering of textures, wood, linen, velvet, or metal, to add depth and interest without overwhelming the room. In addition, light neutrals reflect natural light, making the bedroom feel brighter and more spacious, which is especially valuable in a smaller room like this one.'

5. Shaded White

Katie Miller from Baile Interiors has used Shaded White to give her bedroom a bright and uplifting quality that continues throughout the day.

Hailing it as the best white paint, Katie says, 'Shaded White is one of my all-time favourite Farrow & Ball neutrals. It's a truly magical colour that always looks different throughout the day.'

To balance out the sometimes dark qualities of an attic bedroom, Katie opted for a shade that works in even the most constricted spaces, creating the illusion of a more open and spacious bedroom. 'The space has all kinds of challenging angles. So we decided to color-drench the walls and ceiling in Shaded White to create a warm and cosy bedroom hideaway.'

6. Folly Green

If you're looking to bring some vibrancy and cheer into your design, take inspiration from green bedroom ideas by incorporating Folly Green. A color associated with nature and all things organic, Folly Green is one of the best green paints that's guaranteed to make your sleep space feel inspiring and deeply refreshing.

Patrick says, 'Green is the most natural colour family for the bedroom due to the affinity with calm and restfulness.'

Home renovator Megan from Kit & Co. used the shade in her child's bedroom. She says, 'I've always adored Folly Green. It's a beautiful, strong, yet soothing green. Easy to use with a mix of colours. I paired it with Yonder, which is reminiscent of blue skies. I wanted to use a lovely, playful, grassy green which brings the feeling of the outdoors in, like childhood play on a freshly cut lawn.'

7. Railings

One of Farrow & Ball's most popular paint colors, Railings is a dark and moody paint that gives a bedroom a deeply luxurious and snug quality. While you might think a black bedroom is a little risky, Railings is a deeply complex shade that strays from your typical black.

Patrick says, 'Consider more nuanced blacks such as the charcoal-toned Off-Black or the perennially popular Railings with its subtle blue note for a slightly softer look. For a fully immersive colour experience, paint your woodwork in the same colour, especially if the room has quite low ceilings as this will help accentuate the height of the room.'

He adds, 'Black bedrooms may seem a rather dramatic departure from the perceived norm. However, it can be a surprisingly successful option in a naturally poorly lit or small room, as darker walls tend to recede. Black can also create a wonderful backdrop to pictures on the wall, allowing them to register in a new light.'

8. Hague Blue

Hague Blue is one of the best dark blue paints. It strays from the typical navy blue as it's comprised of subtle undertones, making it a timeless choice that any modern heritage bedroom would welcome.

Providing a sense of luxury and grandeur that works so well in spaces designed for relaxation, Hague Blue is one of those welcoming paint colors that frames a space while still allowing the decor and furniture to shine. It cocoons its occupants and embraces them wholeheartedly, welcoming them as they enter.

Patrick says, 'With blue, the scope of the option is enormous. Cleaner, brighter blues such as Lulworth Blue will add a fresh breezy pop to a bedroom, especially if it is blessed with lots of natural light. Darker blues, like Hague Blue, will add sophisticated drama.'

Deciding on a bedroom paint color can feel daunting, particularly when you consider the many color trends that come and go; however, the timelessness of these Farrow & Ball colors makes them an easy choice that you won't regret.

Approved by interior designers who have used them in their own projects, each paint has an enduringly classic quality, while still retaining that all-important element of charm and whimsy, proving that more striking blues, pinks, and greens are just as failproof as long-loved neutrals.

For more beautiful color inspiration, we explore 10 under-the-radar Farrow & Ball paints designers love.

Known for their varied range of beautiful heritage colors, it's no surprise that designers head over to Farrow & Ball when selecting a kitchen cabinet shade. But with such a versatile selection of colors available at your fingertips, deciding on one timeless shade to adorn your cabinets is a big decision.

Here to inspire your kitchen cabinet colors, we've curated a list of the all-time favorite Farrow & Ball shades, as suggested by interior designers who have used them in their own homes and projects. Each is as timeless as the next, proving that no matter your kitchen style (be it modern farmhouse or minimalist), there's a Farrow & Ball shade that's just waiting to be applied to your cabinetry.

Acknowledging kitchen cabinet color trends from the ever-popular butter yellow to enduring greens, we've created a list to make the all-important kitchen cabinet color decision an inspiring and satisfying venture.

1. Hay

When you think of butter yellow, you are thinking of Hay. The perfect choice if you're looking to create a butter yellow kitchen.

You might think a yellow kitchen seems a little bold, but this farmhouse-style space designed by Artichoke proves otherwise. Doused from head to toe in Hay from the window frames to the cabinetry, the room feels vibrant and still refreshing, proving that a yellow can feel subtle even when you totally color drench a room. Even the subway tiles match the buttery hue to give the kitchen a seamless effect, balanced by the rustic wood countertops and island.

If you're looking to bring color into your kitchen but are fearful of going overboard, Hay is the perfect way to honor trends and still feel assured you're creating a timeless space that'll stand the test of time.

2. Light Blue

Seeing Farrow & Ball paint in real homes can make deciding on a kitchen cabinet color far easier. This farmhouse kitchen, designed by Virginia Nocharli, makes the case for a pale blue, a classic shade that's just slightly bolder than choosing a neutral.

One of the best pale blue paints out there, Farrow & Ball's Light Blue is a refreshing yet subtle choice for kitchen cabinetry. Virginia says, 'When renovating this cottage-style kitchen, we knew it needed a palette that would honor its roots while ushering in a sense of quiet refinement. Enter: Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue.'

She adds, 'At first glance, Light Blue is a pale, silvery whisper of blue with the faintest green undertone. Spend a moment with it, and you begin to understand its subtle magic as it changes between blue and green and gray throughout the day. And while trends come and go, there’s something in this color that feels timeless, less about fashion and more about enduring style.'

Ideal alongside white kitchen ideas, Virginia says, 'It was the perfect complement to our palette of creamy whites, warm woods, and natural textures, grounding the space without overwhelming it. Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue created the exact feeling we wanted for this kitchen that’s meant to be lived in and loved.'

3. Bancha

If you are considering a dark green kitchen, Bancha should be on your list. It's the perfect kitchen cabinet color that falls somewhere between olive green and moss. Pair it with kitchen cabinet hardware in gold or aged brass, and you've got a timeless combination that exudes heritage charm and warmth.

Interior designer Katie Cardew used Bancha in a recent project, pairing it with a Dutch Pink, a pastel pink with terracotta undertones. The beauty of Bancha is its luxurious quality; it entirely uplifts cabinetry, transforming a mundane built-in cupboard into the kitchen's centerpiece. It's the perfect choice if you're looking to enrich your space and go bold, but also ticks the all-important endurance box.

4. Drop Cloth

Recommended as one of the best warm neutral paints, Drop Cloth by Farrow & Ball is a bright and airy paint color that beautifully frames kitchen cabinetry of all styles.

Take this spacious kitchen, the designer has enhanced the airy qualities of the renovated building by opting for a refreshing yet far from clinical white to adorn the cabinetry. Max Collins, director of Braco Designs, explains, 'This kitchen is found within a 200-year-old renovated mill building, painted on-site in Farrow & Ball's Drop Cloth alongside Edwardian oak handmade cabinetry completed in a white limed finish.'

With gray and beige notes, it's the perfect off-white shade that uplifts without straying into stark. Whether you've got a modern farmhouse kitchen or a minimalist kitchen that needs some warmth while still feeling fresh, Drop Cloth is an enduring choice that'll frame cabinetry harmoniously.

5. Setting Plaster

There are many ways to use Setting Plaster, but applying it to your kitchen cabinets just might be our favorite. A pink kitchen may sound a little risky, but using a shade like Setting Plaster, which falls between pastel pink and peach, is a clever way of drawing upon kitchen color trends while still creating a sense of elegance.

Patrick O’Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball, says, 'Try an earthy pink as a lovely alternative to a ‘safe’ neutral. Think Setting Plaster in our tough and resilient Modern Eggshell, especially when teamed with the tranquil qualities of School House White in Modern Emulsion, which is fully washable for peace of mind!'

Pair it with dark wood accents like a butcher's block kitchen island or countertops for a classic, country-style aesthetic. Alternatively, for a more contemporary feel, use a paler palette of materials such as marble or white-painted wood.

6. India Yellow

This kitchen was designed by Lisette Nikolic, founder of Lisette Voute Designs. The designer created a vibrant yet deeply classic kitchen that feels cozy but still spacious and light. Using Farrow & Ball's India Yellow on the built-in cupboards, cabinets, and wood-paneled island, Lisette has perfected the level of vibrancy in the space.

Arguably one of the best yellow paints out there, India Yellow is a deep mustard that exudes richness and warmth. It's best paired with lighter shades, like a classic white or a pale blue (Lisette has used Light Blue on the glazed French doors). It's the perfect choice for homeowners looking to bring character and depth into their kitchen, particularly if it falls into the stark or clinical.

Fitted with vintage kitchen hardware such as gold knobs, the cabinetry feels whimsical yet classic, filled with heritage charm and sophistication.

7. Studio Green

If you're looking to bring a touch of luxury into your kitchen, Farrow & Ball's selection of dark green paints might be for you. Among its selection, you'll find one ever-popular color – Studio Green.

'We know how successful green cabinetry is, but we often think of mid-green as our preferred choice, says Patrick. 'Up the ante and look towards the deepest, darkest green of Studio Green. Almost black in appearance, it will look wonderful both in rural and urban settings, especially in a classic Shaker kitchen. For a more modern aesthetic, pair with a clean, just off-white such as James White or Strong White on your walls. For a softer look, consider Drop Cloth or Stony Ground for a more ‘country’ affair.'

Alternatively, take inspiration from the pink and green kitchen color trend and create a charming, rustic kitchen with pale pink walls and deep forest cabinetry like the space pictured above.

8. Railings

Decorating with Farrow & Ball's Railings might sound dramatic, but it's the most liveable blue-black and can provide real depth and drama in the kitchen, particularly when used on cabinetry.

'Blue kitchens are deeply popular and for good reason. They don’t seem to age in look and are a tried and tested formula that just keeps on giving,' explains Patrick. 'Rather than choosing blue cabinetry against a white wall backdrop, go for a bit of blue saturation. One beautiful combination would be Railings on your cabinetry set against walls painted in De Nimes, a deep mid-blue with slight gray tones. This is a classic combination for a truly striking look.'

9. Sudbury Yellow

A soft mid-yellow that holds parallels with a classic mustard, Sudbury Yellow will bring life to your kitchen cabinets, giving your kitchen an inviting and refreshing feel that you can sense as soon as you enter.

Interior designer Uns Hobbs created the sophisticated country kitchen pictured above. She says, 'When choosing a paint color for our new-build kitchen, our clients wanted something cheerful and uplifting, but not overly sweet. Farrow & Ball’s Sudbury Yellow strikes that perfect balance. It’s a joyful, sunny hue that lifts the mood without feeling too acidic or saccharine, ideal for kitchen cabinets. It brings warmth and character to the space, making the kitchen feel instantly welcoming.'

Best paired with bright whites for a balance of vibrancy and warmth, Sudbury Yellow is a surprisingly timeless kitchen cabinet color that works in a variety of kitchen styles and sizes.

10. Bamboozle

While some might be surprised to see a fiery red on the list, Farrow & Ball's Bamboozle is a heritage color with deeply classic roots. When done well, red kitchens can feel timeless and sophisticated, so it's only right to include the striking shade in the best paints for kitchen cabinets round-up.

'If you wanted to add a splash of color to your kitchen island or free-standing larder cupboard, try a delicious paprika-spiced red, such as Bamboozle,' suggest Patrick. Designer Heidi Caillier, in fact, did just this in a recent kitchen project to add an element of surprise to a neutral kitchen. To balance out the boldness of red cabinetry, a timeless white or cream on the walls and plenty of aged wood accents on your kitchen island, countertops, or flooring will ensure your scheme feels striking but not overwhelming.

While it's always useful to take inspiration from color trends, it's important to ensure your kitchen is timeless by opting for paint shades that are never going to date – something Farrow & Ball prides itself on creating. And remember, timeless doesn't mean boring, it doesn't always need to mean neutral, in fact, more of these designer recommendations are bolder shades than safe ones and yet all these spaces are totally classic.

Some interior design trends are short-lived, but color-drenching has proven itself to be a decorating idea here to stay, and that's no less true in kitchens.

In the heart of the home, the color-drenching trend – where one paint color is used liberally to coat the walls, ceiling, and woodwork – has gone from being a daring design decision to clever kitchen color ideas, making this functional room feel cohesive and exciting.

And so, we've rounded up a selection of our favorite color-drenched kitchens that prove this is among the most timeless paint trends. If you're considering going bold with color in your own kitchen, these spaces are bound to inspire you, whether you're drawn to soft shades or dark and moody tones.

1. A moody green kitchen color drenched in Vintage Vogue by Benjamin Moore

'In this city kitchen, we leaned into the intimate footprint by going unapologetically bold with color,' explains interior designer Lucas Goldbach, Partner and Design Director at Chicago-based En Masse Architecture & Design. 'Deep green cabinetry – selected not just as a favorite hue, but to subtly mirror the veining in the soapstone countertops – anchors the space with richness and cohesion.'

The kitchen cabinet color is Benjamin Moore's Vintage Vogue, of which Lucas adds: 'The saturated palette does the heavy lifting, adding depth, warmth, and a touch of drama without overwhelming the room’s scale.'

2. A chic plaster kitchen color drenched in Pediment by Mylands

Decorating with plaster tones in a color-drenched kitchen is a great way to add more warmth and interest than classic neutrals while maintaining a light and timeless look, as demonstrated here.

'When used in a small kitchen, color drenching can reduce visual clutter, giving an illusion of more space. In larger kitchens, color drenching can visually soften an expansive space, making the kitchen feel more intimate and warm,' explains Dominic Myland, CEO at paint brand Mylands. 'Here, painting the walls and ceiling in Pediment No.73, a warm neutral blush, creates a bright but cozy atmosphere.'

3. A tiny pink kitchen color drenched in Faded Rose by Zoffany

In this rustic kitchen designed by Nigel Hunt of Huntreay Design, the kitchen cabinets by Neptune were painted in Zoffany's Faded Rose, blending with the walls to create a cohesive space that makes the most of the smaller proportions.

'Color drenching is an effective way to bring harmony and impact to a kitchen. By painting cabinets, walls, and even the ceiling in single or related shades, you soften the room’s edges and remove visual interruptions, allowing the eye to move fluidly through the space, and not fixate on the cabinetry,' says Fred Horlock, Design Director at Neptune.

'The result is a kitchen that feels cohesive, calming, and seamlessly connected to the rest of the home. It works particularly well in smaller or more enclosed kitchens, where using one color throughout helps to open up the space and create a sense of flow,' adds Fred.

4. An all green kitchen color drenched in Sage by Neptune

In this green kitchen, the cabinets were painted in Neptune's Sage, a calming shade of green that works as a more interesting alternative to neutral tones.

'Soft shades like Sage bring a gentle, tranquil feel, while richer, earthy tones such as Burnham Red or Burnt Sienna add warmth and depth without overwhelming the room,' explains Neptune's Fred Horlock. 'The result is a space that feels both characterful and cohesive – a natural extension of the home.'

5. A warming kitchen color drenched in Fake Tan by Farrow & Ball

Rather than using just one singular shade throughout a kitchen, color drenching can be just as effective by layering varying shades within the same color family.

Here, Farrow & Ball's Fake Tan is used on the kitchen walls, creating the base for the warm color scheme. While the lower oak cabinets aren't painted, the upper cabinets are painted in Neptune's Burnt Sienna, and the kitchen island is painted in Neptune's Burnham Red, creating a color-drenched scheme with added depth through the various red tones.

6. An elegant mossy kitchen color drenched in Bespoke Dark Moss Green

While light neutral paint colors achieve an airy kitchen, going bolder with dark paints feels sophisticated and cozy, much like this deep moss green that wraps this space.

'For us, the benefits are that color drenching achieves a very serene look and feel – it feels cosseting and enveloping, especially when done in a rich, dark, or moody paint color,' says Helen Parker, Creative Director at deVOL Kitchens.

'It is quite amazing how it changes the feel of a room – we have been so used to pale ceilings and woodwork and doors being picked out in a white or cream that drenching feels so much more opulent. I think color drenching works really well in darker paint tones and stronger colors; it has more of a dramatic effect and feels bold,' Helen adds.

7. A trendy teal kitchen color drenched in Crisp Romaine by Benjamin Moore

Continuing the theme of green paints, this kitchen designed by James Thomas features Benjamin Moore's Crisp Romaine in a gloss paint finish across the cabinets, creating a statement and playful look.

'We chose Crisp Romaine because we wanted to infuse the space with a color that, first, reinforced the garden theme we used in the dining room – with the treillage walls – and second, created a bold, color-drenched atmosphere,' explains Tom Riker, founder of the Chicago-based design studio.

'We loved how this high-gloss green added a moody yet happy feel to the room, while also reflecting and amplifying the light. We treated this little double-galley kitchen like a powder room: an opportunity to make a statement and really dress it up.'

8. A dramatic kitchen color drenched in Venetian plaster and Soot by Benjamin Moore

This kitchen takes on a creative approach to color drenching, combining Venetian plaster on the ceiling and walls with kitchen cabinets painted in a similar muted blue, Benjamin Moore's Soot.

'I have only seen color drenching in a Venetian plaster once, so I knew I wanted to take part in this idea,' says designer Elizabeth Bolognino. 'I found the idea of an inky blue profoundly handsome. Because the rest of the house is so light, we wanted to create a different environment and feeling in this room. It is especially intriguing because we typically do not equate dark colors with an indoor-outdoor space.'

9. A sunny yellow kitchen color drenched in Giallo by Little Greene

While yellow paints are bold, they make for an instantly uplifting, cheery space when used liberally in a kitchen. Here, Little Greene's Giallo was used on the walls and cupboards in addition to the ceiling, creating a design statement in this functional room.

'The kitchen, often seen as the heart of the home, is the perfect space to use bolder colors such as Giallo, reminiscent of the golden sun, which will bring joy and create an energetic scheme,' explains Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene. 'For an impactful look, drench your space in color on all four walls. Used all over, Giallo will envelop the kitchen with sunshine all year round.'

From neutral kitchens to colorful kitchens, color-drenching is proving to be an incredibly timeless and enduring paint trend for the heart of the home. Not only is it a simple way to add design flair, but it's a clever way to make this utilitarian space feel more cohesive with fewer visual breaks.

Feeling inspired to take this paint trend elsewhere in your home? We've rounded up a selection of rooms that prove color drenching makes small spaces look bigger, in case you need any more convincing.

Many of Farrow & Ball's paint colors have gained a cult following, with its most popular shades cropping up time after time in interior projects. While these go-to shades serve us well, we thought we'd take a deep dive into its lesser-known options.

Below, we've rounded up ten paint colors from Farrow & Ball you've likely not heard of before that interior designers love using in their projects. While these shades may not have garnered the reputation of shades such as Setting Plaster and Hague Blue, they're just as worth exploring.

From gentle neutrals to vibrant blues, read on to find some paint ideas for your next home decorating project.

1. Off-Black

A favorite black paint for interior designer Tom Riker, founder of Chicago-based James Thomas is Off-Black, who shares:

'We love using Farrow & Ball's Off-Black for its versatility and sophistication. It makes a striking trim color or, when applied in a gloss finish, creates a luxurious, jewel-like effect in spaces such as a butler's pantry or pocket bar. The depth of color is incredible – rich and saturated, yet not quite a true black, which adds character to any room.'

2. Oxford Stone

Oxford Stone is recommended by Lisa Berman and Melissa Rohani, co-founders of interior design firm Studio Gutow as a neutral paint alternative to white paints that offers more depth:

'Technically a taupe, we are fans of using Oxford Stone as a neutral backdrop in place of a standard warm white paint. It carries much more depth and earthy undertones than whites, and we loved how the light played on this color in the sunroom of our client's home. It is especially grounding against the playful patterns and saturated colors we used on the furniture in the space. It would make a lovely bedroom color as well, with its warmth and very subtle hint of color.'

3. Mahogany

Mahogany is a dark brown paint with a slightly muted finish. Nodding to the latest color trends, we wouldn't be surprised to see this one become a more widely known paint color.

'I use Mahogany a lot on stair railings and banisters as an alternative to black if people want a rich, warm wooden look but need to paint. It also looks great on millwork,' shares Chicago-based interior designer Claire Staszak of Centered by Design.

4. Wine Dark 

Described by Farrow & Ball as its 'richest blue', Wine Dark is a bold yet deeply liveable blue paint.

'Wine Dark is a newer color and really beautiful on cabinetry or below a chair rail,' explains Claire Staszak. 'I also love it for a dramatic dining room, or if using a contrast paint for doors and trim. It's a fun way to be more colorful without having to pick yellow or red, for example, if you’re not a super bold color person.'

5. Skylight 

Another blue paint by Farrow & Ball that we don't hear about so much is Skylight, a pale blue with gray tones.

'Skylight is our favorite shade for a bedroom because it's very soft and ethereal. We use it a lot when we want a calming space, and it's great for a living room or anywhere you'd like just a touch of color,' shares Claire Staszak.

6. St Giles Blue

At the brighter end of the color spectrum, designer Lara Apelian of Lara Apelian Studio loves St Giles Blue, a vibrant and uplifting shade:

'For this bedroom, we were inspired by the blue sea color in Picasso’s La Baignade (On the Beach) painting that I fell in love with when visiting the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice, Italy. We used Farrow & Ball’s St Giles Blue which has a richness that is unprecedented in flat paints. St Giles Blue is both bold, playful, and timeless.'

7. Lichen

Farrow & Ball has many popular green paints, from Studio Green to Green Smoke, but Lichen is one of its lesser talked-about shades – a muted and relaxing hue that we could envision working as a neutral.

'I love Farrow & Ball's Lichen,' says interior designer Kathryn Hunt of Kathryn Hunt Studio, who used it on the walls of this entryway. 'It’s a subtle moss tone but leaves a cheery footprint.'

8. Teresa's Green

Teresa's Green is one to have on your radar if you're a fan of 'in-between' colors. An aqua shade that can read between green and blue, it was used in this kitchen designed by Laura W. Jenkins Interiors.

'I love using Teresa's Green from Farrow & Ball,' says designer Laura Jenkins of Laura W. Jenkins Interiors. 'It’s such a happy, clean green that pairs well with a wide range of colors, from blues to pinks. The tone has a brightness that isn't saturated but still holds a strong, distinct color story.

'I think the color is wonderful for kitchen cabinets, but it would also create a lovely atmosphere in a sunroom or bathroom.'

9. Mole’s Breath

'While a part of their signature palette, I don’t think Mole’s Breath by Farrow & Ball gets the credit it deserves!' says Steph Schlegelmilch, founder and principal designer at Studio Seva.

'It is a warm gray done absolutely right. There’s a level of sophistication that I love about this color and I love suggesting it for a quiet study or library room. I also think this color works great for a boy’s room that they can grow with.'

10. Arsenic

Lastly, Arsenic, a cheerful minty green, is a favorite for Tami Ramsay, co-principal and founder of the interior design studio CLOTH & KIND. If you love bold paint colors that make a statement or maximalist color ideas, this one may be for you.

'We are huge fans of Arsenic, a vivid, bold, and rich minty green that feels at home in both modern and traditional homes, but really loves a Victorian home,' says Tami. 'It is utterly fantastic in a room with old heart pine floors and can make a dark hallway sing with color and light. We have used this in a variety of ways, both as the hero color and to equal success as an accent trim color that steals the show.'

Whether your room color ideas are pared-back or bold, there are plenty of Farrow & Ball paints to suit your style. With any color, remember to test it before committing so you can see how it looks throughout the day.

Thanks in part to influencer Lucy Williams, whose vibrant living room has done numbers on Pinterest, blue is certainly having its moment in the spotlight in 2025.

A beautiful, calming, classic hue to decorate with, when I found myself mid-renovation and faced with 5 totally blank walls (I'm counting the ceiling too) to find a color scheme for, it was blue living room ideas that I turned to.

After finally settling on a shade, I called upon the Farrow & Ball color experts to seek their advice on what colors go with blue to help me find the perfect color pairings to suit my new living room color scheme. Here's everything I learned.

Farrow & Ball's color experts on creating the perfect blue living room scheme

Blue has an inherent ability to create a sense of calm and stability, which makes it a great choice for living rooms where you want to create an environment that fosters relaxation.

Airy, light-filled rooms do oh-so-well with paler shades of sky blue, while deeper jewel tones and rich navy blues have a cocooning and transformative power over smaller or darker spaces.

When searching for the right blue living room paint, I wanted it to still feel warm yet calming, a little elegant with a hint of fun, but certainly not too bold. A tall order.

After a lot of research (and a few too many swatches on the walls), I settled on Farrow & Ball’s Parma Gray, a lovely pale blue shade that shifts beautifully with the light in my living room – which is lucky to benefit from a large Edwardian bay window. And despite its name, is definitely not gray.

'Parma Gray is an easy mid-blue that will add authenticity to a regency-style interior and yet, to this day, feels thoroughly relevant due to its clean appeal,' explains Patrick O'Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball.

'If you’re looking for a cooler color to work with, but definitely no gray, then this ticks a lot of boxes,' he continues. 'A soft blackened blue is a brilliant choice for a cleaner aesthetic, but due to its underlying color notes, it plays best in a brighter space where it will act almost as a neutral.'

While color swatching, decision making, and eventually color drenching the room took some time – decision fatigue has well and truly hit me at this stage of my slow renovating journey – the hardest part has actually been trying to find the right color combinations to pair it with.

Of course, I've fully committed to the idea of color drenching the space. So all my (still to be fitted) woodwork and trims like baseboards, cabinetry, and ceiling moldings will also be drenched in Parma Gray.

But I also have a fireplace surround to paint and am searching for the best colors to go with a navy couch that I picked up off of Facebook Marketplace a few years ago. So I asked Patrick: what colors and finishes would best compliment this dreamy hue?

'A great backdrop to pictures and a lovely foil for mid-century furniture, pale blue holds enough character to be anything but boring and is also soft enough to ‘disappear’ and not dominate a space,' Patrick explains of this versatile living room color trend.

One reason for blue’s popularity is its adaptability to different design styles. 'It is also a great choice for brightly coastal lit properties, will play effortlessly with the natural light, and works well with many colors,' says Patrick.

Whether you favor coastal, traditional, or more modern aesthetics, decorating with blue perfectly bridges the gap between trends. But it's actually this duality that struck me a little, as it left me open to so many decorating possibilities.

The unexpected color combination that I didn't expect Patrick to suggest is blue and green. Believing the design myth that 'blue and green should never be seen', I hadn't considered adding a verdant accent to my living room.

'Throw in emerald green accents to lift the blue,' says Patrick, suggesting a bolder option or the sage green and blue color combination of Parma Gray and Calke Green, as seen used above by designer Pandora Taylor, work in beautiful harmony together.

'For something softer, try delicate block prints of pink and red,' Patrick recommended as an alternative accent color. A tried-and-tested combo, blue with a little unexpected red works wonders to lift a room. While you can try something punchy like a true red, deeper burgundy hues also work well as does a rich, chocolatey brown like Deep Reddish Brown.

Additionally, if color drenching isn't your thing and you're looking to make a little more contrast with your ceiling color or woodwork, I asked Patrick to suggest complementary whites.

'To be authentic, don’t use a sharp white on your woodwork, look at something a little more, dare I say, ‘grimy’ such as School House White or Slipper Satin,' he advised.

For my own home, Patrick has certainly inspired me to think outside the box. Typically drawn to more monochromatic color schemes, he has convinced me to go a little bolder with some analogous color choices like blue and green with a few unexpected red accents thrown in for good measure. I can't wait to get mood boarding.

Whether you’re considering Parma Gray itself or a different blue hue for your own walls – or are just looking for ways to elevate your color pairings – these expert tips from the color know-alls at Farrow & Ball should help to inspire you to think outside the box.

Many paint trends have caught our attention in recent months, but there's one that stands out more than most. That is, the emergence of 'in-between' hues that don't belong to just one color family and Farrow & Ball's Mizzle is the perfect example.

Described as a 'modest' gray-green paint, Mizzle is gentle enough to work as a neutral paint color, while its carefully considered undertones ensure it isn't at all cold, as can be the risk with gray paints.

If, like us, you're intrigued by this calming Farrow & Ball paint color and are looking for a fresh way to decorate with neutrals next year, read on.

'Glorious Mizzle has this fantastic sort of uncertain feeling to it, just like the ever-changing sky,' explains Farrow & Ball's Color Curator, Joa Studholme, in an Instagram video where she shares the inspiration behind and key qualities of this gray-green. 'And we’ve often called colors after weather conditions and this one is Mizzle, which is just the mix between mist and drizzle'.

An interesting blend of undertones, Mizzle can appear as a blue paint but notably has plenty of green tones so it feels warm and not at all drab, and is said to be a lighter variation of Farrow & Ball's Pigeon.

'Mizzle definitely has a certain softness,' Joa adds in the Instagram video. 'Most people read it as blue but it is packed with green so it never feels cold.'

Since Mizzle's blend of hues makes it an 'in-between' color, its appearance will largely depend on the lighting of the room you use it in. In the video, Joa explains that in 'north-facing rooms it will indeed feel a little bit greener' whereas in 'south-facing rooms it becomes softer and bluer'.

Whether in cool or warm rooms, Mizzle is a soothing and balanced hue that works as a slightly darker-than-usual neutral paint. While lighter neutrals such as warm white paints and beige tones work well to maintain a clean look with subtle warmth, sometimes more depth is needed, and Mizzle, which feels natural and soothing, makes a strong choice, whether used for a kitchen color scheme or restful bedroom color scheme.

For an impactful scheme, opt to use Mizzle by color-drenching, taking it across the whole room to include the ceiling and trim in addition to all four walls. This is a good way to lean into a cocooning feel in snugs or cozy living rooms.

That said, Mizzle also works well as an accent color used in smaller volumes. School House White is its Farrow & Ball-recommended white paint pairing, but you could equally pair it with something darker like Railings for a bolder color scheme.

Whichever room you choose to decorate with Farrow & Ball's Mizzle, it'll no doubt feel timeless and calming, something we all want more of in 2025.

This year, we've seen lots of love for green in interior design, from dark forest greens to lighter sage green. A timeless color that brings with it a calming quality thanks to its association with the natural world, there are many good reasons to embrace this hue.

When considering which green paint to incorporate into your home, we'd recommend Farrow & Ball's Card Room Green. Not too saturated, this grown-up gray-green bridges the gap between neutrals and color.

Here, we explore all you need to know about this green paint. From colors to pair it with to the best rooms to use it in, read on to gain inspiration for your Card Room Green color scheme.

What color is Card Room Green?

Farrow & Ball's Card Room Green is a gray-green paint, meaning that it isn't as saturated as brighter greens due to the grounding quality of the gray. Green is considered by many to be a neutral color, and this feels especially true for Card Room Green. Working as a darker, warming neutral, Card Room Green feels both soothing and welcoming, as seen in this kitchen designed by Charlotte-based interior designer Alexis Warren where it is used across the kitchen cabinets.

'I adore its muted and sophisticated tone,' says Jessika Gatewood of Gatewood Designs about this popular green paint. 'It’s the perfect shade for creating a calming and timeless space, whether in a study, dining room, or cabinetry. Its versatility allows it to work beautifully with natural wood finishes, brass hardware, and even a hint of blush for contrast.'

If you're wondering how this paint compares to other Farrow & Ball shades, it's not dissimilar to French Gray, but darker, according to designer Skip Sroka of Sroka Design: 'To me, Card Room Green is a deeper version of a French Gray with a bit of green.'

How to decorate with Card Room Green

Green is known to be a flattering paint color that pairs well with most other hues, making Card Room Green a paint color that's fairly easy to incorporate. That said, we've rounded up a few of our favorite ideas below to help you on your way.

Use Card Room Green as an accent color

You don't need to use this paint color liberally – using it in smaller proportions, whether on furniture or teamed with white paints can be just as effective, suggests Patrick O'Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball:

'If you have some furniture in your bedroom that could do with a refresh, try painting it in Card Room Green for a pop of color. Its sober tone will sit beautifully when contrasted with Setting Plaster or a warm neutral such as Off White.'

'Alternatively, try pairing with Shaded White, a softly nuanced neutral with an underlying note of green. In this case, Card Room Green would complement beautifully as you are pulling the green tones from your neutral,' adds Patrick.

Create a welcoming living space

If you're looking for a new paint color for a main living space in your home, whether that be a kitchen or living room, consider using Card Room Green to add more interest than lighter neutrals while maintaining a classic look.

'Farrow and Ball’s Card Room Green is one of our go-to paint colors for its enveloping and cozy essence – it is so easy to build a scheme around this color,' says Ryan Kopet of Miles & Kirk Design. 'Inspired by nature, I don’t know anything that does not look fabulous with green. We especially love it as a unifier in a space with lots of doorways and windows. Card Room Green can cut through the formality of a living room and instantly make it more comfortable and personal.'

Pair Card Room Green with wallcoverings

Since Card Room Green has a muted quality to it, it plays well with traditional decorating ideas. One way to emphasize its vintage look is to pair it with patterned wallcoverings with a delicate, heritage feel.

'We love to use colors like this as trim, paired with a complementary wall covering that brings out the warm greens,' says Kevie Murphy, principal and CEO at KA Murphy Interiors.

Similarly, incorporating pattern through soft furnishings is another designer-suggested way to make the most out of this green paint: 'I love this fabulous greenish tone for the way it looks different in many lights; for the bold backdrop it gives to a room; and against a floral drape, it really sings!' says Maggie Griffin, founder, and principal designer at Maggie Griffin Design.

Create a restful bedroom

It's not just social rooms where Card Room Green shines, but calming spaces like bedrooms too. In this guest bedroom designed by Elizabeth Taich Design, Card Room Green used as an accent color aids in creating a restful feel, while pairing wonderfully with the whites and creams throughout.

'Spring is what I think of with Farrow & Ball's Card Room Green,' says Elizabeth Taich. 'It pairs so well with florals and gives that subtle punch to a room without overpowering other elements. It's just calming. Everyone who walks into this guest bedroom immediately calls dibs on it.'

Whether used in a kitchen to complement a light neutral color scheme or applied boldly to create a cozy living room, Card Room Green is a flattering shade that makes a go-to paint color for many rooms.

The European design scene is known internationally as the most refined. Parisian and Milanese designers tend to favor luxe surfaces and organic shapes, while British experts are embracing texture like never before. And across the continent, in countries as far-reaching as Norway and Ukraine, there is one accent color designers are agreeing on that looks expensive and makes rooms more elegant. Spoiler alert: it's red.

Red has been making design news this past year with the rise of the color trend of the Unexpected Red Theory doing the rounds on TikTok. It holds that a flash of red, when used in a room that you might not expect it (because the palette is more neutral, or dark-toned, perhaps) can totally energize a room.

'I don't think you can just insert a red accent pillow and be done with it: that's too contrived,' says the Minneapolis-based designer Anne McDonald of Anne McDonald Design. 'What works for me in that theory is that it asks you to look at your room and decide if it gives you a current of excitement or not. And if it doesn't, it may well be that you're missing an unexpected tone, which could easily be a red.' And European designers are in total agreement.

'Red is the one color that will always elevate a space,' says the British designer Angus Buchanan of Buchanan Studio. He used it to great effect on his iconic Studio Chair and Sofa (pictured above) and its dashing red and white stripes. 'You'll love red for a long time,' he adds. 'It has never been out of fashion, and it has very long-lasting appeal.'

The French designer Manola Ballerio of the Monaco-based studio Sabrina Montecarlo agrees that red is the right color for right now. 'It looks more expensive,' she says. 'When you use it as an accent, it looks like you've added some personality.'

'Red sticks in your mind – it's a real power color,' agrees British designer Lara Bates, founder of the international studio Lara Et Al .

How designers are using red to elevate any room

The Norwegian color expert Dagny Thurmann-Moe of Koi Color Studio sees red as part of a wider palette that feels exactly right for now. She thinks that 'sunset colors' like blush, yellow, orange, terracotta, and, yes, hints of red provide the elevated warmth we all crave now.

'This palette is not particularly difficult to play around with,' she says. 'Yellows, oranges, reds, and pinks are all neighbors on the color wheel so you can’t really miss when you marry them together. Just seek out differing tones - you want the elements in a room to feel like a family rather than twins. So, for example, you’d use a slightly different yellow on the drapes than on the doorframe, and a fiery red next to, say, a softer pink.'

Ukrainian designer Nastia Mirzoyan of the Kyiv-based studio Mirzoyan Studio tends to favor decorating with neutrals on the walls, but uses red as an unexpected accent. 'Color is used strategically to create focal points and add energy to the space,' she says. 'For example, a red side table brings life to otherwise neutral rooms. We use these colors sparingly to maintain balance while adding visual interest.'

'I would steer clear of red furniture, but I love it as an accent in things like artwork, flowers or pillows,' says Manola Ballerio. 'It's so impactful as a little moment in an otherwise monochromatic scheme.' She designed this bedroom above, a haven of Alpine woods and whites, enlivened by red details.

The British color expert Joa Studholme, Color Curator for Farrow and Ball, likes to use red in smaller areas and go big on it. 'Earthy reds are very good in little spaces like powder rooms,' she says. 'And they go particularly well with browns as long as they have a red base, which I'd perhaps use on the trim.'

'With red, it's all about getting the shade of it right,' says London designer Lara Bates. 'You want that deep earthy red that makes it easier to work with and live with.'

Dagny's favored sunset colors tend to have orange notes in them, while oxblood is a big color trend at the moment, a darker version of red that has brown tones in it. You'll find that European designers are favoring those dusky notes over pops of crimson, like this library, above, which is painted in Red Earth by Farrow and Ball.

And that, ultimately, is why European designers love decorating with red – it's easy to use in almost any space, an instant mood booster that is both as elegant as it welcomingly energizing.

If you're an avid follower of paint trends, then you're no doubt familiar with Farrow & Ball's Setting Plaster. One of the brand's most popular shades, Setting Plaster is a plaster pink paint that's seemingly universally flattering and easy to decorate with.

We'd go as far as to say Farrow & Ball's Setting Plaster is an on-trend neutral paint, allowing us to shift from lighter tones such as whites and beige to provide our homes with more warmth and depth while maintaining a pared-back feel.

If, like us, you're intrigued by this plater pink paint, read on, where we explore its key qualities and the best ways to decorate with Setting Plaster, thanks to the expertise of the brand's Color Curator, Joa Studholme.

While you may not think of pink paints as a neutral color, the subtlety and softness of Setting Plaster give it an incredibly pared-back and liveable feel. In the Instagram video above, Joa explains that Setting Plaster was created to mimic the very tones of bare plaster – hence the name.

'The great thing about Setting Plaster is that any room that’s painted in this color somehow feels like it’s giving you a great big hug. It really embraces you. It’s perfect in north-facing rooms because it warms them up. And because it has a little sort of yellow undertone in the pink, it always feels very, very soft,' Joa says in the video.

As you'd imagine, Setting Plaster is a versatile paint color that can be used to suit many different room types and decorating styles. That includes hallways, which is one of Joa's favorite rooms to use this plaster pink paint: 'I love using Setting Plaster in hallways because it just feels so welcoming.'

Patrick O'Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball is another advocate for Setting Plaster's versatility. He explains: 'For all-round flexibility, you can’t go wrong with Setting Plaster. It makes a wonderfully flattering shade for bathroom walls, a delicate hint of color for a bedroom, or a grown-up warm blush for a living room.'

It's well known that natural lighting is an important factor to consider when choosing which paint colors to use for a room, and the beauty of Setting Plaster is that it flatters both darker, north-facing rooms and brighter, south-facing rooms, according to Patrick:

'Setting Plaster will bring warmth to a north-facing space and ‘knock back’ to a gentle neutral in sun-drenched spaces, making it wonderfully adaptable and suited to most decorating needs.'

This makes it a real winner if you're not sure where to start with your neutral paints. While overly warm-toned neutrals can read far too yellow in well-lit rooms and cooler neutrals can make darker rooms feel drab, Setting Plaster seems to provide balance in both settings, making it a good all-rounder.

Looking for the next neutral paint color to decorate with? Setting Plaster is a stylish, timeless choice, adding more coziness than lighter neutrals while not feeling too saturated.

If you're somebody who loves to decorate with neutrals, then Farrow & Ball's French Gray should be on your radar. Although whether this gray-green paint is actually a neutral is up for debate, it's an on-trend, more interesting spin on traditional neutrals.

Not only is Farrow & Ball's French Gray an 'in-between' color that appears as both gray and green, but it's one of those paint colors that work in so many rooms and across plenty of decorating styles.

Since this calming shade seems to always garner interest, we decided to hear what designers make of this popular green paint. Read on to gain some ideas on how to channel this timeless shade – which we'd say is a perfect 'new neutral' for the coming year.

What color is French Gray?

An in-between paint color, French Gray reads as more of a sage green, counter to its name. That said, the presence of gray gives it a really liveable and grounding feel, meaning it's not too saturated or lively but instead soothing and quiet.

'French Gray is a soft green-gray that shifts beautifully in different lights, making it versatile and timeless. Its subtle warmth makes it an excellent companion for natural wood tones, block-printed fabrics, and earthy browns,' says designer Cheryl Clendenon, owner of In Detail Interiors.

As neutral rooms take on a richer, earthy quality for 2025, colors like French Gray feel perfectly fitting. Adding much more warmth and a natural feel than gray would, which can feel lifeless, this gray-green paint is a more interesting take on neutral paints without leaning too far into the world of color.

'French Gray would anchor a modern European-inspired design palette. I’d combine it with white oak floors, creamy neutrals, and black accents for contrast. It’s understated, sophisticated, and versatile – just what 2025’s designs are leaning towards,' says interior designer Jessika Gatewood of Gatewood Designs.

How to decorate with French Gray

The beauty of French Gray is that it's incredibly versatile and easy to decorate with. Reading almost as a neutral, this paint color would work well in every room, from social spaces like kitchens and dining rooms to calming spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms.

That said, we asked designers for their favorite ways to style this flattering shade. Below, they share three ideas for incorporating French Gray – all of which are incredibly timeless. If you're looking to elevate your neutral rooms or embrace a soft take on color in 2025, this popular paint may be for you.

Use French Gray to create a calming bedroom

When choosing a bedroom color scheme, it's important to consider color psychology. Colors will affect the room's mood, from restful to aid with sleep to more lively through saturated tones. If relaxing is what you're after, colors like French Gray are a great way to go. Green is known to be one of the most soothing hues thanks to its association with the natural world, and gray feels muted, helping you wind down at the end of the day.

'When applied to the walls, it transforms a room into an elegant, cozy retreat,' says Boston-based interior designer Kristen Rivoli. 'Imagine settling into a soft down comforter in a bedroom with this handsome French Gray on the walls, complemented by luxurious wool sateen drapes that embrace you like a warm hug.'

Create a timeless kitchen or dining room

Kitchen color schemes are an important thing to get right. The heart of the home, the colors you use here should feel comfortable for day-to-day life while not lacking in interest. French Gray strikes the perfect balance for these spaces, with more zeal than light neutrals but not so bold you risk soon tiring of it.

'Picture gathering around a dining table with classic French dining chairs, soft candlelight, and a delicious meal. The deep French Gray on the walls creates a dreamy atmosphere, perfect for an unforgettable dinner party that you never want to end. I’m always on the lookout for the ideal home to showcase this stunning color and someone who appreciates it as much as I do,' adds Kristen Rivoli.

Use French Gray on woodwork or furniture

Decorating with paint doesn't have to mean painting the walls. French Gray adds just as much impact when channeled across smaller accents, such as woodwork and trim details within a room or even used to paint furniture.

'Because it is a neutral color with a slight twist – in this case a hint of green – we would use this in a place where we want a subdued hue that still brings a bit of playfulness to the space. French Gray would be wonderful for a hallway or as a cabinet paint color,' says designer Elizabeth Bolognino.

Whether used across wall paneling, architraves, or interior doors, this color will add interest to the space while maintaining a calm, neutral look. What's more, this color would pair wonderfully with so many other hues, from brighter pinks to warm browns to achieve stylish color combinations.

Soothing, timeless, and versatile, there's much to love about Farrow & Ball's French Gray, and it aligns perfectly with next year's color trends that favor 'in-between' hues. Whether you use this to create a relaxing bedroom or to venture away from lighter neutrals in the kitchen, this color is a real winner.

Back when I was at the height of my renovation project I had to make decisions very quickly. I had construction workers asking me questions left and right, I had to busy myself every night to get the next space ready for a laborer to get into, and all while trying to work a full time job (and do zoom calls with plasterers banging around behind me). It was, to put it mildly, full on.

Inevitably, a few decisions got rushed, and made in the moment rather than fully considered. Like the one about what paint ideas to use for my dining room...

Long before the original dining room got torn apart and a new ceiling added and new flooring laid, we'd decided we wanted to go a soft oatmeal shade on the walls – beige, if you will. Something very calming but with a warm tinge, that would look sandy in the daylight and slightly rich by the twinkle of candles over dinner. Jitney, by Farrow and Ball, would have been my perfect choice.

But suddenly the dining room was due to be painted in three days to fit in with the rest of the schedule and the dates we had the decorator booked for, and we'd not ordered the paint!

I had an order in already with Mylands, an amazing British paint company known for its depth of pigment. I had chosen their Holbein Chamber white shade for the kitchen, and it seemed easy to just add an extra paint color on top of that. I looked at its paint chart, with Jitney in mind. Portcullis looked about right online, I figured, with the same warm brown tones (seemingly) in the samples I could see on my screen. That would surely do!

If you look at the first two images of Jitney at the top of the page, and compare it to the Portcullis swatch you can see online, you can see why I thought it, would be the same, or close enough. Both look like a soft, warm, slightly brown beige paint. But here's what it looked like on my walls:

Whereas Jitney takes gray in a soft and subtle direction, Portcullis is bolder, richer, more saturated. As a paint color, I loved it. As the choice for my dining room? It was, well it was a shock.

It meant rethinking my furniture choices, it meant changing the light I had planned, and it meant we didn't use the room so much in the day as I'd planned. Portcullis is nuanced and deep and sophisticated and I would use it again in the right space, but what I would never do is choose a paint color online without swatching it first

Yes, I may have been in the interior design world for 20 years, and I give this same advice all the time, but I broke the rule they teach you pretty much on day one – swatch your paint, and live with the swatches over time.

I spoke with designer Ash Wilson, post my mistake and her advice to me was to never rush choosing a paint color. 'For all our projects, we do a general color board for the house per room. But we don't pick the specific paint color until much further down the line, when we have more items developed on-site,' she explains.

'I like to see the color of the kitchen cabinets, the tones of the stone in situ, to see the fixtures in their actuality. And then we sample lots of paints that fit with the color theme we're going for. I don't think you can just pick a paint off a sample card without having seen it in the space.'

'Each house has a different orientation, and you have to see a room in the morning and evening to understand what the light will do in it. You have to place curtain samples against paint swatches in the room they're intended, you look for how they complement and contrast. It can be harder to get lighter or neutral colors right until you really see them in the space.'

All of which is advice I knew, and ignored in the heat of the moment. It's so simple it's embarrassing to admit I didn't follow it, but in the midst of the renovation, my standards went out the window.

We're moving house again soon, and I have a room which I've earmarked Portcullis for. It'll be my home office, and I'll enjoy the deeper tones of this paint in this hopefully creative space. But before I paint anything, I'll be sampling it first. Sampling, and watching as it changes throughout the day.

Mastering a kitchen color scheme can often be a long and much-deliberated task. Unlike other rooms in the home, the colors in a kitchen go beyond the walls to include the cabinetry and other fixtures, so the colors that you choose need to work well together.

Thankfully, Farrow & Ball has served up some stylish kitchen color ideas, covering the walls, cabinets, and accent colors. Taking to Instagram, brand ambassador Patrick O'Donnell talks through three kitchen color schemes, ranging from plaster pinks to calming blues.

If you're looking for some guidance with your kitchen paint ideas, read on. We've rounded up each of the three schemes below, breaking down Patrick's expert advice that'll soon have your kitchen feeling stylish and cohesive.

Calming neutrals and earthy green

If you're looking for a timeless, can't-go-wrong kitchen color scheme, Patrick's first option has you covered. Using delicate neutrals and a hint of color with an earthy green, this scheme is restful and complementary to many design styles.

Patrick suggests painting, 'Your walls and possibly woodwork (why introduce another white?) in the lovely Slipper Satin', which is an off-white paint that appears as a light gray.

For kitchen cabinets, it's about sticking to neutrals but adding slightly more depth: 'And then your kitchen units in the same neutral family as Slipper Satin is Old White – this lovely slightly dirty classic kind of greenish yellow-based white.'

'And then your accent color here, whether it be a separate piece of furniture like an island or a larder unit... in the gorgeous drab khaki of Treron'. As demonstrated in this calming kitchen, Treron makes a great choice if you want to venture from light neutrals into the world of color, while maintaining a pared-back look.

'This is totally safe and I don’t mean boring, it’s just very safe, very easy to live with,' says Patrick.

Plaster pinks and a pop of red

Decorating with pink in kitchens is popular right now for good reason. Earthy, plaster pinks are a stylish way to do neutrals, and embracing them in the heart of the home is a great way to add warmth and depth.

Patrick explains, 'We start off here with the lovely soft blush note of the warm white that is Dimity. And then your kitchen unit color here is Templeton Pink which is just a little bit stronger than Setting Plaster.'

While plaster pink tones are flattering in lots of spaces, Patrick adds that this combo is 'really good for poorly lit kitchens.'

'And then your accent color here is the glorious sort of brick-baked brick red of Etruscan Red. Just utterly lovely. One of my favorite colors,' says Patrick.

This is a great way to embrace the unexpected red theory, and by using this bold color sparingly you don't need to worry about it overwhelming the room.

Warming beige and cozy blues

The third and final kitchen color scheme suggested by Patrick turns to decorating with blue but in a subtle and liveable way.

To begin, Patrick recommends using Drop Cloth for kitchen walls, a beige paint that he describes as 'not dissimilar to Old White, but less green through it.'

'And then your kitchen units in the beautiful Stone Blue' he adds. In this dining area, Stone Blue is used on the freestanding cabinet, uplifting the otherwise neutral scheme.

'Your accent color here is the lovely kind of bluish slate notes of Hopper Head,' adds Patrick. This charcoal paint will add plenty of depth to your kitchen scheme, and since it has a slightly muted quality, it won't appear too heavy against the lighter hues.

Which of these kitchen color schemes is your favorite? Whether you're drawn to the on-trend plaster pinks or prefer the calming appeal of layered blues, these color schemes are endlessly timeless.

Crafting a calming, inspirational space for two TV and film writers and their newborn son to create memories and inspire new stories was the brief for Tiffany Howell, founder of Los Angeles-based house design studio Night Palm.

The property in question was a Mediterranean revival property circa 1930s in the LA neighborhood of Hancock Park. It was the perfect project for Tiffany as, apart from the criteria of tailoring the interior so that it was calming and inspirational, she had carte blanche to express her vision.

Tiffany has many talents and boasts a multi-hyphenate career, having started as a music video producer. Before turning to the world of interiors, she also worked as a director for fashion photographer Herb Ritts. Now her interior designs cater to a portfolio of A-list clientele.

This project seemed meant to be. When the opportunity arose, Tiffany was designing a nursery for the couple’s best friends who had just had a baby – it seemed a fortuitous coincidence.

The TV and film writers were also expecting, and it was during the redesign process that their baby boy arrived, creating some challenges for Tiffany whose work had to be carefully scheduled to avoid too much noise around nap time.

Called Villa Grecco, the house features a layout that stays true to its Mediterranean design roots, with a rectangular floor plan and lush gardens. In a move designed to make it easy to forget the glitz and glam of LA, Tiffany’s scheme evokes a romantic European ambiance, echoing the tranquillity and elegance of the 17th and 18th centuries with a contemporary twist.

The reception rooms feature French doors that open to greenery along the ground floor. ‘This home is an evocative, warm space reminiscent of a timeless Italian villa,’ says Tiffany. The harmonious palette of soft blues, greens, and golds reflects the smoky hues of Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 film Call Me By Your Name, which takes place in Italy, in a 17th-century villa in Lombardy.

For the aesthetic of the interiors, Tiffany also drew inspiration from an iconic Gucci floral editorial, dressing each of the different areas in a refined and eye-catching way. ‘We wanted the space to feel quite cinematic and romantic to offer inspiration to the owners,’ she says.

A mix of textures and nature motifs infuses sophistication throughout. To give the feeling of being immersed in a forest, the walls of the main living space were covered in a wallpaper reminiscent of a tapestry from the 17th century, which seamlessly blends with the vegetation beyond the windows.

Sculptural light fixtures were placed in every nook as if they were precious jewelry pieces. In the dining area, the 1940s-era vintage chairs provide a striking yet harmonious contrast with the vintage Murano crystal chandelier and moody walls. Altogether, they weave a tapestry of coziness and chicness, accentuated by mesmerizing golden and amber touches.

The reading room channels the ambiance of a Scottish castle with its deep green tones. The color combines with a mirror evocative of Sleeping Beauty, continuing the journey to another era while displaying a modern allure. Tiffany achieved a tour de force of giving its own personality to each one of the areas while making sure they feel cohesive and flow together.

Contrasting with the primarily moody atmosphere, the kitchen features an earthy plaster pink which creates a cosseting feel on the elegant Shaker-style cabinetry. Always striving to create interactive sensory experiences through design, Tiffany did that through this renovation.

Intentional visuals and lush materials complemented by the smells of plants and flowers bring everything into place in a kind of poetic alchemy. This home feels exactly as the owners dreamed it would be, balancing exquisiteness and functionality at every turn

Meet the designer

The designer shares her style inspiration

BIGGEST SUCCESS
Creating an intentional space for our clients to find inspiration.

SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT
We love using glossy paint instead of traditional flat to play with the reflectiveness of light and create a glow in our spaces.

GO-TO COLOR
Villa Grecco is drenched in smoky blues, soft rose, and silvery greens. I tend to be drawn to lush tones that feel sun-faded.

FAVORITE DESIGN DETAIL
Murano lighting is my go-to design detail as I love the reflective, warm glow of the glass. I look at lighting as the jewelry of a room.

YOUR STYLE IN THREE WORDS
Lush, cinematic, and seductive.

INSPIRATION
Music, poetry, and the story of unique objects.

I KNOW I’M A CREATIVE BECAUSE...
I’m more interested in the creative flow of things. I love to lean into the mystery of the questions themselves.

Red has been one of the most defining colors throughout interiors this year, and that's no less true for kitchens. Dark, brown-toned reds have gained momentum for their ability to add drama to the heart of the home, and according to Farrow & Ball, this key color trend isn't going anywhere in 2024.

In a recent video posted to Instagram, brand ambassador for Farrow & Ball Patrick O'Donnell curates an on-trend kitchen color scheme, masterfully doing so in just 60 seconds. The standout paint color is a rich, liveable red, serving as a sophisticated way to tap into the seemingly never-ending unexpected red theory.

Complete with light neutral paint colors, this kitchen color scheme is simple yet effective. If you're looking to introduce bold color into the heart of the home while maintaining a fairly neutral feel throughout, this one is for you.

'The cabinetry in the kitchen is going to be in one of my favorite colors, Etruscan Red,' begins Patrick. Described by the paint brand as a 'brown-based deep red', Etruscan Red is a liveable way to introduce this typically-saturated hue into the kitchen. Rich and earthy, Etruscan Red appears timeless; a fresh alternative to other typical dark paint colors used in kitchens, such as navy blue or forest green.

'This is for lower cabinetry because I think it’s quite nice when you keep the strong color below eye level,' Patrick continues. Although Etruscan Red is muted, it's still a bold hue that is bound to make a statement, and so Patrick's advice of using it only on lower kitchen cabinets will ensure a balanced look.

The next part of Patrick's speedy kitchen color scheme is the recommended neutrals to pair with the statement red, for which he turns to Farrow & Ball's Planter, an earthy and warm neutral paint. 'That’s going to be for upper cabinetry and the wall,' adds Patrick.

Mastering a color scheme is as much about the paint finishes as the specific shades, ensuring a durable finish to withstand daily wear in this hardworking room. 'Upper cabinetry is Modern Eggshell as is lower cabinetry, and then we’re going to do the walls in Modern Emulsion because it’s a washable finish,' advises Patrick.

The final part of the scheme is the ceiling paint ideas, for which Patrick recommends a pared-back approach with Farrow & Ball's Turret White, which is one of the color expert's favorite white paints.

'So that’s it,' concludes Patrick. 'A really lovely scheme using some lovely dark red, a really good mid-neutral, and a nice soft empathetic white.'

Shop the kitchen color scheme

If your kitchen is in need of a refresh, why not embrace this sophisticated scheme in your own home? The pop of red through the kitchen cabinets will fill your space with warmth and coziness in time for winter, while the timeless neutrals will ensure longevity year-long.

On the lookout for more color ideas? We've rounded up the biggest kitchen color trends for 2025. From calming greens to earthy neutrals, these stylish colors for the year ahead cater to all design styles.

Pink paints work surprisingly well across many rooms and interior design styles. From blush pinks to plaster pinks, there's plenty of variety of pink paints to choose from, and Farrow & Ball has some of the very best among them.

Boosting rooms with a soft and warming glow, Farrow & Ball's pink paints are known to be flattering and liveable, from the moody Sulking Room Pink to the plaster tones of Setting Plaster.

We asked interior designers for their take on the best Farrow & Ball pink paints, which we've rounded up below. If you're looking for pink paints to incorporate into your interior scheme, these suggestions have you covered. Consider opting for one of the more mellow, grounding pinks to refresh neutral rooms and you'll soon see the benefit of this cozy and comforting hue.

7 best Farrow & Ball pink paints

Tailor Tack

Farrow & Ball's lightest shade of pink paint, Tailor Tack works as a light neutral paint, filling rooms with a subtle pink glow.

'Farrow & Ball's Tailor Tack has become a go-to for me when I'm looking for a neutral kissed by pink,' says Chicago-based designer Rebecca Bobroff of Rebecca Bobroff Design. 'Pair Tailor Tack with Wimborne White for a dreamy undertone match and subtle elegance.'

In this bedroom, Tailor Tack is used on the lower walls to add interest while maintaining a calming and undisturbed sleep space.

Setting Plaster

Setting Plaster is one of Farrow & Ball's most well-known pink paints. A variation of plaster pink, aptly named Setting Plaster is a good option if you want your pink scheme to have an earthy feel that doesn't feel too saccharine.

'My favorite Farrow & Ball color is Setting Plaster,' says interior designer Roger Higgins of Nashville-based R. Higgins Interiors. 'It’s a subtle shade of pink and works well with all colors without becoming too feminine or youthful.'

Orange County designer Olga Doykhen is also a fan of decorating with Setting Plaster. Talking about plaster tones such as this one, she adds: 'These shades stand out for their nuanced complexity, offering more depth than typical pink paints. I'd choose these hues to compliment any room, but especially a library, dining room, or bedroom.'

'What makes these shades so appealing is their subtle warmth and earthiness, reminiscent of sun-baked clay or weathered terracotta,' Olga continues. 'This quality allows them to act as sophisticated neutrals while still imparting a soft, rosy glow to a space.'

Peignoir

If you're looking for a pink paint that leans slightly more purple, Farrow & Ball's Peignoir makes a great choice. With gray undertones, this paint grounds spaces with its in-between hue.

'One of our current favorite pink paints from Farrow & Ball is Peignoir,' says Miranda Cullen, principal designer and founder of Inside Stories. 'This is a very romantic shade that resembles more of a gray rose than a bright pink.'

'Some pink shades can feel loud and manufactured, but this shade has a natural depth and a subtle tone that is easy to layer into designs,' adds Miranda. 'It’s a very buildable shade that is enhanced or muted by surrounding colors and decor.'

Templeton Pink

Templeton Pink is another of Farrow & Ball's pink paints that falls into the plaster pink category. With plenty of warmth, Templeton Pink is said to have a historical feel. There are many ways to decorate with plaster tones such as Templeton Pink, but it works well with color drenching to create a cozy, cocooned space.

'Our absolute favorite Farrow & Ball Pink is Templeton Pink,' says Elizabeth Mollen, Chicago-based interior designer and CEO of Stone Textile Studio. 'When designing our home store and showroom, The Vault Creative, we knew we did not want to do white walls. After testing many colors, Templeton Pink was the obvious choice – it’s the perfect neutral. We painted our custom built-ins and shelving the same color as the walls.'

Pink Ground

'My favorite pink paint by Farrow & Ball is Pink Ground,' says Diane Rath, founder and principal designer at The Rath Project. 'It has a bit of yellow-brown to it which makes it feel slightly more sophisticated and grown up. It serves as a beautiful backdrop for patterns and other colors and makes whoever is in the room look quite attractive in its warmth.'

In this bedroom, this blush pink paint was used across the walls, adding warmth and a comforting feel to the cozy space. There are plenty of other ways to decorate with Pink Ground, from kitchens to powder rooms.

Sulking Room Pink

If you're looking for a moodier, darker pink paint, you can't go wrong with Sulking Room Pink. A popular shade among designers, Sulking Room Pink adds plenty of depth to rooms – a sophisticated way to decorate with pink.

'I love it because it's a "moody" pink,' shares Lina Galvao, co-founder of design studio Curated Nest. 'Pink is associated with happy, bright spaces, dopamine decor, and Barbie; but this shade of pink is more like a mauve, with undertones of cool browns and purple.'

'It's a sophisticated, warm shade that could easily carry any serious adult space,' Lina continues. 'For a classic look, this color would pair well with creamy whites with warm undertones. For drama, pair it with a dark green with blue undertones, and for sweet vintage, pair it with sage green.'

Middleton Pink

Middleton Pink is more of a classic pastel pink that feels feminine and nostalgic. While this color works well with gold accents in a lively home office, it would also work well in a kids' room or for an unexpected hit of color in a powder room.

'Farrow & Ball's Middleton Pink is pretty and feminine with a bold sophistication that sets it apart from your ordinary pinks,' shares interior designer Gray Walker of Gray Walker Interiors. 'The tinge of a clay undertone warms it so it becomes more soothing and restful.'

Farrow & Ball's pink paints are popular for good reason. From earthy plaster pinks to pastel tones, its shades cover the whole range of pink, depending on how muted or lively you wish to go.

Pink paints have been slowly but surely gaining momentum recently. Less so the ultra-feminine, blush pinks; and more so earthy, 'plaster' pinks that fill our homes with warmth and depth, used essentially as a new neutral.

One of the best pink paints is no doubt Farrow & Ball's Sulking Room Pink. Described by Farrow & Ball as a 'muted rose', this pink paint is incredibly liveable, and perfectly balanced to bring a touch of pink to our homes in a modern, grown-up way.

At this time of year, as we spend more time inside our homes, paint colors like Sulking Room Pink are some of the best to boost coziness, especially if you want to add more richness to your space but don't want to go too colorful or dark.

Below, we've explained all you need to know about this moody shade of pink, including our favorite ways to decorate with it. Read on to gain some cozy and sophisticated room color ideas.

What color is Sulking Room Pink?

Sulking Room Pink is best described as a muted shade of rose pink. Avoiding highly saturated tones, this pink paint is incredibly liveable and steers clear from appearing overly feminine. With its chalky finish, it's not at all jarring but instead works almost as a dark neutral paint.

Patrick O'Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball describes Sulking Room Pink as the paint brand's 'moodiest of pinks with a lovely earthiness to it so never reads saccharine or bright.'

Like many of the most popular paint colors, Sulking Room Pink feels like an in-between hue. Depending on a room's lighting, this paint color can lean more brown or even like a soft purple. 'In poorly lit rooms it will appear much darker with a brown note to it, but don’t be nervous about this, it will create a rich and cozy ambiance', continues Patrick.

'Farrow & Ball's Sulking Room Pink is the perfect rosy color for someone who wants a little pink and a little purple,' adds Darci Tee, Lead Designer at TKS Design Group.

4 ways to decorate with this rosy shade

There are lots of ways to decorate with Sulking Room Pink, and we'd say that it works in pretty much any room of the home. With any application, this paint color lends itself to cozy, layered interiors, so it can make a great color choice if you're looking for a wall color that adds depth and warmth, without feeling too lively.

To lean into the cozy, warming appeal of this shade, Patrick recommends teaming it with rich textiles, which would work well in a living room or bedroom: 'Think of rust or Bordeaux-colored velvets on your upholstery for a cozy night in.'

'For something a little more dramatic, use it on dining room walls,' adds Patrick. 'This color will only be enhanced by ambient low light and candlelight, but paint trim in something bolder like our blackest green Studio Green for a contemporary twist. Finally, use in a large, light-filled bedroom – the color will aid relaxation and will team beautifully with natural materials and off-white linen.'

Below, we've rounded up four of our favorite ways to decorate with this cozy pink paint to give you some ideas for your own home. From kitchens to powder rooms, this is a much-loved shade for many spaces.

1. Create a cozy kitchen scheme

If you want to step away from the neutral colors we so often see in kitchen color ideas, Sulking Room Pink makes a great choice. Not too colorful, this hue will add depth and warmth to the heart of the home while maintaining an overall timeless and sophisticated look.

If you do decide to use this paint color, use it across either the walls with a more neutral color on the cabinets, or alternatively, use it on kitchen cabinets while the walls stick to a neutral hue.

'For something unexpected, use on kitchen cabinetry – this would be a chic option with either marble or timber kitchen countertops and walls painted in Stirabout, which will pick up some of the pinks for a soft and warming look,' Patrick explains.

2. Use this pink paint in small rooms

While Sulking Room Pink works in many spaces, there's a lot of appeal for this shade in small rooms. From powder rooms to laundry rooms, Sulking Room Pink adds a hit of color, a great way to transition these hardworking rooms to exciting spaces.

'Sulking room pink is my favorite powder room color – everyone looks good against it and it’s just gorgeous,' adds designer Kathryn Murphy, founder of Kathryn Murphy Interiors.

'Because of its depth, it works best in smaller spaces – think bathrooms, hallways, or entryways,' adds designer Thea Bloch-Neal of Curated by Thea. 'Small areas are perfect for embracing bold, unexpected colors without overwhelming a room. This color is fun to pair with a pop of red or the brown tones we are seeing a lot of.'

3. Color drench for a cohesive look

Color drenching is one of the most on-trend ways to decorate with paint right now, so why not try this out with Sulking Room Pink? As seen in this cozy living room, Sulking Room Pink used across the walls, ceiling, and any trim details is the best way to create a cohesive look that avoids wall color combinations.

'We love Sulking Room Pink by Farrow & Ball – it has a moody yet sophisticated charm that can instantly elevate a space,' says designer Cheryl Clendenon, owner of In Detail Interiors. 'While some may be hesitant to use such a bold color, it offers a richness that feels both timeless and elegant.'

4. Pair it with a patterned wallcovering

If you're looking for a way to add more interest when decorating with Sulking Room Pink, consider incorporating wallpaper ideas into your scheme.

'One of our favorite ways to use Sulking Room Pink is to pair it with a statement wallcovering or natural stone that carries subtle pink undertones,' says Cheryl Clendenon. 'This helps the color feel purposeful and integrated into the overall design, making it a striking, cohesive feature that adds depth and personality to a space.'

Of course, this decorating idea would work well in a whole range of spaces, but designer Rebecca Bobroff of Rebecca Bobroff Design recommends it for laundry rooms. 'I'd love to use this warm, earthy rose on laundry room cabinetry, paired with a small-scale floral wallpaper throughout the space. The paint shade has significant depth and sophistication, while still being inviting and cheery – a winning combination for making laundry more enjoyable.'

There are endless ways to decorate with this cozy, moody paint color. Consider refreshing your home this fall with this shade and you'll soon see how versatile it is, whether in the kitchen or bedroom.

Color is one of the most defining elements of our homes. Whether your home favors neutrals for a light and airy scheme or embraces rich, warming hues for a cozy space, color has the power to transform how a room feels.

That said, it's not always realistic to reinvent a color scheme. Generally speaking, we want the main colors used in our homes to withstand the test of time while creating an atmosphere that's liveable for the day-to-day. And so, you may be left wondering how you can add interest and excitement to your home through paint colors, without embarking on a whole redecoration.

Thankfully, Farrow & Ball has the answers. The paint brand's in-house color curator Joa Studholme has shared five creative ways to transform the home with paint colors without overhauling an existing color scheme – and it's all about the details. If you're looking for interesting ways to elevate your room colors through paint ideas, read on.

Farrow & Ball Decorative Details – 5 transformative paint ideas

'There’s no doubt color brightens our lives and creates memories in our homes,' says Joa, 'But there are several reasons why we might not always want to decorate a whole room. Luckily, modest amounts of color can make huge statements.'

1. Paint borders around wall decor

Looking for an easy way to add interest to your wall decor ideas? Farrow & Ball recommends getting creative by painting borders directly onto your walls, a good solution if your wall decor doesn't fill the space properly.

'If a mirror or piece of artwork feels too small for your space, simply paint a border around it,' advises Joa. 'If it still looks small, extend that border with a contrasting color and keep going until you feel you have reached the right size.' This approach has been channeled in this cozy living room, but Joa adds that you could create a similar look with gallery wall ideas: 'If you want to hang multiple pictures together, paint the area behind them to highlight your gallery wall.'

Here, the border around the mirror is painted in Farrow & Ball's Berrington Blue and Pantalon, adding a richer look to the room's neutral School House White walls and Smoked Trout fireplace.

2. Add bold color to doors

Doors are often overlooked when deciding on a room's color scheme, but they can indeed provide a welcomed opportunity to energize a room with a splash of bold color. If your room is primarily neutral, for example, painting the door in an uplifting shade transitions the space from predictable to playful.

'Why not add a great big dose of color to an unexpected door?' suggests Joa. 'Nothing warms the heart like a door painted in rich Preference Red, especially if you use Full Gloss. This could be to an ensuite bathroom or even just a cupboard – wherever you use it will give a special welcome.'

Taking cues from the unexpected red theory, Joa's recommended approach of decorating with red won't fail to bring drama to a room. In this colorful bedroom, the door is painted in Picture Gallery Red, contrasting with the Inchyra Blue walls.

3. Add interest to architraves

'Architraves are usually considered functional rather than decorative; I say turn that on its head and treat these features to some lively color,' says Joa. 'A classic architrave can be made to look super contemporary with a vivid color like Raw Tomatillo, or if you want to soften the journey from room to room, then use a stencil to paint a scalloped frame around the architrave in Pink Ground.'

Here, a pop of green is added to the dining space, framing the doorway leading into the garden with Green Smoke and Charlotte’s Locks. 'It’s easy to give doors extra impact by adding an oversized, painted frame, taking it over the architrave and even up onto the ceiling,' adds Joa. 'This quirky idea is particularly useful if you want to give particular importance to one door in a room.'

'Don’t worry if you haven’t got an architrave between your rooms, even a simple arch between two spaces can be painted in a punchy color, like Bamboozle, for an extra decorative twist,' Joa continues.

4. Paint joinery with unexpected colors

When decorating with paint, it's worth paying attention to the more hidden elements of a room, especially if you like the dominant colors of a room to remain pared back. Places like cabinetry can create a playful yet subtle look with rich paint colors.

'If you prefer an understated environment, try introducing color or pattern in hidden spaces, which may well not be seen 90% of the time,' suggests Joa. 'Use uplifting colors inside kitchen units and closets to add an element of surprise without affecting the overall style of the room. You’ll feel great every time you open the doors!'

'Traditionally, colors like Stone Blue and Selvedge have often been used in the back of bookcases but why not try a little Charlotte’s Locks for a fiery treat.' In this dining room, the kitchen cabinets are Green Smoke and Eating Room Red, bringing warmth to the light color scheme.

5. Mimic a headboard with paint

In bedrooms, paint colors can be just as experimental. While we typically want these rooms to stick to calming colors to aid in a relaxed feel, using neutral shades in unexpected ways is a failsafe way to add interest.

'An imaginative use of color can result in huge cost savings,' says Joa. 'For example, why not paint a headboard directly onto a wall to define a space and add a charming decorative twist? Choose any shape that takes your fancy and create a simple stencil to help you out. Delicate colors like Pale Powder and Eddy work particularly well on light walls, while Railings or Paean Black may be favored for a more industrial look.'

Which of these creative paint ideas is your favorite? Each of them will add interest to your space without compromising on your existing color scheme. As with any decorating project that involves paint, make sure to sample colors first. Even when used in small amounts, colors can vary hugely depending on the lighting of a room and other factors.

'Adult Camp Glamour' was the brief I gave myself when thinking about this house design,’ says the renowned events organizer, Glyn Fussell – known in the UK as the King of Clubbing. His 1840s home is on the edge of Epping Forest, bordering London and Essex is full of Dalmatian print, Murano glass, and opulent lighting. It’s safe to say he nailed it.

But for the man behind the era-defining (and now defunct) LGBTQ+ club night/fancy dress extravaganza Sink the Pink, and Mighty Hoopla festival, which saw 60,000 people show up this summer to dance to live performances, the house was designed to be an antidote to his party lifestyle, and that’s where the ‘adult’ bit comes in.

‘As I was getting older, I had an urge to feel calm and safe,’ Glyn says. ‘To have a relaxing home that I could turn into a nest, that would balance out my work life.’ Glyn’s way of creating a haven – one ‘that people will still walk into and know immediately could only belong to me’ – centered around color.

He had been working with Farrow & Ball on its 'Painting with Pride' initiative, which was developed to decorate LGBTQIA+ venues with the Carte Blanche collection of papers and paints by Christopher John Rogers, helping create public places the queer community could feel at home in.

‘I am so excited to make these spaces great again,’ Glyn said of the partnership, which has since seen overhauls of gay landmarks like the Margate Arts Club and the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art in New York. So it seemed only natural to have Farrow & Ball’s brand ambassador Patrick O’Donnell help Glyn with this project.

‘Patrick gave me the confidence to go in some of the bold color directions I’d been considering,’ Glyn says. ‘He pushed me to paint the ceiling in the snug in Preference Red, a deep burgundy that makes the room feel like a camp theatre.’

The idea to pair this with the silvery blue tones of Sardine on the walls came from a vintage pinball machine Glyn owned, where the two colors worked in harmony, ‘but that I probably wouldn’t have thought to copy had Patrick not put it forward,’ Glyn says.

‘I would never have gone with a yellow kitchen but I’m so glad he suggested it. The India Yellow paint we chose for the units has a mustard tone that people gravitate towards, and works well with the warm light of the chandelier and vintage sconces.’ Each room has its own color theme, but Glyn says it doesn’t feel disjointed as his personality and love of dogs and canine motifs runs throughout.

Some of his more outlandish ideas were reined in by his fiancé Jermaine, who suggested keeping the en suite and bedroom neutral. ‘They’re the places I feel most at peace as there is no overstimulation,’ Glyn says. It was Patrick’s idea to flow the Stripe wallpaper from behind the headboard and over the ceiling. ‘It has the cocooning effect of a being in a four-poster bed,’ Glyn says.

It’s these decorative tricks that allow Glyn and his guests to be both uplifted and unwind. ‘That’s because upstairs is almost womb-like in the way the colors hold and soothe you, the house looks after you in that way. I wanted to prove that you could be playful and still grown up, that decor could be sophisticated without being boring. That glamour could be enriching, too.’

3 paint rules to take from this colorful project

Glyn Fussell shares the secrets he learned from Farrow & Ball’s Patrick O’Donnell

1. There is no such thing as just cream, or just white, and you need to look at the nuance when picking a neutral. In my hallway, I paired Farrow & Ball’s James White with the Whirlybird green because it has green undertones to it, so there is much more harmony.

2. There is a power in pairing primary colors together – they bounce off each other if you get them right. It works when one is really bold and one is more knocked back – if both are vibrant it can be overpowering.

3. Each room’s palette has to start with how the sunlight hits it. In a bright room, there will be glare that can dim even the brightest of shades, so you may need to go deeper in color than you feel comfortable with in order to counteract that.

We can always rely on the timeless design style of The Brownstone Boys, and their recent Brooklyn home refresh is no different, serving up plenty of fresh room color inspiration.

The NYC-based interior design duo who place much of their focus on restoring historic homes, otherwise known as Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum, turned to the paint expertise of Farrow & Ball color consultants to reimagine three rooms within their Brooklyn Brownstone home with brand new color schemes.

The new room colors throughout their beloved Brooklyn home are as dreamy as you'd imagine, maintaining a timeless look without failing to feel exciting and slightly playful. Read on to uncover the new paint colors used in each room – from the moody home office to the light and calming entryway.

‘We decided to redecorate because we renovated our house about seven years ago', Barry explains in the Farrow & Ball YouTube video. 'By now, we’re ready to refresh some spaces; we’re ready to change things up and we really wanted the space to reflect who we are today.’

‘Our house was built in 1890, so it’s about 130 years old. One of the things that we were super passionate about is restoring it as much as we could back to its original beauty.'

Light Blue, Entryway

For the home's entryway, Farrow & Ball's Light Blue was used across the walls and the ceiling to refresh the space, continuing upstairs to the upper hallway. Described by Farrow & Ball as a 'light silvery blue' this pared-back paint color is a failsafe way to incorporate the calming quality of decorating with blue without going too saturated.

But it was the color's ability to enhance the home's prominent original features, such as the woodwork, that stood out to the designers. 'It has subtle hints of green, it has undertones of blue, and I just thought it would complement the original woodwork,' Jordan explains in the YouTube video. 'I think the two of those combined together just really complement and now accentuate some of the original details in the home.'

Beyond the aesthetic appeal of this calming blue-green hue, the chosen Dead Flat finish boasts durability for this typically heavily trafficked area of the home, with its wipeable finish. 'We really wanted to make sure that this is not only a beautiful area but also a really durable space,' adds Barry.

Brinjal, Home Office

Venturing into the realm of dark and moody paint colors, Farrow & Ball's Brinjal in Dead Flat was used to color drench the home office, used across the walls and woodwork in addition to the ceiling.

'It was important for us to have a space where we can relax but also be very productive, and we wanted the tones of this room to inspire us,' says Jordan. A dark and warm aubergine color, Brinjal is a great way to embrace moody colors while maintaining warmth to ensure spaces feel cozy, and that's especially apparent in this space.

The key to the dramatic look of the room is the consistency of the color, achieved through the use of the same finish across all surfaces. ‘It’s so nice to actually be able to paint it on multiple types of surfaces and it also gives us a very consistent look which is what we’re going for when we color drench a room,' Barry adds of the chosen paint finish.

Green Smoke, Basement

When it came to refreshing the home's basement speakeasy, the couple decided to embrace a moody look with Farrow & Ball's Green Smoke, also in Dead Flat. Again, the paint color was used for color drenching across the walls, ceiling, and cupboards, to create a cozy and cocooning feel with added impact.

As its name suggests, this paint color has a smoky quality, while its green-blue hues give it an instantly calming feel.

But beyond low-light rooms like these, which will always benefit from dark and moody paint colors, there are plenty of other ways to decorate with Green Smoke. Known to be a very versatile shade, this color works wonderfully in so many rooms, from living rooms to kitchens.

From moody paint colors to the light blue entryway, there's so much color inspiration to take from The Brownstone Boys' home refresh. Beyond the specific shades used, this approach to decorating with paint reinforces how effective color drenching is, and we predict this paint trend is here to stay for 2025.

When it comes to timeless interiors that strike the perfect balance between modern and rustic, Studio McGee never fails to nail the aesthetic. Known for creating cozy, classic, and comfortable spaces that feel organic and full of texture, Shea McGee's interior projects always serve as inspiration.

In the design studio's latest project, Tahoe Pines, Studio McGee embodies its celebrated decorating style in every room, and one of the many elements that stand out is the dreamy array of paint colors used throughout. Inspired by the property's idyllic lakeside surroundings, the paint colors are neutral and earthy, creating a calming backdrop in every room.

Here, we take a deep dive into the standout paint colors used throughout the Tahoe Pines project. From warm white living spaces to the dark olive green home office, there are endless room color ideas to draw inspiration from.

1. Westhighland White, Sherwin-Williams

Westhighland White by Sherwin-Williams is a bright white paint that has a subtle creamy quality, making it the perfect pared-back backdrop paint color for all types of rooms and decorating styles.

In the Tahoe Pines project, this white paint was used across the walls in various rooms, including the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

2. Creamy White, Benjamin Moore

Another popular white paint that was used in this project is Benjamin Moore's Creamy White, a warm white paint that provides just enough warmth to create a soft and cozy look; a great alternative to stark whites.

In this kitchen, Creamy White is used across the kitchen cabinets, complementing the room's natural wood tones and organic decor.

3. Flint, Benjamin Moore

The pantry steps away from light neutrals with Benjamin Moore's Flint, a cool-toned charcoal that provides contrast to the kitchen's warm white color scheme.

If you want to venture toward the trending world of dark paints, Flint makes a great choice. It has a slightly muted quality which makes it liveable while providing a touch of drama to your color schemes.

4. In the Navy, Portola Paints

Continuing the theme of dark paint colors, Portola Paints' In the Navy with a Roman Clay finish was chosen for this powder room.

While colors as dark as this can seem daunting to decorate with, the key is to fully embrace them in small rooms with color-drenching ideas, covering the walls and the ceiling. This will result in a dramatic yet cozy and cohesive space that avoids the harsh breakups that would be apparent if certain walls or the ceiling were painted white.

5. Dark Olive, Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore's Dark Olive was selected for this moody and sophisticated home office, used across the walls and the cabinetry as well as the ceiling.

A dark shade of green with a muted quality, Dark Olive is a timeless paint color that works to create a bold look, while its earth tones ensure it's comfortable to live with.

6. Nature Lover, Benjamin Moore

Another green paint that's not quite so dark is Benjamin Moore's Nature Lover, which was used in this twin bedroom. An unexpected way of decorating with paint, the gentle green hue is used across the ceiling, creating a calming space paired with the white walls.

7. Retreat, Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams Retreat is a muted green paint with undertones of blue and gray, giving it a restful feel. In this guest bedroom bathroom, this interesting paint color was used across the lower paneled walls, paired with light wood tones throughout the room which further help create a soothing feel.

8. Sandy Hook Gray, Benjamin Moore

The bathroom cabinets in this guest room were painted with Benjamin Moore's Sandy Hook Gray, a warm-toned greige that makes for a timeless neutral color choice.

Paint colors such as this are a great choice if you don't want to decorate with color but want to add more interest than classic whites; warming up the room and adding more depth.

9. Pigeon, Farrow & Ball

A blend of blue and gray tones that's described as a 'chameleon' paint color, Farrow & Ball's Pigeon, was used on these bathroom cabinets.

Again, this in-between hue is an effective way to add interest to neutral color palettes, while maintaining a calming look that feels inspired by the natural world.

There are lots of ways to decorate with Farrow & Ball's Pigeon, whether you use it to color drench or as an accent color.

10. Night Train, Benjamin Moore

Lastly, Benjamin Moore's Night Train is a cool dark gray-green that was used across the cabinets in this laundry room.

Similar to the bathrooms and pantry of this home, we're seeing plenty of dark, moody paint colors used in small rooms, and for good reason. These moody shades work so well in these hardworking rooms, providing an unexpected color moment where you wouldn't typically expect it.

These earthy and calming paint colors will no doubt have you dreaming of your next home decor project – whether that's refreshing a white kitchen or adding a bolder shade to a home office or pantry.

If you know how to decorate with Farrow and Ball's Pink Ground then the ability to create soothing, liveable, relaxed, and uplifting spaces is right at the end of your paintbrush.

Pink Ground is just the perfect shade of pink, a blush shade with gentle yellow undertones that gives it a sunniness and warmth. When used well, it breathes life into rooms and makes homes so warm and inviting.

'Whilst pink comes in many shades, from the softest plaster shades to bubble gum brightness, look towards the former to inform the right shade for relaxation and gentle tranquillity,' says Farrow and Ball's color ambassador Patrick O'Donnell. 'Something delicate like Pink Ground will fulfill your requirements and, if drenched in natural light, will just register as a warm neutral. If your bedroom is in the attic or a gabled ceiling of an old cottage, then this color is soft enough to take all over the ceiling too, softening those awkward wall heights you can get in attic spaces!'

Designers turn to Pink Ground often, a go-to when a gray isn't interesting enough and anything stronger reads as too vibrant. Here is their advice for decorating with one of Farrow & Ball's most popular paints.

1. Pair Pink Ground with stronger yellows

In this nook by the Los Angeles-based designer Ginny Macdonald, a vibrant wallpaper covered in Sicilian lemons is underpinned by Pink Ground on the cabinetry. Remember that Pink Ground has yellow undertones so was always going to work with this citrus print.

'We used Pink Ground in this room to add a dusting of color to an already bold wallpaper,' Ginny says. 'It would have been easy to just throw a white on cabinets but we liked the idea of adding a tone that is almost non-existent that compliments the other colors in the paper. Pink Ground was a good option because it's a milky pink so is still light but noticeable as a color.'

2. Use Pink Ground as a backdrop for gold

More ways to pull out that yellow undertone, as Studio Milne found Pink Ground to to be the ideal backdrop for gold fixtures in this pretty little powder room.

'My client found the pink marble tiles and I chose the color that worked best with the tile,' says the studio's founder Ruth Milne. 'I designed a pink marble bathroom previously and the Pink Ground worked so well in the space it was a no-brainer to use it again. Here, the tiles have various shades of terracotta, pinks, and hints of gold, and so Pink Ground was perfect to pick out the softer, gold tones within the tile.'

Ruth went on to praise Pink Ground more generally, against other similar shades. 'Pink Ground has a powdery softness to it, this differs from the more muted shades that [other Farrow and Ball colors like] Setting Plaster and Templeton have. When used in a bathroom setting, Pink Ground creates a delicate touch to the walls helping to create the feeling of calm that I feel is important for a bathing space.'

3. Contrast with olive greens

Pink and green is a classic color combination, working together in perfect harmony. With Pink Ground, an olive green works well.

'I chose Farrow and Ball's Pink Ground for my daughter's bedroom because it's a warm and inviting shade that serves as a lovely neutral backdrop,' says the homeware designer Chloe Jonason, who used it in her own home, above.

'Unlike more intense pinks, Pink Ground is subtle and understated, making it versatile and timeless. Isn't pink a neutral anyway?! It beautifully complements the stronger green accents we've chosen, creating a balanced and harmonious look. I believe this soft, sophisticated hue will stand the test of time, making it suitable from her nursery years through to her teens.'

4. Choose Pink Ground for kitchen cabinetry

Pink Ground is a perfect paint choice for kitchens, a room that tends to be busy and used often. A soothing hue, it helps to make this functional space seem more like somewhere you'd want to live in.

'I was looking to create a soothing Mediterranean feel when planning our kitchen extension that brought a sense of calm to our busy family home.' says the interiors expert India Hares of Our House Edit. 'Pink Ground was the absolutely perfect soft blush shade to do this, with its warming cosy tones that compliment the terracotta floor to perfection.'

5. Go big and take Pink Ground over every wall

The interior designer Alice Crawley used Pink Ground in her own home, and realized that the more she used it, the more joyful it became. It's a color that doesn't have to be an accent, but can cover great swathes of wall space and millwork.

'I have a theory that sometimes the more you use a color, the less you notice it,' Alice says. 'My decorators thought I was mad when I said I wanted to paint our entire lower ground floor (the level we basically live on) in pale pink. The walls, kitchen units, the woodwork, you name it – the lot. But by using this lovely warm and inoffensive “neutral” pink in such a way means that you don’t really notice it as even being pink. It’s warm and cozy and changes throughout the day according to the light, never have loved or used a color more than this one.'

6. Let Pink Ground flatter you

Designers often gravitate toward using Pink Ground in bathrooms because it has the ability to look soft in electric lighting, creating a reviving reflection of yourself when you look in the mirror. Here, it was paired with a vibrant green window frame, a color that makes Pink Ground look almost gray.

'Pink Ground is lovely for a bathroom because it's a calming dusky soft pink that's not too sugary and creates a very warm and flattering light,' says Fiona Parke, interior designer and founder of Johnston Park Interiors, who created this space. 'It also worked really well with the Christopher Farr fabric we used on the blind.'

7. Pair Pink Ground with patterns

Because Pink Ground is such a soft neutral, it's almost guaranteed to go with any pattern because it pairs well with most colors. The designer Kate Cox of HAM Interiors used it in her own bedroom – quite an endorsement of the shade from someone who is as expert at colors as she is.

'Pink Ground offers a warm, neutral backdrop that beautifully complements decorative patterns,' Kate says. 'Its subtle tone enhances intricate designs without overpowering them, while the yellow undertones create a cozy and inviting feel. Versatile and timeless, it gives any space a calming quality. I chose it for my bedroom and love how it ties everything together.'

Real Housewives of New York City fans are probably just as familiar with the wives' homes on the show as they are with their personalities. The drama-fuelled reality series showcases the day-to-day lives of the Big Apple's socialites, but being an interiors-focused magazine, we can't help but admire the homes featured in the episodes. Case in point? Brynn Whitfield's Gramercy Park apartment.

The space is as stylish as it is calming, in large part due to its paint color choices. It's no surprise, then, that cult-favorite paint brand Farrow & Ball is responsible for the serene and sophisticated blush pink color showcased in the bedroom (it's Sulking Room Pink, to be exact).

Touches of magenta and pink are peppered through the space via a fluffy rug, plush curtains, and twinning rattan lamps, while a neutral bedframe encases the white bedding. It's dreamy, to say the least.

Often associated with children's rooms and femininty, pink certainly has a youthful ambiance; however, its range proves that it can make a space feel mature, too.

'Decorating a home with pink can transform your space into a haven of elegance, warmth, and charm,' says designer Nina Lichtenstein. 'Often associated with love, tranquility, and sophistication, pink evokes a variety of moods depending on its shade and the context in which it is used. From soft blushes to vibrant fuchsias, pink is a versatile color that can enhance any room when used thoughtfully.'

She continues, 'Pink is a color that naturally evokes feelings of calmness and compassion. Soft, pastel pinks create a serene and soothing environment, ideal for relaxation and contemplation. In contrast, brighter, bolder pinks can energize a space, infusing it with vibrancy and creativity. Pink's ability to evoke such diverse moods makes it a valuable tool in home decoration, capable of adapting to different atmospheres and purposes.'

Choice of shade is dependent on the space that it will be occupying; what works in a bedroom may not work in a kitchen, for example.

'Soft pinks are perfect for bedrooms, creating a peaceful and nurturing environment conducive to rest and relaxation,' Lichtenstein explains. 'Blush tones on the walls or bedding can add a touch of romance and coziness.'

Meanwhile, consider pink statement pieces for spaces that have already been painted as a preferred color.

'A pink accent wall or pink furniture can add warmth and personality to a living room,' Lichtenstein says. 'When paired with neutral tones, pink can create a sophisticated and inviting space for entertaining or unwinding.'

Styling is an art, and one of the essential ways to keep a pink space feeling palatable is ensuring pink does not dominate a room.

'When decorating with pink, balance is key,' Lichtenstein says. 'Use pink as an accent color against a backdrop of neutral tones to prevent the space from feeling overwhelming. Pink cushions throws, or artwork can add pops of color without dominating the room.'

Finally, keep a pink room visually appealing by introducing a variety of materials.

'Incorporate various textures to add depth and interest to a pink space,' Lichtenstein says. 'Good options are velvet pink pillows, silk curtains, or a plush pink rug. Mixing materials creates a rich, layered look that enhances the color's appeal.'

We love how Whitfield has provided ample pink textures in her bedroom. We would recommend starting with one statement piece, such as the pink curtains, and seeing how it makes the room feel before incorporating several pink decals.

Farrow & Ball's Pigeon is a popular paint color amongst designers, used across various projects for its timeless quality and ability to create cozy spaces.

Described by experts as an alternative to classic neutrals with more depth and interest, it's for good reason we're seeing more and more of this intriguing hue.

We talked to interior designers and Farrow & Ball in-house color specialists to learn more about this calming and nuanced paint color, providing you with all you need to know before trying it out for yourself.

What color is Farrow & Ball's Pigeon?

Pigeon is a nuanced paint color. It's made up of blue and gray hues, but in some lights, it also appears green, meaning it doesn't read as one specific shade. It also has a muted quality to it, with no tones too saturated. Because of this, it appears soft as a wall color that's versatile to use, pairing well with many other paint ideas.

'Pigeon is such a versatile paint choice,' says interior designer Hannah Hampton of Ottosam Designs. 'Its pigmentation, inspired by nature, provides a depth of color without dominating any space.'

'We find it works really well in small, darker spaces and it is an elegant paint choice for those who are scared to go too bold with color, and some would argue it could be considered neutral,' continues Hannah.

Pigeon also works well as an accent color if you favor a more subtle approach to your room color ideas, according to Farrow & Ball's Creative Director Charlotte Cosby.

'Pigeon is a great color to introduce on your woodwork, such as skirting, stairs, or door frames when you use a neutral on all your surrounding walls,' says Charlotte. 'This technique highlights accents within the room without being too overpowering and provides a step into color blocking for anyone venturing into using color for the first time.'

When it comes to deciding on the right color combinations for Pigeon, white paints make some of the best choices. 'We highly recommend pairing Pigeon with Farrow & Ball's Slipper Satin or School House White to create a harmonious space,' says interior designer Melissa Read, Creative Director at Studio Burntwood.

Additionally, Pigeon 'complements natural woods and brass ironmongery, adding a touch of warmth and character to a space,' says Melissa.

3 ways to decorate with Farrow & Ball's Pigeon

Looking to incorporate this versatile paint color into your home decor ideas? Read on to see three ways designers decorate with it, from living rooms to home offices.

1. Color drench rooms for an on-trend look

Rather than using Pigeon as an accent color, it works just as well with color-drenching ideas, as demonstrated in this home office designed by Houston-based design studio Meg Lonergan.

'Farrow & Ball's Pigeon was chosen as the backdrop for this study due to its soothing and inspiring nature,' says Senior Project Designer Becky Duca.

By using the paint color across the whole room, including the ceiling ideas in addition to all four walls, a cohesive and on-trend look is created.

'This organic color will create rooms that feel both cozy and calming, especially in a low-contrast scheme,' says Farrow & Ball's Charlotte Cosby, who adds that Pigeon will read differently as the light changes throughout the day: 'It has an extraordinary ability to shift in the changing light, reading, blue, gray, or even green.'

2. Use Pigeon on cabinetry

Pigeon is a popular paint choice for cabinetry in various rooms of the home, from kitchen cabinet ideas to living room shelving ideas.

In this home library designed by Moore House Design, Pigeon is used across the built-in shelving, adding interest to the room's warm wood tones.

'In our Newport Victorian Project, we utilized Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon to create a distinctive and impactful milled library in downtown Newport,' explains Blair Moore, Creative Director & Principal at Moore House Design.

'This color, with its enchanting blue-green undertones, perfectly embodies the essence of New England while adding a historic, nuanced touch. Our client’s appreciation for blue and white oak inspired us to infuse the space with a Newport coastal aesthetic, enhanced by the unique character of Pigeon, which aligns seamlessly with our Moore House Design approach.'

3. Create a calming living space

If you're looking for living room color ideas, Pigeon makes a timeless choice. With more interest and depth than classic neutrals such as gray, Pigeon adds character while maintaining a pared-back look.

In this modern living room, Cohesively Curated Interiors painted the built-in cabinetry with Pigeon, balanced with the rest of the room's classic white walls.

'We love Farrow & Ball's Pigeon because it is one of those chameleon colors that have some green, some gray, and a hint of blue,' explains Emily Ruff, owner and principal designer at the Seattle-based design studio.

'It plays nicely with both cool and warm tones and feels like a neutral even though it does have a hint of color. We love using it on cabinetry to create a focal point in a space that has light or white walls.'

Pigeon is an in-between paint color that makes it versatile and easy to decorate with. Whether you use it as a backdrop color to create a cozy living room or use it more sparingly across woodwork teamed with white walls, this color brings warmth and interest to spaces – a refreshing change from gray or beige.

Black is a classic shade, praised for its versatility, its chicness, its timelessness. But are there any shades you shouldn't pair with black? Like any color, yes of course there are colors that aren't always going to work when combined.

We spoke with designers and color experts to get their thoughts on what colors to avoid with black. Often when I research these pieces and speak with designers, they are reluctant to really zone in on what color combinations don't work. I often hear most colors work with anything, never say never, type responses. And I agree, you can make most combinations work if you know what you are doing.

But with black, I got some very clear answers. It seems that black, despite its popularity, can be a tricky color to work in a combination. These are the pairings best to avoid and what to do instead.

1. Pink

'I would recommend homeowners steer clear of the combination of dark/hot pink and black, since it’s an outdated color combination reminiscent of an early 2000s teen room and harsh on the eyes,' suggests Emily Kantz, Color Marketing Manager at Sherwin-Williams.

'Instead, I recommend going for a trendier color like a deep jewel-toned green to pair with black to create a modern and bold space. I would also recommend against black and navy, since the similarities between both shades can create a bland and “too dark” room. Instead, I would recommend homeowners go for the color pairing of black and white to get the classic and timeless look homeowners tend to search for when using navy.'

It's not to say this combo can't work, the key is to go for a soft, of black and a dusty rose pink, as you can see in the kitchen above. The pink will bring out the warmth in the darker color and the result will be cocooning and soft rather than stark.

2. Orange

'Depending on what items and how much of a space is black will determine what other colors will complement it. Colors to avoid pairing with black are super bright and saturated colors like red and orange. They feel a bit over the top unless specifically going for a holiday theme,' explains designer Mollie Ranize.

'In general wood tones work best with black and feel the most sophisticated. Earth tones can also work nicely with blacks – black paint, hardware and furniture to name a few,' she adds.

You can combine more orangey woods and tones with black successfully if both are accent shades. It's a specific look, pretty retro but it works, and as this living room proves it can look very chic.

3. Navy blue

'I’d probably sidestep navy blue to use with black; if dark’s the look you’re after just use black on black,' suggests designer Benji Lewis.

'In this black living room, I used blues that weren’t navy and included the red poster because there was artwork in other colors to diffuse a black, white, and red room look. I looked for a black that had a softness to it without veering into gray and chose Little Greene's Lamp Black.

'To prevent gloom but not compromise on the dramatic effect I filled the walls with artwork (dark walls are amazing for showcasing art) with strong punches of red and yellow. I also added ivory into the mix with the blue/ivory flecked fitted flatweave carpet and chose soft furnishings that were mid-blue – rather than midnight – tan and cream.'

4. Yellow

'Black is very versatile, and while I wouldn’t be too afraid of pairing it with just about any color, pairing yellow with black is ill-advised to avoid a bumblebee aesthetic,' says designer Kati Curtis.

'The stark contrast between the bright, sunny tones of yellow and the deep, dark hues of black can mimic the appearance of a bumblebee, potentially making your space appear less chic and more like a sports team mascot. This pairing can dominate the visual space, creating a distraction rather than a cohesive and stylish environment.'

'Instead, consider decorating with black and softer tones like blues or greens to maintain sophistication while ensuring a moody, cohesive vibe. This approach allows you to enjoy the classic energy of black without the risk of your space being reminiscent of buzzy insects.'

5. Cool white

'When using black on your walls, a cool, blue-toned white could appear too harsh for this environment. Instead, choose a more empathetic white. Strong White (pictured above) would be a happy bedfellow!' suggests Patrick O'Donnell, of Farrow & Ball.

'I would also recommend (as with all schemes) to really invest in the lighting in the space. Avoid anything too cool and really consider using table lamps and picture lights to soften the drama and avoid overhead lighting where possible.'

6. Green

'Cosy or chic, soft or bold, black is surprisingly versatile and can complement any style of home from traditional to modern. Using black paint, whether just a touch or a whole room, can have tremendous visual impact, explains Helen Shaw, Director of Marketing at Benjamin Moore.

'However, it can also become overwhelming if you pair black with another bold hue such as bright yellow or vibrant green. Although technically a ‘neutral’ color, due to its saturation and depth, black makes a statement when used in the home so it is best to think about its proportions and to create balance with the colors used on other surfaces.'

'For a fool-proof design scheme, opt for black walls against light flooring or furniture upholstered in neutrals and white,' Helen suggests.

Green and black can work, just stick with a lighter, more sage-toned green and use black as an accent shade as you can see in this space.

7. Brown

'Black is one of those unique neutrals that can pair with every color in the correct dose, tone, and proportion. There are only a few colors that I would tread carefully when pairing with black,' says Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design at Lick.

'Firstly, very dark colors. Pairing black with other very dark colors like deep navy, dark brown, or charcoal grey can create an overly heavy and oppressive atmosphere. While these combinations can work in small doses, using them extensively can make a space feel too dark and claustrophobic. They are competing to do the same job, so I would recommend choosing one and color-drenching your space.'

8. Purple

'I personally feel that any combination can work when properly balanced or used in small doses as an accent color. However, as a general rule, I avoid pairing black with navy blue, as it can create a drab and indistinct look, lacking the contrast needed to make either color stand out,' says designer Jennifer Davis.

'Similarly, pairing black with dark purple can lead to a somber and gloomy atmosphere. Lastly, be cautious with black and deep red combinations, as they can evoke a heavy and intense mood. That said, I have seen all of these color combinations beautifully executed, but it takes a skillful eye to pull it of,' she adds.

There's a definite theme to the colors you shouldn't pair with black. Highly saturated colors like pinks, yellows, reds, and greens are a no-go unless you use them in only small amounts. Likewise, darker shades like browns, purples, and navy blues are tricky to make work with black without creating quite gloomy spaces.

That being said, color combinations are always subjective and come down to personal style and a particular space, so as I always say when talking about paint, just order swatches and try out different combos before you rule anything out.

It's hard to believe that we are nearly a year out from the height of Barbiecore fever, but some of us are still thinking pink when it comes to our interiors. The delightfully feminine color has proven its versatility in the home, with dusty rose and mauve shades providing sophistication while bright hues tap into the dopamine decor trend.

Ahead of the craze, actor, writer, director, and Girls creator Lena Dunham revealed that she has painted an entire room of her London home with pink – in fact, she even revealed the exact paint shade she loves to use in a blog post for Drew and Jonathan Scott, AKA The Property Brother's blog.

'Our bedroom is different shades of pink, my favorite being Rangwali by Farrow & Ball—it’s oddly relaxing for such an out-there color,' Dunham states in the blog post. 'I can say with confidence that I’ve never painted anything white.'

Described by Farrow & Balls as an 'exotic and adventurous pink,' Rangwali is punchy and vibrant, yet its slight black pigment makes it versatile against neutrals and other colors. According to experts, there is no one-size-fits-all mood that pink encompasses; rather, it is highly dependant on the shade to determine ambiance.

'From joyful pink to rose tones, the color pink can help influence an array of moods across the home, depending on the shade you go for,' says Catherine Jacob, the head of design at Hovia. 'Vibrant pink colors can be an excellent option for those looking to brighten up a room with a maximalist approach while subtle pink hues can help create a relaxing and calming atmosphere.'

When decorating with pink, it's important to consider the other colors that will be used in the space. While Dunham is not a fan of white, Jacob says that it is one of the colors that undoubtedly pairs well with a pink shade.

'Pink works especially well when paired with colors such as blue, white, and cream,' she explains. 'However, if you are looking to achieve a more maximalist look, don’t be afraid to get creative by introducing greens and yellows into your space. We are still seeing the ripple effect of Barbiecore moving through from fashion to interiors. Additionally, celebrity figures, such as Cara Delevigne, have been seen to favor vibrant and bold color choices across their home, proving that it is still popular to go all in with color.'

Finally, consider how pink will be implemented in a space. Paint is an obvious choice, but there are alternative methods to infuse a pop of color, such as accents and furnishings.

'Depending on your interior aspirations as well as the purpose of the room, there are a handful of ways you can style a pink space,' Jacob states. 'Styling complimentary colors together through soft furnishings and home accessories while adding atmospheric lighting and natural elements such as houseplants, are just some examples of how you can enhance your pink space to create a more homely and comfortable feel.'

For a failsafe starting point (that translates beyond the bedroom), we can't get enough of these picks below.

We recommend starting small with pink decor for anyone with mostly neutral spaces; however, as Dunham proves, a pink-painted space can provide a room with an immediate sense of joy and vibrancy.

If you're a fan of decorating with dark paint colors, then Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue is almost certainly already on your radar. One of the paint brand's best-sellers, this deep hue is equal parts classic, moody, and sophisticated, making it no surprise it's so popular amongst designers and homeowners.

Although dark paint colors are a bold choice, Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball is incredibly versatile thanks to its unique combination of blue and green tones, working in many rooms and design styles.

'Hague Blue is a captivating color that adds depth and a touch of drama to any room,' says interior designer Marie Flanigan of Marie Flanigan Interiors. 'Its rich, deep tone creates an elegant backdrop that enhances both modern and traditional designs. I love how it brings a sense of sophistication and coziness, making a statement without overwhelming the space.'

How to decorate with Hague Blue

Below, we've rounded up five of our favorite ways interior designers have used Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue in interior schemes, from the living room to the bedroom. If you're looking for some classic yet moody room color ideas for your next home decor project, this best blue paint will have you covered.

1. Create a moody library room

Interior designer, Laura Jenkins of Laura W. Jenkins Interiors used Hague Blue across the built-in cabinetry and walls in this home library, resulting in a moody and cozy feel.

'Hague Blue is a favorite swatch of mine because it has so much depth,' says Laura. 'It changes in feeling depending on the lighting ideas. The color is a moody blue that also has a lift to it – one that doesn't feel overpowering but rather encompassing. I also love its undertones, which can change depending on the color you pair with it.'

2. Opt for a classic, luxe bedroom

While many often stick to decorating with neutrals in bedrooms, dark paints can actually be just as calming, while also adding a sophisticated feel.

In this bedroom designed by Bethany Adams Interiors, Hague Blue is used across the walls while the white ceiling and fireplace provide contrast. Additionally, the pops of bold color through decor add a playful look to the dark tones of Hague Blue.

'In a recent project, I painted the primary bedroom, including a wall of built-in wardrobes Hague Blue for a look that the homeowners described as eclectic boutique hotel', shares Bethany. 'Equal parts relaxing and cool, Hague Blue is a wonderful backdrop to all sorts of other colors, ranging from pastel hues to bold brights, as seen in this vibrant bedroom.'

3. Use it in north-facing rooms

'Our ever-popular Hague Blue works a treat in north-facing rooms because of the underlying green note making it never feel too chilly,' says Patrick O'Donnell, Farrow & Ball color consultant and brand ambassador.

While dark, north-facing rooms are often decorated with light neutrals to counteract the darkness, Hague Blue proves that dark colors can be just as effective, so long as they have a warm undertone.

In this cozy bedroom, interior designer Paloma Contreras opted for Hague Blue across the walls, complementing the room's classic decor. 'We used Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue to create a cozy respite in a primary bedroom, providing a serene calm in a room where you need it most,' says Paloma.

If you have a north-facing bedroom, consider Hague Blue for a calming, cozy space that won't feel too harsh.

4. Make a statement with kitchen cabinets

Dark kitchens have seen plenty of popularity recently, creating a bold look in the heart of the home. If you're intrigued by this color trend, Hague Blue allows for all of the drama of dark hues yet ensures the space still feels warm and welcoming.

Whether you paint the walls or the kitchen cabinets as seen here in this modern kitchen designed by Samantha Ware Designs, Hague Blue will elevate your kitchen ideas and provide a fresh contrast from classic neutrals.

Marie Flanigan recommends contrasting the dark paint color with lighter tones and warm accents, ensuring a relaxed look. 'Balance the depth with lighter, neutral tones and incorporate ample natural light,' says Marie. 'Pairing it with metallic accents and warm woods can create a harmonious and inviting atmosphere.'

5. Create a cozy living room

Hague Blue will always make for a timeless color choice when used across living room walls. Resulting in a cozy and cocooning space, experts say this color is especially effective in small rooms.

'Hague Blue is a great addition to small rooms,' says Patrick O'Donnell. 'This is because it allows you to play with the limitations of space by embracing the dark through the use of moody, inky tones.'

When choosing color combinations for Hague Blue, Patrick recommends teaming it with dark green hues to fully embrace the warm and cozy scheme: 'In rooms where natural light is limited, dark blues and dark greens can make very happy partners – who said blue and green should never be seen? Try using Hague Blue on your walls with Studio Green on your woodwork.'

While some dark paint colors can overpower spaces and feel intense, Hague Blue is the opposite. This nuanced paint color with both blue and green tones provides enough warmth to ensure rooms feel warm and cozy, while still bringing a sense of drama. Whether your style follows traditional decorating ideas or modern decorating ideas, Hague Blue can be a go-to paint color.

Like many of us last night, I spent it in my unglamorous sweatpants scrolling through the internet giving my (unsolicited) opinions on the Met Gala outfits. It's become somewhat of a tradition, I am on UK time, so I take to bed with my phone and stay up as late as possible watching the guests arrive, seeing who's done what this year, what crazy beautiful outfits have been thought up, and how everyone has interpreted the theme – this year it was Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, with the more specific dress code of The Garden of Time.

The Met Gala never disappoints, but this year it felt extra magical. The outfits were some of the best I have seen in years and even the carpet itself was dressed in ethereal green and delicate foliage. 

Of course, I also look at the Met Gala with my interiors eye too, the whole theme fits with so many interior design trends we have seen in 2024. The darker jewel-toned colors, the influences from nature, romantic, fairytale-like styles. The fashion and interior design worlds are constantly influencing one another, so it's hardly a surprise I saw so many design trends everyone is loving reflected on the green carpet last night. 

Clearly, I wasn't the only one who was thinking interiors while taking in the Met Gala coverage. Iconic paint brand Farrow & Ball, posted the perfect Instagram post this morning, creating color and pattern palettes from the best looks of the Met Gala 2024. 

The post includes the outfits of Zendaya, Deborah Roberts, Gwendoline Christie, Giovanna Engelbert, Anok Yai, Imaan Hammam, Karlie Kloss, and Jamie Dornan. Each has been color-matched with a Farrow & Ball paint or wallpaper, and seeing the swatches really gives a clear idea of the palette of the event on the whole. There were so many rich jewel tones, dark reds, clashed with pale pastels.

'Fashion has influenced many Interior trends through color, materials, and silhouettes. From Quiet Luxury to The unexpected Red theory, fashion has played a significant role in shaping interiors in recent years,' explains Charlotte Cosby, Farrow & Ball's Creative Director.

'There was a definite ethereal, gothic feel to many of the looks for the 2024 MET GALA with nuanced shades of black and complex layering making multiple appearances on the red carpet. We wanted to select looks that represented everything, but we particularly enjoyed the abundance of color.'

'I had so much fun interpreting these fashion looks into interiors – with color anything can be your inspiration!  and hopefully these schemes will inspire people to be just as brave in their interiors. I'd love to see Zendaya's scheme come to life.' 

Zendaya's dress(es) was perhaps the most talked about of the evening, and thanks to Farrow & Ball her deep blue gown, by Maison Margiela’s John Galliano, has become the inspiration for my living room makeover. 

I've been wanting to move away from my white walls and create a room that feels more cozy and cocooning and this moody blue, slightly gothic color palette is perfect. A sample of Stiffkey Blue is on its way to me, and I love the mix of florals and stripes with the two wallpapers. There's an art to mixing pattern, but pairing a broad stripe with a busier, smaller pattern is a combo that always works. 

There's a gothic feel to this look that leans into the love of moody shades we are seeing in 2024 color trends, plus the revival of more ornate design styles like Regency and Victorian.  

I asked some of the H&G team for their favorite looks that transcend just fashion and would work just as well in interior design. Our editor Jennifer Ebert was drawn to the deep reds and how they often clashed with pale, softer pastel hues. 

She explains, 'Fashion’s obsession with unexpected red has been impossible to ignore in 2024, seen on the runway, the red carpet and more recently in our homes. But if you are at a loss with how to pair this energetic color, look no further than blue. Red and pale blue, as seen on Jamie Dornan, is a powerful duo that will pack a decorative punch. There is no better way to introduce a dose of dopamine to your home.'

Our head of celebrity, Megan Slack is obviously well versed in how celebrity style can have an impact on interior trends. She explains about her favorite look, 'Rising to significance in the 18th century, Toile de Jouy is a traditional French design that is celebrated globally for its storytelling of natural, wholesome scenes – but there’s no more beautiful (or vibrant) homage to this style than Deborah Roberts’s yellow gown.'

'This Harlem Toile x Mark Ingram piece features dreamlike nature-scape sketches that likely tap into the Garden of Time Met Gala theme. When bringing this into our home (most often through wallpaper), we should look for bucolic scenes that illustrate scenarios that we would consider simplistic in the contemporary world (however these were once an elevation of society/a dream). Or, naturally, Farrow & Ball’s Gable is another stunning alternative.'

Cola, by Farrow & Ball, isn't going to be everyone's first choice for a living room. As the name implies, it's a rich, dark brown, but its base of red pigments gives it a depth and the ability to pick up light – a little fizz, just like the soda it's named after. 

And I love it. It was the only choice for our living room color, a west-facing room without loads of natural light, where we hunker down, watch movies and TV, cuddle the puppies on a big squashy sofa. We wanted a color that made us cocoon. 

When older neighbors or relatives visit, their eyebrows shoot square off the top of their forehead. They can't understand why we've chosen such a deep and formidable shade. But then, it's not for them, it's for us, and it truly helped our house feel like a home. 'The rich color of Cola – being the reddest of our browns – is irresistible, feeling deliciously intimate and somehow grand at the same time,' says Farrow & Ball's Color Curator and in-house guru Joa Studholme. And it's the perfect way to describe the shade.

But then we made a tiny tweak to the paint choice and suddenly it went from fantastic to utterly, wonderfully incredible. A decision I would advise anyone and everyone to make every time they're using a Farrow and Ball color going forward, one that has the blessing of the brand's color experts, whose opinions I hold so dear. And that was simply to change the finish, to choose a newer and more perfect option. Let me explain about Dead Flat... 

'Life is too short for white ceilings,' the London-based interior designer Stephanie Barba Mendoza told me recently. And on the whole, I agree with her. It would have been too stark to go for a classic white ceiling color, too big a contrast with the Cola walls. I've been delighted with our choice of Farrow & Ball's Jitney instead, a sandy beige paint that has similar brown and red undertones, and provides a softer pairing than, say, All White would have done (I wasn't brave enough to color drench with Cola. There's being embraced by a color, and there's being oppressed!).

I also love how intimate the living room feels in this color. 'That feeling of being cocooned is so important,' Stephanie said when talking about 'brave' color choices she made in her own home, and the Cola does seem to draw us all together, especially in the evenings. And in the day, it feels cool, like an antechamber you might shelter from the sun in. I stand by the color choice wholeheartedly.

There have been slight setbacks with my paint choice, however. You know those dogs I mentioned? They ruined the paintwork. This is meant to be the chilled room, where they're not allowed to play, but you try telling that to two boisterous puppies who often have more energy than decorum. 

By roughhousing across the sofa, body slamming each other into the walls and catching the paint on their collars (and probably teeth) they've scuffed it, chipped it and just generally made it lose its sheen. You can see the smears in the image above. 

For the record, I find Farrow & Ball to be a pretty hardwearing paint brand, on the whole. I have it in other spaces that are high-traffic but just aren't where the dogs playfight, and when it gets the occasional mark I've been able to dab it off with a damp cloth. But these two mutts proved to be too much.

And so, two years after it was painted, I've had it repainted, in exactly the same color, but this time in Farrow & Ball's new Dead Flat finish, which was only released last year (I previously used the brand's classic Modern Estate Emulsion). The result is game-changing. 

It was so easy to apply that even I, the least handy person I know, was able to do it without getting a single drip on my clothes. Not one! It goes on every surface – walls, trim, woodwork, the lot. It's easily wipeable! It's been six weeks now and it's still pristine, each minor scuff coming away instantly with a damp cloth.  

And it has the perfect matte sheen to it that catches the light in the most amazing way – check out the picture above (and excuse the dog blanket in a vague attempt to save the sofa from being ruined any further). Suddenly, Cola has gone from being a rich color to a rich color that has the ability to make the light dance across it.

'In our Dead Flat finish, [Cola] is particularly spectacular, with its fantastically soft flat finish looking like velvet, creating walls that you feel you could dive into!' says Joa Studholme, and she's not in the least bit wrong. 

Had this paint finish been available when I first painted the room, I'd have used it then. Now I'm using it in every space in the house – Jitney in Dead Flat has just been used to color drench my bedroom.

'Many of us are drawn to a flat finish for their innate subtlety and discretion – but as a rule they haven’t been the most durable finish for high traffic/busy households,' says Patrick O'Donnell, Farrow & Ball's International Brand Ambassador and a color guru in his own right. 

'The rule of thumb is the higher the sheen, the tougher the finish. However, Farrow & Ball has developed the flattest, most durable finish on the market in our reformulated, multi-surface Dead Flat, which has a scrub class rating of 1 and is both washable and wipeable, meaning you can introduce a flat finish into some of the most demanding areas of your home.'

Traditionally, designers and homeowners have used Emulsion for walls and ceiling and eggshell or gloss on trim. 'However, you can use Dead Flat across wood, metal, and woodwork to create a seamless flow of color in the same 2% sheen level through a whole room,' Patrick adds. 'For a fully immersive color-drenching experience.' 

And I can attest, it's worth it. 

It's spring, naturally yellow is a color we associate with this fresh, floral-infused season. However, the love for yellow is going beyond a short-lived crush. It's been slowly on the rise for a while now but looks set to take the crown of that much-overused phrase the 'new neutral.'

Because yellow, especially in some of its palest forms can be used like a neutral. And we think that's why it's gaining so much traction now. Color trends for 2024 are out with the cool and in with the... magnolia. Well, almost. There has been a huge revival in cream this year as it sheds its 90s skin and becomes a color we all want to decorate with again. Yellow is just one step up from cream – warm, welcoming, uplifting. 

'Anyone remember how we couldn’t get enough of yellow in the 90s? Well, time to find the love again as yellow, when used in the right room in the right shade, brings nothing but joy,' explains Patrick O'Donnell, International Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball.

But where do you start when decorating with yellow? The best yellow paint picked by designers is a good jumping-off point. From barely there buttery yellows, to bolder hues that pack a punch, these are the best shades tried and tested by designers.

1. Yellow Clover, Benjamin Moore

'White kitchens will always be classic but sometimes a pop of color can really give a space the personality it needs. I love painting cabinets a strong color when clients are brave enough to go for it. If they are hesitant, I like to paint upper cabinets alone or even just an island,' explains Gideon Mendelson, Founder and Creative Director of Mendelson Group.

'For this kitchen we designed in the North Fork of Long Island, we stained the lower oak cabinets and painted the upper cabinets and island Benjamin Moore’s Yellow Clover, 375, in a satin finish. I love the warmth it brings into the space and how it connects to some of the elements in the adjacent living space.'

2. Citrona, Farrow & Ball

'I love a yellow with a bit of green in it--something that could lean chartreuse in the right light – because it pairs beautifully with blues and lavenders. In this powder room I used Kelly Wearstler's Citrona for Farrow and Ball on the ceiling, door and trim to punch up the neutral sketchiness of Schumacher's "Toile de Femme" wallpaper,' explains designer Bethany Adams.

'Paired with a hand-poured navy concrete basin and rough-hewn slate flooring, the overall effect is edgy and modern, which is not what would typically come to mind when you think "yellow powder room" and I love that about it.'

3. Yellow Pink, Little Greene

'I like my yellows to be warm and bright but not primary,' explains designer Benji Lewis. 'If there’s a hint of gray to a yellow then I’d likely avoid it. Little Greene’s Yellow Pink is great for my purposes because it’s timelessly good.'

'Much as I’d avoid a yellow that goes gray’ish I’d also likely step away from a yellow that’s too pale, it’d make me feel like I’m suffocating in the squidgy middle of a custard cream and no one wants to suffocate in a custard cream.'

4. Babouche, Farrow & Ball

'Farrow & Ball's Babouche yellow paint adds a burst of sunshine and warmth to any space, This shade of yellow has a depth that avoids the sharpness some yellows can have, instead providing a rich backdrop that complements both light and dark furniture,' explains Kristen Rivoli of Kristen Rivoli Interior Design.

'It also acts as a wonderful canvas for artwork and decorative pieces, allowing them to stand out, while its vibrancy can make a room feel more spacious and illuminated.'

Patrick O'Donnell adds, 'Babouche is the richest and most joyous of our bright yellows and makes for the most wonderful cabinetry color for your kitchen units. If that's not enough drama, introduce a splash of Railings in full gloss to your kitchen island or larder press. Keep everything else super simple with walls and woodwork in our muted Slipper Satin.'

5. Auric, Sherwin Williams

'We love saturated colors that make a bold statement, so when it comes to yellow we tend to go big or go home. A great example of this is Auric by Sherwin Williams. It is a rich marigold color that casts a wonderfully warm glow,' says Sarah Stacey of Sarah Stacey Interior Design.

6. Day Room Yellow, Farrow & Ball

'Dayroom Yellow from Farrow & Ball exudes an irresistible charm. With its bright, invigorating tone reminiscent of a sun-drenched day, it effortlessly revitalizes any space, much like the sun illuminates the day,' says Julie Anne Burch.

7. Antiqued Bronze, Benjamin Moore

'The golden age of paint is here! Our newest favorites for this season are varying shades of goldish sunflower tones,' says founder of Folding Chair Design, Jennifer Walter. 'Forget the elementary school cinder blocks walls! These deep, moody shades are perfect for smaller spaces like powder rooms, office, nooks, entries, and mudrooms.  They are also fabulous contrast colors on cabinetry.'

'My top three are, Benjamin Moore Antique Bronze (used in this boot room), Sherwin Williams Renwick Golden Oak and Sherwin Williams Gallant Gold.'

8. Hay, Farrow & Ball

'Farrow & Ball provides excellent coverage, durability, and aesthetic appeal, making them one of my top choices for interior design projects. They make wonderful yellow paints. These warm, inviting shades add vibrancy and coziness to any room. The rich golden undertones create a cheerful ambiance, perfect for living rooms or bedrooms. I personally like Hay and Pale Hound best,' says designer Nataly Bolshavoka

9. Cotton Tail, Benjamin Moore

'I love Cotton Tail from Benjamin Moore when in search of a subtle touch of yellow warmth. This paint color is very light and airy, but also cheerful with decidedly warm undertones. It's like a sunbeam just barely touching your walls and it's perfect for contrasting with bolder earth tones like terracotta, moss green, teak,' says designer Kathy Kuo. 

If you want to know which paints are worth your spend, interior designers are the people to ask. And one of the paint brands they love to include in their designs is Farrow & Ball.

Even if you haven’t used the company’s paints, you might have heard of their fabulously named colors, like Dead Salmon or Hague Blue. But what are the reasons why Farrow & Ball is worth it in the opinions of the professionals, and – aside from being intrigued by the names – why might you want to follow suit when painting a room in your home? 

To find out, we put the question to the interior experts and this is what they told us.

Reasons to use Farrow & Ball paint

When you’re searching for paint ideas, it’s great to see what interior designers select. Interior designers’ favorite Farrow & Ball colors include shades you may have heard of already even if you haven’t tried them, but here they explain why Farrow & Ball paint is worth investing in generally – inspiration to check out all the hues in the range.

1. Color favorite

Marie Flanigan of Marie Flanigan Interiors frequently opts for Farrow & Ball’s paints, and there’s one color in particular she’s using currently. 

‘Farrow and Ball paint, renowned for its exceptional quality, is a brand that I am constantly using in client homes,’ she says. ‘Most recently, my team and I have been using Farrow and Ball’s Dead Salmon color, but don’t let the name fool you. Dead Salmon is a gorgeous hue with a subtle blend of pink and gray undertones that make it incredibly versatile, effortlessly transitioning between traditional and contemporary aesthetics. 

‘Whether being used on the walls of a sophisticated living room or bringing warmth to a quaint office, Dead Salmon infuses spaces with a rich depth that captivates and adds interest.’

2. Sophisticated shades

For Angela Hamwey, owner and creative director of Mackenzie & Co, the company’s paint colors offer what she’s looking for.

‘As interior designers, it is our job to understand and predict the trends for the design world,’ she says. ‘Right now, I think we can all agree that the stark whites and grays are out and we are seeing more people gravitating towards color. We find that Farrow & Ball has the perfect tones. As an English-inspired design studio, it is crucial that we select the perfect tone when adding color to a space. We tend to lean toward moodier tones where the colors do not seem “primary” and that have a sense of sophistication to them. 

‘In our opinion, there are certain spaces that need color, especially mudrooms. In our Apple Lane project (shown above), we used Farrow & Ball French Gray for the cabinetry and trim color. While being a neutral color, Farrow & Ball captured a green undertone which is a great option for a client considering color but not wanting something bold. ’

3. Beautiful blues

Katie Davis of Katie Davis Design is an enthusiast. ‘I always try to use Farrow & Ball in my projects,’ she says. ‘They have the best, richest colors. There’s nothing quite like it on the market. 

‘In this project we used Borrowed Light in the primary bedroom – a go-to soft blue that we love. This color is calm and classic, adds a pop but isn’t overwhelming.’

4. Rich finish

For Mark Williams and Niki Papadopoulos of Williams Papadopoulos Design, the depth of color is a reason to choose the paint. 

‘Farrow & Ball paint offers a color range that is unique, rich, and provides a depth in hue that provides an elevated sophistication to interiors,’ they say. ‘In this project, we specified Farrow and Ball’s Bancha, a deep fresh green that makes a statement with its rich color.’

5. Couture choice

Farrow & Ball’s paints are worth it for the discerning paint buyer, according to Gaia Guidi Filippi, owner of Gaia G Interiors.

‘Farrow & Ball can be seen as a “couture” line of paint, and just like a couture fashion house, you aren’t just paying for a high quality product, but for a legacy and a level of research and expertise that speaks very much to the most discerning tastes,’ she says. 

‘Farrow & Ball’s pigmented colors are so unique and so evocative, each one has a way of creating a whole mood. Redecorating and remodeling are expensive endeavors and I feel that, in the grand scheme of these expenses, paint is the absolute least of them and yet it has such an enormous impact. 

‘If you select a Farrow & Ball color for a project, chances are that you were intensely drawn to that color for its depth and nuance. In my experience, once I have selected a color from this brand, nothing else will do.’

6. Eco credentials

Interior designer Artem Kropovinsky considers Farrow & Ball’s paints worth it for their eco credentials, along with their other features. 

‘Its high quality and unique color depth characteristics make it the number one choice for the projects where these features play a crucial role, which makes the paint more expensive, though for those who value incomparable color and finish in their designs it is worth every cent,’ says Artem.

But he equally praises its eco-friendly qualities – as do his clients. ‘It is a good investment for eco-conscious clients due to its low VOCs and high quality and environmentally friendly ingredients,’ he says.

7. Made to last

For Kathy Kuo, founder at Kathy Kuo Home, it’s paint that offers great durability. ‘Ideally, you want your interior paint to look fresh and beautiful for years to come so it really is worth it to invest a little more in high quality paint like Farrow & Ball,’ she says.

‘Farrow & Ball is known for its meticulous color development process and high quality materials and formulas; you’re ultimately going to get a deeper and more precise color and a finish that is going to look like new for longer.’

If you follow the lead of these interior designers and opt for Farrow & Ball paint for your interior, think paint finishes as well as colors for a look that lasts. Choose a finish that can stand up to heavy traffic for entryway paint ideas and kids’ room paint, and one that will tolerate humidity for kitchens and bathroom paint ideas.

Farrow & Ball is endlessly popular among interior designers. Known for creating richly pigmented paint formulas across a wide range of timeless, liveable colors, it's no surprise that this brand is chosen by interior designers time after time. 

From nuanced shades of dark black to off-white; calming blues to earthy greens, Farrow & Ball paints cover the whole range of colors, which work seamlessly in the home across many interior design styles. 

To highlight some of the brand's most loved shades, we've rounded up real home interiors that use Farrow & Ball paints in their color scheme, whether that's bold and saturated or muted and pared-back. 

Farrow & Ball paints in real homes

If you're looking for timeless room color ideas, these interior schemes will no doubt have you covered in the way of inspiration.

1. Light Blue

Interior design studio HÁM Interiors used Farrow & Ball's Light Blue across the shiplap boarding in the living room of this recent loft project. 

'Each tone was carefully chosen to complement the coastal surroundings,' explains founder and principal designer Tom Cox. 'The colors have a powdery, mineral quality that creates warmth. On a lovely sunny day, they feel fresh and uplifting, but in the winter, when the log burner is going, they're really cozy.'

2. Berrington Blue

In the same loft project designed by HÁM Interiors, the bedroom features Farrow & Ball's Berrington Blue across the walls and ceiling. Described by Farrow & Ball as a 'blackened' mid-blue, this paint color has a deeply calming quality which makes it the perfect bedroom color idea. 

3. Railings

Although blue paints appear to be some of Farrow & Ball's most popular, its selection of dark and moody hues is equally as vast. Interior designer Bethany Adams used Railings, an off-black with blue undertones, in this entryway. Below, she shares why this paint was the perfect color choice to complement an original antique wallpaper in this 1800s home. 

'I used Farrow and Ball's Railings with the original late 1800s Zuber wallcovering in this Louisville, Kentucky mansion to frame the pictorial paper and make the rest of the space recede. As a result, the antique wallpaper jumps off the walls and to life. Even though it is well over a hundred years old, and has suffered some inevitable damage, by keeping the contrasting color strong the effect is dramatic, and since the color is Farrow and Ball, the black steers clear of anything approaching Hollywood glam, instead providing a quietly luxurious backdrop to a heritage print.'

4. Vardo

Interior designer Matthew Williamson used Farrow & Ball's Vardo, a teal color, on one wall in this living room, acting as the room's focal point. To ensure a liveable feel, the more understated Blue Ground is used on the other walls. 

'This project was inspired by a turquoise, very traditional Indian rug that my client had and was keen to keep,' explains Matthew. 'The whole room came from the rug. There are two shades of blue that pick up the turquoise of the rug: Farrow & Ball Vardo on the fireplace and Blue Ground on the walls and ceiling. Color is a no-brainer for the wow factor. It really does make the room alive and jewel-like.'

5. Green Smoke

One of the most popular Farrow & Ball paint colors, Green Smoke is a slightly muted yet deep shade of green that interior designer Natalia Miyar used in this home office. 

Farrow and Ball is such a favorite of mine,' says Natalia. 'Their range of colors is varied, nuanced, and original. In the office of this garden house, I used Green Smoke. This deep green provides the perfect backdrop to a sun-drenched window, overlooking the lush green of the garden. I love the richness and depth it creates in this small space.'

6. Borrowed Light

Farrow & Ball's Borrowed Light is a pale blue paint that makes a great choice for a bright and airy interior scheme. Betsy Wentz of Betsy Wentz Interior Design used this shade in this spacious bathroom.  

'We selected Farrow & Ball's Borrowed Light for many of the walls in our Winter Cove, Maine project,' explains Betsy. 'It’s a great neutral with soft blue undertones. Borrowed Light has a peaceful almost ethereal feel that works equally well in rooms that have a lot of natural light and those that don’t.'

7. Brinjal

Dark aubergine tones are a color trend that's perfect for creating cozy and sophisticated spaces. But rather than using these rich colors across the walls, they can be used in smaller doses as an accent color, as demonstrated by OWL Interior Design who used Farrow & Ball's Brinjal on the skirting and architraves in this neutral bedroom. 

8. Shadow White

The array of white paints is vast, and finding the most flattering one for a specific space can set the tone for the whole room. Natalia Miyar opted for Farrow & Ball's Shadow White in this media room, and shares below that it has a warming quality that ensures the room feels cozy. 

'Color is integral to my practice and I believe that taking the time to find the perfect shade and tone is so worthwhile. Farrow & Ball's Shadow White has a warmth and softness that elevates this media room. Coupled with beautiful natural light and organic textures, this shade creates a space that feels sophisticated and inviting rather than stark and cold.'

9. De Nimes

This relaxing bedroom designed by Hearth Homes Interiors uses Farrow & Ball's De Nimes on the walls, a subtle and toned-down shade of blue. 

'We love De Nimes by Farrow & Ball because of the richness and depth the color provides,' shares Katie Labourdette-Martinez, co-founder of the California design firm. 'It’s a deep blue that brings the beauty of a space into focus while simultaneously creating an effortlessly polished finish.'

10. Cromarty

Continuing the theme of relaxing bedrooms, Farrow & Ball's Cromarty is another go-to shade that was used in this bedroom designed by Samantha Ware Designs.

A muted grayish green, Cromarty creates a calming and pared-back interior scheme. Below, the founder of the interior design studio Samantha Stathis-Lynch explains why she frequently turns to this paint color. 

Speaking of Cromarty, the designer explains that she has 'used it in several projects over the years including my own bedroom', adding that it 'creates a calm and serene atmosphere.'

'The pale green with gray undertones feels evocative of misty days on the water, serene and still, which is perfect for a restful night's sleep but soft enough for blissful mornings.'

11. Elephant's Breath

When decorating with neutrals, designers point to Farrow & Ball's Elephant's Breath which is a warm gray, meaning it doesn't feel cold which is often the risk when decorating with gray. 

'We love using Farrow and Ball paints because the pigments in the hues and tones are deep and rich, no matter if you are working with a soft yellow, a taupe gray or inky blue,' says Kristen Fiore, owner and principal designer at Kristen Elizabeth Design.

The designer used Elephant's Breath in this modern living room, providing a sense of warmth to the spacious room. 'We created a cozy family room space by covering all three walls in the warmth of the taupe-mauve Elephant's Breath.'

12. Teresa's Green

This traditional bathroom designed by Brittney Ferguson Interiors uses Farrow & Ball's Teresa’s Green on the trim and cabinets. An aqua color, Teresa's Green is reminiscent of the ocean and creates a clean and refreshing interior scheme. 

While this paint color appears more of a light blue here, in other lighting conditions it can lean more toward the green color family. 

13. Stony Ground

Farrow & Ball's Stony Ground is a rich beige paint with a subtle amount of red undertones that add warmth to a neutral scheme, such as this kitchen designed by Natalia Miyar. The designer says that this paint color pairs beautifully with the kitchen's warm metals, as well as the turquoise kitchen cabinets. 

'One of the most important parts of introducing color into a room is creating balance and harmony with your palette,' shares Natalia. 'I love how this Farrow & Ball Stony Ground doesn’t compete but subtly enhances the warm copper finishes and striking turquoise in this kitchen.'

14. Oval Room Blue

Another favorite of Farrow & Ball's blue paints is Oval Room Blue, which OWL Design used on the vanity unit in this bathroom. Contrasted with the room's crisp white fixtures, a restful feel is created. 

Featuring the most black tones of all the brand's range of blue paints, Oval Room Blue has an 'aged' look, according to Farrow & Ball. Unlike some blue paints which are vibrant and stimulating, Oval Room Blue has a subdued quality which makes it liveable throughout the home and easy to pair with lots of interior design styles. 

15. School House White

Lastly, School House White is a favorite Farrow & Ball white paint among designers. A flattering off-white color, School House White creates a light and airy feel yet avoids looking stark. 

This versatile white paint was used in this entryway designed by Samantha Ware Designs, creating an understated base for the more colorful artwork. 

'School House White provides the perfect neutral backdrop to any space,' says Samantha Stathis-Lynch. 'Something of an anomaly, the soft hue is neither warm nor cool, creating a timelessness that can work with all types of architecture.'

Whether used as a neutral backdrop or as a bold accent color, Farrow & Ball paints are widely used by designers to create cozy and welcoming spaces. Whether you love bold shades or prefer a pared-back scheme, these paint colors are balanced to ensure a liveable feel. 

Described as 'just off white' by Farrow & Ball, Wimborne White is a white paint that has more to offer than you might first assume.

A firm favorite white paint in the interior design world and one of the most popular Farrow & Ball paints, Wimborne White is used time after time by designers, and for good reason. But why exactly is this classic white paint so flattering? 

To learn more about what this white paint has to offer, we enlisted the expertise of color specialists and interior designers to understand what makes Wimborne White so popular.

What color is Wimborne White? 

Wimborne White is an off-white paint with slightly more warmth to it than pure white. It has a very subtle yellow tone, making it slightly cozier than Farrow & Ball's similar All White. 

'Wimborne White is an empathetic white with a touch of yellow,' explains Patrick O'Donnell, color expert at Farrow & Ball.

Affirming it as one of the best white paints for home decor ideas, interior designer Betsy Wentz, founder of Pennsylvania-based Betsy Wentz Interior Design, comments on the versatility of Wimborne White: 'Farrow & Ball's Wimborne White is a great all-around neutral that can be used for anything from walls and ceilings; to trim and cabinets.'

The beauty of this warm white paint is that it can make rooms feel brighter and more spacious when used correctly. Since some white paints have cooler undertones, they can fail to achieve a cozy feel. Wimborne White, on the other hand, is the 'perfect choice to make rooms appear bigger and brighter without looking too chilly,' according to Patrick.

To lean into a bright and spacious look when decorating with white, Patrick advises color-drenching the walls with Wimborne White instead of paring it with another paint color: 'To increase the appearance of space, carry the color up and onto the ceiling and avoid using contrasting colors.' 

3 ways to decorate with Wimborne White

White paint is used far and wide, across many interior design styles. From modern decor ideas to traditional decor ideas, it is one of the most classic paint colors, and landing on the right shade of white paint can set the tone for the whole space. 

'There are so many off-whites available,' says interior designer Kyle O'Donnell, founder and principal at NYC-based design studio Gramercy Design. 'But Wimborne White never fails to be warm in any level of brightness.'

The subtle warmth of Wimborne White makes it a good paint choice if you're aiming to achieve a bright and 'true white' look, yet the warm tones ensure the space feels inviting rather than stark.

Below, we've rounded up three rooms in the home to decorate with Wimborne White, for a classic and pared-back look. 

1. Create a timeless living room

White will always be a classic choice for a living room. Keeping the walls understated ensures a light and airy look while it allows you to introduce pops of color through the furniture. 

Wimborne White is Kyle O'Donnell's favorite white paint, so much so that he used it to decorate the walls in his own living room. He comments that it has a flattering finish which makes this white paint a go-to choice for social spaces in the home: 'It is perfect in a living room, dining room, or any place where one would entertain.'

2. Use Wimborne White in a calming bedroom

For a relaxing bedroom free from stimulating colors, white walls can aid in creating a claiming sleep space. Wimborne White makes for an effective bedroom color choice, and Patrick explains that it interacts with light nicely for added appeal: 

'This gentle white bounces light beautifully around a room and makes a great, calming addition to a bedroom.'

3. Create a fresh and tranquil bathroom

You certainly can't go wrong with white bathroom ideas. A color widely used in bathrooms, it's all about getting the right shade of white for a tranquil feel. White paint with too much coolness can create a clinical look in a bathroom, but Wimborne White will provide the brightness of white while its slight yellow tones give it an inviting feel. 

Embraced by designers for its gentle look, Wimborne White is a great all-rounder when it comes to white paints. From decorating with this shade in a pared-back living room or calming bedroom, you can't go wrong with this flattering paint. We explore more white room ideas in our dedicated feature.

The style expertise of Queer Eye star Tan France extends beyond his primary realm within the fashion industry, but indeed into the world of interior design, too.

Featuring as a guest on Farrow & Ball's recently launched color-centric podcast The Chromologist, Tan joined podcast host Patrick O'Donnell in a candid discussion about how his memories have been shaped by color; discussing a selection of standout shades that are significant to him.

Within them, Tan placed an emphasis on decorating with brown, a color trend that's been gaining momentum across interiors in recent months. Choosing Farrow & Ball's Red Earth as a color he associates with his youth, Tan explains how these red-leaning browns are reminiscent of home decor growing up in the eighties. 

Fast forward to the present day, and it's fair to say that brown interiors have had somewhat of a revival. Transitioning from red-toned browns associated with retro colors, we're now seeing more muted browns that exude warmth lead the way.

Having recently renovated his Salt Lake City family home, Tan talks about how he incorporated brown into its decor scheme, putting a new spin on this nostalgic hue. 

'Today, I love a brown and in my guest cottage there’s a lot of green but there’s also a heck of a lot of brown,' shares Tan. 'I think there’s a way of using brown that is gorgeous and sophisticated.'

When selecting a specific paint for Tan based on his discussed personal experience with color, Patrick settled on Farrow & Ball's Tanner's Brown, a deeply rich shade of brown that reads almost like charcoal. Patrick describes this bold paint idea as a 'really sophisticated, almost blackish brown.'

While Tan admits he's had to transition the way he thinks about brown decor over the years – from a dated hue to one fit for modern design, it's a color he now sees as incredibly stylish: ‘I love brown now, and I will find a way to incorporate it that I feel really chic in.’

Color expert Patrick is also full of its praises: 'I believe everybody who decorates their home should have at least one brown room because I think it is the smartest color.'

Patrick continues to elaborate on this trending shade, explaining that it has its advantages over other popular moody hues such as greens and blues, in that it is full of warmth.

When 'people use darks, they'll use dark blue, they'll use dark green, they might even use off-black,' says Patrick, but adds that 'there’s more of a coolness' to these colors. 'But if you use a dark brown, there’s drama but there’s a warmth too which you don’t get with other colors.’

If, like Tan, you're won over by the sophisticated appeal of decorating with brown, why not consider refreshing your home with brown paint? To help you on your way, we've rounded up the best brown paints that interior designers love using for moody and cozy schemes. 

White paint may seem like the simplest of colors to decorate with, after all, it is the most popular color to use in the home, but it can actually be one of the most complex, as there are hundreds of different shades to choose from.

From whites with cool and warm undertones, to picking a shade that works with the light levels and the other colors present in the rest of the room, there is a range of different factors to consider before you start decorating with white.

So, we have spoken with a collection of designers and paint experts who have shared their advice on how you can choose the best white paint for your white room ideas.

How to choose the best white paint 

White is one of the most timeless and popular colors to use for paint ideas in interior design, and judging exactly the right shade that you need requires careful consideration, so our paint experts are on hand to help you with your journey to find the best white paint for your home.

1. Always check your white paint against a true white

Joa Studholme, color curator at Farrow & Ball shares her expertise on the nuances of sourcing the right white paint shade, with Farrow & Ball white paints in mind.

‘Choose your white depending on whether you want a subtle, muted feel or a fresh, graphic scheme. The best way to "read" a white is by putting a pure white behind it so you see the underlying color. It is impossible to judge the color bias without this contrast.'

'White can indeed be dramatic if it is used in a very single-minded way on both walls and woodwork or if it is contrasted with a really dark tone. White full gloss on walls or ceilings creates a really strong statement that is right on trend.'

'The cooler whites like our  Wevet, Blackened, and Strong White pack more of a punch than the warmer tones which are designed to soften spaces. Red- and yellow-based whites like Dimity and White Tie are always deemed to be gentler and pretty, so are often popular in bedrooms, while simple Pointing and Wimborne White never fail in kitchens, which most people want to be the lightest space in their house.’

2. Test the white paint in all different lights

‘The wrong white can look stark, drab or can have undertones that simply don't work with your chosen wall color,’ says Helen Shaw, director at Benjamin Moore. ‘It’s also important to understand how the appearance of colors tends to shift throughout the day with the changing tones in natural daylight, as well as with different artificial light sources.'

'White paints are especially prone to taking on different tonalities from morning to evening. Be sure to test your color before taking the plunge. Our US pint-size tester pots are deliberately large – it means you can paint a large area out on several walls (or on some lining paper) and check the color at different times of day, in different weather conditions and with your particular artificial lighting, too,' explains Helen.

'Choosing a warmer hue works particularly well in a dark shaded space, thanks to the pink undertones, especially when layered with natural colors and textures in throws, pillows and fabrics. In rooms with a lot of natural light, any underlying warm tones in white paint - like yellow, red, or brown - will be amplified to create a creating a soft, calming feel.'

3. Don't assume one white paint suits all your rooms

Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux shares her expert advice, explaining that ‘White is one of the most popular colors in the world and so it’s no wonder there are so many to choose from. The simplest white of all is just called White and you can buy it at all DIY stores. If you want your simple white crisp and zingy, opt for Pure Brilliant White or Absolute White.'

'The best advice on finding the perfect white paint is to remember that the same white will look different in other rooms and so you may have to choose more than one if you want white throughout your home.’

4. Check the room's orientation to judge its warmth

‘There are no rules when it comes to white paint,’ counters Jane Ryder, European marketing director at Valspar. ‘White is an incredibly versatile color, perfect for any room – you can pair it with literally any other color for a fresh but striking aesthetic.'

'When you think of white paint you probably think of a brilliant, bright shade, but the truth is there are so many different hues that you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

'For lighter, south-facing rooms, cooler white hues such as Fresh Beginning and Spring Respite are perfect to reflect the sunlit environment and enhance an airy feel. Alternatively, soft whites with hints of pink and gold like our shade Milk and Honey are brilliant for adding warmth, and depth and opening up smaller rooms, particularly in white bedrooms. For larger spaces, I’d recommend opting for a neutral white like Seven Sisters to help to lift the space without making it feel too sterile.’

5. Understand the importance of undertones

Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene advises, 'When selecting a white shade, firstly, consider the undertones within the color as this may not be immediately obvious and yet will have an impact on the overall finish. 

'A blue-based white will make a room feel brighter and cooler, a brown-based white or a white with a hint of yellow will bring warmth and coziness to a space, a green-based white will bring a fresh feel to a room and an off-white will provide a more subtle, muted tone.'

6. Take into consideration the other colors and materials in the space

Andy Greenhall, head of design at Paint & Paper Library says, 'Always take into account other colors you will be using within the room and of course existing tones, you can then choose a complementary white.'

'For example, if you are looking for a warm scheme to sit in a room with existing pinks and dark woods then a white with a pink, and red oxide base will be most suitable. If the room has natural materials such as oak floors or sisal, then a warm white would be most appropriate. If a room has concrete floors, a warmer white also will ensure the room does not feel too harsh.'

Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams also supports this and says, ‘If your accessories are on the warm side of the spectrum, choose a white with warm undertones like creamy buttery or beige shades.'

'White paints also work well with other neutrals. Cool whites have blue or gray overtones and pair well with shades like blue, gray and violet. Pure whites have little to no undertones meaning they can work well with all colors but are usually reserved for trims, doors, shelves and other architectural elements.’

Shop our picks of the best white paint below

Choosing the best white paint for your space depends very much on how much natural light your room gets, the tone of the natural light (warm or cool), and the other colors you will be introducing into the room. 

It also depends on the effect you want to create when you paint a wall, for example, warm whites will make a space feel cozier than cooler whites which look more formal. If in doubt, pick a Pure White, such as the shade by Sherwin Williams; or a shade such as White Dove by Benjamin Moore, which is a warm white that suits both cool and warm daylight.

If you're anything like us here at Homes & Gardens, you're seemingly continually inspired by the use of color in home decor – intrigued by its power to shape how a space looks and feels.

Delving into this topic in great detail is Farrow & Ball, who this week announced the launch of its very own color-centric podcast. Named The Chromologist, the podcast is a personal exploration of color trends, exploring how color makes our spaces so unique. 

The series is hosted by Farrow & Ball brand ambassador Patrick O'Donnell, where each week he talks to a prominent guest from the design world. In each episode, they discuss standout colors that are significant to them, informed by their own past experiences and memories. 

'I’m always delighted by the response when we talk about color and the power of design on social media,' says Patrick O'Donnell. 'I could talk about design all day, and our followers regularly tell us they want more. So, it felt like a perfect next step to turn those conversations into a podcast and invite all these inspiring people to join me.'

'It’s amazing how much color can resonate and remind of times, whether good or bad, and create these little intimate stories that our wonderful guests were happy to share,' Patrick tells H&G. 

Guests on the podcast have so far included fashion designer and Netflix's Queer Eye star Tan France; retail guru Mary Portas; and The Secret Lives of Colour author Kassia St Clair.

Upcoming guests on the series are set to include former Vogue fashion director Lucinda Chambers; Australian chef Skye Gyngell; and fashion designer Christopher John Rogers, co-creator of Farrow & Ball's Carte Blanche collection, amongst other exciting names.

The Chromologist podcast is available to listen to now at Farrow & Ball and on Spotify.