'It has that richness and depth which instantly brings character into a space' – how to decorate with Farrow & Ball's beloved Brinjal

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.