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Farrow and ball bedroom colors


60+ Farrow and Ball paint colours in real homes

Our favourite Farrow and Ball paint colours

Paul Massey

Long beloved of interior designers, Farrow & Ball paint has a near cult following for its array of water-based, eco-friendly paints, that are packed with rich pigments which give a deep tonality to walls. But, with 132 colours in the palette, including almost 50 neutrals, as well as their signature dark hues, a little guidance and inspiration can help. It's one thing to look at a paint chart and think a colour is nice, but in our experience, you need to see the colours in real life to understand why the vibrant, joyous hue of ‘India Yellow’ is so popular and what makes elegant, understated ‘Setting Plaster’ the perfect pink. Drawing from some of our favourite houses, we have pulled together more than 60 of the best Farrow & Ball paints, to offer a broad gallery of paint inspiration and counsel.

We spoke to Joa Studholme, Farrow and Ball’s Colour Curator and all-round paint expert, for her top tips on choosing the right Farrow and Ball paint for your house (and you can see Joa’s own house in Somerset here).

How to work with natural light

The first thing to assess is where light is coming into the room, and from which direction. “Light is your friend when it comes to decorating – do not fight what nature has given you,” Joa explains. “Large, light rooms are best suited to lighter tones while stronger colours bring small dark rooms to life. The quality of the light will change how you perceive the colour, so you need to think about what time of day you will use the space as well as whether it faces north, south, east or west.” For example, there’s no point painting a south-facing room a colour that works with the daylight if you only use that room in the evening.

For rooms you tend to use in the evenings – i.e. when there is no natural light streaming in through the windows and you’re likely to rely on lamps and electric lighting in general, then “you can afford to choose a much stronger colour. This will create an intimate cosy space as it will be artificially lit anyway, while rooms you work in during the day probably will benefit from being kept light. In that case you still need to consider whether the room would benefit from warm undertones or if you want to embrace cool light.”

Best Farrow & Ball paint for south-facing rooms

When it comes to the direction a room faces, Joa advises that “south-facing rooms are often the easiest to decorate as they are filled with warm light for most of the day. Pale soft tones like ‘Cromarty’, ‘Pink Ground’, ‘Hay’ or ‘Skimmed Milk White’ will maximise the feeling of light and space, while the slightly stronger ‘Blue Gray’, ‘French Gray’, ‘Setting Plaster’, ‘Sudbury Yellow’ and ‘Bone’ will all glow in south light.”

Best Farrow & Ball paint for north-facing rooms

“North-facing rooms tend to bring out the green in all colours,” explains Joa, “so if you want to avoid this then look to warm based neutrals like ‘Jitney’, ‘Oxford Stone’ or ‘Stony Ground’. Alternatively embrace the cooler north light by using stronger tones like ‘Sulking Room Pink’, ‘Brassica’ or ‘Bancha’ – deeply saturated colours are perfect for use in north facing rooms. ”

Best Farrow & Ball paint for east- and west-facing rooms

According to Joa, “choosing colour for an east- or west-facing room is totally dependent on what time of day you use the space. Light in east-facing rooms tends to be cooler in the evening and brighter in the morning.” Naturally, in west-facing rooms it’s the other way around. “So, if you are lucky enough to have a room that benefits from both east and west light the colour will change throughout the day – making the walls feel alive! East facing rooms tend to benefit from soft calming colours with an underlying warmth like ‘Peignoir’ or ‘Pale Powder’ while using cooler tones like ‘Cornforth White’ and ‘Dimpse’ in west-facing rooms will neutralise the warm light at the end of the day.”

Picking wood and ceiling colours from the Farrow & Ball colour chart

“The choice of colour for the woodwork and the ceiling is just as important as that of the walls,” notes Joa. “You must think of the room as a whole. A bright white on either ceiling or trim will make the walls look darker as well as making you more aware of where the walls end and the ceiling begins; this causes the ceiling height to drop. Either use a complementary white (something with the same base colour as the walls – these are listed on the F&B website) or if you are braver use the same colour on the walls, woodwork and ceiling – not nearly as frightening as it sounds!”

Scroll down for House & Garden’s gallery of paint ideas from the Farrow & Ball colour chart; seeing them in situ in real people's houses will illuminate how these pigments react to the light, easing your passage to the perfect paint for your walls.

11 Best Bedroom Paint Color Ideas Every Pro Uses

Getty Images/Graphic by Cristina Cianci

When it comes to painting your home, the choice is truly personal. But with a myriad of hues and their tonal variations to choose from, the decision process can be excruciating. So what are the best bedroom paint ideas to satisfy your sleep and aesthetic needs? If you’re unsure which colored path to go down, don’t stress. We turned to the pros who’ve applied more than a coat or two in their time and know what works best. Trust us, one of these options is bound to be a hue that will work for you. 

Ahead, pros share their favorite colors guaranteed to have you sleeping sound in the chamber of your dreams.

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D. Gilbert for Disc Interiors

Don't be afraid of going dark in your primary—it can actually help you sleep better in rooms with an abundance of natural light. “We love using Farrow & Ball for primary bedrooms, especially when we go dark because the pigments are so rich. We love designing primary bedrooms that feel rich, layered, and mysterious. Since the California sun is so intense, a dark bedroom can be really amazing for lazy mornings in bed," says Krista Schrock and David John Dick, co-founders of Disc.

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Justin Coit for MyDomaine

All-white can often look too cold, but this Farrow & Ball hue looks clean without being too stark. “We love Farrow & Ball Skimming Stone as well as Cornforth White for a bedroom. The colors are slightly warm and are subtle but saturated, so they look great with everything," says Lauren Buxbaum Gordon and Sasha Adler, design directors at Nate Berkus Associates.

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Graham Atkins-Hughes for Abigail Ahern

Shades of brown can be gentle and cozy, but also enriching and peaceful at the same time, making them a perfect choice for bedrooms. “I’m a little biased when it comes to my favorite paint brand, as I have my own. It took over a year to perfect, but I am obsessed with it. For bedrooms, I gravitate toward colors that soothe and are dark. So I choose deep, complex pigments because anything you put against them looks and feels grander and edgier than it really is," designer Abigail Ahern says. "My number one choice is Crosby; it’s brown with undertones of pink."

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Claire Esparros for Homepolish; Styling: Tali Roth

Looking for a timeless, classic hue? Look no further. "This TriBeCa apartment is one of my favorites! The whole apartment is gray and silver, so we wanted to run the theme into the bedrooms, too," Tali Roth says. "For the primary bedroom, I used Benjamin Moore Coventry Grey as it has this classic tone that worked perfectly with the charcoal bedhead and the brown fur. The moment we painted the space, it just elevated the feel of the bedroom.”

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Nicole Franzen

Warm neutrals are always a win in a bedroom. "Currently, we’re loving the Donald Kaufman Color brand in shades like Achromatism, Baby Goat White, Bark, and Frog Mud," says Kara Smith, SFA Design.

06 of 11

Sarah Dorio for Max Humphrey

We've found a color that looks good with everything—no matter your décor style or color scheme. “Dunn Edwards’s Silver Spoon is my go-to bedroom paint color. It’s a pale gray-blue that looks good with literally everything," Max Humphrey says." I love it with other shades of blue, and then black and white with pops of colors like red and olive green. It’s one of those colors that changes a bit depending on the time of day and the lighting in the room, which keeps things interesting. ”

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Claire Esparros for Homepolish; Styling: Tali Roth

This Benjamin Moore shade pairs perfectly with bright, crisp whites. “This SoHo loft is the tiniest bedroom space I’ve ever designed. There was one brick wall in the space, and the rest were regular plaster. I decided to highlight the texture of the brick with Benjamin Moore Super White and paint the other two walls in Benjamin Moore Graphite," Roth says.

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Patrick Cline for Burnham Design

“I love pale colors in bedrooms: off-whites, soft grays, ivories. There’s something really peaceful about a pale palette, and if kept fairly monochromatic, it can also be very sophisticated," Betsy Burnham of Burnham Design says. Pair this hue with white bedding for a chic, calm, airy space.

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Julia Robbs for Homepolish; Styling: Tali Roth

Think gray is dull? Think again. This Benjamin Moore hue is perfect when paired with pops of color to accent it. “For this guest bedroom, I used Benjamin Moore Sidewalk Gray. It is a little cooler and perfect for the kind of space that had little pops of color! It’s the kind of gray that will suit whatever evolution this space goes through," Roth says.

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Courtesy of Magness Design

“For a client’s guest bedroom, we used Benjamin Moore Kitten Whiskers. This color has the perfect balance of warm tones to create a soothing and resting space. It’s a gorgeous color. I love it!" says Sarah Magness of Magness Design. Pro tip: This shade pairs perfectly with blush and pink tones.

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Tali Roth

If you're ready to go dark and dramatic, we have the perfect shade for you. “I love a moody bedroom and never shy away from a deep and dark color. Green Smoke has the right de-saturated and dramatic punch that you want from color whilst still feeling really dreamy and peaceful for a bedroom," Roth says.

Top 10 Modern Paint Colors From an Expert

Article Sources

MyDomaine uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

  1. Costa M, Frumento S, Nese M, Predieri I. Interior Color and Psychological Functioning in a University Residence Hall. Front Psychol. 2018;9:1580. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01580

ACCORDING TO INSTAGRAM, THESE ARE THE MOST POPULAR PAINT COLORS.

If you're thinking of painting your room gray, you're not alone - some 24,000 people have the same idea.

A recent study by Homehow.co.uk showed that grey, specifically Zoffany's Paris Grey, is the most popular paint color this year on Instagram. The researchers determined this by looking at the number of hashtags for different colors and brands, and found that the most commonly used colors were shades of grey, green and blue.


Here's the complete list for your decor inspiration:



1.

Paris Grey, Zoffany (23,971 hashtags)

It's not hard to see why Parisian gray is the most popular paint color. Inspired by French castles, it is elegant yet versatile. "It's easy to accessorize and works well in all rooms," said Alex Willcox, director of Burbeck Interiors.

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2. Green Smoke Farrow and Ball (21 355)

Not too far in second place is Green Smoke, which Wilcox says is popular for country homes and exteriors. It adds a touch of color and looks especially good in kitchens or bathrooms. It is usually chosen as it works at any time of the year and rarely needs to be updated.



3. French Grey, Little Green (13851)

This color has both green and gray tones that look great in good light. The color is popular because it brings the room to life. It is soothing, so it works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and guest rooms. It's also a great color for exteriors or garden furniture.

4.

Buncha, Farrow & Ball (9827)

If you want an accent color, Willcox recommends using the fourth most popular entry on this list. He said it's a bright color that creates a zen atmosphere in the room. Brown, pink and cream are natural additions that go well with a minimalist style.

5. Jitney, Farrow & Ball (8,883)

Ideal for tall walls or seafront homes, this earthy brown shade has a more traditional vibe and can evoke a sense of calm. I would recommend using bold and stylish furniture to bring the color to life and bring it to life.



6. Sulking Room Pink, Farrow & Ball (8 585)

A shade of pink that catches the eye without being overwhelming. Willcox suggested pairing its soft and warm aesthetic with overly bold and bright colors to make it more appealing.

7. Hale Navy, Benjamin Moore (7 984)

Hale Navy is the perfect color for kitchens and dining rooms. "Whether it's a statement wall or closet doors, this shade breathes a lot of energy into a space and is incredibly stylish," said Willcox. It also works well for exteriors, front doors or small porches. The color is bright and gives a feeling of power and strength.

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8. Denim Drift, Dulux (7,477)

Although there are only eight on the list, Denim Drift is a color that Wilcox says won't lose its popularity anytime soon. This is a fun color and can be used in any room to add personality.

what does the number 888 mean

9. Spicy Honey, Dulux (7,089)

Quite an unconventional color, but a popular one nonetheless, especially if you know how to mix and match. Willcox advised: it's great when combined with undertones that confuse him. It doesn't work with louder colors that come up. Combine with darker shades of brown, black and orange.

10. Purbeck Stone, Farrow & Ball (6 678)

Somewhat similar to French Grey, Purbeck Stone is also easy to accessorize. Plus, it comes with a bonus if you're moving: houses in neutral colors are also more likely to sell on the market. It works in any room, in any style of home and with any theme.

11. Stone, plumage and skimmer ball (6,244)

A popular choice for bathrooms and bedrooms. It can be dressed up or down, although brighter colors tend to work best for a modernized look. Pair with hardwood floors, upholstered furniture and dramatic wall accessories such as paintings and large mirrors. It is also popular for its clean finish.

12. Polished Pebble, Dulux (5,326)

Polished Pebble is a popular color because it opens up a space and makes a room appear larger and brighter, making it a great choice for tight or dimly lit spaces such as hallways, stairs and an attic bedroom .

13. Setting Plaster, Farrow and Ball (4,993)

If you're an old soul who finds your grandparents' house and the smell of freshly baked cookies romantic, Setting Plaster is the background color for you. It gives an almost historic feel when added to a room and makes you feel welcome, according to Willcox.

14. From Nimes, Farrow and Ball (4 458)

De Nimes is a great choice for home offices and shelters and looks like a formal suit. It has a royal feel and dominates other shades. Pairs especially well with oak and natural rustic elements.

15. Chic Shadow, Dulux (4,174).

And last but not least, Chic Shadow is another shade of gray favored for its versatility. It works best in combination with both bright and dark colors, so pair yellow with black and blue with dark brown,” said Willcox. It also creates calming emotions and is a gray color that goes well with metallics.

which means 333 angel number

Inigo Del Castillo

Author

What color should the bedroom be

Man is constantly surrounded by smells, sounds, sensations that form an idea of ​​the surrounding world. The most informative sense organ is sight. We see the faces of loved ones, admire works of art, admire amazing pictures of nature, rejoice at our native walls when we return home.

The perception of life would be inexpressive and featureless if all these visual images did not have colors. Without a palette of tones around us, it is difficult to adapt to the environment, it paints life with emotions, makes us think creatively, choose and act.

What color to choose for the bedroom - the main factors

Color is a whole science. Its natural factor, the totality of physical characteristics, the presence of the phenomenon of color in culture is studied by color science. There is another science - coloristics, which explores color in the aspect of philosophy and psychology. Color models, shades have a huge impact on the human subconscious. With confidence backed up by scientific research, one can characterize color as a great psychologist.

Every evening we go to the bedroom to rest, sleep, gain strength for the next day. Since color can influence the human psyche, we have the opportunity to receive the service of a professional "psychologist" from the color design of the room: positive emotions, comfort, complete relaxation, and, as a result, sound, healthy sleep. This is the case if its color scheme is chosen correctly!

The choice of palette and bedroom design is individual. Someone likes natural greenery that is pleasing to the eye, someone will prefer the warm shades of autumn, the originals will choose a combination of contrasting bright tropical strokes. But there are at least three main factors that should be followed when choosing paints:

The existing canons of style always define the main color compositions. For example, a universal white color scheme is suitable for classics, minimalism, Provence, high-tech styles.

The lilac color is more selective, it is used in the design of oriental style, art deco, eclecticism.

In dim, subdued light, dark tones are unacceptable.

For small sizes, light colors are more suitable, which can be enlivened with bright accents in the form of pillows, paintings, lamps.

For a large room, the choice of color palette is wider. Hue plays an important role, any color has many options for tone and degrees of saturation.

What psychologists say

It is worth listening to the opinion of professionals, especially when it comes to the design of a place of rest. Psychologists have specific recommendations on the color design of the bedroom. Most of them agree that calm, pastel colors are the best choice. They contribute to good sleep, relaxation, restoration of energy spent during the day. There is also a specific color leading in all polls and ratings - beige and its shades. It looks great in the interior, conducive to a creative approach in working on a bedroom design project.

Psychologists consider the popular white color to be excessively cold. But it is not at all necessary to refuse a pure, light tone and its varieties (pearl, ivory, milk and others). It must be applied skillfully and thoughtfully so that the bedroom does not resemble a branch of a medical institution and is not faceless and empty. White color scheme is the perfect backdrop for all decorative elements. It will emphasize the beauty of textiles and lamps, highlight a spectacular dresser or console, visually enlarge the space and fill it with freshness.

For adults who want to relax before going to bed, green and yellow tones are more suitable than others.

Young people and teenagers who spend their days actively require a quick transition from vigorous activity to rest. This will contribute to the blue and blue colors.

Psychologists do not refuse bright orange, which will perfectly enliven a children's bedroom. Scarlet, coral, burgundy colors are applicable in the design of matrimonial chambers.

It is recommended to place fragments with non-standard colors on the wall at the head of the bed.

Feng Shui Rules

Fashionable Eastern philosophy has also contributed to the creation of the bedroom interior. Following its postulates, it is necessary to take into account:

  1. A bedroom facing north or northwest should be decorated in blue tones diluted with other colors.
  2. The south side calls for red, but in a restrained composition.
  3. Eastern and southeastern directions prefer the color of natural greenery.
  4. Gray, silver, purple, lemon colors are preferred to the West.
  5. Northeast, southwest orientation should repeat the colors of the Earth, close to natural brown, terracotta, coffee and beige colors are needed.

The Chinese consider the bedroom to be the most important room in the house and put maximum effort into decorating it. In addition to the "wrong" colors, the Feng Shui treatise prohibits the installation of a suspended ceiling, TV and mirrors in the bedroom. The door to the sleeping room must be kept closed at all times.

Dependence on cardinal points

All colors are divided into warm and cold. There are special tables that clearly demonstrate this distinction. The most popular "cold" colors that are used to decorate the bedroom are white, gray, green, blue, blue, turquoise, lilac, purple and their shades. "Warm" are: yellow, beige, orange, pink, red, burgundy, brown and their tones.

Now let's turn to the question: which side of the world is your bedroom facing?

South

There is enough light in the room, but the excess of the sun is tiring and its partial neutralization is desirable. In this regard, it is recommended to use the colors of the cold palette. It is able to weaken the saturation of light, bring coolness, and at the same time visually enlarge the room, add space, positive. In such an interior, dark and bright colors are quite appropriate as a finish.

North

In a north-facing bedroom, the sun will be a rare visitor. In clear weather, the light penetrating into it will bring a bluish tint to walls and objects, in a gloomy and cloudy sky, the tone of daylight will be gray. To correct the lack of light and neutralize the gloomy component, it is advisable to use warm colors for decoration. Deep, saturated shades are suitable, there is a reason to refuse white.

East

The sun shines in the bedroom window facing the sunrise in the morning. With its golden rays, the green color and its shades are in perfect harmony. Cool turquoise, lilac, gray colors will be a good solution.

West

from the bedroom window can be observed. I want to extend this ritual, to delay the rays of the departing luminary longer. Beige, sand, chocolate colors, soft shades of brown will help. The presence of decorative elements, textiles of bronze and golden hues will duplicate the evening reflections, bring additional comfort to the interior.

What color to paint the bedroom - the optimal range of colors and top 20 successful color combinations Top 20 Solutions!

1. Pure white combined with black is a stylish and timeless solution. Geometric classics: polka dots, checkerboard cells, contrasting zebra stripes, ornaments and patterns of various themes look win-win.

2. White plus brown allows you to form complex decor designs, experiment with patterns and textures, include third colors, such as gold, turquoise, beige. In bedrooms with good lighting, brown color should prevail, in the northern chambers - white.

3. White and turquoise bring a sense of joy and serenity. Let white prevail, refreshing turquoise give accents and design details.

4. Unobtrusive beige and brown color noble, elegant combination. This bedroom is warm, cozy and comfortable. The beige color creates a good background, visually increases the volume, allows you to use other colors in the decoration: green, burgundy, yellow, white.

5. Beige together with blue will create a romantic space, fill the bedroom with a fresh breeze. Cold blue can be turquoise, cornflower blue, emerald green. The warmth of the beige tone, additional yellow or brown colors in the interior neutralize the apparent coldness, add comfort and warmth.

6. Green and white make a great combination. It is so harmonious that psychologists call it "light sleeping pills. " Natural colors of light green, pistachio, olive, lettuce, dusty green, jade are refreshing and emphasized by the white gamma. Additional shades are not required.

Complement it with orange, brown or white finishes. The background will serve as a warm peach tone.

8; Green and neutral beige are a wide field for design ideas. Everyone will serve as the main color with equal success. Excessive frills are not needed, an expressive interior will be created by multi-level compositions, floral ornaments, geometric patterns.

9. Deep blue and elegant gray will form successful combinations for a trendy loft style. In order not to create a gloomy atmosphere, one should not overdo it with the blue color; two walls painted in it or large patterns on textiles are enough.

10. Blue plus white. This range will certainly appeal to fans of the marine theme. Don't forget the seascapes on the wall! Ornate patterns will be out of place, white and blue geometry and abstraction are perfect. Light brown or turquoise tones are allowed in the decoration.

Pink powdery and coffee colors create a cozy, intimate atmosphere, conducive to relaxation. Gorgeous ash-pink background with chocolate tone details.

12. Light brown plus blue balance each other. The warmth of the color of natural wood is complemented by the freshness and airiness of blue. Its shades can be any: turquoise, gray-blue, sky blue. Beige, white or gray colors will complement the composition.

13. Relaxing gray and classic white game will remind black and white films or old photos. Geometric patterns, abstraction are perfect for this combination. Do not break the atmosphere of charm with bright details.

On a light gray background, a fuchsia finish will look wonderful. Graphite - will emphasize the elegance of an ash rose, for pearl gray it is permissible to add more pink powder.

15. Gray plus rich yellow are monolithic severity and fun of the sunny "bunny". The background should be a gray tint, it will enliven, add mood and warmth, a bright accent of honey, bright yellow, golden color. A lot of glare is not needed, curtains, pillows, small rugs or a bedspread will cope with this task.

16. Sensual lilac and pure white bring peace, romance and positive energy to the bedroom. Against the dominant white background, the lilac zone at the head of the bed, abstract ornaments on the walls look great. Glossy surfaces and mirrors are desirable in the room.

17. Lilac and deep black. And such a combination is possible! The main thing is to correctly place the accents. Lilac fog and the fantastic presence of a black surface can create an atmosphere of cosmic happiness. Details of black textiles will bring theatrical drama, which will be facilitated by abstract or damask patterns on pillows and bedspreads.

18. Lilac and yellow create a royally opulent setting. A snow-white tone will effectively fit into this luxurious pair in the form of stucco patterns or even moldings on the ceiling. A golden yellow color will be a good background.

This combination of colors certainly requires the presence of a third: beige, light brown or white. Floral ornaments, uncomplicated patterns are appropriate in such a range.

20. Turquoise color plus elegant chocolate combination is bold and stylish. So that the brown color does not introduce gloomy notes into the interior, introduce it in doses, refreshing with a white or milky tone. A cheerful note of turquoise will be very helpful.

Tips for choosing

As wise people say: listen to all opinions, and do as you see fit. There are many, many opinions, advice, instructions, suggestions, but you have one bedroom. The final decision is up to the owners of the premises, only they are here to relax, dream, love, dream and make plans for the future. The interior should give spiritual comfort and provide psychological support. Keeping the first sentence of this paragraph in mind, read the good advice.

  1. If you have doubts and the desired composition of the color scheme of the interior does not line up, contact a specialist. A professional designer is better than a neighbor or girlfriend to solve the problem.

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