A soft off white

This is the lightest colour in the group including Shadow White, Shaded White and Drop Cloth – each created to look like white when used in deep shade. Pared back, timeless and familiar without the cool undertones of the more contemporary neutral groups, this soft off white is reminiscent of the colour used in old school houses.

A dark grey green

This enduring colour is a dark green version of Farrow & Ball classic Pigeon, hence being named after the green variety of the same species. Although traditional in feel, Treron is perfect for modern homes where lots of natural materials are used or as an accent for both French Gray and our Traditional Neutrals.

A relaxed brown based neutral

This earthy colour sits somewhere between the more traditional Oxford Stone and greyer Elephant’s Breath. Though muted, it is incredibly uplifting and reminds us of lazy days by the sea – hence sharing its name with the bus that whisks New Yorkers out of the hot city to the similarly coloured sandy beaches of the Hamptons.

A chic red based black

This Georgian inspired red based black creates an intimate feel in super contemporary or bohemian homes, while adding a distinguished look to traditional exteriors. The perfect accent for all our reds and completing our range of blacks, Paean Black conjures up the shade of old leather hymnals and so is named after a song of praise.

An exotic and adventurous pink

This colour is exotic, happy and vital. The most adventurous of our pinks, Rangwali is incredibly friendly and takes its name from the powder which is thrown so enthusiastically during the Holi festival of colours in India. Though bright, it has an absorbing depth of colour which is achieved by adding a small dose of black pigment.

A deep, rich red

The deepest and richest of our reds, this Baroque colour is named in honour of our original trade name, Preference Paints. It can be used with any of the Red Based Neutrals but is particularly striking when seen in combination with Paean Black and Sulking Room Pink. The preferred red of modern homes!

A protective olive green

This mid-century modern green is a darker version of the much loved archive colour, Olive. Perfect for those who want to embrace stronger colour in the home, its sober tone creates rooms that feel calm and serene – especially when combined with soft pinks and browns. Named after Japanese tea leaves, Bancha, like a cup of green tea, provides a feeling of security.

A warm and delicate white

This fresh and uncomplicated white is named after the colour of lime pointing used in traditional brickwork. One of our Red Based Neutrals, Pointing has a warm undertone to it which creates the prettiest of spaces when used on walls and always softens the feel of a room alongside strong, traditional colours.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Wimborne White

A classic stone

This strong neutral is one of our most popular wallpaper background colours, so we couldn’t resist adding it to our collection of richly pigmented paints. A classic stone colour, Stony Ground has a slight underlying red which adds warmth and creates a soft beige finish. It pairs incredibly well with the lighter Shaded White or stronger Mouse’s Back for a quietly cohesive scheme.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Slipper Satin

A pale creamy white

Our prettiest white is named after the old, pre-brightened, starched cotton used for white tie jackets. One of our Yellow Based Neutrals, White Tie brings a gentle warmth to any room and is deepened with a touch of black pigment. Combine with Matchstick, String and New White for a delicate scheme with reassuringly creamy undertones.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Wimborne White

A fresh cream

This creamy tone is only deemed as ‘new’ because it feels much fresher than more traditional whites such as Lime White. It will warm up any room with its soft illumination, working particularly well in a country kitchen setting alongside our other Yellow Based Neutrals. New White can look milkier in colour if contrasted with White Tie or cleaner when paired with India Yellow.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: White Tie

The shade of unbleached wood

This versatile and understated tone is named after the unbleached wood used in the stalk of a match. With the tiny addition of black, this neutral timber colour creates delightfully understated rooms which are warm without feeling creamy. In well lit rooms it has a fresher quality, especially when contrasted with White Tie or other Yellow Based Neutrals, while feeling more relaxed and traditional in a darker north facing room.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: White Tie

A strong neutral stone

This yellow based stone hue was first created as a background colour for our wallpapers but was quickly added to our paint collection by popular request. Named after Dennis Savage, a block printer who was instrumental in the creation of our very first wallpaper designs, this warm and timeless neutral sits beautifully on both clapboard and panelling.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: New White

A strong earthy neutral

This earthy yellow based neutral is so called because it is a stronger version of String, both in colour and use! Cord has a traditional ‘below stairs’ feel and works as the perfect kitchen unit colour with String or Matchstick on the walls. The warmly aged hue has a surprising strength of colour in underlit rooms, so is often used in studies and libraries.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: New White

A chalky off white

This popular off white takes its name from the delicate colour of silk used in traditional ballet slippers. Without cool blue undertones, Slipper Satin often reads as a pale grey chalk which makes for a perfect neutral on walls with darker Old White woodwork. Pair with other shades from our Traditional Neutrals for a subtle and sophisticated scheme.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Pointing

A chalky off white

This timeless off white is named after the chalky pigments used in original distempers. One of our Traditional Neutrals, its soft tone is created by the addition of a small amount of green pigment. Lime White has a totally enduring feel, and when combined with Old White or Slipper Satin it becomes both sophisticated and understated.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Slipper Satin

A historic grey green

This soft grey green simply earns its name by being the most historic of all our whites. One of our Traditional Neutrals, Old White can read as a subdued green, particularly in north facing rooms, but feels more of a classic grey in well lit spaces. It’s the most sophisticated of colours and feels just as at home in the drawing room of a historic house as it does in the kitchen of a modern family home.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Slipper Satin

A stony grey green

A stony neutral, this traditional grey green was originally used as a colour name in the 9th century – an ancient name for a timeless colour. The subtle green base of our Light Gray brings an unsurpassed depth of colour when used on walls. It is the perfect accent for all our Traditional Neutrals, used on furniture and joinery in many Off-White rooms alongside Old White. It can also be combined with Stiffkey Blue to create a very relaxed, almost mismatched feel.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Clunch

A quiet grey brown

This grey brown classic takes its characterful name from the fawny colour of the British field mouse. Much like its namesake, the green based Mouse’s Back is quiet in nature and feels soft in rooms both large and small. It will read greener when used on the walls of underlit rooms and is the perfect accent on furniture or floors when combined with more traditional shades such as Setting Plaster and Lime White.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Off-White

Soft white with a hint of grey

Shadow White takes its name from the soft tone created when whites are used in shaded areas, bringing out the slightest hint of grey. For devotees of lighter neutrals on both walls and woodwork, this versatile and understated colour works brilliantly in any style of home. It has none of the perceived yellow of Slipper Satin and is the perfect contrast to the slightly darker Shaded White.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Wimborne White

A gentle mid grey beige

Neither too yellow, nor too grey, Drop Cloth is the traditional name for the indispensable painter’s dust sheet which this muted colour embodies. A nod to our painters and decorators, this mid grey beige is the perfect contrast to our slightly lighter Shaded White and Shadow White, creating a trio of colours that sit effortlessly together in modern and traditional homes, both large and small.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Shadow White

A soft and stony grey

A soft grey with a touch of green, this stony neutral is simply named after the colour of bones found in the animal kingdom. Softer than Old White, Bone creates a timeless look suited to halls when combined with Lime White on woodwork. It can also be used to create a feeling of light and space when paired with lighter tones; or as a sympathetic neutral with our stronger, more traditional colours.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Lime White

A traditional grey

This traditional grey was originally created to touch up the old limewash at Hardwick Hall and doesn’t look very white to most, unless contrasted with strong shades like Off-Black. Less blue than Lamp Room Gray and with an unsurpassed depth of colour, Hardwick White’s rich and chalky hue sits just as well in a contemporary room as it does in a historic house.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Clunch

A very pale taupe

Dimity is named after the lightweight cotton fabric originally used to make ladies’ bustles, but which is now more commonly used for bedding. One of our Red Based Neutrals, this pale and subdued taupe is brimming with warmth and an unmatchable depth, making it perfect for elegant and understated hallways. It can be combined with All White and Pointing to read pinker, or with the darker Oxford Stone on woodwork for a slightly aged look and relaxed feel.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Pointing

A pared back taupe

This classic dark taupe was inspired by the cottages found in the pretty Cotswold villages of Oxfordshire. It is the darkest of our Red Based Neutrals and sits contentedly with both Joa’s White and Dimity for a pared down neutral scheme. Brimming with warmth and an unmatchable depth, the subtle richness of Oxford Stone creates an earthy and uplifting finish from top to bottom, sweeping across woodwork and walls.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Dimity

A warm and timeless brown

A warm mid brown, London Stone was created by John Sutcliffe for a classic Nash house in Regent’s Park. With its underlying magenta tones, this unassuming stone colour is the perfect accent for each of our Red Based Neutrals. It feels effortlessly modern when contrasted with Dimity, either on walls or woodwork, and utterly timeless when paired with the stronger Oxford Stone.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Joa’s White

An aged salmon pink

A subtle shade whose name refers to the flat or ‘dead’ finish of an aged pink painted at Kedleston Hall in 1805, Dead Salmon has a magical quality to it as everyone sees it differently. Be it a strong mushroom steeped in history, or a warming buff neutral, this deep salmon pink creates the most subtle and serene of environments suitable as a backdrop in candlelit dining rooms.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Red & Warm Tones

Complementary white: Dimity

A deep chocolate brown

This warm drab has a two-part name combining ‘salon’, the small outer room off a drawing room, with a term that describes a colour as lacking in brightness. The richness of this chocolate brown is instantly appealing, effortlessly creating a modern look or classic 19th century feel. Salon Drab works as a dark accompaniment to both the Red Based and Contemporary Neutrals.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Dimity

A naturally understated grey

Ammonite is named after the treasured fossils often found on the Dorset coast. It has a fantastically understated quality, and sits effortlessly with our Easy Neutrals. Neither too warm nor too cool, its subtle grey tone creates a hushed and calming feel in homes both old and new. Try pairing with All White to accent its light grey feel.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Wevet

An understated grey

Cornforth White is the mid tone in the group of Easy Neutrals which are totally understated and extremely versatile. Neither too warm nor too cool, Cornforth White sits contentedly between Ammonite and Purbeck Stone to create a hushed and calming retreat. Named in memory of John Cornforth, the revered architectural historian, contrast with Wevet to enhance its grey qualities.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Wevet

An understated stone grey

Purbeck Stone is a clean and understated mid grey that resembles the colour of stone found on the Isle of Purbeck, close to our home here in Dorset. Purbeck Stone is the strongest of our Easy Neutrals, sitting contentedly as part of a calming scheme with Cornforth White, Wevet and Ammonite in homes both old and new.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Wevet

A rich grey

This rich mid grey conjures memories of city suits made from flat woven fabric, so was named after the Norfolk village where the yarn was originally woven. For devotees of our Easy Neutrals, Worsted is stronger in tone than its counterpart Purbeck Stone, but lighter than Mole’s Breath. It has an understated richness with no cold tones, making it the perfect background to make clean accent colours pop.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Shadow White

A muted blue grey

This very light blue grey is named after the Cromarty Firth estuary, a place of swirling mists mentioned daily in the Shipping Forecast. A neutral yet atmospheric colour, Cromarty brings a muted softness to any room, creating an easy to use finish that is neither too blue nor too grey. A shade lighter than Mizzle, it works beautifully when grouped with Blue Gray or Pigeon.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Shadow White

A soft grey green

This modest grey green is named after West Country evening skies when there is a mix of both mist and drizzle. The addition of green pigment diminishes any cool blue tones, creating a lighter shade of Pigeon and Blue Gray. Rooms feel soft and contented when painted in this rather indeterminate colour.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Wimborne White

A cool blue grey

With its subtle mix of blue, green and black pigments, Blue Gray creates the most relaxed of rooms that feel as if they have always been there. It is a cooler, more weathered version of French Gray and has the same almost magical quality of gently shifting between blue and grey depending on the light and time of day.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Shaded White

A strong blue grey

This cosy and nostalgic blue grey is named after the colour of the bird often sighted around the London landscape. Softer and bluer than more contemporary grey shades like Mole’s Breath, Pigeon is particularly suited for use in boot rooms, cloakrooms or darker spaces like studies and panelled rooms. It is also incredibly popular on kitchen islands with the more delicate Dimpse on units.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Shaded White

A cool white

Our coolest white, with the slightest hint of grey, was historically made with the addition of lamp black pigment gathered from the smoke of burning oil lamps. Blackened sits perfectly with each of our Architectural Neutrals for a minimal look or stronger industrial feel. It’s particularly spectacular when used in Full Gloss within stainless steel kitchens, or when paired with All White for an uncompromisingly modern finish.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: All White

A cool and delicate grey

Dimpse is a delicate grey named after the quaint West Country dialect for the colour of twilight and is one of our cooler Architectural Neutrals. Sitting between Pavilion Gray and Blackened, its subtle blue undertones work particularly well in modern architectural spaces. Brush onto kitchen units alongside a Down Pipe island for a clean finish that is conducive to minimal living.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: All White

A cool mid grey

This classic mid grey was originally created for a bespoke pavilion, but is also reminiscent of an elegant 18th century Swedish colour. One of the Architectural Neutrals, the subtle blue undertones of Pavilion Gray add a contemporary touch and sense of spaciousness. Combine with Dimpse, Blackened or Manor House Gray in any combination for a scheme that is perfect for the modern family home.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Blackened

Our traditional mid grey

Our most traditional blue grey was originally created when a white room had been stained by the trimming of lamp wicks. Lamp Room Gray creates a softer more lived in finish than Pavilion Gray, while retaining a sense of timelessness. It is surprisingly strong when used in smaller rooms but softens in larger, well lit spaces.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Strong White

A lighter lead

This strong architectural grey is named after the lead often used by fishermen to weight their lines. Plummett intensifies in colour in smaller spaces and has a strikingly modern feel which is conducive to minimal living. Used as much on woodwork to define dramatic spaces as it is on walls, Plummett is one of our most hard-edged and industrial feeling greys.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Ammonite

A warm light grey

This stony off white takes its name from a 19th century skim, or plaster colour, but often reminds us of childhood afternoons skimming stones. With its warm light grey undertones, Skimming Stone is extremely versatile and particularly suited to soothing bedroom schemes. One of our Contemporary Neutrals, it sits with the lighter Strong White and darker Elephant’s Breath for a clean and contemporary look, but can also be used in a darker statement scheme alongside Pelt or London Clay.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Strong White

A warm mid grey

This warm and contemporary grey is renowned for its characterful paint name, originally created by John Fowler, the notable English interior designer. Elephant’s Breath reads as an uplifting mid grey with its hint of magenta, but can become almost lilac in the cooler light of west facing rooms. Try offsetting with Charleston Gray and London Clay for an invitingly earthy scheme with more intense accents, or pair with other Contemporary Neutrals such as the softer Strong White for a sense of neutrality and calm.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Strong White

A warm grey with lilac undertones

Dove Tale is a darker version of Elephant’s Breath and is perfect for those who are hoping for a warm grey finish. Typical of the colours used by the bohemian Bright Young Things between the wars, it is the perfect choice for the bedroom as its gentle lilac undertone create a soft and inviting feel. Pair with Skimming Stone for the most flattering and subtle scheme.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Strong White

Our warmest brown

A warm and charming brown, London Clay is loaded with magenta pigment for a rich, earthy hue that creates the most charismatic and elegant of rooms. So named because it is a deeper accent to London Stone, consider using this dark brown in a hall or transitional area to make the rooms coming off it feel much lighter and brighter. London Clay is also the perfect accent for both Elephant’s Breath and Charleston Gray.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Skimming Stone

A sophisticated aubergine

Brinjal takes its name from the beautifully deep and shiny skin of the aubergine, so it is particularly magnificent in Full Gloss. It can create a warm and highly sophisticated finish when used on all walls, but is more often used as a feature wall to enhance a neutral Skimming Stone scheme or as an accent on the underside of a bath or kitchen island.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Red & Warm Tones

Complementary white: Skimming Stone

A romantic grey pink

This grey pink has a romantic feel inspired by the chiffon gowns in which ladies traditionally brushed their hair. Created by giving the softest of pinks a big dose of grey, Peignoir has a unique depth which brings walls to life. It works perfectly in homes both old and new with any of our Contemporary Neutrals, or with Brassica and Pelt.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Wimborne White

A tranquil lilac

Calluna takes its name from the beautiful heather so prolific across the moors of Scotland. A touch of black ensures that it appears more lilac than pink, making this colour feel both soft and tranquil yet strangely sophisticated. It can be contrasted with sympathetic Great White or used with darker Brassica and Pelt to great effect.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Wimborne White

A deliciously deep purple

This deep and luxurious purple has a regal feel and derives its name from untreated animal hides. Much bluer in feel than the similarly strong Brinjal, Pelt can appear almost black in darker spaces and is particularly sensational in Full Gloss. Pair with Brassica to create a dark and moody scheme or soften with the feminine shades of Middleton Pink and Great White.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Great White

A delicate pink

Our prettiest and most delicate pink was named after the discerning colourist, Catherine Middleton. This light pastel tone is fresh and uncomplicated, especially when contrasted with All White for a gently playful feel. Try pairing our Middleton Pink with Great White for a slightly cleaner urban finish.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: All White

Delicate pink with a touch of grey

Calamine is indeed named after the lotion we all used as children to soothe nettle stings and rashes! A light touch of grey prevents this subtle pink from being too sugary, giving a much fresher finish. In smaller rooms it becomes intense, but in larger well lit rooms it feels much more delicate.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Great White

Our truest pink

This true pink is named after the scrumptious rosy cheeks of a much loved little girl called Nancy. The uplifting shade of Nancy’s Blushes certainly grabs your attention when paired with a bright white, but can create quietly charming interiors when contrasted with a soft neutral in shady rooms. Something altogether more graphic happens when counterbalanced with St Giles Blue.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Great White

A rich brown based red

This timeless red is based on the rich colour of the magnificent gallery at Attingham Park. A generous helping of brown pigment deepens Picture Gallery Red, bringing a unique warmth and character. As its name suggests, this ruddy hue creates a striking backdrop for works of art, be they hand drawn in crayon or expertly painted in oil.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Red & Warm Tones

Complementary white: Joa’s White

A classic crimson

Our richest crimson originally takes its name from Latin, but is now a much used term for crimsons and reds. Similar to the deep glossy red used by David Hicks at Barons Court in the 1970s, Incarnadine is unashamedly classic and glamorous. It can be used to sumptuous effect in halls when offset with Tanner’s Brown on woodwork, or feel more edgy and graphic when paired with a bright white.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Red and Warm Tones

Complementary white: Wimborne White

White with the slightest lilac hint

This elegant white is not named after a shark, but simply refers to how wonderful the colour is! Great White appears to be a very pale lilac when contrasted with our All White, making it perfect for children’s bedrooms when wanting to keep a fairly neutral scheme. Despite its red undertone, it is not the warmest of pinks. The inclusion of the merest amount of black lifts it to a wonderfully sophisticated shade with an extraordinary depth of colour.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: All White

A wildly romantic rose pink

Cinder Rose has barely any of the yellow pigment found in most pinks, making it feel bluer and more romantic. Taking its name from the prettiest of traditional roses, it is the perfect colour for creating a dusky feel in a bedroom, but is also much favoured in garden rooms when paired with complementary Skimming Stone. To enhance its softness, try using Great White on your woodwork.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Great White

A dusty plaster pink

This dusty pink is named after the blushing walls we often admire in newly plastered houses. It is definitely a pink in historic terms, but has a certain softness to it due to the inclusion of yellow pigment. Our timeless Setting Plaster creates a wonderful backdrop to antique furniture, and also works incredibly well when paired with Mahogany in a more contemporary home.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Tallow

A rich red

This rich clean red is named after the charming village houses built over the years for the clergy. Rectory Red is a blackened and aged version of Blazer and feels much more sophisticated, especially when contrasted with Red Based Neutrals such as Joa’s White. It is a warming colour which will intensify when used in a small space to create the most welcoming of rooms.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Red & Warm Tones

Complementary white: Dimity

A rich burgundy

The deep blackened pigmentation of our Eating Room Red gives a rich burgundy finish with a wonderfully aged feel. This, our most elegant red, takes its name from the colouring of the red damasks so popular in dining rooms in the mid-19th century and reads almost like a saturated purple if you compare it to the more modern looking Incarnadine.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Red & Warm Tones

Complementary white: Joa’s White

A modern crimson

This bright and modern red takes its name from the distinctive crimson leaves of Italian chicory. Although tempered with magenta, Radicchio contains less blue pigment than Eating Room Red so is brighter and more contemporary in feel. It confidently fills a room with energy without having the brashness of a true, clean red.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Red & Warm Tones

Complementary white: Joa’s White

A brilliant red

Blazer is a bright and cheerful vermilion which reads like a cleaner, more contemporary version of Rectory Red. It grabs your attention just like the sports blazers worn at St John’s College, Cambridge after which it was named. Close in colour to orange, this rich hue is both regal and charming.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Red & Warm Tones

Complementary white: Joa’s White

A clean citrus white

This clean off white, with its slight green undertone, has an almost citrus feel which brings with it a bright and fresh finish. Not to be thought of as a pretty cream, its subtle citrus tone is relevant to any house of any period, be it yours or ours! House White is often paired with All White when used on walls, or as a woodwork colour when used with the stronger, fresher greens like Studio Green.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: All White

Delicately aged yellow

This pale and aged yellow is a lighter version of an archived Farrow & Ball colour, Hound Lemon. Named by the great colourist John Fowler, the story behind its namesake remains a mystery! Pale Hound sits particularly well in sunny spaces where it reads as a light and delicate yellow, and in garden rooms where its underlying green pigment connects seamlessly with the exterior.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Wimborne White

A refreshing pale yellow

A typical Regency colour, this charmingly simple pale yellow takes its name from the rooms which were filled with light and enjoyed during the day. Perhaps the most refreshing in feel of all Farrow & Ball colours, Dayroom Yellow is perfect for use in rooms of a sunny disposition, flooding the space with light and colour particularly when contrasted with All White.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Wimborne White

A timeless mid yellow

One of our most usable yellows, this sunny shade was first used as a background colour within our ever evolving wallpaper collection. Yellow Ground sits between the fresher pigments of Citron and the richer mustard tone of Sudbury Yellow. It creates a happy and stimulating space in any light without being overpowering in colour.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: White Tie

A cheerful yellow

Babouche takes its exotic name from the distinctive colour of the leather slippers worn by men in Morocco. It has a cheerful brightness that will intensify when used in large areas, but it is always dignified and never garish. Babouche can be paired with Railings for a very modern but sumptuous effect.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: House White

A light cream

This illuminating neutral takes its name from the natural material originally used to make candles. Tallow’s pale cream finish reflects the light brilliantly so it is perfect if you want to lift a darker space or paint one colour throughout a property. The slightest hint of pink and yellow pigment creates a warm but fresh feel which is often very popular in nurseries.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Pointing

A traditional cream

Our original cream is named after the paint pioneer who first founded the company with Richard Ball in Dorset, England. Farrow’s Cream is a pretty, traditional colour, with no addition of black pigment, which creates delightfully inviting rooms with a gentle warmth. It feels just as at home on the panelling of a 17th century hall as it does on the wooden cupboards of a relaxed family kitchen.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: White Tie

A dusty yellow

A modest yellow named after the dried crop, Hay is both warm and dusty. Less intense and sunny than the cleaner Yellow Ground, it has a distinctly green undertone which gives it an established feel, creating peaceful spaces especially when contrasted with muted Lime White woodwork.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: James White

A traditional mid yellow

This soft mid yellow takes its name from the staircase at Sudbury Hall, where renowned colourist John Fowler used this shade to such great effect. Sudbury Yellow is particularly responsive to changes in light, reading as cleaner and brighter in well lit rooms or softening in dimly lit spaces alongside a stronger contrast like New White.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: New White

A strong and moody yellow

This deep mustard yellow is famously named after the pigment collected from the urine of cows fed on a special diet of mango leaves! It creates a really cosy and surprisingly un-yellow space when contrasted with a dark tone like Tanner’s Brown. It should, however, be used in moderation in small rooms where its moody intensity may be a little overwhelming.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Matchstick

A pale and fresh green

This refreshing green is a lightened version of Cooking Apple Green, created as a background colour to some of our prettiest botanical wallpapers. The paleness of Green Ground has a calming feel, so is well suited to use in kitchens to create a contented family atmosphere. Often paired with a bright white to enhance its colour, it can also be used on panelling with our darker Green Smoke to create a reassuringly historic look that seems as if it’s always belonged.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: James White

An established silvery green

This muted green is a tribute to Richard Ball, the paint pioneer who first founded our company in Dorset, England with John Farrow. It is an old distemper colour with a more sober, established feel than fresh Cooking Apple Green. It has a magical quality of appearing almost silver in candlelight, so is great for use in dining rooms.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: James White

A masculine grey green

This dark grey green is named after the study like rooms much favoured in the Victorian period and is unapologetic in its masculine feel. It really comes alive when contrasted with a warm neutral like Off-White or set against the darker Studio Green, but feels more contemporary when used with no contrasts at all.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Lime White

A dark and smoky green

A smoky green blue, this colour was popular in interiors during the late 19th century. It has an irresistibly inviting deepness and weathered familiarity when used in exterior situations, while evoking calm and serenity when used inside.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Off-White

A deep, dark green

Our darkest green is also the colour painted on the original studio at Farrow & Ball, where many of our very first colours were created. When brushed onto exterior surfaces, the rich pigments respond extraordinarily to all types of light and magically appear much greener than on our colour card. Within the home, this deep hue appears almost black unless in very well lit rooms.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Lime White

A bright avocado green

This fresh avocado green was discovered in an 18th century Georgian farmhouse in Yeabridge, Somerset, when the original gun cupboard was removed. Although untouched for many years, it was still astonishingly bright and reminiscent of the lush grass that surrounds the house. This uncomplicated, clean green sits happily in both contemporary settings and period homes. It has a little more yellow than Breakfast Room Green but a little less than Churlish Green. Pair with Hague Blue to create a truly uplifting interior.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: James White

A cheerful green

Breakfast Room Green is the most cheerful of all our greens, remaining lively in both bright sunlight or softer candlelight. Named after the usually east facing rooms designed for eating the first meal of the day, it is particularly beautiful in the dawn light. When used alone on both walls and woodwork it becomes incredibly striking.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: James White

A traditional sage green

This rich and traditional green is a cleaned version of a colour originally found in the breakfast room at Calke Abbey. It is best used either on its own on both walls and woodwork, or with a darker neutral like Old White to enhance its deep sage notes. It is particularly suitable for smaller rooms and studies due to its dark and intimate feel.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Slipper Satin

A lively mint green

Arsenic has a lively, stimulating feel despite its name being derived from the poison that was rumoured to have been in the wallpaper that poisoned Napoleon after his capture. Its vivid mint colour makes it feel just as at home on contemporary kitchen cabinets, especially when paired with Down Pipe, as it does on the walls of a 19th century dining room.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: All White

A mid aged green

This calm and muted green is named after the ever changing, subtle colour of creeping algae which ages stone so beautifully. It has a quiet and subtle feel to it, due to its underlying blue tone, and is perfect for use in the garden where it feels totally at one with nature. It works wonderfully as a darker accent to Vert de Terre too.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Lime White

A darkened historic blue

Oval Room Blue is the most blackened of our blues, giving it a subtly aged feel. Named after the attractively shaped rooms of the late 18th century, it sits perfectly with our popular greys to create depth and balance in either a hall or a darker, cosier family room.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Shadow White

A lively blue

This warm and timeless blue is named after the indigo pigment which was often imported in lumps in the 18th century. Stone Blue’s lively and saturated colour can be used alongside warmer tones such as Pelt to create an inviting vintage look, or the cooler Mole’s Breath for a cleaner, more contemporary feel. When contrasted with Dimpse woodwork, however, it feels both distinguished and familiar.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Strong White

A dark blue grey

This aged blue grey is inspired by the naturally dramatic Scottish skies that act as a backdrop for the classic Georgian Inchyra House. It can be found on the exterior doors of their very impressive byre or barn which nestles at the bottom of a rather grey and imposing brae (also known as a hill). Such is the magic of our colours, this moody hue can read more grey, blue or even green depending on the light. A great alternative to charcoal, use it to inject a hint of colour into a super contemporary home or create a dark and intimate feel by combining it with Black Blue or Vardo.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Shaded White

A gentle aqua

Our most popular shade of aqua is a lighter version of an archived Farrow & Ball colour, Powder Blue. Pale Powder has an unparalleled softness and in north facing rooms can read almost as a delicate grey, but it is rarely cold due to the addition of green pigment. It is a great favourite for use in pretty attic bedrooms where it can be brushed onto both ceiling and walls to create an airy feeling of light and space.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: Pointing

A fresh aqua tone

This mid aqua is named after a much valued, early member of our creative team – and yes, the pun is intended! Teresa’s Green owes its freshness to a rich blue base and its warmth to soft green undertones. In the middle of our range of aquas, Teresa’s Green has a calming and therapeutic effect, but still feels cheerful when combined with delicate shades like White Tie.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Slipper Satin

Quite simply green blue

This chameleon colour needs no other name, it is exactly what it says – sometimes blue and sometimes green depending on the changing light throughout the day. Green Blue is a great favourite for family bathrooms, as the soft green adds warmth while the light blue brings a certain freshness. Try pairing with Pale Powder walls as a lighter accent.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Pointing

A relaxed green blue

This vintage blue takes its name from one of the first Farrow & Ball stockists based in East Anglia. Like many of our blues, Dix Blue has a large dose of green included in it, making it both warm and easy to live with. A touch of black pigment brings a slightly aged and relaxed vintage feel, making it perfect for use on upcycled furniture, panelling and woodwork, as well as living room walls.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Clunch

A pale and illuminating blue

Evoking the colour of summer skies, Borrowed Light is a wonderfully pale blue named after the delicate light that cascades through small windows and fanlights. It works as well in a room deprived of light as it does in an airy sunroom. This soft and classic tone is perfectly suited to children’s bedrooms, especially when contrasted with Stiffkey Blue on furniture or woodwork.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: All White

A pale and traditional blue

This pale blue grey takes its name from the soft natural light that often pours through ceiling skylights. However, it is less reflective than Borrowed Light, reading as a definite cool blue when used in small spaces but becoming paler and greyer when used in larger areas.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: All White

A light silvery blue

This silvery blue was so named because it was the lightest blue Farrow & Ball made in its first collection of colours. Light Blue becomes a little more silver in tone when used in shaded areas so is very popular for use on the walls of internal halls, especially when the remainder of the house is painted in cooler, more neutral greys. When used in well lit areas it feels both peaceful and calming, especially when paired with a cool white like Blackened.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Strong White

A cool mid blue

Reading as a cool blue, Parma Gray is another colour attributed to the great colourist John Fowler. Used as the backdrop to numerous costume dramas, it creates the perfect period feel when contrasted with Wimborne White. Though its cool nature can feel quite formal when contrasted with a bright white, it is a firm favourite for those who prefer a clean and crisp finish.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Wimborne White

A vibrant blue

Cook’s Blue was inspired by the rich and poignant finish in the cook’s closet at Calke Abbey where the walls had been untouched for many decades. This bright and deeply pigmented colour is perfect for use both in kitchens and exterior eating areas, as this vibrant tone is said to deter flies! But it is perfectly at home anywhere in the house.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: All White

The slightest hint of blue

A subtle white with the slightest hint of blue, Cabbage White takes its name from the most delicate of butterflies. This palest of blues is perfect for rooms that go up into the eaves where you want to use just one colour on both walls and ceiling. This colour really comes into its own when contrasted with All White.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones

Complementary white: All White

A clean mid blue

First used as a wallpaper ground colour in our damask collection, Blue Ground creates an upbeat and happy atmosphere which is often used in playrooms as an accent colour alongside Wevet or James White. This clean mid blue tone is both optimistic and friendly, but never cold.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: Pointing

A vivid blue

This clean and vivid blue is inspired by a colour originally found in the hall at 17th century St Giles House in Wimborne St Giles, Dorset. Its striking blue hue cannot fail to make you smile and will hold its own even in the darkest of places, so is often used as an accent in the back of bookshelves.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Mid Tones

Complementary white: All White

An inky navy

This inky blue is named after the Norfolk beach where the mud, along with the cockles, share a particular deep navy hue. Although traditional in feel, Stiffkey Blue is often used as an alternative to Down Pipe to create a richly dramatic space with a more contemporary finish. When used in well lit areas of the home it will appear much bluer, working wonderfully when contrasted with Ammonite.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Shadow White

A deep dark blue

This strong blue takes its name from the fantastically coloured woodwork much used by the Dutch, and still works wonderfully to ground skirting’s or as an accent colour on the walls when teamed with Borrowed Light. The green undertones of this timeless, deep and dramatic blue means it sits as happily outside as it does in small dark rooms.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Old White

A dark and rich brown

Mahogany is an invitingly rich brown which takes its name from the dark red wood used by master cabinet makers like Thomas Chippendale. Packed with warm tones that give a unique depth of colour, the almost burnt brown pigments create a welcoming retreat which envelopes the room in an earthy darkness. Often used with Dead Salmon to enhance historic art and antique furniture.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Joa’s White

A strong dark brown

Our darkest drab is named after the craftsmen who tan the hides and skins used to create leather. Tanner’s Brown will read as almost black in lower lighting and is extremely useful to create a slightly softer look when used on the interior of fireplaces. It does, however, become browner in colour within well lit homes and exteriors due to its warm red undertones.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Joa’s White

A soft black with blue undertones

More blue than black, Railings is a softer alternative to black which is particularly suited to the ironwork it takes its name from. When used in Full Gloss on front doors it creates a handsome and commanding entrance, but becomes much more relaxed in feel in our Estate Eggshell finish. The bluer undertones of this dark hue transform rooms into dramatic and enveloping interior spaces.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Ammonite

A soft black

This soft black is one of the original Farrow & Ball colours – an uncomplicated name for a well loved classic. Off-Black is much more flattering to adjacent colours than stronger blacks because it feels so much milder in tone and has none of the underlying cool blue of Railings or Black Blue.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Dimpse

A true black

Pitch Black is as pure a black as you can get and is strong and uncomplicated in all lights. Named after the dark sticky residue of coal tar often used in roofing, this true black has an unsurpassable depth and almost velvet quality. As with All White at the other end of our colour palette, it is easy to understand and indispensable for ironwork, woodwork or even walls if you are feeling daring!

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones

Complementary white: Shadow White