U.K.-based retailer Farrow & Ball has been in the paint business since 1946 and is best known for richly pigmented colours (and beautifully patterned wallpapers.) Their products aren't cheap, but are a favourite among decorators because of their superior quality. Farrow & Ball offers a range of 132 colours — a tastefully edited colour palette of greys, greens, red, yellows and neutral colours — but their top 10 bestselling colours around the world are nearly all white (there's a few pale greys in there, too). And, from pure, stark whites to stoney greys, there's a neutral for every room. Here's a look at the top 10 — what makes them distinct, and what room they work best in.
All White is clean, bright and fresh — without feeling too stark. Its pigment is strictly white, which means it doesn’t have blue undertones like a lot of bright whites. It’s great for a modern kitchen.
If you’re looking for a warm white, consider Wimborne White. According to Farrow & Ball, it’s softer than the standard All-White and has a warm pigment in it. Use it in a living room or bedroom where coziness is a must.
Wevet (on the walls in this photo) is a cool neutral with greyish undertones. Farrow & Ball recommends using it on ceilings or woodwork and pairing it with a grey wall.
If you’re looking for an extremely warm white, Strong White may be for you. It paints on as a very soft grey which is perfect for living rooms, dining rooms or entryways.
With a name inspired by the silk of ballet slippers, Slipper Satin is the perfect white to pair with elegant decor because of its warmth (it has no blue tones to make it feel cold). A great neutral wall colour for any room.
Farrow & Ball recommends using Skimming Stone in a bedroom, because its soft grey colour instantly warms up a room.
Pointing is a warm off-white. It has light undertones that make it feel very fresh. This is a Farrow & Ball favourite for ceilings.
Conforth White (pictured here on the table and walls) is very versatile, with grey undertones. To bring out its grey pigment, Farrow & Ball recommends pairing it with Wevet. It works great on ceilings, too.
Ammonite (on the top of dresser and lighter parts of the sheet) works well with grey colours. You can intensify its grey hues by pairing it with a bright white colour. Farrow & Ball says that it works great in contemporary homes becuase of its grey hue.
Elephant’s Breath (pictured on the walls) is a beautiful warm grey with a tone of magenta in it, making it appear lilac in certain light. It’s a great colour for living rooms or bedrooms.
More:
13 paint colours that will light up your walls in 2017
The best neutral paint colours that aren’t white
8 paint colours designers always use
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