Farrow & Ball's new colorchart
I’ve resisted Farrow and Ball for many years, thinking for some reason they were snooty and affected. But then again, so am I. When their new color card flew over my transom, I decided to have a closer look…
ColorTherapy Review: Farrow & Ball
Farrow & Ball's new colorchart
For starters, Farrow and Ball has an “edited” palette of 132 colors, compared with the thousands at other paint companies. I’ve got to say, this is something I have unlimited respect for because: A) They’ve done all the work for us. B) People go crazy when given too many choices. C) They’re staking a claim and saying, “ In our world view, this is what’s important.” D) If you don’t like that world-view, then move on.
They claim to be both traditional and contemporary, and at first glance this seems very accurate. Many of the colors are redolent of the landed gentry, with names to match (Dorset Cream, Pale Hound). Churlish Green could be the color of a British breakfast nook, but looks also like a part of the recent Wasabi trend. Arsenic might either belong in a scullery, or make a sensational children’s room. And of course I’m drawn to the deep darks like Pelt, Railings, Black Blue and Green Smoke and I think one could do things fresh and exciting with them depending on the context.
But what really slays me is the color card. It’s both a history of interior color and an instruction for its use, with descriptions such as these: “Cool, a lighter, less blue version of No.88 Lamp Room Gray, reminiscent of an elegant colour used in Sweden in the late 18th century under Gustav III.” (Pavillion Gray No. 242); “This yellow-green colour has been used decoratively for centuries, both on its own and as a ground beneath patterned wallpapers. Good contrast to Tanner’s Brown No. 244.” (Churlish Green No. 251); “First available in England in the 18th century, this pigment was produced by reducing the bright yellow urine of cows fed on a special diet of mango leaves.” (India Yellow No.66). I’ve been pouring over this booklet for days—I can’t get enough.
This is my first time using this product. It has a texture like heavy cream, but went on a bit thin. I’m unwilling to condemn anything after just one use, so I’m curious as to readers’ experiences. Have you used Farrow and Ball?
Let me know your thoughts.
- Mark Chamberlain, interior and decorative painter
Comments (8)
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Yes of course I have!!!! (you knew I would, right?)
There is only one paint I haven't like (BEHR).
Farrow & Ball *is* thin after you get used to Fine Paints of Europe, but it is still a good quality product rich in pigment. It is particular aesthetic, which does not often fit with our "style", although I try to find ways to make it fit (for example, I painted our family bassinet, an antique Lloyd Loom piece, Dorset Cream).
I am still committed to Donald Kaufman colours in Fine Paints of Europe paint (he really does have the best white, no matter what anyone else tries to claim), but Farrow and Ball is great!
view mschatelaine's profile
I love Farrow and Ball paint and use nothing else. The colors have such depth and do not look like a coating of plastic on your wall because it is not latex paint. i have used the oil egg shell, the water based egg shell, the estate emulsion and the modern emulsion. multiple coats are needed, but the results are well worth it.
My favorite thing about them though is the names of the colors such as dead salmon and pigeon.
view abigailm's profile
Also love Farrow and Ball. Especially "Downpipe" which I think is the one in the staircase pic and which I have in my kitchen. I ordered it from memory as "Drainpipe?" they very nicely corrected me... Someone told me of a Victoria Wood sketch about the names... 'old bandage'
view Lesley - London's profile
Farrow and Ball's "Borrowed Light" was recommended to me for my bedroom by a decorator, and I love it, however the price tag (approximately $85/gallon) was ridiculous IMHO. My painter kindly took the chip to Benjamin Moore and they matched it - I know, I know, not the same fabulous finish, but honestly the colour is spectacular. It was a case of cheap and close being sufficient, and the room is now a wonderfully restful retreat that I could afford to supply with matching bedding.
view Sweeneybird's profile
Sweeneybird, what did you pay for the BenMoore?
view ChrisToronto's profile
Amazing paint. The palette is so well thought out. Every room looks great and because the colours work well together, you get a wonderful flow going from room to room. Also, if you have plaster walls, the clay in the paint hides bumps and imperfections better than any other paint. It will actually save you money as oftentimes skimming is the only other way fix imperfections in plaster.
view lorenab's profile
does anyone know what the color of that door is?
view mrs. jones's profile
I adore this stuff and have used it for years.
We recently stayed in a large hotel cottage in Brittany (Les Maisons de Bricourt) that was painted with F&B throughout. I told the proprietor that my husband and I found it unbelievable they would use such premium paint in a property inhabited weekly by god-knows-who and their children -- she said except for little touchups here and there they haven't had to repaint for five years!
Most impressive was a grey/blue bathroom with wainscotting along the walls and the tub encasement that perfectly matched the painted parquet floor. Needless to say, the room looked much bigger than it actually was -- stunning with the classic white porcelain and chrome fixtures.
I thought, definitely copying this, but what kind of varnish would protect a bathroom floor like that?? Sure enough, F&B make floor paints in most of their colors.
Worth every penny, in my opinion. And no I do not work for them.
view lamarmotte's profile