Farrow & Ball Embraces an Earthy Palette for Spring
Colour Curator Joa Studholme Reveals Her Favorite Ways to Decorate with Greens and Browns.
"As we turn towards comfortable colours in our homes, Broccoli Brown – a quiet, dark stone colour – is the perfect choice, sitting effortlessly alongside natural materials such as weathered wood and flagstone floors, feeling modern despite having historic roots. Its muted quality is ideally suited to being used on both walls and woodwork (particularly paneling) for a sophisticated muted atmosphere. Its laid-back tone sits perfectly beside the warmer clay tones like Menagerie that bring a cherished warmth to our homes."
"If you want to use a strong green in a small area, there is nothing more chic than Duck Green. It is unquestionably our smartest green, but feels strangely familiar like something from our childhoods while still retaining an element of sophistication. This colour is not challenging - in northern light it works brilliantly when used on walls or cabinetry in a room painted in warm tones like Pink Ground or Stirabout. In southern light it will appear cleaner and more green, and is best suited on walls with an upbeat ceiling colour like Middleton Pink."
"Peach colours have fallen out of fashion for over a decade, but the earthy pink of Fake Tan is now perfect for those who want to bring warmth into their homes without being overly pink. There is a subtlety to this colour, which will appeal to those who want something more interesting than a ‘beige’ but are reluctant to go wholly into a pink interior. It is perfect for halls and spaces you move through, especially when contrasted with a warm white like Dimity on the trim."
"There is something undeniably uplifting about Yeabridge Green. This is the green to favor if you want a colour to make you smile, as its fresh avocado tone feels so uncomplicated and clean. It is also a perfect backdrop for nature lovers, especially when used on walls with muted Broccoli Brown on the woodwork to create an oasis of pastoral bliss. However, for a very different effect, use it in combination with Stone Blue for a spirited interior, or with Potted Shrimp to create a pretty, more gentle room."
"Cola is the reddest of our browns with a rich, irresistible colour. Nothing can be more chic than Cola on woodwork with a rich warm wall painted in Templeton Pink. Its perceived purple tones come into play in bright light, but in smaller, darker spaces, it feels deliciously intimate. When used on walls, it is best to include the trim too, and can be used to create a dramatic centerpiece on islands or dressers in kitchens with the surrounding units in Dead Salmon."
"Cardamom is a very special colour. Although many read it as brown, its green base comes to the forefront in most spaces unless they are totally deprived of light. Although it certainly has a traditional character, it feels super modern in most rooms and is particularly suited in boot rooms and pantries over both walls and woodwork. This is a truly sophisticated contemporary colour that still conjures up days of yore resulting in fascinating spaces and the perfect backdrop for artwork of all types."
"Monkey Puzzle has a very particular place in the Farrow & Ball palette as it holds its distinctive green colour even in restricted light. Not as strong as classic Studio Green but more serious than Beverly, it has become a firm favorite for use on kitchen units to create a look that endures through the generations and feels as comfortable in a contemporary house as it does in a traditional home. Its deep green hue sits beautifully alongside both brick and stone and is best paired with a warm neutral like Stirabout or Jitney on walls for an irresistible room."
"Castle Gray is many decorators' secret weapon. Its versatility is beyond compare and makes it the perfect alternative for those who are moving on from grey interiors. Its green base is one of the many qualities that makes it sit really quietly in homes, evoking an atmosphere of relaxation and reassurance. When used on walls with a stronger green like smoldering Green Smoke on woodwork, the tonal nuances are such that it creates a room that feels exciting and harmonious in equal measure."
