Back in May 2016, Farrow & Ball released a book called How to Decorate, something of a bible on using paint and wallpaper in your home to create flawless interiors. Written by Joa Studholme, the company’s international colour consultant, and Charlotte Cosby, the Head of Creative at Farrow & Ball, the two are unrivalled in their knowledge of colour and using it in homes. The book itself is filled with examples, tips and suggestions on how to make the most out of your home, alongside are some gorgeous examples that will not only inspire you, but make you a little jealous as well.
Wevet on the walls with Strong White on the woodwork
With a multitude of whites in their palette, Farrow & Ball are keen to show that there is a perfect shade for every home, room and style. Keeping a room feeling light and clean by using white, doesn’t mean having to be boring; here the walls are painted in Wevet, which is old Dorset slang for cobwebs, and Strong White on the woodwork. Both whites have a contemporary grey undertone, and are a beautiful backdrop against which to display your furniture.
One of the main problem we face when using colours in the home is what kind of light the room gets; north, south, east and west, the wrong light with the wrong paint can turn a warm and inviting home into a cold and depressing sight. How to Decorate takes you through which colours and undertones suit which light the best, and with this under your belt you can make inroads into creating a gorgeous home. Below, Card Room Green is used in a garden room, helping to connect the inside and out, and by using such a rich colour the northern light is disparaged away and a warm room is left victorious.
Card Room Green on the walls
I love this image below, it uses on of my favourite Farrow & Ball colours Black Blue which gives this hallway a dramatic and regal effect. The touch of the pale underbelly of both the staircase and gallery break up the darkness, giving the room perspective, whilst also getting pops of colour from the accessories to really give the hallway some life. A quick tip from Joa and Charlotte is by having a dark hallway the rooms leading off it will automatically feel larger and lighter by contrast.
Black Blue on the walls
If you have particular style of furniture in your home, it’s important to translate this onto your walls; pieces of contemporary furniture located in a room with a dated or traditional colour will through the whole arrangement off, so finding a complimentary colour scheme for your furniture is vital. A collection of mid-century furniture is displayed beautifully against the Easy Neutral family of greys, Strong White in the first room and through the divine interior window is Purbeck Stone, while the woodwork is given the dramatic look of Pitch Black, the darkest of Farrow & Ball’s blacks.
Pitch Black on the woodwork, Strong White on the walls in the first room and Purbeck Stone on the walls in the second room
When it comes to big colours, there’s often a resistance to paint a whole room with them, and instead many people opt for a feature wall. But in How to Decorate there are hordes of examples that show how different rooms can take on four walls of strong colour. This bedroom is painted in Nancy’s Blushes, named after Joa’s daughter’s rosy cheeks as a little girl, all the way through, even the woodwork, and by doing this is actually makes the very bold colour seem less intense. The pink is cut off at the picture rail, with the white taking over and continuing to the ceiling, giving the room an interesting balance.
Nancy’s Blushes on the walls and woodwork
These days if you want a dramatic look, the easiest solution is to go for a popular dark shade like a deep blue or grey. If you want to create a theatrical look, but still bring a bright colour in to the mix, this book can give you a few solutions. The now archived Straw colour, is a bold, deep yellow, it gives a nod to traditional interiors, and perfectly bounces off the rich tones of the woodwork.
Straw (archived) on the walls
This room below is just a beautiful space, and fills me with the utmost jealousy. The large doors leading to the garden fill the room with light, so Pavilion Gray has been used to increase this, bar the recess above the doors which has been painted in the beautiful Calamine, highlighting the architectural feature and the collection of pottery.
Pavilion Gray on the walls and Calamine in the recess
How to Decorate is a wonderful book full of wonderful advice and photographs to inspire you to get creative with your own home.
How to Decorate is available to buy at www.farrow-ball.com or in the Farrow & Ball Showrooms.
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