Wednesday 31 July 2013

Colour Study: Farrow and Ball Old White


Hello Modern Country lovelies, 

I've been longing to try Farrow and Ball's Old White for ages but wanted to wait for a north-facing room to decorate. You see, Farrow and Ball paints change beyond belief depending on the orientation of the room. 


Old White Farrow and Ball
Farrow and Ball Old White

The more sunlight a room receives, the greener the paint will look.
The less sunlight the room receives, the bluer the room will look.

{That's my rule of thumb, anyway!}

Old White Farrow and Ball
Farrow and Ball Old White

Yes, it's time for another Modern Country Paint Colour Study...this time the turn of Farrow and Ball's lovely Old White.
{these paint post are some of my favourites!}

Old White Farrow and Ball
Farrow and Ball Old White

When I put together a Colour Study, I source as many pictures as possible of the paint colour, from our house, here in the Cotswolds, and from the big wide world, in lots of different situations and lots of different lights so that you don't just have to rely on a teensy little square of colour on the tester card before you splash out on yet another sample pot.

Old White Farrow and Ball kitchen
Farrow and Ball Old White kitchen

Farrow and Ball's Old White is a very soft and gentle green.
It's a muddy-muted shade but firmly in the green category, and that's in a North-facing room, too (which brings out the cooler side of colours).

Old White Farrow and Ball
 Farrow and Ball Old White via Image Handler

It's a wonderful mid-tone hue, neither too light nor too dark, even in our newly-created study area (more on that to come!) where the internal walls intensify the colour considerably.

Old White Farrow and Ball kitchen
Farrow and Ball Old White via Blue Bonnet in Bean Town

Old White contains just the right amount of grey to firmly join the family of Modern Country paint colours but it's definitely on the Country side of the family. There's nothing steely or industrial about this baby..... but, conversely it contains a great amount of colour to really perk up a New Build room.


Old White Farrow and Ball paint
Farrow and Ball Old White via unknown

You see, I find if brand new rooms are painted in colours that are too grey then they become rather soulless. Farrow and Ball's Old White injects a softness, whilst still being dirty enough to appeal to my Modern side too.


Old White Farrow and Ball radiator
Farrow and Ball Old White via Cast Rads

But, be warned! Farrow and Ball's Old White varies astonishingly throughout the day. It's a bit like having lots of different rooms in one!

Here is our room in different conditions:

First of all, in the morning on a fair day....
Old White Farrow and Ball daytime
Farrow and Ball Old White in daylight

The sun's out {hurrah!}...see how green Farrow and Ball Old White becomes...

Old White Farrow and Ball sun
Farrow and Ball Old White in sun

An overcast afternoon...

Old White Farrow and Ball
Farrow and Ball Old White in overcast daylight

Night draws in...Old White takes on a much bluer cast...magic, huh!?

Old White Farrow and Ball evening
Farrow and Ball Old White in evening

I hope these Farrow and Ball Case Study posts can do all the legwork for you so you can see at a glance whether the colour is going to work for you in *your* house with *your* lighting conditions.

Old White Farrow and Ball
Farrow and Ball Old White walls

I've only selected pictures that I think are accurate reflections of what the colour really looks like, discarding those where the image has been tweaked beyond recognition or the flash has distorted the appearance of the colours.

Old White Farrow and Ball kitchen
Farrow and Ball Old White kitchen via House To Home

Farrow and Ball's Old White is full of character and warmth and charm....perfect for an injection of Modern Country Style into our  brand new room! 



All other images: mine

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9 comments :

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I like watching the room color change with the sun. I hear you have been having lots of sun this summer.

Fondly,
Glenda

Anonymous said...

Really useful post, thanks - I've found all your paint posts exceptionally useful.

We were planning on using Old White in our hallway, along with French Grey. This just confirms our decision!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Hello, I found you via Diane's blog. As I was admiring the pictures of your house I thought, they look like Farrow & Ball colours to me! Funnily enough a friend and I were recently discussing the changes you get according to the time of day. We are both big fans!

The Cloth Shed said...

Old white prolific at The Cloth Shed..outside and inside windows, all kitchen units, skirting boards, architraves and bedroom furniture too!
Great colour...love it.
Julie x

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

I love your colour studies. I've been doing one recently to find the perfect colour for my kitchen and Old White was one of the colours I considered... But didn't end up choosing. My ceiling was recently repainted in F&B all white and even that pure white reacts with the light and I love it very much.

Suze Griffin said...

Our sitting room is painted in Old White and I love how it changes throughout the day and with the weather. Our dining room is also in Old White but I am going to lighten it to Dimity. I found your blog while googling Down Pipe for our front door. It's between that and Charleston Grey (which is currently winning). I love these colour studies, such a good idea!

RED ARROW said...

I still find it a little difficult to read such texts. I'm thinking that I should find a new tutor. The current process is very slow.

John said...

I know what you mean. I also had such an experience when I did not feel that the tutor was putting his 50% into our work. Although this is very important. First of all, I now prefer the Promova platform, where there are online courses for different levels, including upper intermediate. Try it, maybe it will suit you and be effective.

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