Colour Study: Farrow and Ball Cornforth White

It's time for another Paint Colour Case Study. Inspired by Kate Macey's gorgeous living room, let's take a look at Farrow and Ball Cornforth White. Could it be the perfect grey paint?!

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Farrow and Ball Cornforth White on Kate Macey's Living Room Walls

Farrow and Ball describe Cornforth White as...

'the mid tone in the group of Easy Neutrals which are totally understated and extremely versatile. Less grey and gritty than Pavilion Gray and without the perceived warmth of Elephant's Breath, it sits perfectly between Ammonite and Purbeck Stone with which it can be used in any combination.'

Hmmm...Farrow and Ball are certainly better at descriptions than they used to be but still, if you haven't got experience of those other paint colours then you may be left rather at sea.

Well, that's where I can help.. 

Let me use my experience with a vast range of paint colours and finishes, both personally and professionally, to avoid that conundrum of having bought so many paint colour sample pots that you could actually use them decorate a whole room three times over!

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White Hall

The images I've pulled together will show Farrow and Ball Cornforth White as it actually looks so that when you get your tin home, and flip off the lid with that very pleasing ker-lunk, you'll know exactly what to expect.

And, truth be told, Cornforth White is one of the easier Farrow and Ball paint colours to pin down. This is the colour I recommended recently when I was asked for a 'modern, soft grey.'

Sometimes greys from other paint brands can look pretty bland and clinical but Farrow and Ball do greys fantastically well. There's no coldness in sight here.

This is a colour that can do the vintage look beautifully; because it's a soft grey, it's not difficult to bring out it's romantic side.

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White and Cath Kidston Wallpaper

However, give it a more contemporary backdrop, and Farrow and Ball Cornforth White suddenly becomes much more modern, with a truly elegant feel.

Or can be used to give a more contemporary slant on a stunning period room...

Farrow and Ball Green Smoke on the walls and Cornforth White Floor Paint for the old terracotta tiles.

If you're looking for a gently grey kitchenwww.moderncountrystyle.com, then Cornforth White is a great choice. Taken a look at some of these beauties...

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White kitchen

This is where you need a little bit of care because kitchens that receive a lot of light will come up a shade or two paler than those with less natural light, which will need more artificial light.

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White in artificial light

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White in artificial light with Pavillion Gray units

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White is one of those rare gems that works well as a wall colour AND a kitchen cabinet colour, meaning that you can have a elegantly monotoned room without looking drab and boring.

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White in bright natural light

Or you can pick out details like an island in a much bolder colour and Cornforth White will help to create a very sophisticated finish.

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White with Railings island

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White walls with Downpipe on units and  Railings island

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White walls with Downpipe on units and  Railings island

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White walls with Mole's Breath base units

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White walls with Downpipe on dresser and stools

Cornforth White doesn't have any noticeable undertones but it will change a little when paired with other colours.

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White walls with Stiffkey Blue

It's because this is such a classic neutral that Farrow and Ball Cornforth White highlights other colours so well. It enhances a very wide range of shades.

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White walls with Stiffkey Blue

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White walls with French Grey

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White walls leading to Strong White hall

Left column: Farrow and Ball Skylight and Light Bue Right Column: Farrow and Ball Ammonite and Cornforth White, overlapping Zoffany Flint Grey

Farrow and Ball Lamp Room Gray vs Cornforth White!

To get this look, consider using Farrow and Ball Great White, Farrow and Ball Cornforth White and Farrow and Ball Lamp Room Gray

Farrow & Ball Cornforth White walls with woodwork in Farrow and Ball Slipper Satin: 

And because of that, it's a great colour to use with panelling...

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White panelling and Babouche door in background

Either above...

Or below...

...or both!

Where I'm not convinced it works quite so well is an exterior colour. The difficulty is that, because the sun faded colours back so much, you can end up with what looks like a dirty white...

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White Front Door

But my favourite use for Farrow and Ball Cornforth White is in hallways, where all its strengths can come to play. It doesn't compete with other colours so you can use it to create a harmonious flow into a number of other rooms.

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White hall

Plus it creates such a peaceful, gentle feeling...

So, my paint-loving friends, if you're after a soft, warm grey that will suit a vintage...

period...

French chic...

modern...

country...

or Modern Country Style interior!

Look no further!

Farrow and Ball Cornforth White will be the love of your life!

{For information on my other Colour studies, click away...

Farrow and Ball New White
Farrow and Ball Old White
Farrow and Ball White Tie
Farrow and Ball Blue Gray
Farrow and Ball Middleton Pink

Farrow and Ball Down Pipe

Farrow and Ball Pigeon

Farrow and Ball Hardwick White
Farrow and Ball Green Blue

Dulux Heritage Stone Green

Farrow and Ball Lamp Room Gray

Farrow and Ball French Gray (interiors)

Farrow and Ball French Gray (exteriors)
Farrow and Ball Mouse's Back

Earthborn Gregory's Den

Farrow and Ball Light Blue

Farrow and Ball Powder Blue

Farrow and Ball Hay

Images via: Kate Macey, Light Locations, rosea2000, Mark Sen, anna brain, unknown,, Modern Country Style, Little Miss Homes, Little Miss Homes, unknown, houzz, homebunch, Little Miss Homes,, Rosea2000, unknown, unknown, Farrow and Ball, unknown, enigmadesign,Enigma Designs, woodale designs, kitchen and bedroom design,, houzz, ebury home and garden, Farmhouse Furnishings, lucy stokes, yew tree designs, houzz, suey gem, Farrow and Ball, Woodale Designs, House Beautiful, kbby systema, houzz, Marie Davis, 1910HouseToHome, 1910 Housetohome, unknown, Natural Calico, unknown, Helen Sellwood, Taking Notes, Flo Scott, lou70, spb, miranda vendral, unknown, unknown, Modern Country Style, unknown, Elle Decor, Nicola Hocky, Carolyn D, Homes etc, Kate's Creative Space, Nicola Chocky, unknown, unown, Hare and Wilde, JECarpentry Services, unknown, unknown, dilong, heathercooperdesings, Farrow and Ball, Farrow Ball, , lambourc, Everett Schram, Houzz, Modern Country Style, unknown, dairyfarmer, House to home, Paul Massey, House To HOme, Taking Notes, pudding cottage