Farrow & Ball (The 9 New Colours)

Disclaimer. This blog contains upsetting talk about how we are moving away from grey walls.

It is fair to say I had fallen so far down a Cornforth White rabbit hole that I didn’t even know I was in it. I have always struggled with this house. The character of the property always made me feel really restricted. That I had to play a game of ‘Lets not hurt the houses’ feelings’ and always staying sympathetic to the oak beams that run everywhere. (Very strong ‘Lets blame the house vibe’ over here.)

Last week I had a trip away with Farrow & Ball which encouraged me to peek my head up out of that rabbit hole and see a world of ideas that I had been shying away from. I have come home feeling completely inspired and actually, really excited to find a new property and to be braver with colour. My husband is delighted.

My trip started at Village Underground in Shoreditch, where Farrow & Ball had created the most amazing experience to see the nine new colours they were launching. They had used the space to provoke all of your senses and really understand the journey behind each of the colours. You could walk through a series of different spaces, all of them tactile and some even were interactive.

Is it too soon to talk about favourites? I think you might be surprised by mine. Initially when I received the colour samples I was drawn to Sulking Room pink, which I have a feeling most people will also be drawn too. Over the last few days that has changed and I am keen to use Bancha in my new house. It is a mid-century modern green and I have my heart set on it being the colour of a kitchen island. I love all the colours (not just saying that) and I was surprised that there wasn’t a new grey. Joa Studholme (Farrow & Ball colour expert) talked us through the colours and how they came to be. I noted down a few things she mentioned, in-between being mesmerised by her floaty dress, she said this year we would be moving away from grey in favour for warmer neutrals. MOVING AWAY FROM GREY. I know. Time to repaint the whole house. She also said your home should give you a hug and I think the depth that the Farrow & Ball paint colours have really do make you feel like that.

The 9 New Colours

We then headed down to Dorset to stay at the Pig Hotel. This is somewhere I had always wanted to stay and it didn’t disappoint. It had such amazing decor and views of the coastline. I am planning on booking to take Si there next year as it was just so amazing.

I just want to stop here and say I felt truly spoiled to have been invited on this trip. I was there with such an amazing group of women and I don’t think I have ever laughed as much as I did over those two days. I was there with Reena from Hygge for Home, Paula from Hill House Vintage, Nat from Laid Back Farmhouse and Sally from Green and Mustard.

 

The Pig Hotel

We had the opportunity to go on a foraging trip with Fore Adventure, which was lead by Dan. He was nothing short of hilarious and his passion was absolutely contagious. An adventure I would encourage anyone to try if you are on the Dorset coast. He talked about all the surroundings and the colour that Dorset had to offer. He had us ‘wombling’ around the coastline and showing us all the amazing edible plants there too.

Saving the best to last we had a tour of the Farrow & Ball factory. I was surprised by how time consuming each step was and how many levels of testing the paint goes through to ensure the quality. It has given me a new found respect for the brand.

I would love to know if you have any favourites out of the new colours? I always think now is a great time to refresh rooms ready fort he festive period!