Farrow and Ball Ammonite - Examples and Tips for Using This Paint Colour
One of the most frequent questions I receive here and
on my Instagram
is, "What is that paint colour in your living room"? I understand it.
Farrow and Ball Ammonite
is an understated yet eye-catching soft grey that works so well under
different spaces and light conditions. I thought I would share my Farrow and
Ball Ammonite review and tips in case you're considering using this paint
colour.
Ammonite - Farrow and Ball
Farrow and Ball Paint Colours
I've used many different paint brands over the years and
Farrow and Ball
paint has a few unmistakeable qualities. First is the curated selection of
colour. Unlike other brands that offer every colour under the sun, the
Farrow and Ball palette
offers a somewhat limited selection. You won't find any super bright or neon
in the Farrow and Ball colors. There's only a few whites and blacks.
This Farrow and Ball color chart is from 2018 I believe so it doesn't have all the latest colours. You can see all the Farrow and Ball paint colours by ordering a free Farrow and Ball colour card. The photo of the paint card above shows about half of their paint colours. They don't introduce new colours often and offer just 132 different hues.
This editing creates a palette that feels thoughtful, intentional, and well-coordinated. With Farrow and Ball, you get the sense that you could choose any colour and it would work in your space. Additionally, it's a very harmonious palette and the colours are designed to work well with each other.
Peel and Stick Farrow and Ball Paint Samples:
Do you worry about making a mistake with your paint selection? Have you
picked out a paint sample from a sample card and then when you get the
actual paint and put it on your walls it looks totally different? I've had
that happen a few times, but luckily, there's new products that can save
you the hassle and frustration of picking out the wrong paint.
Before you embark on this project - or any paint project - I highly
suggest that you invest in peel and stick paint samples. These
are really a revolutionary and useful product! The exact paint is applied
to an adhesive backing so you get a true, 100% sample of your paint
colour.
Samplize (US company, carries Farrow and Ball, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin
Williams, and PPG brands) and Hello Paint (Canadian company, carries Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams) are
two sites that sell large format peel and stick paint samples. These
samples are reusable and re-positionable and you can save them to reuse
for your next paint project. See HERE for a quick video on how I used them in my office project. Get $5 off your first Samplize order using the code "FIRSTFIVE".
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| Farrow and Ball Ammonite in spring, with artificial lighting |
Farrow and Ball Paint Finishes
Along with their depth of colour, Farrow and Ball paints are known for
their unique finishes. Farrow and Ball paint finishes are different from
your typical high gloss, semi gloss, satin, eggshell, or matte. Farrow and
Ball offers mainly low to mid sheens, with their paints having a chalky,
matte quality.
I personally haven't found their paints to be any less durable than say
Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams paint. They are wipeable and stand up
to normal wear and tear. Side note:
This
is my absolute favourite product for cleaning up scuff marks on
painted surfaces!
As well, the colour does not fade. We've gone and done touch ups on our
living room paint even years later and you can't tell the different. I
can't say the same for Benjamin Moore - we had to repaint a whole room
Paper White because the touch up was so noticeable, even on white paint!
Can you color match Farrow and Ball paint? Is there a Farrow and Ball Ammonite dupe?
That matte quality of Farrow and Ball paint infuses Ammonite with a
deep, complex characteristic that other paints can't quite replicate.
Hence, that's why you pay a premium price for Farrow and Ball.
Farrow and Ball Ammonite has a Light Reflectance Value or LRV value of
67.99%. This number represents the amount of visible light that will
be reflected from a surface painted with this colour. The Hex code is
#D6D3CD. Here's a few paints that have similar shade, reflective quality,
and saturation and make for adequate Ammonite dupes:
- Sherwin Williams Crushed Ice SW 7647
- PPG Silent Smoke 1025-2
- Sherwin Williams Silverpointe 7653
- Benjamin Moore Moonshine 2140-60
I found that Farrow and Ball Ammonite retains its saturation throughout the day. Unlike other paint brand colours which can look completely different in different light conditions, Farrow and Ball Ammonite looks and feels like the same hue in the bright morning light and in the darkness of night.
In our living room, we used two different Farrow and Ball paint finishes:
- an Estate Emulsion finish for the walls and panel moulding
- an Estate Eggshell for the crown mouldings, door and window casings, fireplace, pocket doors and baseboards.
How To Select Paint Colors
When we were looking for a paint colour for this living room, I knew I wanted something that was neutral and could work with different decor and throughout the seasons.
I was leaning towards the off whites and warm greys. Something with character but that could provide a neutral backdrop to my changing accessories. Quickly, I focused in on Ammonite or Cornforth White as my initial preferences and would sample them to compare.
Aside from peel and stick paint swatches, another way to select paint colour is to make your own paint samples. You could paint them directly on the wall, or paint them on sheets of white paper. This way, you can move the samples around, try them on different walls, move them around day to night.
Ammonite No. 274 is a versatile perfect grey, in my opinion. It appears neither too warm nor too cool. We had also considered Farrow and Ball Cornforth White but found with the north east light that comes into our living room, it read a little too dark. Ammonite has warm undertones and doesn't appear too blue as some greys can.
Here's how Farrow and Ball Ammonite looked with two coats on the wall. This is just a photo from my phone, but you can see how warmer and more saturated it looked against the stark white of the pre-primed MDF moulding, and the existing semi-gloss creamy white paint on the doors.
If you're considering using Farrow and Ball Ammonite, here's my thoughts.
Spaces to use Farrow and Ball Ammonite
- living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens
- restful or gathering spaces
- traditional homes, country homes
- rooms with little or no natural light. Rooms with cool northern light
- cabinetry
- hallways and entryways
- moulding and architectural details
- as a backdrop to more colourful accents
- paired with other warm-toned neutrals
You can see here how Farrow and Ball Ammonite really brings out the
architectural details in my living room. The paint colour doesn't compete
with the room. It enhances the details and allows the decor to pop.
Farrow and Ball Paint Price
Make no mistake, this refined paint does come at a cost. On their website,
Farrow and Ball paint is priced at $110 US per gallon. Is Farrow and Ball
worth it? I think so. With a premium paint, you'll want to be intentional
about where you use it though. I used it here in the living room as I
knew, once renovated, this would be one of the most used and visible rooms
in our home.
This is not the kind of paint to use for small, insignificant projects
like inside of closets or rarely used guest rooms. Reserve this paint for
rooms and spaces that will have high impact - living rooms, hallways, a
full wall of kitchen cabinetry.
How many coats of Farrow and Ball paint do you need?
We found that for the walls in an Estate Emulsion finish, two coats was
sufficient. For the crown, baseboards, fireplace and other moulding where
we used Estate Eggshell, three coats were needed to get the depth of
colour and even coverage we wanted.
What colours go with Farrow and Ball Ammonite?
- For a monotone palette, try Ammonite, Strong White and Purbeck Stone
- For a country palette, try Ammonite, Mizzle and French Gray
- For a bold palette, try Ammonite, Stiffkey Blue and Railings
How does Farrow and Ball Ammonite make a room feel?
It feels sophisticated yet reserved. Welcoming. Calm and restful.
On the surface, Ammonite seems like a plain warm grey but I've found it to
be very complex and refined. It feels at home no matter the season.
Whether I'm accessorizing with blue and orange in summer, or mulberry red
over the holidays, Ammonite works.
I have to say though that I love
Farrow and Ball Ammonite
in the fall. The shaded afternoon light casts this room in a softer glow
and makes it feel cozy and warm. The colour palette of fall - creams,
rusts, blacks and browns - really showcases the best qualities of
Ammonite.
Have you tried Farrow and Ball paint? I'd love to hear how you've used it
in your home!
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Want to see how we've used other paint colours in our home? Click over to
these stories:
 Farrow and Ball Wimborne White |
 Benjamin Moore Simply White |
 PARA Paints Lunenberg |
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