Cornforth White Farrow & Ball

So have I found you THE unicorn? Could I have possibly found the perfect grey? Dramatic I know. Well, If you’re looking for an understated, easy to live with and super relaxed grey, then Cornforth White by Farrow and Ball should be a contender.

You’ll know by reading this post all about the hunt for the perfect grey, grey is a tricky colour to master….Perfect is therefore likely an impossibility!

However, seeing as Cornforth White has bagged the number one spot of Farrow and Ball's most popular colours of 2021 on Home & Gardens, I thought this understated star was worth a closer look. 

Cornforth White is a super versatile grey that’s neither too warm or too cool. It’s easy to live with and I should know as I literally do, during office hours at least, as I write this post it’s the colour that cocoons me in my office, and I adore it. 

Here’s a little look at some Cornforth White inspiration.

So today I wanted to inspire you with a little Cornforth White by Farrow and Ball inspiration and a few sophisticated palettes that you can recreate in your home, let’s get started.

// Colour Palette One

The inspiration for my home office came from a totally gorgeous painting by Quintessa Art (one for you’re little black book if you’re looking for colour matched artwork), I was super lucky to win it at the first interiors trade show I ever attended in 2011 (I took is as a sign that my career change into the world of interiors was a good thing). 

It’s followed me around various homes and offices, but never had a place where it looked at home. It’s always seemed like it was given to me to be the basis for my home office design at some point. And eventually that happened (we’ve been renovating our edwardian home since 2011, it’s lived in 7 different places)

TIP: An inspiration item can be one of the very best ways to start the creative juices flowing.

Here’s a little look at the gorgeous abstract combination of white, grey, blue, black and gold. 

I’m much more a fan of low contrast colour combinations, I need my spaces to make me feel calm and relaxed and for me that means muted colour combinations, light and airy, especially so in my office where I want to feel calm, relaxed and by doing so creative, energised and productive. 

With a beautiful wooden oak plank flooring from Silvan Floors, I needed a grey with a little warmth, nothing too cold, to tie in the other elements, and to also create the look and feel I wanted in this space which was creativity fueling, energising, relaxing, productivity inducing, elegant and stylish. 

I love traditional features such as oak flooring, gorgeous period cornice and had built a beautiful custom flatpack (check out jali) floor to ceiling bookcase, but I also wanted a fresh sophisticated modern feeling.

And Cornforth White delivered. 

Fabrics // Beauchamp Velvet Fabric by James Hare | Kasuri Fabric by James Hare | Shagreen Silk Fabric by James Hare

Paint // Cornforth White + Ammonite by Farrow + Ball

// Colour Palette Two

Recently we’ve covered the Interior Design Trends for 2021 and it was clear we’re looking to get a little more tranquility in our homes this year. I decided a calming and tranquil route with a couple of schemes. 

Below is a beautiful soft marriage of Cornforth White, Strong White + All White, keeping the backdrop soothing, soft and simple.

To create some contrast and interest I’ve added in some lovely muted blue tones and soft delicate patterns to bring some elegant serenity.

Fabrics // Clarke & Clarke ALVAR F0753-60 | Harlequin CORALITE HFRA131929 | Harlequin HFRA131914 | Harlequin Fragments Fractal 131921-01

Paint // Cornforth White, All White + Strong White by Farrow + Ball

// Colour Palette Three

Scheme three was inspired by this delicious scene from Desenio. Another design that instantly calms you with natural textures and muted elegant colour choices, soft serene and simple. 

Here we’ve warmed it all up a little and headed to a sophisticated neutral palette of Cornforth White, Purbeck Stone and Moles Breath.

Fabrics // Clarke & Clarke F0453-54 | Clarke & Clarke Linoso F0453-53 | Clarke & Clarke Silhouette F1338-05 | Sirocco F1339-05 | Kirkby Design Dakota Suede Fabric

Paint // Cornforth White, Purbeck Stone + Mole's Breath by Farrow + Ball

I hope Cornforth White is now a solid choice for the perfect sophisticated grey in your home, and if you have this, or do use this paint in your home, please tag me on instagram @natalie_gisborne so that I can share the design love with you. (super thanks to everyone that has voted for this week’s schemes over on the gram too).

If you want to get help, inspiration and also influence what we’re working on then come and join us here. I also like to bring a little fun to things too.

Natalie xx