My Favourite Paint Colours Right Now (Farrow & Ball)
- Kate Fryer
- Mar 23
- 3 min read
Paint colour has an extraordinary ability to transform a space. It can soften the atmosphere of a room, add warmth, introduce depth, or create a calm backdrop for everyday life.
Over the years I’ve worked with many different paint brands, but recently I’ve found myself returning again and again to the palette from Farrow & Ball. When you become familiar with a particular range of colours, you begin to understand how they behave in different lights and spaces - something that makes specifying colours far easier and more intuitive.
At the moment there are three colours I’m particularly drawn to: Duster, Scallop and Beverley. Each has a beautiful softness that works wonderfully in residential interiors.
Duster
Duster is one of those colours that feels instantly calming.
It sits somewhere between a soft neutral and a muted pink, giving it warmth without becoming overly feminine or decorative. In natural light it has a gentle, chalky quality that works beautifully in bedrooms, sitting rooms and spaces where you want to create a relaxed atmosphere.
I particularly like using colours like Duster when designing rooms that are meant to feel restful and cocooning.
Why it works so well:
Soft and understated
Warm without being overpowering
Creates a calm, restful environment
Scallop
Scallop has a slightly brighter energy while still remaining soft and elegant.
It carries a subtle coral undertone that adds warmth and personality to a room, making it a lovely choice for spaces where you want a little more life and character. It works particularly well in dining rooms, kitchens or studies where a gentle lift in colour can transform the mood of the space.
When used thoughtfully, colours like Scallop can make a room feel both welcoming and quietly playful.
Why I love it:
Adds warmth and character
Works beautifully with natural materials
Feels fresh but still timeless
Beverley
Beverley is a wonderfully balanced green.
Greens have become increasingly popular in interiors because they connect us with nature and create a calming atmosphere within the home. Beverley manages to feel both fresh and sophisticated, making it ideal for spaces such as libraries, studies or living rooms.
It’s also a colour that pairs beautifully with timber, brass and natural stone - materials I often like to incorporate into my projects.
Why Beverley works so well:
Calm and grounding
Pairs beautifully with natural materials
Adds depth without overwhelming a space
Choosing the Right Paint Colour
One of the most important things to remember when choosing paint colours is that they rarely behave the same way in every home. Natural light, room orientation and surrounding materials all influence how a colour will appear once it’s on the wall.
This is why sampling is always essential. A colour that looks perfect on a paint card may feel very different when applied across a full wall.
Working with colours regularly allows designers to build an instinctive understanding of how certain shades behave in different environments - something that makes the process of selecting colours much more intuitive.
Creating Calm, Timeless Interiors
Rather than constantly chasing trends, I tend to favour colours that feel timeless and easy to live with. Soft, nuanced shades like these create interiors that feel calm and layered rather than overly styled.
If you’re planning to refresh your home with new colours, taking time to explore a palette carefully can make a remarkable difference to the overall feel of a space.
Interior Design in Bristol, Bath & Somerset
As an interior designer working across Bristol, Bath and Somerset, colour selection is often one of the most transformative parts of the design process. When carefully considered, it can completely change the mood and character of a home.
If you’re interested in exploring thoughtful residential interiors, you can view recent projects from Khaya Studio in the portfolio.
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