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When Farrow & Ball debuted a fresh assortment of colors in February, we thought that might be all we were getting from the beloved British paint and wallpaper this year. But, behind the scenes, another new collection was taking shape. Together with Framebridge, the brand has debuted a selection of two elegant frames painted in seven of its most popular colors, including soothing French Gray, striking Etruscan Red, and dramatic Railings. “Each color has a story, a history, and a mood behind it, which makes them as inspiring around a piece of art as they are on the walls of a room,” says Charlotte Cosby, the creative director of Farrow & Ball.
Over the course of two years, the teams at both brands collaborated closely to find the right frame and color combinations that would work in any space, with any style and lighting. It was important, says Tessa Wolf, Framebridge’s head of merchandising, that the collection represent a spectrum of hues, but not feel like a rainbow.
After cycling through the entire paint finish collection, Wolf notes that as a group they were drawn to the polar opposites of Full Gloss and Dead Flat. Ultimately, they went with the latter on two frame profiles—one slim and architectural, the other wide and ornate—that felt quite different from one another but would look polished if hung together, too. “By applying an ultra matte finish to silhouettes that might otherwise feel traditional, we ended up with styles that felt totally new and unique,” says Wolf.
Clear favorites among the bunch, both for Wolf and Cosby as well as customers, have emerged. Etruscan Red, which was just reintroduced to Farrow & Ball’s core offerings, and India Yellow, are standouts, especially when color-drenched all the way down to the mat. But Cosby adds that using these frames at home is all about the emotion you want to convey. “For something calming, French Gray creates a very serene effect. If you want drama, Stiffkey Blue or Railings feel bold and enveloping,” she says. Imagine a home office in Green Smoke, she adds, with your personal photos framed in the same shade.
The collection is a great way to try out a Farrow & Ball color before committing to it for an entire room. Below, a few tips, whether you have a bright white living room or a wallpapered hallway:
- If you have white walls, try one of the bold statement colors like India Yellow, and choose a matching mat.
- Pull from the color palette of wallpaper or patterned walls; Wolf expects to see Green Smoke and Stiffkey Blue here.
- Warm or dimly-lit spaces call for Etruscan Red, thanks to its rich depth and the way it complements a range of shades.
- Railings should be a go-to for dark walls. In the Dead Flat finish, it adds so much intrigue to the ornate frame.
- Why not try a soft neutral versus true white? Wolf says that customers have been gravitating that way, and in this collection, often opting for French Gray.
Just the nudge we need to put painting on the top of our fall redecorating lists.
Meet the Framebridge x Farrow & Ball Collection
