Farrow and Ball experts...please help me choose colours for my dark hall, stairs and landing!

[whatsthetimemrwolf]

I have a 1950's house with high ceilings. The hall is dark without much natural light (which I know means I should choose light, warm colours) but I love grey/dull neutral colours. I was thinking of painting the walls in a light neutral colour and the bannister and skirting boards in a grey/dull colour. Does anyone have any colour recommendations before I spend a fortune on testers! I do have a tin of french gray left so am toying with the idea of using that for the woodwork (although not sure if its a bit too green)- what colour would go with that for the walls? BTW, I am putting down oak flooring. TIA

I love Strong White, which looks white used on its own but pale grey against white woodwork. It's light and neutral but also pleasingly grey - I think it looks fantastic.

Blackened is also light grey but much bluer - looks pale blue at some times of day.

Cornforth white is a definite grey with a lot of beige in.

I think all of them would look good with darker grey woodwork.

I would be careful with strong white in a dark hall, it may become rather blue and cold (at least that was my experience with a north facing dark hall). I can't find my F & B chart at the moment so will have to come back to this.

hmm, personally I would paint your banister and skirtings in white and then that would allow you to go for a slightly darker colour on the walls, as the white would bring in light. Gives you more flexibility if you want a change as it's a lot easier to repaint the walls than all the woodwork! (Also I just prefer white woodwork tbh, find coloured looks a bit grubby... )

For the walls, I think Skimming Stone would be a good warm mid grey/greige. If you had white woodwork you could go a bit darker and have eg Elephant's Breath (which is warm grey/brown) or Cornforth White (which is more cool blue/grey). If you want something really light then I agree with hester Strong White is a good one. Or Slipper Satin is also very light, but warmer.

Is your can of French Gray in eggshell or gloss?

French grey with Cornforh White
Strong White with brassica (go for it)
Dark woodwork has to look intentional. It has to be eggshell not gloss or it will look too doss house chic.

Wow, some great suggestions thank you.

The can of french gray I have is in eggshell. I really like Elephants Breath (not with French Gray) but didn't know if that would be too dark in a dark space. Also like skimming stone, slipper satin & cornforth white. I can't see brassica on the chart though?? Good point about the bannisters which I hadn't thought about, thanks minipie! Where would I be without mumsnet!!

Just checked and the French Gray I have is dead flat, not eggshell.

I have done my hall/ stairs and landing recently .The hall in dovetail, and upstairs in the corridor I have used skimming stone. Also used skimming stone eggshell on the wooden floor. It is looking pretty good! The dovetail has a lovely looking suede-y look.

Oh and the bannister I have done in homebase contempary white as I prefer it to brilliant white.............give me a mo and I will upload a pic.

Looking forward to seeing your picture Wormshuffler!

It's on my profile

I've recently repainted my house , 13ft ceilings, dark hall with little natural light with Pointing, at first thought it would be too light but I LOVE IT. I have sanded floors and wooden doors and it works far better than I thought it would, I trusted my painter, he also suggested another colour for the kitchen (lots of light and white )and we went with White Tie. Love it.

Worm - Looks fab!

I would second pointing, for either walls or woodwork, or both. It is a pale off white, but changes according to the light (or lack of). It would look good with a greyer contrast too. The Farrow and Ball people will advise: Battersea and Wimbledon are both very helpful.

Looks lovely wormshuffler! I actually have started painting and have gone for skimming stone on the walls, which looks lovely. I haven't decided on the woodwork yet though.

I agree with kaumana and greyvix - pointing is lovely but I already have that in my dining room!

i found out it's much better to paint a dark room in a strong colour, because you don't get any gloomy grey shadows. I couldn't get my head around that concept to start with, but it does work.

a lovely mid blue, with pristine white paint work for instance .