Ammonite (274) is a soft, pale grey from Farrow & Ball that sits almost exactly in the middle: neither warm nor cool. Farrow & Ball describe it as a naturally understated neutral, named after the treasured fossils often found along the Dorset coast, and say its subtle grey tone creates a hushed and calming feel in homes both old and new.
That balance is what makes it so versatile. Many pale greys tip blue in a north-facing room or yellow in a sunny one. Ammonite shifts with the light, as every colour does, but it holds its character as a quiet, light grey far better than most, which is why it works so well when you want one colour to run through a whole house.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Ammonite (274)
What colour is Ammonite?
Think of it as a very light grey with just enough softness to stop it looking clinical. It is paler and calmer than a mid grey, and less stark than a cool white. Beside a bright white it reads as a definite grey; on its own across four walls it feels light and airy.
Farrow & Ball give Strong White (2001) and Wevet (273) as lighter alternatives, and Cornforth White (228) and Purbeck Stone (275) as darker ones. If Ammonite is not quite enough grey for you, Cornforth White is the natural next step.
Where Ammonite works best
- Through a whole house. Its neutrality makes it an easy thread between hallways, landings and living spaces, with stronger colours in the rooms off them.
- Kitchens and bathrooms. Light, clean and calm, it suits marble, stone and pale timber, and sits well beside white sanitaryware.
- Studies and bedrooms. A restful backdrop that does not compete with books, art or textiles.
- Modern and period homes alike. As Farrow & Ball say, it suits homes both old and new: sharp beside steel and glass, gentle beside cornicing and panelling.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Purbeck Stone (275)
Which finish to choose
Farrow & Ball recommend their White and Light Tones Primer & Undercoat beneath Ammonite, then two topcoats.
- Living rooms and bedrooms. Estate Emulsion, the chalky 2% sheen finish, for low-traffic walls and ceilings. It is gently wipeable but not washable.
- Kitchens, bathrooms and hallways. Modern Emulsion, the washable wall finish.
- Woodwork and cabinets. Flat Eggshell (20% sheen) for skirting and doors, or Modern Eggshell (40%) for kitchen cabinets and furniture.
Painting walls and woodwork in the same colour, in two different finishes, is one of the simplest ways to use Ammonite. The change in sheen gives just enough definition.
Colours that pair with Ammonite
Farrow & Ball name Wevet (273) as its complementary white. Their suggested schemes include Ammonite with Strong White as an accent and Cornforth White on the trim; with Wevet on the trim and All White (2005) as an accent; and, for more depth, with Purbeck Stone as an accent and Mole's Breath (276) on the trim.
From the other brands we stock, these are our own suggestions:
- Little Greene French Grey - Pale (161). A soft, pale grey-white that works well on ceilings above Ammonite walls.
- Paint & Paper Library Lead I (681). The palest of the Lead family of greys, for an adjoining room in the same quiet key.
- Little Greene Hicks' Blue (208). A deep, inky blue for a kitchen island, a front door or a single piece of furniture against Ammonite walls.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Cornforth White (228)
Questions we are often asked
Is Ammonite warm or cool?
Neither. Farrow & Ball describe it as neither too warm nor too cool, which is why it behaves so consistently from room to room.
What is the difference between Ammonite and Cornforth White?
Cornforth White is a little darker, so it reads as more obviously grey. Ammonite is the lighter, softer of the two. Farrow & Ball list Cornforth White as a darker alternative.
Does Ammonite work in a north-facing room?
Yes, but it will look greyer in cool north light. If you want more warmth there, sample it beside a warmer neutral first, and read our guide to choosing colours by room orientation. A sample pot painted onto a large board is the most reliable test.
