Stiffkey Blue (281) is Farrow & Ball's inky navy: a deep, slightly smoky blue that feels traditional and historic, yet looks strikingly contemporary when used boldly. Farrow & Ball say it is named after the Norfolk beach at Stiffkey, where the mud, along with the cockles, shares a particular deep navy hue. It is a colour with real depth and character, and one of the most versatile dark blues there is.
It suits a panelled study as well as a modern kitchen island, and looks just as good on a front door as on bedroom walls. Here is how it behaves, what to pair with it, and how it compares with Farrow & Ball's other favourite blues.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Stiffkey Blue (281)
What colour is Stiffkey Blue?
Stiffkey Blue is a deep navy with an inky, slightly grey quality that stops it from ever looking too bright. Farrow & Ball give it a light reflectance value (LRV) of 10.7, which puts it firmly among their dark colours.
Farrow & Ball describe it as having a traditional feel, but becoming contemporary when used to create a dramatic, richly coloured space. That dual character is why it works so well in older houses: it looks at home with period joinery, yet never feels like a reproduction.
How it changes with the light
Like all dark colours, Stiffkey Blue responds strongly to the light it is given. Farrow & Ball note that it appears much bluer in well-lit areas than in dimmer spaces. In a bright room with large windows you will see its navy clearly; in a smaller, darker room it deepens to something close to ink.
That makes it a wonderful choice for rooms that are dark anyway. Rather than fighting low light with a pale colour that turns grey, a deep shade like this embraces it and makes the room feel deliberate, cocooning and calm. It is a natural colour for a colour drench, as our article on why colour drenching works explains. Sample it on a large board first, and look at it in daylight and lamplight.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Hague Blue (30)
Colours that go with Stiffkey Blue
Farrow & Ball's complementary white for Stiffkey Blue is Ammonite (274), a subtle grey that is neither too warm nor too cool. On woodwork and ceilings it softens the contrast and lets the blue do the talking. They also suggest three schemes:
- Soft and classic. Cornforth White (228) as an accent with Purbeck Stone (275) on the trim.
- Dark and dramatic. Mole's Breath (276) with Off-Black (57), for a moody, tonal look.
- Light and crisp. Wevet (273) with Ammonite (274), which keeps the scheme fresh.
Stiffkey Blue, Hague Blue or Inchyra Blue?
These three are often shortlisted together. All are deep, all are blue, and each behaves differently.
- Hague Blue (30) is the deepest of the three, with an LRV of 7.5. It is a strong, rich blue that makes a confident statement.
- Stiffkey Blue (281), at 10.7, is the classic navy: inky, traditional and easy to pair.
- Inchyra Blue (289), at 12.8, is a blue-grey that Farrow & Ball say can read grey, blue or even green depending on the light. It is the quietest of the three.
Farrow & Ball also suggest Stiffkey Blue as an alternative to Down Pipe (26) for a contemporary, dramatic look, if you want colour rather than charcoal.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Down Pipe (26)
Where to use it, and which finish
- Sitting rooms, studies and bedrooms. Estate Emulsion gives the deepest, chalkiest finish and shows off the richness of the colour.
- Kitchens, bathrooms and hallways. Modern Emulsion is washable and suited to harder-wearing rooms.
- Kitchen units, woodwork and furniture. Flat Eggshell is tough, with a low sheen. A Stiffkey Blue island against paler walls is a lovely way to use it.
- Front doors. Exterior Eggshell for doors, windows and exterior joinery.
Farrow & Ball recommend their Dark Tones Primer & Undercoat beneath Stiffkey Blue, which helps build depth of colour; see our primers page.
Questions we are often asked
Is Stiffkey Blue too dark for a small room?
Not necessarily. Dark colours can make a small room feel cosy and intentional rather than cramped, especially if you paint the woodwork and ceiling in a related shade. Sample it first in the room itself.
What is the LRV of Stiffkey Blue?
Farrow & Ball give it an LRV of 10.7.
What white goes with Stiffkey Blue?
Farrow & Ball recommend Ammonite. Wevet is a slightly lighter, cleaner alternative.
