Wimborne White (239) is a soft, gently warm off-white and one of the best known whites in the Farrow & Ball card. Farrow & Ball call it a versatile just off white, and it takes its name from Wimborne, the Dorset town Farrow & Ball call home. It is a white that looks clean and fresh without ever tipping into the stark, blue-ish brightness of a pure brilliant white.
That is why it is chosen so often. Farrow & Ball include it in a sample set they describe as three of their most popular shades, and it is one of the whites our own customers come back to time and again, for walls, ceilings and woodwork alike.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Wimborne White (239)
What colour is Wimborne White?
It is a white with just a little warmth, a touch of yellow that keeps it soft rather than clinical. Beside a pure white it looks noticeably creamier; on its own it simply reads as a calm, fresh white. It is not a heavy cream.
Farrow & Ball list All White (2005) and Wevet (273) as lighter alternatives, and Pointing (2003) and School House White (291) as darker ones. If Wimborne White is too warm for you, All White is the cleaner choice; if you want more softness, try Pointing.
Where to use Wimborne White
- Ceilings. A natural partner for warm neutrals and soft colours on the walls below, without the glare of a brilliant white.
- Woodwork. Farrow & Ball suggest it for skirting boards, doors, floors, kitchen cabinets, furniture and radiators.
- Whole rooms. Walls, woodwork and ceiling all in Wimborne White, in different finishes, make a calm, light scheme that works in period and modern homes.
- Kitchens. Panelling, open shelves and cabinets in Wimborne White look fresh against timber and stone.
For more on how to judge whites, our article Can White Be a Colour of the Year? is worth a read.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: School House White (291)
Which finish to choose
Farrow & Ball recommend their White and Light Tones Primer & Undercoat beneath Wimborne White.
- Walls and ceilings. Estate Emulsion for a chalky 2% sheen in quieter rooms, or Modern Emulsion where walls need washing.
- Skirting, doors and cabinets. Flat Eggshell, which Farrow & Ball describe as their flattest interior eggshell, at just 20% sheen. It is scrubbable and suits wood, metal and concrete.
- Harder-wearing woodwork. Modern Eggshell (40%) for busy kitchens and furniture, or Full Gloss for a high shine.
- Outside. Exterior Eggshell for window frames and doors, and Exterior Masonry for rendered walls.
Colours that pair with Wimborne White
Farrow & Ball name All White (2005) as its complementary white. Their suggested schemes pair Wimborne White with Bone (15) as an accent and Lime White (1) on the trim; with Pink Ground (202) as an accent and Setting Plaster (231) on the trim; and with Pale Powder (204) as an accent and Stiffkey Blue (281) on the trim.
As a soft white for ceilings and woodwork, it also works with colours from the other brands we stock. These are our own suggestions:
- Little Greene French Grey (113). A classic, gently green grey for walls, with Wimborne White on the woodwork.
- Little Greene Portland Stone (77). An earthy putty that looks warm and settled beside a soft white trim.
- Paint & Paper Library Stone II (202). A light beige for walls, with Wimborne White keeping ceilings fresh.
- Little Greene Hicks' Blue (208). For real contrast, a deep, inky blue on a wall or kitchen island against Wimborne White joinery.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: All White (2005)
Questions we are often asked
Is Wimborne White a warm or cool white?
Slightly warm. It has a small hint of yellow, which softens it compared with All White, but it still reads as a fresh, clean white rather than a cream.
Wimborne White or All White for woodwork?
All White for the crispest contrast against colour; Wimborne White for a softer, more forgiving look, particularly with warm neutrals. A sample pot of each, painted side by side on the skirting, settles it quickly.
Will Wimborne White look yellow?
Not usually. It is one of the lighter, fresher off-whites. In a very warm, south-facing room any white will warm up, so sample it in place. Our guide to choosing colours by room orientation explains why.
