No one does a good shade of blue quite like Farrow and Ball. Whilst I might be biased having it in my own home, De Nimes really hits the nail on the head in an interior.
It’s got a quiet moodiness to it, is silky and demanding without looking too brash. Whilst it’s naturally a darker, cool shade, it can be worked into the darkest of north facing spaces for a touch of indulgence and cosiness. It equally plays the role in tempering the intensity of the sun in a south facing room.
Surprisingly, De Nimes pairs well with virtually any colour, but there are some stand out combinations that get it right, each and every time. If you’re planning to decorate with this lovable blue, here are some of the best colour schemes to give a try in your own home.
The Best Farrow and Ball De Nimes Colour Schemes To Try
1.A Focal Feature – Use It As An Accent Colour
I’ve used De Nimes in my north/south facing living as an accent colour as it beautifully works with the light this room receives whilst focusing the eye as you enter the room.
This is my main accent colour which I have supported with Jojo’s White on the walls which creates a soft, creamy balance, with The Good China, also by COAT on my woodwork and mantle.
These three colours create a lovely base to bring in a touch of my favourite colour pairing for De Nimes (or any blue, for that matter) and that’s red/orange hues, it’s the most high contrast, best complementary colour as it sits opposite blue on the colour wheel.
2. Balance With White
It goes without saying that white works perfectly with a blue such as De Nimes as it creates a balance against the intensity of it.
However, stay away from a standard bright white shade as it makes the contrast too sharp and can feel uncomfortable in harsh sunlight, and flat in north facing spaces.
Instead, use a soft off-white with a cool undertone such as Wevet. This is one of their softest off-whites with a slight grey undertone which works beautifully with the cool undertones of De Nimes.
3. Forget Everything You Know About Blue and Green
Blue and green gets a similar rap when used in combination like black and brown, but they really do work well together!
The paint trends for 2026 are all about blue tones, and they’re more versatile than we first think. Greens add further definition on top of blues, but introduce that natural, earthiness to a scheme which feels good to be around.
Greens are best used as an accent colour through textiles and decor, rather than a painted accent wall.
4. Colour Drench With It
Let’s face it, colour drenching is here to stay, and it’s one of my personal favourite ways to decorate. It draws the eye up, creates a more seamless look and is super effective in making rooms feel cosier, and more intimate.
If you have a dark, north facing room, or one that receives little light, you can truly embrace the darkness and lean into it with a shade like this.
Do consider introducing a warm pop of red or orange, as shown below which diverts the eye and breaks up the monotony of the singular run of colour.
5. A Touch of Monochrome Magic
There’s always a time for monochrome in an interior. It pairs so well on floor tiles like in the below utility room with De Nimes cabinetry because it adds that extra layer of definition which grounds the room.
It has an intentional feel as the room is finished with a white ceiling and ceramic sink for such a clean and pristine combination of colours.
6. Brass Accents
I love a good windowless downstairs toilet with a sultry colour, you can really lean into a bold, intense colour here as light isn’t at play.
Brass is one of my favourite metal hardware combinations with De Nimes as it brings natural warmth which helps to lift those cool undertones in the blue.
Take it one step further and opt for unlacquered brass finishes so you get to appreciate that imperfect patina over time which adds further interest to your interior scheme.
7. Blue & Red – Name A Better Combo
Red and orange tones are a match made in heaven for blue, because of where they sit opposite each other on the colour wheel. This creates the most high contrast colour combination you can get.
I love it used as an accent colour on a piece of furniture, or perhaps even an accent alcove space. It also taps into the ‘unexpected red theory’, with a single pop of red focusing the eye and pulling an interior scheme together effortlessly.
8. Complement With Grey
If you’re sat there thinking, but ‘I hate red’ – don’t panic. There are plenty of other colour scheme variations, from cool neutrals to warm layering that works just as well.
De Nimes has cool undertones so it works perfectly with like tones such as grey, white and other shades of blue. This grey stair runner is slightly lighter in tone so it lets De Nimes ground the room, but it creates a really cohesive scheme that lifts the eye, and brightness in the hallway.
9. Pretty In Pink
For a softer approach than red, pink is an alternative that softens and brings a feminine touch against the more masculine tones of De Nimes.
Make like the below and incorporate both blue and pink tones into a room with an accented wall of wallpaper, or perhaps in a half panelled look. The bedroom below uses Artemis House of Hackney wallpaper. You can then tie those pink tones into another area such as cushions, bedding or curtains to complete the look.
10. Mid Century Modern
For Mid Century Modern design lovers, De Nimes couldn’t be a better choice to lean into as it ticks the boxes for bold colour, and pairs so well with teak furniture, as shown below.
Wooden tones ground De Nimes whilst creating a warm, natural balance between the two. Whilst blue naturally leans more onto coastal design than earthy design, you can definitely make it at one by introducing natural elements into the mix such as wooden, rattan and even glass.
11. Natural Elements
This living room is the perfect inspiration to show you how natural elements can seamlessly be used as an accent, both calming and balancing the intensity of De Nimes.
Wooden logs, wicker cabinet covers, rattan baskets, a jute rug – there are so many gorgeous items that you can use which will help your living room breathe and balance the blue without it feeling overpowering in the space.
12. Vintage Vibes
I absolutely adore this little bathroom which really leans into those vintage accents for a sophisticated look. A gold gilded mirror, brass curtain pole and eclectic artwork creates such a cool scheme here.
White is used as a lovely added colour here to keep things traditional, with the vintage elements creating an eclectic and workable scheme.
13. Coastal Inspired
Perhaps, De Nimes may just be the perfect blue for anyone seeking a coastal inspired room. Use a soft off-white such as Wevet or All White on your ceiling/and or woodwork and introduce those natural coastal elements such as wood, foliage and glass.
If you wanted to explore the new paint trend, colour capping which involves sitting two tonally relevant colours together, swap out the white for a shade such as Inchyra Blue for added definition, and a very stylish paint scheme.
14. Eclectic Colours, With A Biophilic Feel
It’s those natural tones of green again, and how fab do these house plants look set against the De Nimes and white backdrop in the image below?
De Nimes is a beautiful catalyst for an eclectic inspired interior because it works so well with most colours. Introduce pink, other tones of blue, green, yellow, red and black for a punchy scheme that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
15. Traditional Inspired
Farrow and Ball’s entire collection of colours are steeped in history, and their rich pigments make them ideal for period properties and traditional inspired schemes.
I think De Nimes is the cherry on the cake here, it just grounds the space and works as a sound backdrop for vintage accessories and heirlooms that tell a story in an interior.
16. Accent Furniture
Don’t forget that you don’t have to just use De Nimes on walls to benefit from using this shade. Painting furniture for an accent feature allows you to get a real taste of this colour in your interior, which can be a more favourable option if you like to keep your spaces light and bright.
This vanity unit has been finished in De Nimes and topped with brass hardware for natural warmth that pairs so well with those white walls.
17. Add Definition With Brown
This home office absolutely ticks all the boxes for me! Tongue and groove panelling is always such a good way to break up the run of a paint colour and add instant definition and character to a room.
Accent it with a brown such as leather for a natural look that just sings in this space. The finished look is elegant, sophisticated and just a lovely place to work.
Note those brass accents on the lighting and cabinetry hardware that work together beautifully to finish this room off.
If you have any other questions about using De Nimes in your interior, please leave me a comment below!
