Charleston Gray is such an elevated, luxurious grey that brings a touch of moodiness to it which serves well in a cosy downstairs toilet with no window, and equally in a large living space to create a more intimate feel.
Forget everything you know about ‘grey washing’, it’s a much more elevated and grown up grey than the shades we were seeing everywhere in the early 2020’s, and let this be the shade to change your opinion.
I’ve pulled together some of the best Farrow and Ball colour scheme ideas and tips on how to style this grey shade in your own home.
15 Trending Charleston Grey Farrow and Ball Colour Scheme Ideas
1. Moody Bathroom
We often see white being used as a knee jerk reaction, but a grey such as Charleston Gray brings such a lovely moodiness, and comfort to the bathroom below.
If you have a particularly sunny or south facing bathroom, this is a great choice as the coolness of the grey will balance with the intensity of the sun.
Gold/brass accents work beautifully against the grey as they add some natural warmth to it.
2. Elevated Bootility
Perhaps you have a very dark, small room with little light, or a windowless toilet, why not lean into the darkness and embrace Charleston Gray.
Take the colour down to the skirting boards for a sleeker finish. Pairing with a wooden element works so well in bringing natural warmth and a tactile finish against the grey.
3. Ground With Darker Neutrals
Grey works hand in hand with other neutrals, but add some definition by leaning into using darker neutrals on top for a layered scheme that grounds the room.
Starting with a large piece of furniture such as a bed frame or a sofa would be an easy way to do this, then add a few other darker accents into the room to pull the colour scheme together.
4. Stand Out Headboard
If you’re styling a bedroom, having some fun with a stand out headboard is one of the best ways to do it! With Charleston Gray on the walls, ideally you’ll want to choose a headboard with a darker colour, or with a prominent pattern for a splash or colour, and definition.
Bring in tonally relevant shades in the rest of your room, with a focus on adding warmth to your textiles such as bedding and curtains.
5. Earthy Inspired Scheme
Earthy inspired schemes are still hugely popular, and they feel good to be around! Grey sits as a naturally earthy colour, especially where it’s warm and slightly muted. Pair with other earthy shades with ease, this is anything that sits alongside grey in the natural world around us.
Weave in oranges, reds, greens, browns, creams and darker charcoal shades for a stylish, effortless look.
6. Pair With A Darker Grey
Or, why not make like the below living room scheme and introduce a darker grey such as Elephant’s Breath to add definition to the room.
If you like the idea of wallpaper, the Farrow and Ball Wisteria wallpaper in shade 2202 is a perfect match for these two popular F&B grey shades.
7. Soften With A Subtle Off-white
This attic bathroom is warm, and super cosy! Don’t be afraid to introduce a white alongside it, but avoid using a bright white which can feel harsh, and clinical against a grey.
Instead, use a subtle off-white with a cool undertone such as Strong White by F&B which adds a subtle urban feel to an interior.
8. Introduce A Dark Accent
Charleston Gray was made for this cosy, low ceilinged cottage kitchen. The darker lower cabinetry grounds the entire kitchen space, drawing the eye up.
Finish with an off-white such as Wimborne White on the ceiling which has a slight yellow undertone, adding warmth and balancing the coolness of the grey.
9. Introduce Natural Elements
This muted grey was made for earthy inspired schemes and a lovely way to pay homage to this shade in your home is to introduce plenty of natural elements with it for a flawless look.
Be it branches from your garden, wooden furniture, a glass pendant light or a marble coffee table, any material derived from nature fits against Charleston Gray in an interior scheme.
10. Contrast With White
White does provide a pristine, crisp finish against grey, and if you want it to feel fresher and in keeping with today’s paint trends, steer clear of a bright white and instead use a soft off-white from F&B, such as Wimborne White or Wevet which has a lovely, barely there grey undertone to it.
11. Create A High Impact Contrast With Wallpaper
For tiny downstairs toilets, or cosy little spaces, up the drama by adding some wallpaper. It’s one of the best ways to create a high impact.
This F&B Orangerie wallpaper pairs beautifully with paint on the lower half and a darker grey on the dado rail.
12. Layer With Different Tones of Grey
Keep things very tonal, relaxed and stylish by layering the room with differing shades of grey. This creates such a cosy and well layered space.
Put a focus on the textiles with the cushions, throws, rugs and even furniture that you choose.
13. Add Green & White For Balance
Green and white are such sympathetic colours to pair with Charleston Gray as they work so well in its company.
Just choose a few well placed accents such as a house plant, a vase and a piece of furniture.
14. A Dramatic Kitchen
I adore this kitchen design by Devol Kitchens, the moody, dark kitchen island positioned against the grey walls suddenly makes it feel like such a warmer shade of grey.
It’s got a sultry quality to it in this kitchen, but doesn’t feel oppressive with the white ceiling which draws the eyes up.
15. Warm, Earthy Tones
Perhaps, one of my favourite colour schemes which is simple, yet beautifully warm. With warm orange, coppery tones it feels grounded by nature, but a running thread of a couple of colours makes it an easy to replicate design that works.
Which of these colour schemes if your favourite? If you have any other F&B paint questions, please leave me a comment below!
