Farrow & Ball has always maintained a tightly curated palette of 132 colors—that means when the storied British paint purveyor introduces new colors to its dossier, it removes some as well. Now, for the first time in the brand’s 75-year history, they’re bringing in discerning outside eyes—none other than Kelly Wearstler—to create a vibrant palette of eight new colors. “Color evokes emotion, so it’s been a dream to partner with Farrow & Ball,” Wearstler says. “It’s such an important factor in space and what makes it look good.”
When masterminding her own colors at the brand’s headquarters in Dorset, England, Wearstler tied each to specific memories from living in Los Angeles. Tar, for example, draws inspiration from cruising down the freeway underneath wide open skies; Faded Terracotta nods to the sun-drenched pots and tiles often found outside bungalows. Renowned for her retina-widening maximalist aesthetic and keen eye for color, Wearstler naturally made sure the California Collection featured a mix of bright and neutral tones, from citron and palm green to the gray on cloudy coastal days.
Wearstler believes that color is achievable for all, but people often hesitate to try it for themselves. “The internet, and social media in particular, has made interior design so much more accessible,” Wearstler says, noting how it paves the way for more experimentation. “If you want to paint a room in Citrona, for example, just Google other yellow rooms and see how it can work. You can feel safer in decisions and then act bolder.” She has favored Farrow & Ball colors for decades with her star-studded list of clients, so the opportunity to create her own palette was ultimately a nudge to encourage some risk-taking. “Color will tell the story of optimism,” Wearstler says, reflecting on its magical properties to transform a space. “I’m excited to see brighter and bolder designs.”
