Behind the Color: Ammonite

Walls: Ammonite No. 274

THE ESSENTIALS

Name and number: Ammonite No. 274
Primer & Undercoat: White & Light Tones
Complementary White: Wevet No. 273

ABOUT AMMONITE

To anyone who’s spent time on the Jurassic Coast, the distinctive swirl of the ammonite will be a familiar acquaintance. Their fossils are a common sight along this stretch of coastline, which runs 95 miles from just south of Farrow & Ball HQ to Exmouth in Devon (and is also home to the namesake of Lulworth Blue!)

The original ammonites were marine molluscs who roamed the seas from the Devonian period until a mass extinction some 66 million years ago. Today, imprints of their shells are found in the sun-baked stones and cliffs of sites like Kimmeridge Bay. It’s these stones from which our own Ammonite takes its name and its versatile shade of light grey.

All information from Farrow & Ball.

FUN FACT: when Pliny the Elder first came across these fossilised creatures, he called them ammonis cornua (“horns of Ammon”) for their resemblance to the ram’s horns the Egyptian god Ammon was often depicted wearing. This resemblance is what gives ammonites the name we still use today.

Which room would you paint in Ammonite? Leave a comment below. Click here to grab an $8 sample pot (free shipping)!

How to use Ammonite

One of the easiest ways to start a scheme is with one of Farrow & Ball's neutral groups. Ammonite comes from the Easy Neutrals group, which also features Cornforth White, Purbeck Stone and Wevet.

Strong White No. 2001: a grey based white.

Ammonite No. 274: a naturally understated grey.

Cornforth White No. 228: a versatile grey.

The shades in these groups can be used together in any combination, serving as a neutral foundation to be carried throughout your home or as a full scheme. Try the low-contrast option above for relaxing rooms, or this one below, with stronger accents, for a contemporary touch.

Purbeck Stone No. 275: an understated stone grey.

Ammonite No. 274: a naturally understated grey.

Mole's Breath No. 276: a moody grey.

For a colour-led scheme, try Ammonite in a supporting rather than a starring role. It’s a delicate accompaniment to strong Stiffkey Blue and Off-Black that looks more considered than a pure bright white.