I always thought this would be the house where I finally went bold with color. But somewhere between choosing taps and tiles, decision fatigue set in – and I found myself in a committed relationship with one neutral instead: Farrow & Ball’s Dimity. And I’m convinced it’s the best neutral shade around.
But rather than feeling repetitive, Dimity has become the thread that runs through the house. With subtle red undertones, it brings a warmth that many of the best neutral paints miss, without ever tipping too pink, too yellow, or too gray.
After using Dimity in multiple rooms of my home, and living with it through different times of day, changing light, and a renovation that’s still yet to be finished – what’s struck me most is how un-neutral it actually feels.
On paper, it sits firmly in the soft neutral camp, but on the wall, it behaves with far more nuance than many of the other warm white shades we default to when we want to play it safe.
The key lies in Dimity’s subtle red undertones. ‘Dimity has just a little red running through it, therefore making it an ideal choice for those nervous of poorly lit rooms,’ Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball, explains.
In this cozy bedroom, Dimity has been used to drench the walls and baseboards with Pointing on the ceiling.
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
At the same time, it avoids yellow tones that can turn creamy in strong light, and it never tips into overtly pink or gray territory – something I was particularly wary of avoiding.
‘You can use it as a wall color, teamed with Pointing by Farrow & Ball on your woodwork,’ Patrick suggests. ‘Alternatively, try using it as a ceiling color when decorating your room in our softest red, Red Earth, as Dimity makes a wonderful, less harsh alternative to pure white.’
What this calm and cozy Farrow & Ball color achieves is feeling traditional without looking dated, warm without heaviness, and soft without tipping into baby pink. It truly is a timeless paint color, working beautifully in both period and contemporary homes.
In the renovation of this old Victorian house, designer Emma Ainscough used Dimity on the walls of the master bedroom paired with burgundy nightstands and pops of powder.
(Image credit: Future / Emma Ainscough)
The best part about this room color idea is that it doesn’t demand perfect light to look good.
In my home, it holds its color against east- and west-facing rooms, while supporting bolder choices in wallpaper and joinery, and makes the softest background to more vibrant color decisions elsewhere in the scheme without competing.
In our main bedroom, which is east-facing and gets plenty of sunlight in the morning, finding the perfect neutral was key. It’s also one of the more color-rich rooms in the house, with a burgundy striped headboard and wine-red wardrobes to compete with.
In this room, when color-drenched, Dimity’s subtle red undertones come into their own, creating a gentle harmony between the burgundy paint and Setting Plaster wood trims that creates a really calm, relaxing bedroom.
Interior design studio Eadie & Crole chose Dimity for the bathroom of this colorful Victorian property in London, drenching it across the beadboard paneling for a soft and serene ambiance.
(Image credit: Boz Gagosvki)
At the back of the house, our snug is west-facing and enjoys beautiful, warm light in the afternoon before cooling in the evening, which made me particularly cautious about choosing a pale neutral. In rooms like this, softer shades can easily look washed out.
But even in strong, direct light, it never becomes sugary or pale, and it doesn’t flare too pink as the day goes on. Instead, it feels fresher and lighter earlier in the day, then warmer and more enveloping as the light softens towards evening.
Used here, Dimity acts as a lovely backdrop to layers of green and earthy brown colors that help give the room a relaxed, cocooning feel.
Another angle of this cozy bedroom in London, Emma used Dimity as a backdrop to more main character moments, like the Delft tile doorway into the bathroom.
(Image credit: Photography: Kensington Leverne Styling: Anna Sheridon)
On entry to my home, you’ll also find Dimity on the ceiling of the entryway. With ornate crown moldings and plasterwork, I knew a bright white ceiling paint wouldn’t highlight the detail enough or provide a sense of warmth that I wanted to evoke as soon as you stepped in the door.
Dimity was a soft enough choice to feel intentional, and not close in the walls of the narrow space, while still highlighting the historical details. On the walls, I’m pairing it with a beige ticking stripe wallpaper that feels timeless yet light and airy.
Paint finish plays a big part in how the color reads, too. In our guest bedroom, I’ve chosen Dimity again for the ceiling, paired with a blockprint floral wallpaper in tones of blue and green, as well as using it on the baseboards and trims in a satin finish for added sheen and definition.
In contrast to the more traditional spaces, this more contemporary bathroom has used Dimity alongside a clean-lined vanity clad in warm wood and a mix of brass accessories.
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
What I think Dimity offers above all is softness. I’m someone who always leans warm over cool, so this acts not only as the perfect backdrop to creating a warm and layered scheme, but does a lot on its own too.
It’s also inherently timeless, forgiving, and just easy to use. ‘I find Farrow & Ball’s Dimity to be such a timeless color. I love using it because it gives a wonderful, warm, and cozy feeling to a space without it being too yellow or beige. It’s a terrific neutral to use, especially if you have some red tones in the space,’ agrees interior designer Cindy McKay of Cindy McKay Interiors.
It’s a shade I can rely on to work in changing light, alongside pattern and bolder colors, while also holding its own when drenched across all five walls.
It’s not a color that demands attention, and that’s precisely the point. And after using it in four very different spaces, it’s the one shade I wouldn’t hesitate to choose all over and over again.
For more paint inspiration, take a look at these 15 Farrow & Ball paint colors in real homes – from calming blues to warm neutrals used throughout beautifully styled spaces.
TOPICS
link