Choosing a paint color for your space every few years is such a task! But for me, Farrow and Ball De Nimes became my first choice at a first glance during my search for the right color.
It is such a beautiful color. It really took my attention instantly.
I think almost all the blue paints are among the most versatile and timeless paint colors. And this time Farrow and Ball De Nimes paint has totally won me over.
This paint evokes French elegance in modern homes.
In this Farrow and Ball De Nimes blog, I’ll guide you through every detail about the color to make it easy for you to make a choice for your home too.
I’ll give you my honest take on how it works, what pairs best with it, and even a few budget-friendly dupes I tested with it.
Farrow and Ball De Nimes in Depth
Inspired by the everyday wear from Nimes, a French city where denim was born, Farrow and Ball De Nimes (No.299) grasps that sun-worn indigo look perfectly.
It belongs to the brand’s signature palatte of complex and heritage inspired shades.
In this section, I’ll discuss the color’s LRV, undertones and how it reflects to light.
Undertones and LRV
Farrow and Ball De Nimes includes a gorgeous greyed-blue shade with a hint of green that keeps shifting depending on the light throughout the day.
It has an estimated LRV of around 21% because of which it sits on the darker side giving it a deeper and more dramatic appearance. It absorbs more light than it reflects.
I have tested it in different rooms, and that lower reflectance adds a very cozy, kind of cocooning depth, without making the space too dark.
How does it Respond to Light?
Farrow and Ball De Nimes keeps shifting with light throughout the day. That makes it one of the most dynamic shades I have ever seen.
The sunlight in the morning reflects a lively aqua blue tone that feels fresh and uplifting in east facing rooms. And it reflects more subdued grey-green which creates a calm cozy vibe by the evening as the day passes.
In north-facing rooms, it inclines towards a more cool and neutral tone, showcasing its grey base. I have even used warm bulbs to bring out its greige hints for a hygge feel.
| Color Detail | Description |
| Color Name | Farrow and Ball De Nimes (No.299) |
| LRV | 21% (estimated) |
| Undertone | greyed-blue-green |
| Best Light | Natural daylight, warm bulbs |
| Finishes | Modern Emulsion, Estate Emulsion, Dead Flat, Estate Eggshell, Modern Eggshell, Full Gloss |
My Experience with Farrow and Ball De Nimes
Painting my whole house with Farrow and Ball De Nimes turned out to be a total game-changer for me. I feel like I’m on the French seacoast every time I walk in. It is my happy place.
Let us discuss now a few other examples of its uses and pairing suggestions. I’ll also tell you about the maintenance, durability, pricing and some common mistakes that I made with this color.
Real Life Examples
Farrow and Ball De Nimes totally changed my living room. I paired it with Shaded White on the ceiling and trim.
A friend of mine also took my help to paint her kitchen cabinets with the same color. The result was stunning! The brass knobs against the calm and muted backdrop flashed out beautifully.
I have also seen people using it on the ceilings, where it builds a subtle illusion of height and depth. It works effortlessly as an accent wall to lift bold patterns and textiles and give the room a balanced feel.
Maintenance and Durability
Farrow and Ball De Nimes is far more durable then I expected it to be. In my home, I have used the Modern Emulsion finish and I have wiped down the walls countless times using just mild soapy water.
From kids’ fingerprints to kitchen splatters, it handles everything without leaving any marks, dull patches or stains.
Even in my steamy bathroom, it hasn’t faded a bit. There’s no visible peeling or fading over time that I have noticed.
The most impressive part is how it flawlessly blends in touch-ups, maintaining a consistent and clean finish. For such soft, muted color its durability is awe-inspiring.
Pricing
I did end up overspending a bit on Farrow and Ball Pigeon De Nimes modern emulsion, because my 1 gallon tin of Modern Emulsion cost me around $149 which covered two coats over roughly 375 sq. ft. I think that was quite efficient.
Also before choosing the color, I tried a few sample pots at about $9 each. That really helped me to be sure about my choice.
Well, it’s definitely a premium paint! Its rich pigmentation, excellent coverage and eco-friendly formula is really worth the price. In the end, the finish and durability totally justify the upfront cost.
Pairing Suggestions
I loved pairing Farrow and Ball De Nimes with Farrow and Ball’s Shaded White. It truly brought the color to life, creating a crisp and clean contrast that beautifully reflected its blue undertones.
Also, adding some materials like oak furniture and walnut finishes helps to amplify its subtle green undertones. It gives the space a rich and grounded vibe.
A few brass accents like lamps, handles and knobs bring a touch of elegance and warmth.
I found cooler metals like chrome or steel can flatten the color’s depth after a lot of experimenting. So I avoided them. The point is that I wanted to bring out De Nimes’ full character by layering some warmth.
Common Mistakes
There are a few mistakes I made and lessons learned with Farrow and Ball De Nimes. Always and always prime porous surfaces.
The paint will absorb unevenly and can look patchy without it. So, two full coats is definitely essential for that even finish that this color is known for.
Whenever you choose a color for your space, don’t forget to test samples! I noticed mine looked completely different during dusk and daytime.
Also don’t miss out on the ventilation part. While applying, the initial fumes can stay longer than you expect if the room isn’t fully aired out.
How did I give my space a New Makeover with De Nimes?
I first used Farrow and Ball De Nimes 299 in my living room and that’s when I decided that I want to paint other spaces in my house with this color too.
I slowly started experimenting with it in different spaces around my house, and in each room it created a different vibe. Here’s exactly how I used it and how it worked with each space.
Bedroom
The bedroom was the room I approached most carefully because I wanted it to feel calming rather than dramatic.
I used Farrow and Ball De Nimes on the accent wall behind the bed with Shaded White on the remaining three walls, ceiling and woodwork.
In the morning light, the accent wall looks almost teal and feels crisp and energising. By the evening under warm bedside lamps, it settles into a deep, cocooning grey-blue that makes the whole room feel like a haven.
The bedside tables made of natural oak and the warm linen curtains work alongside it really beautifully in Farrow and Ball De Nimes bedroom. No chrome, no cold metallics – just warmth layered over warmth.
Living Room
Farrow and Ball De Nimes living room is my favourite room in the house! I went all in with this color on all four walls of the room and paired it with Shaded White on the ceiling and trim.
The key to making the full-four wall application work was layering it with plenty of accessories. Walnut furniture, brass floor lamps, a jute rug and lots of natural linen kept the space from feeling cold and enclosed.
The low LRV of the color does mean the room is moodier than the lighter-painted space. But in the evenings especially, it is the most welcoming room you can think of.
Kitchen
I didn’t experiment with Farrow and Ball De Nimes in my kitchen. But, as mentioned earlier, I helped a friend for her kitchen makeover. She wanted to repaint her kitchen cabinets and asked me for my suggestion for the color.
We used the Estate Eggshell finish on the cabinet fronts which is a much more durable finish than Modern Emulsion and is more suitable for the kitchen environment. We paired the lower cabinets in De Nimes with cream paper units and white metro tile.
The brass knobs beautifully flashed out against the calm, muted De Nimes backdrop. The kitchen looked so much like from a design magazine.
Bathroom
I really expected the darker color of Farrow and Ball De Nimes to feel oppressive in a smaller space of my bathroom but it was exactly the opposite.
Even in my steamy bathroom, the walls have not faded a bit, with no visible peeling over time. I used Modern Emulsion here and the durability is really impressive.
I paired it with bright white fittings; a white freestanding bath, white metro tiles on the lower half of the walls.
The color above the tiles gives a depth and drama to the bathroom that the white walls could never achieve. It really feels like a boutique hotel bathroom now.
Exterior
The lastproject in my house was the Farrow and Ball De Nimes front door. I used the Full Gloss version to paint the door. The difference was immediately visible.
From a plain door to something that looked planned and considered against the existing brick facade.
The gloss finish reflects the light differently from the emulsion indoors, giving the color a slightly richer, glossy quality that feels very elegant on the front door.
It is the kind of small change that completely shifts the crackdown of a house. My neighbours stopped to ask about the color because they loved it so much. And I just can’t recommend it enough.
What compliments and coordinates with De Nimes?
To really bring out the shine of Farrow and Ball De Nimes, it should be paired thoughtfully. The right combinations can either enhance the contrast or create a flawless and fluent palatte.
I always balance it out with lighter tones to lift the space due to its low LRV and moody depth.
Now, let me tell you what complimenting and coordinating colors works well with Farrow and Ball De Nimes.
Complimenting Color
I think Farrow and Ball De Nimes and Shaded White are undoubtedly the most flawless companions.
Its soft and subtle warmth works like the perfect backdrop gently putting together De Nimes walls in a way that it feels both refined and relaxed just like the sun-washed plaster walls you would see in the French countryside. I have used this combination across multiple spaces in my home.
If you apply Shaded White on trims, ceilings or woodwork, it will give you a crisp yet inviting contrast which make De Nimes’ blue tones feel more fresh and vibrant.
It will lift the whole mood of the space without making it appear too dark and cold.
Coordinating Color
For coordinating colors that work best along Farrow and Ball De Nimes in open-plane spaces or connecting rooms, Lamp Room Gray (No. 88) and Strong White (No. 2001) are the perfect Farrow and Ball coordinates.
Farrow and Ball Lamp Room Gray is a sophisticated medium with warm, slightly purple undertones. It works so well in hallways and staircases, leading the eye naturally between spaces.
Strong White is a more versatile option that sits between the warmth of Shaded White and a brighter brilliant white. It is ideal for ceilings, giving rooms a lifted appearance where De Nimes feels enfolded.
For a softer continuation, Skylight (No. 205), a pale airy blue adds a gentle, layered gradient between spaces.
Farrow And Ball De Nimes Color Match Sherwin Williams
I love Farrow and Ball De Nimes but in case it is unavailable in your area, you can go for similar shades in Sherwin Williams brand too.
When I used De Nimes for my home, I also looked for the closest Sherwin-Williams alternatives so I could give my honest comparisons to those who asked.
Here’s what I found:
Portsmouth (SW 9644)
Sherwin-Williams Portsmouth (SW 9644) is the one of the closest matches I found to De Nimes in the SW range. It shares the same blue-grey quality with an LRV of 22.
Side by side, Portsmouth looks slightly more blue. It does not have the green complexity or the shifting undertones that make De Nimes so fascinating to live with.
But it still gives the same overall mood. If you love the De Nimes look and budget is the primary constraint, Portsmouth is genuinely what I would recommend.
Foggy Day (SW 6235)
Foggy Day (SW 6235) looks slightly darker than De Nimes with an LRV of 19.545. Foggy Day can feel a little heavier and more like a slate gray in low light.
It is a more straightforward, moody, stormy blue-green that is consistently cool. The color does not shift and breathe in the same way as De Nimes throughout the day. It is a more affordable option and a lovely alternative.
Blustery Sky (SW 9140)
Blustery Sky (SW 9140) has an LRV of 22 which is almost identical to Farrow and Ball De Nimes absorb light similarly. It leans more towards a teal/green-blue in warm light.
While De Nimes tend to hold its washed denim blue-grey identity more consistently, though it can appear more grey in low light. If you want a more accessible price or a little ‘clearer blue’ that feels a bit more modern and less ‘dusty’ then you should go for Bluster Sky.
Scattered Showers (SW 9559)
Scattered Showers (SW 9559) and Farrow and Ball De Nimes are very similar in depth with an LRV of 22 and ~21 respectively. Although they both show a stormy blue-grey-green undertone, they still differ in their primary color lean and overall vibe.
Scattered Showers is a gray color influenced by blue that feels like a crisp, overclouded day. Whereas De Nimes is a true blue that is heavily stained with gray and green pigments, giving it a much more complex “denim” look.
Scattered Showers will look more consistent but may lack the depth that is seen in De Nimes.
Farrow and Ball De Nimes Benjamin Moore Equivalent
If you prefer Benjamin Moore paints, finding the right Farrow and De Nimes Benjamin Moore equivalent becomes equally important to achieve a similar moody blue-gray effect.
Based on the undertone comparison and visual appeal, these Benjamin Moore shades can offer a similar feel and look.
Smokestack Gray
Smokestack Gray (2131-40) Benjamin Moore and Farrow and Ball De Nimes share very close LRVs of 22.78 and ~21 respectively. They differ in their undertones slightly and how they respond to light.
They are remarkably similar mid-to-dark blue-grays that offer a moody, sophisticated “denim” feel.
De Nimes is known for its high pigment density, which makes them shift dramatically in different lights. Smokestack Gray tends to be more consistent but still gives “moody character” in deeper shadows. All in all it’s a great option to choose.
Glass Slipper
Glass Slipper (1632) Benjamin Moore and Farrow and Ball De Nimes are both blue-grays with LRVs 70.2 and ~21 respectively.
Glass Slipper can sometimes be mistaken for an off-white in bright light. Both colors are “complex blues” that lean heavily towards gray which prevents them from feeling like primary blues.
Shifting between blue and gray, they react significantly to light depending on the time of the day. It’s a great alternative to choose.
Aegean Teal
Aegean Teal (2136-40) Benjamin Moore and Farrow and Ball De Nimes share a refined and muted complexity that places them in a blue-grey-green family.
Aegean Teal and De Nimes have LRVs 25.13 and ~21 respectively. Aegean Teal features a blue base with noticeable green and grey undertones while De Nimes leans slightly more towards blue-grey with subtle green hints.
Both the colors have a soft and dusty quality that avoids harsh saturation. Their mid to dark depth creates cozy and moody interiors and both shift with light beautifully. You can definitely look for this option.
Blue Spruce
Blue Spruce (1637) Benjamin Moore and Farrow and Ball De Nimes are often compared because they share a similar moody blue-grey-green aesthetic. Both colors share strong green and gray undertones which gives them a grounded feel.
Blue Spruce and De Nimes with LRVs 16.81 and ~21 respectively sit in a medium to dark depth range which make one slightly darker and more saturated than the other.
They are both highly recommended for high impact applications such as kitchen cabinetry, accent wall or entire room. This color can definitely be taken into consideration.
Glacier Lake
Glacier Lake (867) Benjamin Moore and Farrow and Ball De Nimes may sit in very different depth ranges but they share a similar calming character rooted in blue-grey tones.
Glacier Lake is a light grey-blue with a cool and airy feel and a high LRV of 71.14 reflecting a plenty of light and keeping spaces open and fresh.
De Nimes though is much darker with LRV of ~21 carries that same softened and greyed blue quality.
Both the colors offer a subtle and sophisticated look that shifts gently with light and avoids bright saturation. It makes them feel refined, versatile and easy to layer within enclosed interiors.
Farrow and Ball De Nimes Color Match in Other Brands
Other than Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore, I also tested Farrow and Ball De Nimes dupe in other brands like Behr and Valspar for people who asked me for suggestions.
Here is my honest take on the closest matches in each brand.
Courtyard Blue by Behr
Both Farrow and Ball De Nimes (No. 299) and Courtyard Blue by Behr (BXC-48) have an estimated LRV of 21, making them a medium-depth paint.
De Nimes shifts between blue and grey depending on the light. While Courtyard Blue looks like a dark blue shade leaning more towards its slate and teal undertones.
If you are looking for a De Nimes dupe in Behr catalog, then Courtyard Blue is a great option to try. But it will appear slightly darker and moodier than the De Nimes.
Deep Thoughts by Valspar
Both Deep Thoughts (T694) by Valspar and Farrow and Ball De Nimes are described as ‘stormy colors’ as having a complex mix of green, blue and grey gives it an earthy, muddy quality.
With an LRV of 22.378 Deep Thoughts is marginally lighter than De Nimes (~21), which means it will reflect more light.
Both colors are frequently used to achieve a neutral “denim-like” look that feels fashionable yet grounded and down-to-earth. If you prefer Valspar’s price and durability and love the exact tone of De Nimes then you can consider choosing Deep Thoughts.
Conclusion
After living with Farrow and Ball De Nimes in different spaces across my home, I can say with complete confidence that this is one of the most special and elegant paint colors I have ever experimented and worked with.
It is complex, without being complicated, moody without being cold, and deeply French without trying too hard.
Yes, Farrow and Ball De Nimes is a premium investment. But, you absolutely must sample it first. I tested mine and it looked different in every room, every time of the day.
And yes, you must prime porous surfaces and apply two proper coats. And when you do all of that and you stand in your finished room, it is completely worth every step of the process.
If Farrow and Ball De Nimes has been on your mind for a while, consider this your nudge to go for it. Test it, live with it for a few days on a large sample patch, and see what it does in your light setting. I have a feeling you’ll feel exactly the same way I did.
Frequently Asked Questions on Farrow and Ball De Nimes
This elegant and understated blue color has a calm, grounded feel which makes it suitable for every space from kitchen cabinets to living rooms. It has a character that’s inspired by the durable workwear fabric originally in the French city of Nimes.
DeNimes has cool undertones that pairs best with greys, whites and other shades of blue. A slightly lighter grey stair runner balances its depth. It helps anchor the space while creating a cohesive look that brightens and visually lifts the space.
Sherwin-Williams can create a color match that gets close to the hues of De Nimes. For the closest sherwin williams match, I found Portsmouth to be the best starting point, with Foggy Day as a lighter option if the full depth of De Nimes feels like too much.
The closest match I found in Benjamin Moore is Smokestack Gray. It shares De Nimes’ blue-grey quality and sits at a similar depth. Benjamin Moore’s Aura paint formula gives it excellent coverage and durability. They slightly differ in their undertones and how they respond to light.
