I wanted a colour that brought the outdoors inside without overpowering the space, and Farrow and Ball Lichen delivered exactly what I was searching for. The sophisticated gray-green that works beautifully in almost every room. Honestly, I am mesmerized by the results.
Picking a perfect colour that balances the palette of your house is quite rare. However, the earthy notes of Farrow and Ball Lichen 19 give a balanced finish to the house. The colour is upgrade friendly one can use layered monochrome look or contrast.
To upgrade your space with this colour, understanding the soul of Farrow and Ball Lichen is very important. I am here to cut down your stress by discussing this colour in detail with you and how you can upgrade your space with this colour.
Related Articles
What Colour Is Farrow and Ball Lichen?
Lichen by Farrow and Ball is a muted and earthy green colour inspired by the subtle colour of lichen found on stone walls and tree bark.
The subtle green blends into the beauty of grey and olive tones, which creates a calming effect when you look at this colour.
The relaxed and organic feel of this colour is clearly unmatchable. The balanced undertone makes it ideal for traditional or modern farmhouse, Scandinavian and contemporary homes.
LRV of Lichen
The mid age green colour of Farrow and Ball Lichen 19 is calm and muted green. This subtle colour has an LRV of approx 35.32% which means that this will reflect about 35% of the light that hits it. The hex code of this color is #A1A189.
This feature of this colour adds a character to this colour and you do feel the depth of it. However, it’s not as dark as forest green or charcoal shades. This LRV helps with providing a cozy look to the space.
Undertone of Lichen
The colour Lichen No.19 by Farrow and Ball is really interesting and mesmerizing. The soft, muted green with strong grey undertones. The longer you observe the more you find, the depth of Lichen is amazing. The hind of subtle earthy olive makes it very classy.
With a primary undertone of cool grey followed by a secondary undertone of olive green, Lichen No.19 creates a calm, mossy and natural finish rather than a bright or saturated finish.
How Lichen responds to Light
The change in appearance is very noticeable depending on lighting in the case of Farrow and Ball Lichen. If your room is north facing, the colour appears to be cooler and grayer by muting the green undertones. The east facing room will appear fresh and soft in the morning light.
The warm day light of the south facing room enhances the olive green tones of the paint making the colour feel richer. Talking about the west facing rooms the colour will appear balanced during the day but will appear warmer and earthier during evening sunlight.
| Feature | Detail |
| LRV | 35.32 (medium-depth). Reflects about 35% of light, creating a cozy, balanced look with noticeable depth without feeling too dark. |
| Undertone | Soft muted green with cool grey as the primary undertone and subtle olive green as the secondary undertone, giving it a natural, mossy appearance. |
| North-Facing Rooms | Appears cooler and grayer as the green undertones become more subdued. |
| South-Facing Rooms | Warm sunlight enhances the olive-green tones, making the color feel richer and more vibrant. |
| East-Facing Rooms | Morning light gives the paint a soft, fresh green appearance with gentle warmth. |
| West-Facing Rooms | Looks balanced during the day and develops a warmer, earthier tone in the evening light. |
| Artificial Lighting | Warm white lighting highlights the olive undertones for a cozy feel, while cool white lighting emphasizes the grey undertones, giving the color a softer, more muted appearance. |
Living With Farrow and Ball Lichen
When I am writing this after experiencing Lichen by Farrow and Ball upgrading a cozy corner of my house I can tell you that the reviews and charts can not completely describe the experience of this colour. I do recommend using Lichen in your space to understand what I actually mean.
My First Impression of Farrow and Ball Lichen
The colour Lichen is really mesmerizing in itself. The moment you look at it you feel calm and observe the earthy and sophisticated green. The cool grey tone feels subtle rather than being bold.
It creates a relaxing atmosphere in the space it is installed and compliments both traditional and modern interior. The natural and subtle appearance of the colour adds depth to the room without making a heavy appearance.
Cost and Coverage Of Lichen No.19
I recommend that before committing the whole wall or room to this color, do buy a farrow and ball lichen sample pot of 100ml for $9 and test the colour. This small upfront cost will save you dollars as the lighting and other factors can influence the results of the paint.
The paint will cost you from $9 to $149, depending on the quantity and finishing. Apply double coats of the paint to achieve the perfect result as recommended by the official website of Farrow and Ball.
Finishes Offered
Talking about finishes offered by Lichen, modern emulsion is very durable, washable and ultra matte making it ideal for living rooms, hallways, bedrooms,etc. Other finishes like Estate Emulsion are designed for low traffic rooms and ceilings, full gloss finish is ideal for doors, trims and feature woodwork.
However, if you want to know the best overall choice modern emulsion is excellent, combining durability and soft matte appearance it complements the muted character of Lichen.
Maintenance of Lichen
Lichen is really easy to maintain, dusting walls regularly using soft microfiber cloth or duster is enough. However, this maintenance becomes easier if you opt for finishes that are washable and offer durability like modern emulsion or modern eggshell.
Kindly avoid the usage of harsh chemical cleaners as they may dull the paint. High traffic areas may need occasional touch ups to keep the colour looking fresh. If you witness marks, wipe them off with a damp cloth with mild soap if needed.
Space I Recreated Using Farrow and Ball Lichen
I am one of the admirers of earthy tones, the task of decorating these on your walls is a straight up pleasing task to exist. Talking about how I decorated Lichen, the moment I came across this colour a cozy corner for my evening and morning coffee clicked in my mind.
To enhance its earthy character, I installed a cute coffee table made from classy oak wood. Adding some beautiful planters is always an excellent idea when we are talking about this color.
A Room by Room Guide with Farrow and Ball Lichen
As someone who has experienced the beauty of Lichen No.19, I do recommend using this colour to upgrade your space.
Giving your space an earthy touch, the gray green that works as both a subtle backdrop and a statement colour. Lichen really is a versatile option. It easily makes the space calm, inviting and timeless.
Farrow and Ball Lichen Living room
Choosing Lichen to upgrade your beautiful living room will not lead you to disappointment. To balance the cool grey undertone of this colour, pair it with warm neutrals such as off white, cream, beige, oatmeal, etc.
Adding a beautiful plant by the window will simply enhance the whole look of the space. You can also decorate it as a statement wall with a wooden table in the middle enhancing the earthy character.
Farrow and Ball Lichen Bedroom
The calm vibe of Lichen makes it an ideal option for your bedroom, you can give a cozy update to your bedroom with this calm and soothing colour. This will give your bedroom a soft nature inspired atmosphere.
You can add brass bedside lamps or drawer pulls to balance this colour by this unique contrast. Then just complete the space with jute or wool rug which will add warmth giving it the best bedroom look.
Farrow and Ball Lichen Kitchen
Lichen works really well in the kitchen as it feels timeless and never overpowers. You can do the minimal upgrades like painting the kitchen cabinets in Lichen No.19 and pair it with white kitchen island.
Installation of brass handles will work exceptionally well, giving a classy finishing to your kitchen. If you wanna balance the cool grey undertone you can add oak floating shelves and woven bar stools to introduce warmth.
Farrow and Ball Lichen Bathroom
Lichen has the capability to upgrade your bathroom and give it a spa-like calm feeling. You can simply paint the walls or bathroom vanity with Lichen No.19 or use light coloured tiles to maintain the brightness.
Introducing wooden vanities and bamboo accessories will straight up evaluate the whole space and give your bathroom a whole new personality. Adding greenery such as eucalyptus or ferns and natural stones around the sink or shower area will enhance the natural aesthetic of the colour.
Farrow and Ball Lichen Exterior
You will not believe but Lichen No.19 is an excellent choice for your front door as it will add character to it without being too loud. The muted grey and green tone will simply complement a variety of exterior materials.
You can also add a black wall lantern and matching house number, this will simply evaluate your entrance to straight up vintage cottage core. However, keep in mind to use a durable exterior finish which can face UV rays, weather and is easy to maintain.
Farrow and Ball Lichen Entryway
Painting all the walls Lichen No.19 in your entryway will create a warm and welcoming entrance. Pairing it with a light oak console table or a brass framed mirror will add the character to the entrance.
Make sure to use warm lights to bring out the lichen’s soft olive undertone. Entryways and powder rooms are perfect places to experiment with Lichen because it offers a calming effect. The colour makes these transitional areas feel more elegant and memorable.
What Colour Goes with Farrow and Ball Lichen?
The best thing about Lichen in my opinion is that it can serve as both, a good base and a statement colour. You may wonder what colours go with lichen green? The balance of this colour is commendable and makes it very versatile as you can upgrade your space from a serene Scandinavian interior to a dramatic English country home.
School House White (No. 291)
The School House White by Farrow and Ball is a soft, off white colour with subtle grey undertone. Unlike crispy harsh white colours this soft colour provides a gentle contrast to Lichen, maintaining the calm atmosphere provided by this shade.
You can use School House White on ceilings, trim, walls in adjoining rooms, etc. The warm undertones of this colour softens the gray notes of Lichen which elevates your space and makes it airy and timeless.
Slipper Satin (No. 2004)
The creamy neutral shades of Slipper Satin is inspired by the traditional satin slippers. The slight yellow undertone gives a warmth to the colour and makes the space cozier.
Making it ideal for a bedroom makeover, filling the need of warmth a bedroom requires. The cozy appearance of slipper satin and calm vibe of Lichen goes hand in hand making the space appear very sophisticated. You can easily
Dead Salmon (No. 28)
If you want to add a subtle yet unique bold contrast with Farrow and Ball Lichen. Dead salmon’s muted pink and earthy tones blend well with the earthy olive tones of Lichen.
You can paint the accent wall with this colour also the window trims and doors. Although green and pink are complementary colours on the colour wheel, both Lichen and dead salmon are very muted, it will make the combination feel very sophisticated.
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (HC-154)
If you are looking for a good contrast for lichen, Benjamin Moore Hale Navy can be your best choice. It offers a deep navy blue and subtle grey undertones that give it a softer and refined appearance. As both the colours have a muted tone, it makes this pairing very elegant and sophisticated.
The depth of Hale Navy compliments the calmness of Lichen. You can use this combination for home offices and libraries where a rich look is desired.
Dunn-Edwards Black Spruce (DEA181)
If you want to add a moody and rich appearance to your space, pair Lichen with Black Spruce will add a little drama to the space, it offers a darker shade of green to the natural palette of Lichen instead of a completely contrasting colour.
The two colours create a layered monochromatic scheme that offers a luxurious finish. If you paint the walls Lichen and interior door and trim with black spruce. You can add light oak, white marble or brass hardware with these two colours to enhance the palette.
Farrow and Ball Lichen Dupe in Popular Paint Brands
The beauty of Farrow and Ball Lichen is unmatchable. However, there are various dupes of Lichen available in the market.
If you are in love with Lichen and cannot find it, I am here to help you by listing some dupes of Farrow and Ball Lichen so that unavailability of the colour does not stop you from your dream transition.
Behr Potting Moss
If you are looking for the closest alternative of Farrow and Ball Lichen you should definitely go for Behr Potting Moss as it offers a rich look and earthy greens at a more affordable price. Potting Moss offers the similar earthy, moss like character of Lichen which makes the appearance calm and timeless.
The grey undertone prevents it from looking overly saturated which mimics Lichen’s elegance. However, potting moss is slightly deeper and richer, the overall mood and aesthetic appearance is similar.
Sherwin Williams Green Onyx
Another excellent alternative for farrow and ball lichen is sherwin williams green onyx. The muted sage green and balanced grey undertones offer the same natural and earthy appearance. Green Onyx is slightly lighter and is fresher than Lichen.
This feature offered by green onyx makes it an ideal alternative if you have small rooms with limited natural light available. As the LRV of Sherwin Williams Green Onyx is approx 31.4% the room will naturally feel lighter with this alternative.
Benjamin Moore Louisburg Green
If you are looking for the closest premium alternative to farrow and ball lichen, Benjamin Moore Louisburg Green works fantastic with its beautiful soft grey and olive providing the same elegance and heritage inspired look to your space.
Louisburg Green offers a balanced mix of green, gray and olive creating a serene and understated atmosphere without being vibrant. If you want a timeless appeal found in an English country, farmhouse and organic modern interior.
Magnolia Home Garden Essential
If you like the DNA of farrow and ball lichen but need more of a richer and moodier interpretation, you should definitely go for Magnolia Home Garden Essential. It offers a deep, earthy green look which makes it an excellent alternative for farrow and ball lichen.
However, it is slightly darker and more saturated than Lichen which makes it ideal for cozy spaces and intimate spaces. The grey and earthy undertones give it a timeless and sophisticated feel.
Dutch boy Mossed Thicket
If you are looking for the closest alternative to farrow and ball lichen, Dutch Boy Mossed Thicket can be an ideal choice for you.
It not only shares the similar muted green with cool grey undertone but also shares an almost similar LRV of approx 35% giving the same depth in its results.
The close mirroring of medium depth and green tone makes it one of the strongest visual alternatives of farrow and ball lichen as both the colours behave almost similarly under changing light.
Farrow and Ball Vert de Terre
Searching for earthy greens and getting confused between Farrow and Ball Lichen and Vert de Terre can be a common situation. However, Lichen carries a deeper muted grey and green undertone with a hint of olive.
Installing Lichen will give your space a sophisticated, earthy and cozy look. It has a very low LRV of approx 35% while Vert de Terre has a higher LRV of 50% so Lichen will absorb more light and make the space look more cozy.
Talking about Vert de Terre, it has a lighter appearance with sage green and soft yellow undertones. It will reflect more light making your room look brighter, airier and more relaxed.
If you want the depth and character in your room then go for Farrow and Ball Lichen, but if you prefer softer and more cheerful green while utilizing the natural lighting to the fullest, go for Vert de Terre.
Conclusion
After this detailed discussion around Farrow and Ball Lichen, I hope you do understand the soul of this colour well and are ready to introduce this colour in your space, making it a part of your life.
This can be the best decision for your home upgrade, by keeping all the tips and tricks you can simply achieve your dream renovation.
By installing Farrow and Ball Lichen No.19 you can give your home the personality you never realised it asked for.
It will make your home appear more cozy and welcoming with the ideal homely feel. Pairing this colour perfectly with certain additions will upgrade the whole space to another level.
The subtle undertones of this colour makes it an elegant choice when paired with some plants and natural light. If you choose Farrow and Ball Lichen for your home renovation you should be ready for tons of compliments from your guests.
FAQs on Farrow and Ball Lichen
Is Farrow & Ball lichen green or beige?
Farrow and Ball Lichen No.19 is a muted green colour with subtle grey undertones. It is classified as a member of the green family, the earthy appearance of it may confuse you about its undertones. Its mid age green colour is inspired by creeping algae that ages stone.
Is lichen a warm color?
Yes, Farrow and Ball Lichen No.19 is considered as a warm colour as this muted green colour has prominent undertones of yellow, gold and brown. However green is traditionally a cool colour, the specific muted and organic nature of Lichen makes it an exception.
Lichen farrow and Ball Sherwin Williams equivalent?
The closest alternative of farrow and ball Lichen No.19 offered by Sherwin Williams is Green Onyx (SW 9128) as it offers the same sage green finish and balanced grey undertones offer the same natural and earthy appearance. However, Green Onyx is slightly lighter and is fresher than Lichen.
Farrow and Ball lichen dupe dulux?
If you are looking for the closest alternative of Farrow and Ball Lichen offered by Dulux, then Dulux Silver Lichen is an excellent option to go for. As it offers the same sage green calm atmosphere with silvery grey undertones and also changes a lot under natural lighting.
