If you are planning to give your space vintage and organic look that doesn’t look too bright, then Farrow and Ball Pigeon is my recommendation for you.
One particular special feature of Farrow and Ball Pigeon (No.25) is its ability to adapt to different lighting, interior and exterior spaces. It is known for its evergreen appeal and subtle complexity.
Revolving somewhere around blue, grey and green, this shade looks both neutral and full of depth, making it a most preferred choice among interior designers and home-owners.
In this guide, I will give you the details about Farrow and Ball Pigeon including its response to different lighting, practical applications, undertones, and much more.
I’ll also tell you how I used it in my home and provide different styling tips to make the best use of this shade in your home.
About Farrow and Ball Pigeon: A Neutral Heritage
Farrow and Ball Pigeon is a cozy and nostalgic blue grey. This shade is softer and bluer than more contemporary grey shades like Mole’s Breath.
It is suitable and works best as wall color, cabinetry finish, darker spaces and kitchen islands.
The shadeoffers a beautifully balanced soft tone look that feels both natural and organic.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon has an LRV around 34-35, that falls into a medium range, it reflects a moderate amount of light, while still giving depth and a character to space.
Often known as “Neutral heritage”, this shade has taken inspiration from traditional color palettes of old vintage homes.
It got its name from the color of the pigeon bird that is often sighted around the London landscape.
Color Details Table
| Feature | Details |
| Color Name | Farrow and Ball Pigeon |
| Color Number | No. 25 |
| Color Family | Blue-Grey/ Grey-Green |
| HEX Code | #A1A093 (approx.) |
| LRV | 34-35 |
| Undertones | Blue, Grey, Green |
| Finishes Available | Estate and Modern Emulsion, Eggshell, Full Gloss |
| Best Uses | Walls, Cabinetry, Woodwork, Exterior |
What Are The Undertones Of The Pigeon Farrow And Ball?
Farrow and Ball Pigeon is a fine, smoky, medium-toned shade of paint color, which is also classified as a complex blue-grey-green. Pigeon has an LRV of 34-35 which falls in the mid-tone range.
This level of depth allows it to generate visual interest without making a space feel loaded, especially in open and well-lit spaces.
What’s more fascinating about Farrow and Ball Pigeon color is its prominent green undertone. That gives a sophisticated and warm vibe as compared to pure greys.
Although it’s often called a blue-grey, that subtle green is always present.
You can also notice how the undertone shifts with lighting. In cool light, it looks more of blue-grey while in warm and sunnier spaces, the green reflects more, almost like a muted sage color.
This color-changing feature is important to consider before finalizing the Farrow and Ball Pigeon paint color for your home.
Where I Used Farrow and Ball Pigeon (No. 25) in my Home?
I used Farrow and Ball Pigeon paint across different spaces in my home that helped me create a well-coordinated and balanced look, keeping each space visually interesting.
Overall, this shade worked as a blending element all over my home, connecting each space with each other without changing an individual vibe of each room. I loved how easily it adapts to different areas in the home.
First Impression of Color
I was so fascinated by the chameleon-like quality of the color. From all the reviews that I got for Farrow and Ball Pigeon (No. 25), I got to know that this color is known for metamerism, i.e., its appearance shifts dramatically depending on the quality of light, and which is why I chose this color for my space.
I really liked how it subtly changes throughout the day. It looks cooler and more blue-grey in soft light, and in warmer lighting, its green undertone comes to the surface.
Spaces Recreated
I mostly wanted to refresh the look of the ground floor of my house. So I did my research accordingly and did a sample test. Then it was decided that Farrow and Ball Pigeon paint felt like the perfect selection for the interior of my house.
In the living room, I painted all the walls with this color that compliments the School House White color of the ceiling. The warm decor makes the space look comfy.
I chose farrow and ball pigeon kitchen cabinets which made the brushed brass hardware on those cabinets feel elegant.
All the natural light coming from the window made the kitchen look open and brighter than it was before.
For my study room, especially for my bookshelf, I used Farrow and Ball Pigeon on the door and window panel that adds depth to the space without making it feel loaded.
Maintenance and Durability
The durability of Farrow and Ball Pigeon highly depends on the selection of the finish. Modern Emulsion is the most feasible as it washable and suitable for areas like kitchen and hallways because of their frequent usage.
Due to its durability and marginally protective finish, Eggshell is the best option for cabinets, doors and woodwork.
While offering a pretty matte look, Estate Emulsion needs more care and is most suitable for spaces that are less used on a daily basis and requires minimal maintenance.
Costing and Availability
Since I recently purchased Farrow and Ball Pigeon paint for my home, the sample pots cost me around $6-$9 and a full gallon ranged roughly between $110-$175 which is definitely under the premium price range. But the cost also depends on the finish you choose.
For my home, Modern Emulsion was the perfect fit as I wanted something durable and easy to maintain.
Although to me, the cost felt high but the richness of the color and finish gave my space an elegant look. So, it was all worth it!
Best Paired With
If you pair Farrow and Ball Pigeon color with warm and natural elements, it will work beautifully. I used School House White to compliment Farrow and Ball Pigeon without making it feel very bold.
In addition, I also used wooden furniture and flooring that brings out the subtle green undertones of the color and adds warmth to the space.
Linen fabrics, textured rugs, stone surfaces added depth to the room and made it comfy and lively. And to enhance the overall look, I integrated brass accents, which gave an elegant touch and bind everything together harmoniously.
Practical Applications of Farrow and Ball Pigeon at Home
Farrow and Ball Pigeon is enormously multi-faceted as it can be used across different spaces while maintaining a balanced and elegant look all over the room.
If you are planning to renovate your home and give a new subtle look to your place, then I think this color is a great option.
You can choose contrasting colors, different pieces to decorate, variety of material for the furniture, cabinetry, and so on.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon Living Room
Farrow and Ball Pigeon living room creates a sophisticated vibe because of which the room looks completely different at different times of the day.
And, if you want to give your living room an elegant look that still feels cozy, design it with minimal furniture and decor pieces.
Use natural materials as much as possible, for example beige linen sofas, wooden centre table, soft cream and furry rug and warm lights.
Use complementary color for the ceiling such as School House White. This will make your living room lively and breathable.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon Kitchen
I have a huge window in my kitchen that brings an ample amount of natural light. If you have a source of natural lighting for your kitchen just like mine, Farrow and Ball Pigeon looks amazing when used on the kitchen cabinetry.
Despite working well in modern interiors, it also gives character in the country-style interiors.
In a sun-drenched kitchen, it looks as a soft and soothing pale blue paint with hints of gray.
I used this color in my kitchen cabinetry that sits perfectly with the natural stone-textured counter-tops, brass accents and aged-wood dining table setup.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon Bedroom
I didn’t paint my bedroom in this color. But, as per my research, Farrow and Ball Pigeon bedroom looks lovely. You can do a lot of experiments with the interior of your bedroom, layer textures for depth.
As the tone of this color keeps on shifting throughout the day and looks different in different lighting, you can choose in which space of your bedroom you want to use this color.
You can use it on the walls, cabinets, door frame or maybe just paint your bed in this color. Pair it with off-white linen sheets, pillows and comforter.
You can also place a night lamp with soft light at the corner. Your bedroom should be the most comfortable space in your home where you can finally rest after a tiring day. Pigeon is the perfect choice for that!
Farrow and Ball Pigeon Exterior
The Farrow and Ball Pigeon exterior looks beautiful. The muted blue-gray tone of the color blends naturally with outdoor surroundings.
In the exterior of my home, I used this color mainly on the front door and window frames.
But in my opinion if you have a nursery, Farrow and Ball Pigeon nursery can be the most attractive part of your home exterior.
Color the fencing of your nursery in Pigeon and see how it changes the whole look of the exterior area of your home.
You would want to spend your Sunday evenings and have a pleasant time there, sipping tea and chatting with your loved ones.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon Bathroom
If you want a calm and spa-like ambience for your bathroom, Farrow and Ball Pigeon is the color for you. Farrow and Ball Pigeon bathroom has a depth without making the space look small and enclosed.
Pairing it with white tiles and fixtures creates a clean contrast without feeling the space too dark. Adding some brass accents and wood such as mirror frame and cabinets will provide the bathroom a hint of warmth.
And as the lighting will shift throughout the day, the blue-grey shade will feel cooler in the natural light. On the other hand, with some warm lighting the green undertone comes through giving it almost a spa-like feel.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon Color Match in Different Brands
Known for its refined, layered complexity, Farrow and Ball Pigeon is a highly demanded paint color. It doesn’t act as a simple neutral, in fact, to elevate any space, it blends its blue, grey and green undertones.
Getting a Farrow and Ball Pigeon dupe and matching this shade can be a tricky task because of its special paint formula.
While LRV and HEX code can help, it is still better to test samples to check how close the match looks in your space.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon Color Match Sherwin Williams
A good alternative of Farrow and Ball Pigeon that closely matches its soft, muted feel is Comfort Gray (SW 6205), a highly used grey-green.
The depth of this color is similar, but it leans more towards green-grey and doesn’t carry as much of the blue tone like Pigeon reflects in cool light.
Another alternative is Rushing River (SW 7746), and it also reflects a muted grey-green shade but tends to miss the soft blue undertone which is Pigeon’s most unique feature and gives it a balance.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon Color Match Benjamin Moore
One of the closest alternatives to Farrow and Ball Pigeon by Benjamin Moore is Oilcloth (CSP-760). It has a similar depth but looks a little lighter and cooler, leaning more towards a blue-green tone.
The soft grey undertone that gives Pigeon its elegant, muted look is lacking in Oilcloth.
The other alternative is Heather Gray (2139-40), which feels more drenched and has a similar LRV. It appears more blue-green which makes it a stronger and a little brighter option compared to Pigeon.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon Color Match Behr
If you are looking for Farrow and Ball Pigeon dupe in the brand Behr, Hunter’s Hollow (MQ6-21) and Strong Winds (N380-4) are the closest options available.
Hunter’s Hollow has an LRV of 32, which makes it slightly deeper with muted green-grey tones that closely reflects Pigeon’s earthy feel.
On the other hand, Strong Winds has an LRV of about 37, and so it appears a little lighter and inclines more towards a soft blue-grey. In my opinion,
Hunter’s Hollow gives a slightly warm, closer match while Strong Winds works better if you want a lighter, airy version of Pigeon.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon Color Match Dulux
If you are exploring Farrow and Ball Pigeon Dulux Equivalent, Green Ivy and Dusted Moss 1 are great options. Green Ivyhas an estimated LRV of 34-36, which is similar to Pigeon and inclines more towards a rich green with subtle grey undertones, giving it a deep and earthy feel.
Whereas, Dusted Moss 1 has a higher LRV around 50-52, which makes it lighter, more airy with softer green-grey undertones. In my opinion, Green Ivy feels closer to Pigeon’s depth, while Dusted Moss 1 works better as a lighter and fresh equivalent.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon vs Blue-Grey Shades From Other Brands
If I compare Farrow and Ball Pigeon with other blue-grey shades, what really catches the eye is its balance and delicate structures.
Unlike many other colors that strongly incline towards either blue or green, Pigeon falls in between the two. That makes it more multi-faceted and adaptable across different spaces.
Many blue-greys can look too cool or a little crisp, while greener shades can look too warm and more sage green-like.
But Farrow and Ball Pigeon blend all blue, grey and green in a very well-balanced way. It feels soft and neutral.
In this section, I’ll be comparing Farrow and Ball Pigeon with other similar and popular colors like Evergreen Fog, French Gray, Mizzle and Card Room Green for your better understanding on how it differs in depth, undertones and look.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon Vs Evergreen Fog
Evergreen Fog Sherwin-Williams inclines more towards soft green and fine grey base that gives it a light and modern vibe. It works better in bright spaces where you want a fresh and breathable look.
In comparison, Farrow and Ball Pigeon has more depth and intricacy, with its blue-grey base that adds a little moody and vintage character.
Evergreen Fog feels more clean and contemporary, while Pigeon offers a rich, more layered appearance that adapts beautifully in different lighting settings.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon vs French Gray
Farrow and Ball Pigeon (No. 25) and Farrow and Ball French Gray (No. 18) might look similar at first glance, but their saturation and overall look is totally different.
French Gray is more saturated and strongly inclined towards green, which appears as a soft sage green in bright light. It also looks a little lighter and fresher compared to Pigeon.
In comparison, Pigeon is more balanced that blends blue, grey and green and gives a more softer and elegant look. I think Pigeon gives a lot of depth to a space, while French Gray gives it a more green-forward statement.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon vs Mizzle
Farrow and Ball Pigeon (No. 25) and Farrow and Ball Mizzle (No. 266) are both subtle gray-green shades, but they differ in their respective depth and tone. Both of them are ideal for serene interiors.
Pigeon is a smoky, mid-tone blue-grey-green that looks cozy and nostalgic while Mizzle is a lighter, soft grey-green that doesn’t feel too cold.
Pigeon looks darker and moodier, while Mizzle looks more breathable and neutral. Pigeon works best in dimmer spaces like kitchens, study rooms, or paneling.
On the other hand Mizzle is better suitable for brighter rooms.
Farrow and Ball Pigeon vs Card Room Green
Both Farrow and Ball Pigeon (No. 25) and Farrow and Ball Card Room Green (No.79) are sophisticated gray-green shades but Pigeon gives a light, smoky mid-tone look while Card Room Green looks bold and darker in intensity.
Pigeon is a medium blue-grey-green that keeps shifting from neutral grey to subtle green based on the lighting while Card Room Green is a deep, strong gray-green that’s high and bold in richness.
Although Pigeon and Card Room Green share similar value ranges, Card Room Green looks more saturated than Pigeon.
Comparison Table:
| Aspect | Pigeon (No. 25) | Evergreen Fog (SW 9130) | French Gray (No. 18) | Mizzle (No. 266) | Card Room Green (No. 79) |
| Brand | Farrow and Ball | Sherwin- Williams | Farrow and Ball | Farrow and Ball | Farrow and Ball |
| LRV | 34-35 (medium-dark) | ~30 (mid-tone) | 44 (medium) | 52-53 (medium-light) | ~27 (dark) |
| Undertone | blue-gray-green | Muted sage green-gray | yellow-green-gray/taupe | Soft green-gray | Rich gray-green |
| Description | Smoky mid-tone, chameleon-like in light | Versatile modern sage | Warm, shifts between green and grey | Light misty, airy neutral | Deep, moody, grounding |
Conclusion
Farrow and Ball Pigeon is such an elegant, evergreen and versatile paint color. It beautifully blends with its blue, green and grey undertones that gives a sophisticated character to any space.
In this guide, we have seen how it is a perfect choice for a variety of spaces given its balanced depth, mid-tone LRV and its ability to adapt to the shifts in the lighting throughout the day.
It is suitable for spaces like living room, kitchen cabinetry, study, bathroom and even exterior elements.
For me personally, what makes this color a unique choice is its adaptability. It never gives a too dark or too simple look. In fact, it offers a subtle complexity.
It works well with different natural materials like wood, stone and linen. Farrow and Ball Pigeon fit smoothly into both modern and traditional settings.
It comes at a premium price. But, there are several close alternatives available across different brands in the market.
Overall, if you are looking for a paint color option that looks refined, neutral, gives warmth to your space and also has depth, then Farrow and Ball Pigeon is worth considering for your space.
Frequently Asked Questions on Farrow and Ball Pigeon
Farrow and Ball Pigeon firmly fall in the warm neutral category with its blue, grey and green undertones. This popular blue-grey paint creates sophisticated spaces with its perfect balance between blue, grey and green.
Downing Stone (SW 2821), Rushing River (SW 7746) and Evergreen Fog (SW 9130) are the closest alternatives to Farrow and Ball’s Pigeon. Although there is no perfect dupe to Farrow and Ball because of their unique formulation, depth and finish, these alternatives give similar aesthetics.
Although there is no perfect dupe to Farrow and Ball Pigeon, there are some closest substitutes available. Benjamin Moore Oil Cloth or Sabre Gray, Sherwin-Williams Downing Stone and Evergreen Fog are a few options. Pigeon is an infamously difficult color to perfectly copy.
The closest Benjamin Moore colors that match with Farrow and Ball Pigeon are Oil Cloth (CSP-760) and Sabre Gray (1482). Both the colors are strong contenders for its grey-green tones and aesthetic. These alternatives will give you a similar sophisticated, neutral and organic feel.
If you are looking to make your space feel light and breathable, Farrow and Ball Pigeon best pairs with School House White. It gives the space a warm vibe without making it appear too dark. School House White is like a creamish shade but doesn’t look too yellow.
