Farrow and Ball's Off-Black 57, known for its deep and rich tone, is often categorized as a Charcoal color, making it a versatile choice for both modern and traditional interiors. Its subtle blend of RGB values at (68,69,70) gives it a balanced grayish-black hue that adds sophistication and depth to any room. Whether used on walls or as an accent, Off-Black 57 can enhance the architectural features of a space by providing a dramatic yet timeless backdrop.
Color Description
Off-Black No. 57 by Farrow & Ball is a soft black color, one of the original and well-loved classics from the brand. It is milder in tone compared to stronger blacks, making it more flattering to adjacent colors.
Undertones
This color has less of the underlying cool blue undertones found in other blacks like Railings or Black Blue, which contributes to its softer and more neutral appearance.
Color Values
- HEX Code: #444546
- RGB Decimal: 68, 69, 70
- RGB Float: 0.267, 0.271, 0.275
- CMYK Percentage: 3, 1, 0, 73
- Light Reflectance Value (LRV): 5.93%
Usage
Off-Black No. 57 can be used on various surfaces including interior and exterior wood, metal, and walls. It is available in different sheen levels such as 2%, 7%, 20%, 40%, and 95% sheen, making it versatile for different applications like interior walls, ceilings, trim, and even floors.
Atmosphere
This color creates intimate, inviting, and sophisticated spaces. It can make rooms feel cozy and elegant, especially when used in combination with other colors or as an accent for trim and doors.
Farrow and Ball Off-Black 57 Color Alternative
Farrow and Ball Off-Black 57 is a striking hue that has inspired several color alternatives for those seeking a similarly bold aesthetic. Tikkurila Midnight Y498 offers a deep, dramatic tone while Tikkurila Licorice X499 brings a rich and subtly nuanced variation to the palette. Complementing these options, Tikkurila Ficus N378 provides an engaging alternative that maintains the intensity and character of the original shade.
Bathroom
For a bathroom, Farrow and Ball's Off-Black 57 is not the most recommended choice. Its finish does not offer the level of moisture resistance and durability required in damp, condensation-prone environments.
Instead, Modern Emulsion is highly favored for bathrooms and kitchens due to its water-based formula, optimal sheen level, and excellent cleanability. Its specifically engineered characteristics make it exceptionally suited to withstand high-moisture conditions while remaining fully wipeable and washable.
Bedroom
For a bedroom color scheme, Farrow and Ball Off-Black 57 sets a sleek, modern tone while fostering an intimate atmosphere. This deep shade can enhance walls, furniture, or accessories and works exceptionally well when combined with lighter tones and varied textures to keep the room feeling open and inviting rather than overwhelmingly dark.
Pairing Off-Black 57 with complementary hues that lean toward orange adds a vibrant contrast, resulting in a balanced and dynamic environment. Thoughtfully chosen finishes for different areas—ranging from walls to accent details—further contribute to a space that harmonizes style with enduring elegance.
Kitchen
For a kitchen color scheme, Farrow and Ball Off-Black 57 offers an elegant foundation with finishes like Modern Emulsion designed for high-performance environments, and a Dead Flat finish that resists scuffs in lower-traffic areas.
Its dark, sophisticated tone is best paired with lighter colors and textures to prevent the space from feeling overly heavy. Complementary hues with a subtle orange influence can add a dynamic visual impact around the room, with the use of a dark-toned undercoat ensuring optimal results.
Living Room
Farrow and Ball Off-Black 57 offers a striking option for a living room, with its refined character enhancing walls, furniture, and accessories. Available in various finishes such as dead flat, modern emulsion, estate emulsion, modern eggshell, estate eggshell, and full gloss, it allows selection of an appropriate sheen for different surfaces without compromising style.
Designed for a sleek, modern aesthetic, Off-Black 57 works best when balanced with lighter tones and textures to prevent the space from feeling too dark. Its durability makes it well-suited for high-traffic areas, providing washability and resistance to mold, while pairing effectively with complementary warm hues to create a vibrant, dynamic visual effect.
Outdoor
Farrow & Ball Off-Black 57 is an excellent choice for home outdoor use, tailored for various surfaces with two specific paint formulations. For wood and metal, the Exterior Eggshell finish offers a satin look that is flexible, breathable, water-resistant, and built to withstand changing weather conditions while guarding against flaking, peeling, and fading for up to six years.
For masonry surfaces like brick, render, and concrete, the Exterior Masonry paint delivers a super matt finish that is both highly breathable and water-resistant. It effectively protects against fungi and algae, ensuring durability for up to 15 years. Both paint options are water-based, quick-drying, and low in odor and VOCs, making them eco-friendly and child-safe choices.
