Farrow and Ball Stiffkey Blue 281
Contentsshow +hide -
- Stiffkey Blue for bedroom (18 photos)
- Stiffkey Blue for living room (39 photos)
- Farrow and Ball Stiffkey Blue for bathroom (8 photos)
- Farrow and Ball 281 on kitchen cabinets (18 photos)
- Stiffkey Blue for exterior (9 photos)
- Farrow and Ball Stiffkey Blue reviews (35 photos)
- What are Farrow and Ball Stiffkey Blue undertones?
- Is Stiffkey Blue 281 cool or warm?
- How light temperature affects on Stiffkey Blue
- Monochromatic color scheme
- Complementary color scheme
- Color comparison and matching
- LRV of Stiffkey Blue 281
- Color codes
- Color equivalents
| Official page: | Stiffkey Blue 281 |
| Code: | 281 |
| Name: | Stiffkey Blue |
| Brand: | Farrow and Ball |
What color is Farrow and Ball Stiffkey Blue?
Farrow and Ball Stiffkey Blue 281 is a deep, muted blue with a noticeable gray cast, reflected in its #4d5b6a color value. It sits on the cooler side of the spectrum, but its softened saturation keeps it from reading as sharp or overly nautical. On walls, this shade gives living rooms, studies, and bedrooms a grounded backdrop, especially alongside warm white trim or pale natural wood. It also has enough depth for kitchen cabinetry, built-ins, or a front door where a quieter alternative to near-black is wanted. Pair Stiffkey Blue with chalky off-whites, brushed brass, aged bronze, linen, and warm oak to bring out its balanced blue-gray character.
Stiffkey Blue for bedroom (18 photos)
We’ve hand-picked a beautiful collection of photos of this amazing blue shade used in real bedrooms. Take a look and imagine how this wonderful cool dark paint color could transform your own bedroom space.
@irishhomeideas
@riverapartment
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@mystyleloves
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@heartwoodlondon
@blank_canvas_creative
@hoveactually_renovation
@oili_ajatuksiasaksasta
@chalet_palet
@insideno12
@jrf_prestige_decor
@ourkelvinsidecorner
@hattie.homeandlife
@tornhuset.torp
@miniundstil
@miniundstil
Stiffkey Blue for living room (39 photos)
Check out this stunning dark color used in real living rooms. Explore how this blue shade can create a unique space
@barnesandmoss
@mreed1509
@thenowhitehouse
@akfittedfurniture
@akfittedfurniture
@akfittedfurniture
@turnerandwood
@fivefourtwo_reno
@brendanlooney_
@pinevalleyinteriors
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@farmhousefurniture
@timber.and.tin
@theleicestershiregreyhome
@bearslove1985
@harrie.interiors
@harrie.interiors
@harrie.interiors
@genffordd_and_grey
@thenowhitehouse
@thenowhitehouse
@gogrovespaintanddec
@gogrovespaintanddec
@gogrovespaintanddec
@butleranddunne
@butleranddunne
@markocdesign
@de_drye_kaasen
@bearsden_lodge
@rhiwlan
@chloe.at.chilvers
@seagullspaint
@laurieston.life
@laurieston.life
@renovatingcherryhill
@stylebypaulaofficial
@oliverjamescufflin
@ahousetomakeourhome
@building_casapoku
Farrow and Ball 281 for bathroom (8 photos)
Looking for inspiration for your dream bathroom renovation project? These beautiful handpicked photos will show you this delightfully cool dark blue real bathrooms.
@stowflat
@bayswaterbathrooms
@lndesignuk
@thesilvahome
@hollyhousein_yorkshire
@hanghaus15
@pennys_chattanhome13
@pennys_chattanhome13
Farrow and Ball 281 on kitchen cabinets (18 photos)
Want a stylish kitchen? View real-life photo examples of this fascinating cool blue hue is paired with backsplashes, countertops, and hardware.
@themiddleterrace
@themiddleterrace
@altrupagebespokespraypainting
@altrupagebespokespraypainting
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@bonuracabinetsfinishing
@kimberly.mcgowan.interiors
@lndesignuk
@wayfarers_1940s_house
@wesprayupvc
@dbd.interiors
@prestigehomerefinishing
@wayfarers_1940s_house
@wesprayupvc
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@wesprayupvc
@revamped_kitchenscumbria
@sprayrenovation
Stiffkey Blue for exterior (9 photos)
Looking for a fresh new look for your house exterior or starting from skretch? We’ve collected pictures of real-life homes that have been painted with this cool blue hue. Find inspiration for your house’s exterior, front doors, gates, shutters, frames or windows.
@the_burgess_group
@hawkerjoinery
@limetreeswells
@studiotoop
@rdppaintersanddecorators
@thecopperspoon
@rectory_renovation_
@windyknoll1886
@rectory_renovation_
Farrow and Ball Stiffkey Blue reviews (35 photos)
View the photos of real spaces painted with this blue that were not included in specific categories. Close-ups, painted furniture, storages and dressers, hallways, stairs and ceilings.
@barnesandmoss
@barnesandmoss
@mreed1509
@charlottewilliamsdesign
@lucydonovanart
@mrwoodmakeover
@jonospink
@barrjoinery
@farmhousefurniture
@danes_court
@quigleyspainting
@quigleyspainting
@fivefourtwo_reno
@fivefourtwo_reno
@thebrusselshouse
@heartwoodlondon
@heartwoodlondon
@hello_home_furniture
@rachael.hopkins_furniture
@rachael.hopkins_furniture
@rachael.hopkins_furniture
@mylovelyhouseideas
@mylovelyhouseideas
@hero_interieurontwerp
@laurieston.life
@atnumbersixteen_
@home.no76
@escapes_by_genproperty_ltd
@de_drye_kaasen
@topsdecoration
@agnesbinteriors
@insideno12
@kay_rowe228
@ss_carpentry
@miniundstil
Try before you buy
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What are Farrow and Ball Stiffkey Blue undertones?
Stiffkey Blue is a deep, muted blue with low-to-moderate saturation, giving it a dark navy overall character rather than a bright or vivid one. In the supplied digital sample, the blue leans slightly toward green, which can make it read a little cooler and less purple than some navy shades. Farrow & Ball describes it as a “particular deep navy hue,” referencing the mud and cockles at Stiffkey beach; that description aligns with its visibly dark blue main family. Warm artificial light may soften and dull the blue slightly, while cooler daylight can make its blue-green cast more noticeable.
Manufacturer information used in this description: official color page.
HEX value:
RGB code:
77, 91, 106
Is Farrow and Ball Stiffkey Blue cool or warm?
warm
cool
With a hue of 211°, this dark blue reads cool based on its HSL hue position.
281 Stiffkey Blue HSL code: 211, 16%, 36%
Hue - degree on a color wheel from 0 to 360. 0 is red, 120 is green, and 240 is blue.
Saturation is expressed as a percentage. At 0%, it appears as a shade of grey, and at 100%, it is in full color.
Lightness is also a percentage value. 0% is black, and 100% is white.
How light temperature affects Stiffkey Blue
Natural Lighting. During the day, natural light shifts from about 2000 K at sunrise/sunset to 5500–6500 K at noon.
In addition, natural-light temperature depends on its direction:
| Direction of sunlight | Visible temp. | Hue | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Cool | Bluish | All day |
| East | Warm | Yellow | Before noon |
| West | Warm | Orange-red | After noon |
| South | Warm | Orange-yellow | All day |
Artificial Lighting. When choosing bulbs, pay attention to their color temperature in Kelvins.
Use the slider to see how this dark blue shade looks under different lighting:
4000K
Coordinating colors.
Colors that go with Farrow and Ball Stiffkey Blue:
Monochromatic color scheme
This scheme consists of various shades, tints, and tones of a single color. While it offers a perfect combination of hues, without accent décor it may become monotonous.
Lighter shades
281
Stiffkey Blue
Complementary color scheme
This color scheme is a combination of two shades that are opposite each other on the color wheel. The high contrast between these colors creates a vibrant and dynamic visual effect. For the color Stiffkey Blue with a blue hue, complementary colors are those with a orange hue close to 31, such as Farrow and Ball Blanc De Treillage and Chemise.
LRV of Stiffkey Blue
Stiffkey Blue has an LRV of 10% and refers to Medium Dark which means that this color reflects very little light. Why LRV is important?
Light Reflectance Value measures the amount of visible and usable light that reflects from a painted surface.
Simply put, the higher the LRV of a paint color, the brighter the room you will get.
The scale goes from 0% (absolute black, absorbing all light) to 100% (pure white, reflecting all light).
Act like a pro: When choosing paint with an LRV of 10%, pay attention to your bulbs' brightness. Light brightness is measured in lumens. The lower the paint's LRV, the higher lumen level you need. Every square foot of room needs at least 40 lumens. That means for a 200 ft2 living room you'll need about 8000 lumens of light – e.g., eight 1000 lm bulbs.
Color codes
We have collected almost every possible color code you could ever need.
Not sure what the difference between HEX and RGB is? We break down color models in plain language. Understanding color models
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HEX | #4d5b6a |
| RGB Decimal | 77, 91, 106 |
| RGB Percent | 30.20%, 35.69%, 41.57% |
| HSV | Hue: 211° Saturation: 27.36% Value: 41.57% |
| HSL | hsl(211, 15.85, 35.88) |
| CMYK | Cyan: 27.36 Magenta: 14.15 Yellow: 0.0 Key: 58.43 |
| YIQ | Y: 88.524 I: -13.163 Q: 1.706 |
| XYZ | X: 9.402 Y: 10.1 Z: 15.086 |
| CIE Lab | L:38.022 a:-1.61 b:-10.35 |
| CIE Luv | L:38.022 u:-7.62 v:-13.55 |
| Decimal | 5069674 |
| Hunter Lab | 31.781, -2.808, -5.898 |
Color equivalents
21BB 12/077
Midwinter Tide
Dulux
30BB 10/112
Breton Blue
Dulux
L429
Indigo
Tikkurila
N429
Denim
Tikkurila
115
Juniper Ash
Little Greene
Peaceful Night
Dulux
208
Hicks' Blue
Little Greene
5455
Industrial Blue
Jotun
4625
Petroli
Jotun
90BG 11/101
Midnight Teal
Dulux
4143
Shadow Black
Jotun
M436
Royal
Tikkurila
Raven Plume
Dulux
81BG 12/055
Winters Sky
Dulux
27BB 10/138
Night Seas
Dulux
N431
Tikkurila
308
Wine Dark
Farrow and Ball
RAL 7011
Iron grey
RAL Classic
