Farrow & Ball New Colours and Wallpapers for 2023 – The Carte Blanche Collection

This year has been busy at Farrow & Ball headquarters in Dorset. After 11 new colours in September 2022 and the launch of Dead Flat in Spring 2023, they are ready to launch a new collection of 12 paints and 3 wallpaper patterns on 7 September 2023, in collaboration with a superstar fashion designer. What colours? What wallpapers? Which designer? Let’s discover it together.

Carte Blanche by Christopher John Rogers and Farrow & Ball

Collaborations between Farrow & Ball and famous designers are nothing new – do you remember The California Collection by Kelly Wearstler? This time they chose another incredibly talented designer, Christopher John Rogers.

Who is Christopher John Rogers?

Born in Louisiana, Christopher John Rogers is a fashion designer is now based in SoHo, New York. He debuted his first collection in Autumn 2018 at age 24, and he has dressed the likes of Cardi B, Rihanna, and Michelle Obama. His aesthetic is ‘pragmatic glamour’, merging the unreal and dramatic with practicality, making uncomplicated showstopping pieces. His inspiration comes from multiple sources, including vintage airport design, 1980s interiors and feeling happy – he is also drawn to very specific colourways. His list of prizes and honours is quite unique for a 29-year-old, including the CFDA Designer of the Year Prize in 2021 and being chosen by Anna Wintour to create a bespoke look for the Karl Lagerfeld tribute issue of US Vogue in May 2023.

The Collection

Carte blanche is much like a blank check. It means literally ‘blank document’ and takes the extended meaning of absolute freedom. And freedom had Rogers in creating a palette of 12 colours inspired by childhood memories of food and family and three wallpaper patterns which play with shape and scale. But the freedom is also yours: this collection gives you creative license to express yourself and your tastes, because the different colours and patterns can be mixed in endless combinations.

The New Farrow & Ball Paint Colours from Carte Blanche

The 12 new shades are definitely reminiscent of the colours in Rogers’ fashion creations. Across the 12 there are four neutrals which balance the remaining 8 colours.

The 4 New Farrow & Ball Neutrals

Despite an original plan for 8 shades, they realised while working that neutrals were essential to balance the intense tones. Christopher’s talent lies in nuanced work with colours. Vibrant pieces have a harmonious blend, while black or white outfits highlight the added colour. Similarly, the neutrals of the collection tone down the brightness.

Au Lait No. CB9

This soft white is inspired by the chicory coffee popular in New Orleans, often served with steamed milk.

Roasted Macadamia No. CB2

A favourite among The Squirrels, this soft neutral is named after the nut of a similar shade.

Cardamom No. CB5

A rich brown inspired by the warming, versatile spice used in dishes around the world.

Liquorice No. CB10

This deep black is that of the classic sweet created using the root of the plant from which it takes its name.

The 8 New Statement Farrow & Ball New Colours

Together with the neutrals, we have 8 colours: four beautiful blues, a pale yellow, a cheerful pink, a joyful green and a super bright red. They can be combined in so many ways, according to your preferences and style.

Sardine

This silver blue takes its name from a favourite afternoon snack of a much-loved grandfather.

Lobster

A vibrant, lively blue that takes its name from the popular Louisiana catch.

Pea Flower Tea

A vivid blue, this shade is named after the brightly coloured drink created by infusing petals from butterfly pea flowers.

Blue Maize

This deep blue is inspired by the unique hue of corn popular in Mexico and the Southern States.

Hog Plum

A muddy yellow reminiscent of the sweet and sour fruit found across Central America and the Southern States.

Shallot

A cheerful pink that takes its name from a sweeter member of the allium family widely used in Cajun cuisine.

Raw Tomatillo

This joyful and verdant green is inspired by the fried green tomatoes made by a beloved grandmother.

Romesco

A rich, brilliant red evocative of the classic Spanish sauce, which also doubles as a favourite makeup shade.

The complementary white for the entire collection is Au Lait No. CB9 and all colours are available in Farrow & Ball’s main interior finishes, Dead Flat, Modern Emulsion, Modern Eggshell, Estate Emulsion, Estate Eggshell and Full Gloss.

The New Farrow & Ball Wallpapers from Carte Blanche

Farrow & Ball have done collaborations in the past, but this is the first time one of their special collections includes wallpapers too. Also, this is the first time Farrow & Ball adds new wallpaper designs to their collection in 6 years.

The Patterns

The three new wallpaper patterns are centred around playing with shape, and each is available in four Carte Blanche colourways. Exquisitely fashioned but far from restrictive, the elements can be effortlessly combined with endless possibilities.

Dot

This playful pattern celebrates one of Christopher John Rogers’ iconic designs. Graphic, graduated Dot brings energy and joy to your space, while the traditional flatbed printing method creates unique texture and tantalising depth.

Colourways: Lobster & Hog Plum; Romesco & Shallot; Roasted Macadamia & Au Lait; Au Lait & Sardine.

Stripe

A fresh take on a true classic, Stripe brings added interest to one of our most enduringly popular designs. With a wide, statement stripe, this pattern is effortlessly versatile and can be hung in four different ways to create the look you love:

Vertically – thick stripe together.

Vertically – thick stripe apart.

Horizontally – thick stripe together.

Horizontally – thick stripe apart.

Colourways: Au Lait, Pea Flower Tea, and Lobster; Au Lait, Raw Tomatillo, and Hog Plum; Au Lait, Shallot, and Romesco; Au Lait, Roasted Macadamia, and Liquorice.

Check

Bold, Bauhaus-inspired Check pays homage to the innovative work of Anni Albers, the celebrated textiles artist. The geometric, mixed scale design feels both contemporary and classic, transforming your walls into a true work of art.

Colourways: Au Lait, Hog Plum, and Lobster; Au Lait, Raw Tomatillo, and Cardamom; Au Lait, Roasted Macadamia, and Sardine; Au Lait, Roasted Macadamia, and Liquorice.

Carte Blanche: A White Canvas for Your Imagination

Carte Blanche brings together the best of heritage and modernity, combining classic inspiration and the traditional techniques Farrow & Ball has perfected over 75 years with an unexpected twist, for a timeless look that delights this season and many more. It’s a blank canvas that you’re encouraged to paint by using the tools Farrow & Ball and Christopher John Rogers have prepared for you.