Farrow & Ball does not publish LRV; this value is estimated from the color’s hex using standard relative-luminance calculation. The matte estate finish typically reads lower.
Liquorice is a deep, saturated charcoal that stops just short of true black. It has a quiet warmth that keeps it from feeling stark or industrial. In person, it reads like a very dark gray with enough body to anchor a room without swallowing it whole.
In low or artificial light, Liquorice can appear nearly black, especially in an Estate Emulsion finish where the chalky surface absorbs light. Move it into a brighter space or pair it with a glossy finish, and you start to pick up on its gray character. It never tips into blue or green the way some dark neutrals do.
This is a color with real presence. It feels serious and grounded, the kind of dark you choose when you want drama but not theatrics.
The dominant undertone here is a balanced, neutral gray. There is no obvious blue, green, or violet pull, which makes Liquorice one of the more straightforward deep tones in the Farrow & Ball range. What warmth it has is very subtle, more of an absence of coolness than an active warm lean.
In rooms with cool northern light, the gray undertone comes forward clearly, and Liquorice can feel a touch steely. Under warm incandescent or candlelight, it softens and can read almost like a very dark cocoa gray. The finish matters too: Full Gloss will bounce more light and reveal the gray core, while Estate Emulsion will deepen the color and flatten the undertone.
If you are worried about a dark paint pulling unexpected colors, Liquorice is reassuringly honest. It stays gray.
This is a natural fit for rooms where you want enclosure and mood. Think studies lined with books, dining rooms lit by candles, or a living room where you want the walls to recede and let art or furniture take center stage. It creates that wrapped, cocooning effect without the severity of a true jet black.
Liquorice also works beautifully on a front door. It reads as a sophisticated near-black from the street but has more dimension up close than a flat black would. On cabinetry, especially in a kitchen or utility space, it brings weight and intention.
One thing to keep in mind: because of its depth, surface prep matters. Any imperfections in the wall will show in a flat finish under raking light. Use a good primer in the dark tones range and apply even coats.
Liquorice on all four walls of a study creates an enveloping, library-like atmosphere. Pair it with Au Lait on trim and bookshelves, add warm brass lighting, and you have a room that feels both serious and inviting.
A dining room in Liquorice comes alive at night. Candlelight and low fixtures pull out the warm gray tones, and the dark walls make white tableware, glassware, and metallic accents pop.
Use Liquorice on a single accent wall behind a sofa or fireplace to ground the room. It works especially well in period properties with high ceilings, where it adds gravity to the proportions.
On a front door, Liquorice reads as a polished, intentional near-black. Choose an Exterior Eggshell or Full Gloss finish to bring out the gray undertone and give it a bit of sheen.
Liquorice on lower cabinets with a lighter upper wall is a reliable way to add drama to a kitchen. It hides wear well and looks striking against brass or brushed nickel hardware.
The unexpected move Farrow & Ball makes with Liquorice is pairing it with pink. Pink Ground and Templeton Pink both bring warmth and softness that plays against Liquorice's depth without creating a jarring contrast. Pink Ground is the lighter, more diffuse option, great for ceilings or an adjoining room. Templeton Pink is earthier and more grounded, making it a strong trim choice.
For a simpler scheme, Au Lait is the recommended white. It is a warm, creamy off-white that bridges the gap between Liquorice and lighter elements in a room. It keeps the palette feeling cohesive rather than stark.
A crisp, blue-toned white next to Liquorice creates a harsh, high-contrast line that makes the dark walls feel heavy and the trim feel clinical.
Bold reds, royal blues, or bright yellows next to Liquorice can create a competing energy that feels busy rather than dramatic.
Pairing Liquorice with a medium cool gray on trim or adjacent walls can make both colors look flat and lifeless, with too little contrast or warmth.
Liquorice carries a neutral gray undertone. It does not pull blue, green, or violet. In warm light it can read as a very dark cocoa gray, but the base is clean and balanced.
It sits very close to neutral. In cool northern light it reads as a true cool gray. Under warm incandescent light it softens slightly. Compared to Railings, which has a clear blue pull, Liquorice is noticeably more neutral.
Farrow & Ball pairs it with Pink Ground (No. 202) and Templeton Pink (No. 303) for walls and trim, and Au Lait (No. CB9) as a complementary white. These warm, soft tones balance the depth of Liquorice without clashing.
Estate Emulsion gives the most velvety, light-absorbing effect on walls and is the classic choice for moody interiors. For trim, use Estate Eggshell for a low sheen, or Full Gloss for a traditional look that highlights the gray undertone. On a front door, Exterior Eggshell or Full Gloss both work well.
The hex code is #4A4949 and the LRV is 6.7. That is very low on the reflectance scale, meaning it absorbs most light. It will make a room feel enclosed and intimate, so good lighting is essential.
Off-Black (No. 57) is very close in depth but can lean slightly cooler and bluer. Railings (No. 31) is distinctly blue-black and reads more inky. Liquorice is the most neutral of the three, making it the safest pick if you want a deep tone without a color shift.
