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.
Radicchio is a deep, brooding wine red that sits somewhere between a ripe plum and a rich burgundy. It is not a bright red or a cheerful berry. Think of the vegetable it is named after, that dark, veined Italian chicory with its deep crimson leaves edging into purple. That is the territory this color lives in.
In person, it reads darker than the swatch. On a full wall, especially in a room without much natural light, it can feel almost like a very saturated dark plum. But catch it in strong daylight and the red heart of the color comes forward, warming up noticeably. It has real depth and complexity, the kind of color that shifts through the day and rewards you for paying attention.
The dominant undertone here is a cool, purplish red. Radicchio is not a tomato red or a barn red. It leans decidedly toward the blue-violet end of the red spectrum, which gives it that distinctive wine-stain quality. In low or artificial warm light, the purple recedes and the red becomes more prominent. Under cool LED or north-facing daylight, the purple pushes forward and the color can feel almost like a deep mauve.
There is also a subtle brown quality buried in there, which keeps it from ever looking electric or garish. This brownish base grounds the color and makes it livable. If you are worried about it reading too pink, don't be. The darkness and the brown undertone prevent that. But do test it, because finishes matter. In a matte estate emulsion, it looks drier and more velvety. In a higher sheen, the red becomes more apparent.
Radicchio is built for rooms where you want drama and intimacy. It thrives in spaces you use in the evening, rooms lit by lamps rather than overhead fixtures. Dining rooms are the classic choice, and for good reason. A Radicchio dining room by candlelight is the kind of space people remember.
It also works beautifully in a study or a small living room where you want that cocooning, library feeling. Wrapping all four walls and the ceiling in this color creates an envelope effect that makes a room feel rich and intentional rather than just dark. For a lower commitment, it is a strong front door color, giving a house real presence from the street. On kitchen cabinets, it can work if the rest of the room is kept light and the hardware is warm brass or aged bronze.
This is Radicchio's signature room. Wrap the walls in estate emulsion, paint the ceiling to match, and let warm lamplight do the rest. The color makes food look better, skin look warmer, and conversation feel more intimate. Use Dimity on the trim to frame the room.
A study in Radicchio feels serious without being somber. Pair it with dark wood bookshelves and warm brass reading lamps. The purple undertone keeps the room from reading like a gentlemen's club cliche. Consider painting built-in shelving in Stiffkey Blue for a rich, tonal effect.
Best for smaller or north-facing living rooms where you want to lean into the moodiness rather than fight it. Anchor the space with a deep sofa in a neutral linen, and let the walls do the heavy lifting. It works especially well below a picture rail with a lighter color above.
Radicchio in an exterior eggshell makes a front door that feels confident and a little unexpected. It reads as a sophisticated alternative to classic red, with enough depth to stand up against brick, stone, or dark painted facades. Pair with polished brass hardware.
On lower kitchen cabinets or a butler's pantry, Radicchio adds character without overwhelming. Keep upper cabinets and walls in a warm white to prevent the room from feeling too heavy. Aged brass pulls and open wood shelving balance the intensity nicely.
Radicchio needs breathing room. Its best partners are either very light or very different in temperature. Dimity (No. 2008), Farrow & Ball's own recommended white, is a soft, warm white with a faint pink cast that echoes the red in Radicchio without competing. It is a natural for trim, ceilings, and door frames.
For accent color, Calke Green (No. 34) is the classic complement. Green sits opposite red on the color wheel, and this particular green, a deep, slightly dirty sage, tempers the richness of Radicchio without making the room feel like a holiday card. Stiffkey Blue (No. 281) brings a moody, tonal quality when paired alongside. Together, these three create a scheme that feels layered and collected rather than decorated.
A stark, blue-based white on trim makes Radicchio look muddy and forced. The contrast is too harsh and the cool white pulls out the purple undertone in an unflattering way.
Orange and coral fight the purple undertone in Radicchio. Instead of harmony, you get two colors that each look slightly off, like they belong in different rooms.
Lavender pulls the purple out of Radicchio and makes both colors look washed out or confused. The pairing reads as accidental rather than intentional.
Radicchio has a dominant red undertone with a noticeable purple, almost wine-like lean. There is also a subtle brown base that keeps it grounded. In warm light the red comes forward. In cooler or north-facing light, the purple becomes more prominent.
It sits on the cooler side of the red spectrum thanks to its purple undertone. It is not an icy cool, more of a rich, wine-cellar cool. Compared to reds like Rectory Red or Eating Room Red, Radicchio reads noticeably less warm and more complex.
Farrow & Ball recommends Dimity (No. 2008) as a complementary white for trim and ceilings. Calke Green (No. 34) is an excellent accent that provides natural color-wheel contrast, and Stiffkey Blue (No. 281) offers a deep, moody companion. Warm metallics like brass and aged gold also work beautifully.
Estate emulsion is the best choice for walls. The chalky matte finish gives Radicchio a velvety, soft appearance that enhances its depth. For woodwork and trim in the same color, use estate eggshell for subtle sheen and durability. Avoid high gloss on large areas, as it can make the red look plasticky.
Radicchio (No. 96) has an LRV of 11.5, making it a deep color that reflects very little light. The hex code is #924951 and the RGB values are 146, 73, 81. In practice, this means it will make a room feel noticeably darker and more enclosed.
It will darken a room, and that is the point. The color is designed for intimate, cocooned spaces. To keep it from feeling oppressive, use warm white trim, ensure good layered lighting with lamps at multiple heights, and add reflective surfaces like mirrors or metallic accents. Painting the ceiling in Dimity helps too.
