We’re known for our slightly unorthodox paint names. For this episode of Lessons In Colour, we’re exploring one of the shades that gave us that reputation. Dead Salmon. Despite what you may think, this colour has nothing to do with animals.
Dead Salmon is named after an old painter’s invoice uncovered in Kedleston Hall. The invoice was from painting the library in ‘dead salmon’, with ‘dead’ describing the very matt finish and ‘salmon’ referring to the colour.
‘Dead Salmon is definitely in my top ten Farrow & Ball colours’ says Joa, ‘and I've used it extensively in my own home.
‘It's a colour which some people see as mushroom and other people sometimes see it as pink — it is certainly more pink in very bright light. It always has a certain softness.’
Dramatic Scheme
‘One of my most favourite schemes is Dead Salmon with Preference Red. Often I will do a wall halfway up in Preference Red with Dead Salmon above for the most dramatic look. You could use something quite strong like Jitney for the ceiling.’
Colour-led Scheme
‘If you want something a little bit more colourful, then pair Dead Salmon with Green Smoke and Brinjal. These two are natural bedfellows because they're the colours you get in an aubergine: the stalk and the flesh. Dead Salmon is just the perfect foil for both.’
See real homes brought to life by Dead Salmon
Browse Our Browns
From deep Cardamom to sandy Jitney and, of course, our classic Dead Salmon, discover our full collection of browns — all ready and waiting to warm up your home.