When I think of a pale gray paint, a cool-toned hue lacking a little warmth first springs to mind. But while Farrow & Ball's Skimming Stone is described as exactly that, it's far from cold and is one of the brand's best sellers due to its versatility. Reminiscent of pebbles on a beach, it's the perfect neutral shade, long loved for its timelessness.
Skimming Stone's appeal lies in its warmth, while still remaining a gray. Falling somewhere between a pale gray and beige, it strays far from stark or clinical; it has the power to envelop any room with a careful balance of light and depth.
It makes sense that interior designers have dubbed it one of the best neutral paints, and have long been using it in their own homes and projects. Melissa Read, founder of Studio Burntwood, says, 'Skimming Stone is one of those rare Farrow & Ball shades that effortlessly bridges the gap between elegance and versatility. It's a soft, warm gray with subtle taupe undertones, it creates a calming backdrop that feels just as at home in a pared-back contemporary space as it does in a more traditional interior.'
Mix Skimming Stone with contemporary space for softness
Skimming Stone proves that decorating with gray doesn't have to be clinical and bland. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. An example of a Farrow & Ball paint in a real home, Melissa used the shade in a recent project, giving her client's dining room a contemporary quality.
The gray paint perfectly matches the modern, Scandinavian style of the furniture and decor. It gives the dining room depth without overwhelming it, allowing the space to feel bright and airy.
'Its tone shifts throughout the day,' explains Melissa. 'It tends to look cooler and more architectural in light-filled rooms and cozy in spaces with less natural light.' She adds, 'For a sleek, modern aesthetic on pristine walls, we typically opt for the Dead Flat finish (2% sheen), to give a modern, sleek feel. Alternatively, if your walls are slightly imperfect or you lean towards a traditional scheme, the Modern Emulsion finish would be better suited.'
Create a balance of warm and bright on kitchen cabinets
A timeless kitchen cabinet color, Skimming Stone is the perfect complement to a kitchen. Warm enough to accentuate yet pale enough to brighten, it's an enduring choice for kitchens of all styles, be it minimal or transitional.
Interior designer Marissa Stokes says, 'We love using Skimming Stone on cabinetry. It's soft, timeless, yet modern. It also works beautifully on walls, adding warmth without dominating the space.'
Proving the versatility of Skimming Stone, what makes the shade a timeless paint color is its ability to work alongside all materials. Marissa adds, 'It pairs easily with natural textures like oak, marble, and linen, or can be sharpened with dark accents like charcoal, black, or navy for contrast. Lighting brings out its versatility, from cozy and warm to fresh and airy.'
'Skimming Stone shines in kitchens, as in this project, but also suits living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. It's balanced warmth adapts to changing light, making it a quietly luxurious choice throughout the home.'
Pair white a crisp white for the ideal living room scheme
If you want to bring out the warmth of Skimming Stone, pair it with a crisp white. Farrow & Ball recommends the best white to pair it with is their classic Strong White. It makes for a particularly serene living room color scheme or bedroom scheme.
Interior designer Kelsey Haywood, Principal Designer of haywoodmade explains, 'It looks good on so many surfaces, but I do love it as a wall color in contrast to white trim. It’s also the perfect entry into color-drenching. That’s the beauty of this color: it will transcend any one design style. I’ve used it in a more traditional family room and in a more casual front sitting room with modern touches.'
Melissa agrees it the perfect hue for softer, more lived in rooms. She says, 'While Skimming Stone has the flexibility to enhance almost any room, it is particularly effective in living rooms and bedrooms, where its warmth gives a relaxed feel. I’ve selected this color for the walls in the living room in my home in London, precisely because of its flexibility. It provides a neutral canvas that adapts to furniture, artwork, or finish changes.'
Skimming Stone-inspired decor
These six stony decor picks are the perfect way to introduce calm into your scheme. Neutral but never boring, you needn't paint your walls with these irresistibly charming pieces.
Place this rustic table lamp on a desk or bedside table for an instant contemporary feel. Reminiscent of high-end designs, it's a one-of-a-kind piece that will give any scheme a cool effortlessness.
Elevate your utensils with this adorable ruffled crock. Fill it with your go-to cooking essentials, and you've got an ultra-chic arrangement that feels neutral but still interesting.
For some earthiness, add this natural bulb vase to your bookshelves or mantel to create a similar sense of warmth and serenity without committing to a major renovation job.
Give your dining table a modern edge with these stoneware salad plates. Unique in shape, they're the perfect contemporary accessory that'll instantly elevate your dining experience.
Enwrap your living room in richness with this plush rug. Woven in a warm gray thread, it's the perfect way to channel the depth of Skimming Stone in small, impactful doses.
Skimming Stone is proven to work beautifully in bedrooms, but if you'd rather not paint your walls, you can introduce the color with this set of natural linen shams that will give your space a tranquil, serene feel.
Skimming Stone is the perfect warm stone gray. It's deep enough to frame and accentuate, but with light and bright undertones, it's guaranteed to create that unbeatable sense of airiness we all strive for. It proves that gray interiors aren't going out of style, and this specific paint is the perfect replacement for cool-toned grays lacking in warmth.
