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Arsenic

Farrow & Ball · 214

The Analysis

Arsenic is a mid-toned, blue-green color that brings significant personality to a room without feeling overwhelming. With an LRV of 39.9, it absorbs a fair amount of light, which prevents the space from feeling clinical while adding a distinct sense of depth and weight to the walls.

This color is versatile enough to act as a bold, saturated main wall color for a home office or library. It also works effectively as a high-impact accent, such as on kitchen cabinetry or a statement piece of furniture, to ground a neutral room.

LRV 40

History & Origin

While its name refers to Victorian-era pigments, the shade itself is a staple in contemporary design. It bridges the gap between classic period-inspired interiors and modern, fresh color palettes.

Undertonecool
FamilyGreen

How to Use It

It pairs beautifully with warm, natural wood tones like oak or walnut to soften its sharpness. For hardware, matte black provides a sharp, industrial contrast, while unlacquered brass adds a classic, warm touch.

The Mood

Living with this color feels revitalizing and crisp rather than sedative. It acts as an energizing backdrop that stays balanced, making it a great choice for spaces where you want to feel alert and productive.

Colour harmonies

Complementary

Opposite on the colour wheel — bold, high-contrast pairings. Use for a feature wall or furniture you want to command attention.

Analogous

Neighbouring hues — cohesive and calm, great for layered schemes that feel collected rather than matched.

Split complementary

Near-opposites for strong contrast with a little less tension than a pure complement. A favourite of interior designers.

Triadic

Three evenly spaced hues — balanced, vibrant, and versatile. Keep one dominant and use the others sparingly.

Tetradic (square)

Four hues in a square on the wheel — rich, dynamic palettes. Best when one colour leads and the others accent.

Monochromatic

Dark, mid, and light steps on the same hue — a failsafe gradient for trim, walls, and accents without shifting colour family.

Brand Matches

Perceptually similar colours from across all brands in our database.

    Lighting

    See how this colour shifts across natural and artificial light conditions.

    • Natural
    • Morning
    • Afternoon
    • Evening
    • Overcast
    • 2700K
    • 3500K
    • 4000K
    • 5500K