Liquorice CB10
Farrow & BallFarrow & Ball's Liquorice (No. CB10) is a warm, rich black with subtle brown and taupe undertones. Part of the Carte Blanche capsule collection, this sophisticated charcoal-black brings a velvety, enveloping depth to spaces, avoiding the starkness of cooler, blue-based blacks.
| Temperature | Warm |
|---|---|
| Primary Undertone | Brown |
| Hidden Undertones | Taupe and Earthy Bronze |
| Best Exposures | North-Facing or South-Facing |
| Best For | Kitchen cabinets, accent walls, contemporary trim, moody bedrooms, exterior siding, built-in cabinetry |
Hackrea Review
Liquorice by Farrow & Ball is a masterclass in warm blacks. Its brown-leaning base gives it a luxurious, cocooning quality that never feels harsh or flat. It's an exceptional choice for built-ins, dramatic bedrooms, or modern trim, offering a sophisticated alternative to standard charcoal.The Clash Warning
Architectural Applications for Farrow & Ball Liquorice
Kitchen Cabinets and Islands
Applying this brown-based black to a kitchen island grounds the lower visual plane, absorbing ambient light without the clinical harshness of a true jet black. The earthy base actively warms up surrounding natural wood grain, while unlacquered brass hardware pulls forward the subtle, warm charcoal undertones. Avoid pairing with cool Carrara marble; instead, utilize prominently veined Calacatta Gold or honed Taj Mahal quartzite to harmonize with the paint’s underlying color structure.
Modern Eggshell ($$$$ (Boutique/Luxury Tier)). An exceptionally durable, mid-sheen waterborne finish designed to withstand the wear of cabinetry and millwork, ensuring a flawless, long-lasting surface.
The Consultant’s Finish
Dramatic Accent Walls and Built-In Shelving
Coating built-in shelving in Liquorice CB10 recedes the physical boundaries of the room, relying on its cocooning depth to push lighter ceramic and wood objects forward. The velvety cast of this dark shade absorbs localized light, reducing glare behind televisions or art displays. Styling with natural walnut shelving and textural linen books softens the architectural finish, preventing the deep tone from reading flat.
Modern Emulsion ($$$$ (Boutique/Luxury Tier)). Delivers Farrow & Ball’s signature depth of color with a washable, scuff-proof finish, utilizing high pigment levels for a rich, complex aesthetic in active living spaces.
The Consultant’s Finish
Contemporary Trim and Wainscoting
Applying this dark, enveloping shade to lower wainscoting establishes a sharp, architectural horizon line beneath warm, plaster-toned upper walls. The chromatic profile of Liquorice CB10 grounds the room’s architecture, providing a tailored transition between wide-plank oak floors and lighter vertical surfaces. This high-contrast application thrives alongside natural jute rugs and matte ceramic lighting fixtures that echo its earthy foundation.
Modern Eggshell ($$$$ (Boutique/Luxury Tier)). An exceptionally durable, mid-sheen waterborne finish designed to withstand the wear of cabinetry and millwork, ensuring a flawless, long-lasting surface.
The Consultant’s Finish
Moody, Enveloping Bedrooms
Color-drenching walls, trim, and ceilings in this specific shade from the Carte Blanche collection by Christopher John Rogers erases hard architectural shadow lines, physically blurring the room’s corners. The warm charcoal base prevents the space from feeling stark, acting instead as a soft, dark neutral that absorbs ambient bedroom lighting. Layering rust-toned velvet upholstery and amber glass lighting amplifies the inherent warmth of the pigment.
Modern Emulsion ($$$$ (Boutique/Luxury Tier)). Delivers Farrow & Ball’s signature depth of color with a washable, scuff-proof finish, utilizing high pigment levels for a rich, complex aesthetic in active living spaces.
The Consultant’s Finish
Exterior Siding and Modern Front Doors
Intense exterior UV exposure strips away the perceived darkness of Liquorice CB10, forcing the LRV of 7 to present as a sun-faded, earthy slate rather than a stark black. The earthy undertones bridge the gap between organic landscaping and rigid modern architecture, contrasting beautifully against copper flashing. Strict avoidance of clinical white brick is required, as the high-contrast pairing triggers a muddy, dingy clash with the brown base.
Exterior Eggshell & Masonry ($$$$ (Boutique/Luxury Tier)). Highly breathable, fungal-resistant formulas that provide a flexible, durable shield against the elements, ensuring the brand’s historic colors remain vibrant outdoors.
The Consultant’s Finish
You can apply wallpapers, paints, etc. on walls and see how they look in various interiors.
Color Theory Comparisons: Dark Neutrals
Farrow & Ball Liquorice CB10 vs. Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron 2124-10
Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron 2124-10 (LRV 6.16) is a slightly darker, cooler charcoal driven by distinct navy and blue-gray undertones. Farrow & Ball Liquorice CB10 (LRV 7) operates on a completely different frequency, utilizing a brown-based black core that radiates heat. In a north-facing room, Wrought Iron will lean into its stormy blue-gray nature, whereas Liquorice CB10 maintains a grounded, earthy baseline. Specify Wrought Iron when pairing with cool Carrara marble or crisp white trims, but deploy Liquorice CB10 when integrating warm woods, unlacquered brass, and creamy off-whites.
Farrow & Ball Liquorice CB10 vs. Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore SW 7069
Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore SW 7069 (LRV 6) is a highly neutralized, true dark charcoal engineered with minimal color interference. Liquorice CB10 possesses a far more complex chromatic profile, actively shifting between dark brown and soft black depending on the angle of incoming light. Iron Ore provides a predictable, high-contrast anchor for modern farmhouse exteriors pairing black and white. Liquorice CB10 requires careful handling; its brown undertones will clash with stark whites, demanding softer, creamier companions like warm greiges or taupes to succeed structurally.
Technical Diagnostics
Yes, the intense, warm light of a south-facing room directly amplifies the earthy base of Liquorice CB10. In this exposure, it sheds its charcoal appearance and reads as a rich, dark espresso brown.
Yes, pairing this brown-based black with the cool, blue-gray veining of Carrara marble creates a muddy, discordant transition. To maintain harmony, pair it with warm-veined stones like Calacatta Gold or creamy quartzites.
The ultra-matte Dead Flat finish absorbs light, maximizing the cocooning depth and making the color appear darker and more uniform. The Modern Eggshell reflects light, highlighting the brown undertones and creating a subtle, velvety cast on cabinetry.
Yes, its warm color structure and LRV of 7 lack the biting contrast needed for pure white brick, often resulting in a dingy or faded appearance. Use a true, cool-toned black for stark contrast, or pair Liquorice with warm cream or natural stone exteriors.
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