Transforming a Rental With Refined Paint Selections and a Statement Wallpaper Accent

Presented ByHOMES: Inside + Out

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Every renter is familiar with the ubiquitous beige paint that landlords favor for trim, walls, and ceilings alike. This uninspiring hue proves difficult to disguise with furnishings alone, making a new color scheme essential when undertaking the transformation of a small Brooklyn apartment.

A pale green was applied to the living room shortly after moving in three years prior, yet the remaining spaces had begun to appear tired. A dark, bold treatment for the bathroom was under consideration, and the under-sink cabinet warranted attention, yet hesitation prevailed. Selecting the ideal shade of green for the living room had felt like an extended endeavor, and the prospect of repeated hardware store visits and hours spent comparing paint chips proved too daunting.

Then came the discovery of Farrow & Ball’scolor consultation service. The process is elegantly streamlined: a color expert—an experienced professional—visits your home to guide your selections. For $250 per hour (one hour suffices for a modest space), a specialist evaluates the environment, considers your inspirations and concerns, and collaborates to determine optimal choices—in this case, revealing possibilities previously unimagined.

The consultation was conducted by Nicole Collado, whose formal interior design education was followed by Farrow & Ball’s rigorous and specialized color training. Her aesthetic sensibility is shaped by the constant inspiration of New York City living—a quality we share—as well as the decade she spent in the Dominican Republic.

She demonstrated that Farrow & Ball possesses a depth of color without parallel. The transformative value of wall color was already apparent from one painted room, yet many renters hesitate to commit the time and energy to painting an entire apartment. The accent wall addresses this precisely: even a single wall can substantially redefine a space.

The vision was a striking statement upon the small wall visible upon entry. Dark colors or a bold wallpaper fromtheir new line seemed ideal—perhapsFeather Grass in blackorHegemonein turquoise and yellow. With a primarily neutral aesthetic and abundant natural light, this location appeared perfect for a distinctive element that would complement rather than compete with existing decor.

[The bathroom, before.]

After reviewing the space with Nicole, the bathroom became the starting point. Wallpaper was immediately ruled out—the absence of a window meant steam would compromise adhesion. Dark green was dismissed to avoid repetition with the living room, and the moody grays failed to resonate.

[The bathroom, before.]

Several deep blues were evaluated:Drawing Room Blueproved too dark,Pitch Bluefelt overly bright, butStiffkey Blueachieved the ideal balance. There was concern that it might diminish the room’s perceived size—particularly since Nicole recommended painting the ceiling as well—yet she envisioned the result as a cozy jewel box.

[The bathroom, after. Wall paintStiffkey Blue, Farrow & Ball; Cabinet paintPink Ground,Farrow & Ball.]

For the cabinet and bathroom door, Nicole proposed a pale pink to introduce levity and luminosity. The notion of millennial pink in the home initially seemed unlikely, yet the refined pastel ofPink Groundproves remarkably sophisticated against the inky blue walls. The compact bathroom now evokes the serenity of a spa.

[The bathroom, after.Molger shelf, Ikea, $49.99;White vase, CB2, $12.95 for three; Wall paintStiffkey Blue, Farrow & Ball;Banded Border Bath Collection,

from $8;Cabana Stripe Beach Towel, Serena and Lily, $68.]

In the hallway, Nicole promptly yet tactfully reconsidered the accent wall concept near the entry. “The more you chop up this space, the smaller it will feel,” she advised. And upon holding the wallpaper samples in place, their excessive depth became immediately apparent.

Anticipating this outcome, Nicole had prepared an alternative sample:Helleborus, a large-scale floral pattern in muted tones. Rather than the small wall, which “wouldn’t be worth it,” she proposed the wall behind the bed as the ideal canvas.

[The bedroom, before. Pillow by Loloi, Domino;Percale Venice set in slate, Parachute, from $239;Throw blanket, Ikea, $19.99.]

This felt like a significant commitment. Admiringbeautifully wallpapered roomsin editorial features is one thing, but within one’s own apartment? Wallpaper carried connotations of a previous generation. Would it appear staid? Dated?

Decidedly not. The bedroom has become the most cherished room in the apartment. A wall covering’s capacity to impart such satisfaction was unexpected. (Professional insight from Emrys Berwick of the premier paint and design firm,Berwick and Edel: Always order more wallpaper than anticipated. Square footage alone is insufficient—adequate material must account for pattern alignment. Farrow & Ball providesa convenient calculatorfor reference.)

For the remaining bedroom walls, Nicole drew inspiration from the wallpaper’s palette. (All Farrow & Ball wallpapers are crafted with their paints, enabling seamless coordination between wall coverings and painted surfaces.) The selection narrowed toBlackened,Skylight,andDimpse, with the latter prevailing. This delicate gray harmonizes with the paper’s pale blue, imparting a serene atmosphere throughout. Farrow & Ball’s rich pigmentation means even the most subdued tones shift with the light—warm and luminous in morning sun, yet deeply soothing by night.

[The bedroom, after.White bottle vase, CB2, $12.95;Siena marble base table lamp, CB2, $159;Helleboruswallpaper, Farrow & Ball; walls areDimpse, Farrow &Ball;Sateen sheet set in powder, Parachute, from $109;Mar Vista Matelassé Duvet Cover,Serena and Lily, from $188;Metallic Pickstitch Lumbar Pillow Cover, Serena and Lily, $58;Kupa lilac vase, CB2, $19.95;White linen curtain panel, CB2, $49.95.]

To unify the space, Nicole recommended maintaining the hallway in a light neutral (uniformly applied), and extending that same hue to doors and trim. Selecting the right

is a discipline not yet mastered, so Nicole’s expertise was invaluable here. She recommendedWevet, which carries cool undertones that harmonize with the bathroom’s deep blue, the bedroom’s pale gray and blue, and even the living room’s light green.

She also provided clarity on which

was appropriate. The initial instinct favored the least reflective option, having learned that matte finishes best conceal wall imperfections. Nicole noted, however, that matte is difficult to clean and impractical for high-traffic areas such as entryways and halls. The solution: Modern Emulsion for bathroom walls (mold-resistant by design), andEstate Eggshellfor remaining walls and trim, offering a refined degree of sheen.

The result? A refined, polished interior that conveys the work of a professional decorator. Without Nicole’s expertise and creative discernment, the floral wallpaper would never have been selected, nor would the bathroom cabinet have been painted anything other than white. Her guidance produced a color palette that not only complements the furnishings but amplifies the spatial layout and architectural character. The apartment feels entirely renewed—all without a single visit to a hardware store.

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