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Your essential guide to paint finishes

    For painters and decorators, choosing the right finish isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about performance, durability, and ease of application. Whether you’re transforming a modern kitchen or restoring a heritage home, understanding the properties of each Farrow & Ball finish helps ensure the best results, every time.

    Flat Eggshell – New for 2025

    Following the success of their pioneering Dead Flat finish, Farrow & Ball proud to introduce Flat Eggshell, a revolutionary new option for interior wood, metal, and even concrete. With a subtle 20% sheen, it offers understated elegance while delivering exceptional durability.

    • Class 1 scrub rating
    • Scuff-proof, stain-resistant, and scrubbable
    • Perfect for skirting boards, cabinetry, bannisters, and floors

    Water-based and low in VOCs, it’s quick to dry, cures fast, and is suitable for both professionals and confident DIYers. Flat Eggshell is the flattest eggshell F&B have ever made and one of the toughest.

    Dead Flat

    An ultra-matt finish with just a 2% sheen, Dead Flat delivers a beautiful look with unmatched versatility. Suitable for walls, woodwork, and metal, the formula uses a breakthrough blend of ingredients that combine high-performance durability with Farrow & Ball’s signature depth of colour.

    • Washable and wipeable
    • Available in all F&B colours
    • Ideal for seamless, full-room finishes
    Modern Emulsion

    Perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas. This robust emulsion has a 7% sheen and includes anti-mould ingredients for extra protection in humid spaces.

    • Class A scrub rating
    • Low-sheen, contemporary look
    • Washable and moisture-resistant
    Modern Eggshell

    With a mid-sheen finish (40%), this hard-wearing paint is ideal for interior woodwork, kitchen cabinetry, and even floors. It offers reliable protection without compromising on style. Alongside the new Flat Eggshell this offers the same level of durability at a mid-sheen level.

    • Suitable for wood, metal, and concrete
    • Highly durable with a sleek, modern finish
    Full Gloss

    With its mirror-like 95% sheen, Full Gloss remains the most reflective and hard-wearing finish in our range. It is ideal for both interiors and exteriors.\

    • Use on wood, metal, or even walls when sprayed
    • Achieve a high-style, lacquered look
    • Prepping the surface is key as gloss highlights imperfection
    Estate Emulsion

    The original water-based emulsion that delivers a chalky matt finish with a delicate 2% sheen. Best for low-traffic areas and period properties.

    Limewash

    A breathable, traditional finish for lime-plastered or exterior walls.
    Applied in multiple coats, it creates a characterful, broken colour effect.

    Casein Distemper

    An ultra-matt, fully breathable finish made with natural ingredients.
    Ideal for historic buildings, ornate plasterwork, and decorative mouldings.