Exploring Farrow & Ball's Paint Finishes: A Guide to Choosing the Right One for Your Space

Exploring Farrow & Ball's Paint Finishes: A Guide to Choosing the Right One for Your Space

When it comes to transforming a space with color, the finish you choose can make just as much of an impact as the hue itself. Farrow & Ball, renowned for their rich colors and eco-friendly formulas, offers a variety of paint finishes designed to bring out the best in your interior and exterior projects. In this guide, we'll explore Farrow & Ball's paint finishes and help you decide which is right for your next project.

Dead Flat

Finish: Ultra Matt
Sheen Level: 2%
Best For: Interior walls, ceilings, and woodwork

Description: Dead Flat is a versatile finish that offers an ultra-matt appearance, providing a sophisticated and contemporary look. It is designed to be used on walls, ceilings, and even woodwork, making it perfect for creating a cohesive look throughout your space. Despite its flat appearance, Dead Flat is durable and easy to wipe clean, making it suitable for low- and moderate-traffic areas.

Ideal Uses: Living rooms, bedrooms, ceilings, trim, and molding

Estate Emulsion

Finish: Matt
Sheen Level: 2%
Best For: Interior walls and ceilings

Description: Estate Emulsion is Farrow & Ball's signature chalky matt finish. With a beautiful flat finish, this option is perfect for creating a sophisticated and understated look in any room. It offers exceptional depth of color and is highly pigmented, providing a richly textured appearance. Ideal for low-traffic areas, such as bedrooms and living rooms, Estate Emulsion creates a soft and luxurious atmosphere.

Ideal Rooms: Living rooms, dining rooms, adult bedrooms, ceilings

Modern Emulsion

Finish: Matt
Sheen Level: 7%
Best For: High-traffic areas

Description: For those seeking a durable yet stylish option, Modern Emulsion is an excellent choice. This finish offers the same depth of color as Estate Emulsion but with added practicality. It's washable and scuff-resistant, making it ideal for busy areas like kitchens and hallways where durability is key. The slight sheen provides a modern look without compromising the depth of color.

Ideal Rooms: Kitchens, hallways, children’s rooms, bathrooms

Estate Eggshell

Finish: Satin
Sheen Level: 20%
Best For: Interior woodwork and metal

Description: Estate Eggshell provides a subtle satin finish perfect for interior woodwork, such as skirting boards, doors, and radiators. With its low sheen, this finish offers a classic look while being more durable than matt finishes. It resists moisture and wear, making it ideal for trim and moldings that need to withstand daily use.

Ideal Uses: Skirting boards, doors, cabinets, furniture

Modern Eggshell

Finish: Satin
Sheen Level: 40%
Best For: Wood and metal surfaces

Description: Modern Eggshell is the toughest interior finish offered by Farrow & Ball. It’s perfect for high-impact areas that require extra durability, such as floors and kitchen cabinets. With a higher sheen level, this finish is not only highly durable and easy to clean but also adds a touch of elegance to woodwork and metal surfaces.

Ideal Uses: Floors, kitchen cabinets, furniture, doors

Full Gloss

Finish: High Gloss
Sheen Level: 95%
Best For: Interior and exterior wood and metal

Description: Full Gloss is the ultimate finish for those looking to make a statement. With its mirror-like sheen, this versatile finish is suitable for both interior and exterior surfaces. It’s extremely durable and can be used on wood, metal, and even walls for a dramatic effect. The high sheen reflects light beautifully, adding a sense of luxury and vibrancy to any project.

Ideal Uses: Front doors, metalwork, walls, trims

Exterior Masonry

Finish: Matt
Sheen Level: 2%
Best For: Exterior masonry and render

Description: Specifically designed for exterior walls, this finish is highly durable and weather-resistant, offering long-lasting protection against the elements. With its matt appearance, Exterior Masonry provides a uniform finish that hides imperfections while adding curb appeal. Available in a variety of colors, it allows you to bring Farrow & Ball’s signature depth of color to your home's exterior.

Ideal Uses: Brickwork, render, concrete


Choosing the right paint finish is crucial in achieving your project's desired look and durability.  Farrow & Ball's range of finishes offers something for every style and space, and by understanding the unique qualities of each finish, you can ensure your next painting project not only looks beautiful but stands the test of time.

For more inspiration and guidance, explore Farrow & Ball's color palette, and contact https://thepaintdeck.com/ for more information. Happy painting!