Farrow & Ball The Ultimate Guide

September 25th, 2025

Established in 1946 in Dorset, John Farrow and Richard Ball founded the brand passionate about making rich colours to original formulations using the highest quality ingredients.

This ethos has remained unchanged, transforming modern and traditional homes across the globe with famous colours and quality paint finishes. Here we have put together a guide to all things Farrow & Ball.

Shop Farrow & Ball>>

Farrow & Ball Paint Finishes

New Dead Flat

The latest, industry-leading innovation from the heritage brand is its most matt finish ever and multi-surface too, suitable for walls, woodwork and metal.

The ultimate choice for colour drenching, the completely flat look surrounds spaces in richer, uninterrupted colour from ceiling to skirting board and even over radiators.

Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball. Eddy No. 301 and Hague Blue No.30

Modern Emulsion
Modern Emulsion is a super-tough finish for interior walls and ceilings.

Washable, scuff-proof, and protected against mould, it’s suitable for use in every room in the home.

From busy hallways to moisture-prone kitchens and bathrooms, Modern Emulsion is available in the full range of Farrow & Ball colours in a beautiful matt finish.

Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball. White Tie No. 2002.

New! Flat Eggshell

Perfect for busy homes, Flat Eggshell is scuff-resistant, stain-resistant and has a Class 1 Scrub Rating. Marks can be easily washed away without washing away colour or leaving water stains.

With a 20% sheen, it’s the flattest interior eggshell in the Farrow & Ball range. The soft shine subtly highlights skirting boards, stairs and kitchen cabinets for a classic look that lasts.

Features:

Can be applied by brush, roller or spray – including HVLP spray machines
Quick drying - touch dry 2 hours
Water-based - minimal VOC levels
20% sheen - light reflectance value varies depending on colour

Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball. Card Room Green No. 79, Pink Ground No. 202 and Mizzle No. 266.

Modern Eggshell
Modern Eggshell is Farrow & Ball's toughest interior finish, adding colour and protection to wood, metal, and concrete surfaces.

This ultra-durable eggshell is tough enough for floors, and it can also be used throughout the home on skirting, doors, kitchen cabinets, furniture, and radiators.

Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball. Cromarty No.285; Arsenic No.214; Vardo No.288.

Full Gloss
Full Gloss is an ultra-high-gloss water based finish suitable for both interior and exterior wood and metal, as well as bringing a touch of glamour to walls and ceilings.

Farrow and Ball's highest-shine finish, it’s resistant to water, flaking, peeling, and fading for up to six years, providing it has been applied in accordance with F&B's Product Advice Sheets.

Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball. Pitch Black No.256.

Exterior Eggshell
Exterior Eggshell brings long-lasting colour to outdoor spaces with a finish that remains flexible once dry, protecting wood and metal surfaces through changing weather.

Added preservatives help to prevent the growth of algae and fungi, and the resin-rich formula resists flaking, peeling, and fading for up to six years providing it has been applied in accordance with F&B's Product Advice Sheets.

It is not suitable for use on exterior plastic surfaces or decking.

Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball. French Gray No.18; Ball Green No.75 from the archive collection.

Exterior Masonry
Exterior Masonry is Farrow & Ball's super-matt, long-lasting finish for exterior walls.

Its water-resistant formula protects walls, while at the same time offering the highest level of water vapour permeability to allow them to breathe.

Applied in line with F&B's Product Advice Sheets, it resists flaking, peeling, and fading for up to 15 years.

Please note it is not suitable for use on highly alkaline or very porous surfaces such as lime render or fletton bricks.

Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball. House White No.2012 .

Specialist Finishes:

Farrow & Ball have a range of different finishes that have been specifically designed for older houses that may require extra care and attention when selecting paint products.

Limewash
A historical finish for exterior walls, and interior walls and ceilings, Limewash bonds to the building itself to protect your home from the elements.

A breathable finish designed for solid stone walls. Professional application recommended.

Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball.

Casein Distemper
Casein Distemper shares the very flat matt finish of Dead Flat, but has a breathable, permeable structure that is more suited to plaster walls and ceilings.

Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball. Pointing No.2003

Soft Distemper
Soft Distemper is a very soft, powdery finish for interior plasterwork.

Its blend of natural resin and minerals is designed to be easily removed, allowing detail to be preserved on intricate mouldings.

Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball. Wevet No.273.

Farrow & Ball Colour Collections

Farrow & Ball Paints are heralded for having the most well-known celebrated colours across their range, resulting in a standard range of 132 colours.

There is also a vast selection in the Farrow & Ball archive collection available to order in store.

Knowing where to start with your colour selections can be tricky, so brushing out colour samples onto lining paper is the best way to see how the colour looks in your space.

Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball. Mole's Breath No.276.

Standard Range

From the famous Elephant's Breath to Stiffkey Blue, Farrow & Ball's 132 iconic colours can be discovered on the standard Farrow & Ball Colour Card.

A range of neutrals can also be found, giving you the confidence to build beautiful schemes.

With Farrow & Ball tinting machines also available in selected stores, you can take away your desired Farrow & Ball paint the very same day. To find your nearest store, please click here.