Choosing paint can be an exciting stage of a project, but it does come with certain challenges. The array of options available can feel overwhelmingly endless and, even when you’ve finally decided on the right colour for your space, there is still the very important question of finish. Do you want something with sheen or something more matt? Is it suitable for walls or woodworks or both? And, crucially, is it tough enough to survive life in a busy household?
Thankfully, in recent years, the British paint and wallpaper specialist Farrow & Ball has simplified things significantly with the expansion of its improved Interior Range, which comprises various durable finishes that are both incredibly practical and stylish. So far, we have particularly loved the ultra-matt, multi-surface Dead Flat and the mid-sheen Modern finishes. Completing the range is the brilliant Flat Eggshell, which has just launched.
Flat Eggshell is scrubbable, stain-resistant and scuff-proof and is suitable for use on wood, metal and concrete. It actually has the highest possible scrub rating of Class 1 making it ideal for busy households with children and pets, and allowing you to redecorate out of choice rather than necessity. ‘We designed it with both DIYers and professionals in mind,’ says head of research and technical development Gareth Hayfield. ‘The water-based formula is quick drying, quick curing and has the lowest possible VOC rating, so you can enjoy your finished space even sooner.’ Thanks to the washable finish, it works well on kitchen, bathroom or utility room cabinets, on the exterior of bathtubs, and on windowsills, floors and skirting boards throughout the house.
But the real magic lies in the fact that this impressive durability is combined with the strong aesthetic appeal and colour quality that we have come to expect from Farrow & Ball. With a 20 per cent sheen, it is the flattest interior eggshell in the brand’s collection, resulting in a lovely understated elegance. ‘It’s super, super tough, but it’s got that fantastic flat finish,’ says Farrow & Ball colour consultant Joa Studholme, who is most excited about the possibilities it presents for floors. ‘So many floors are just crying out to be painted,’ she says. ‘It’s incredibly cost effective and totally transformative, either as a dramatic burst or just as a way to breathe a little bit of life into a room. Rooms with low light will particularly benefit from a floor painted in a pale colour to bounce the light around the space.’
Like all Farrow & Ball interior and exterior paint finishes, Flat Eggshell is sure to become a firm favourite with designers and homeowners alike, and we can’t wait to see it appearing in the projects featured by House & Garden. Watch this space.
