Because it doesn’t reflect light, a good matt paint can hide all manner of sins, from uneven walls to imperfections in the plaster. The problem is, a matt finish is sometimes considered a bit high-maintenance: easily scuffed and difficult to clean. 'Matt paints are notoriously tricky,’ says Patrick O’Donnell, chief colour consultant at Farrow & Ball. ‘They’re often used in historic houses with areas that have been roped off'. Unfortunately, the walls in most people’s houses aren’t protected by velvet ropes, which is why Farrow & Ball’s latest launch is significant, and a bit of a life-saver.
After five years of research and development, it has just released Dead Flat: its mattest finish yet. 'If you have slightly flawed walls - a lick of this will transform them,' says Patrick. What’s more, it’s super durable, wipe clean and easy to apply. Before bringing Dead Flat to the market, Patrick tried it out in his own house to see how it worked. 'I am a really cack-handed, amateur painter, and it’s going on a treat,’ he says. ‘I’ve covered half of my house with it.’
Though Farrow & Ball’s Estate Emulsion finish also has a 2 per cent sheen when looked at straight on, Dead Flat's new formula means that it maintains this sheen level from all angles. This means it reflects an undetectable amount of light, giving a deeper colour than was previously possible. The result is a suede-like smoothness that can be applied to almost any surface, from walls and woodwork to furniture and metalwork.
Here are three ways we can’t wait to use it this spring:
Why stop at just walls? The effect of taking a colour to the ceiling, skirting and fittings of a room can be quite dazzling. Try using Dead Flat on all of the surfaces in a room and you’ll be amazed at not just how uniform and clean the look is, but also how it becomes something of a neutral canvas, against which furniture and art can really sing. Don’t be scared if your room is small or has limited natural light, 'going for a matt finish or dark colour is often a good choice' advises Patrick, 'it can be really cosy and cocooning'.
There are some spaces in a house, such as a child's bedroom or the hallways, which see lots of traffic and potential for marks and scuffs on the walls. This super matt finish would be perfect for areas which you need to be able to clean easily.
Perhaps you have an unsightly radiator, or a tired piece of furniture which could use a new lease of life? A couple of coats of Dead Flat can be transformative. You could blend it with the wall colour for continuity, or make a statement with a bright, bold contrasting colour.
Dead Flat is £75 for 2.5 litres
