Farrow & Ball heard our feedback (and I say “our” in a very collective sense) and made changes to two of their popular, yet troublesome finishes. Estate Emulsion, Farrow & Ball’s signature chalky matte finish, is a cult favorite. But fingerprints and smudges are a big problem with this sheen. Estate Eggshell, on the other hand, has a 20% sheen, but the prolonged curing time has created a slew of issues. Farrow & Ball heard the complaints and fixed the problems.
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‘Estate Eggshell’ Is Now ‘Flat Eggshell’
In my recent visit to the Boston Design Center, I stopped by Farrow & Ball’s showroom to pick up their Archive fan deck. As I was leaving, I mentioned that I painted our kitchen cabinets with the Estate Eggshell finish. The manager’s first question was, “Did you have any trouble with it?” Yes, yes I did actually.
I chose the Estate Eggshell finish for its subtle satin sheen that’s perfect for millwork. It’s not overwhelmingly shiny, nor is it dull. The finish is perfection, but the cure time was a nightmare. According to the label, 7-14 days is the expected timeframe, but it actually took closer to 4 weeks before the paint was no longer tacky and the cabinet doors could be closed. After the paint cured, it has held up incredibly well and it’s easy to clean. But those 4 weeks of waiting for tacky paint to dry caused accidental indentations and marks from our hands.
I shared our experience with the F&B manager, and after apologizing for our trouble, he informed me that this was unfortunately a common issue with the Estate Eggshell sheen. After receiving many complaints from their customers, Farrow & Ball re-formulated the finish to reduce the cure time. With the new formula comes a new name too. Now, Estate Eggshell is called Flat Eggshell. Same 20% sheen, same durability, but a 2 week cure time instead of 4.
Note: As of 10/14/25, Farrow & Ball still offers the old formula, Estate Eggshell, on their website. Be sure to select Flat Eggshell instead!
The New ‘Dead Flat’ Is ‘Estate Emulsion’…But Better
The second sheen that has received considerable feedback is Estate Emulsion. Fans either love it or hate it. The matte chalky finish with a 2% sheen has an irresistible aesthetic…just don’t touch it! Unfortunately fingerprints, smudges, and wet spots become permanent blemishes due to its lack of washability. Many users find the finish to be too precious and have opted for Modern Emulsion instead – a washable finish with *slightly* more sheen (7%).
With that said, Farrow & Ball recently released Dead Flat – a matte chalky finish with the same level of sheen as Estate Emulsion (2%), but it’s washable, wipeable, and scuff resistant. Dead Flat is everything we love about Estate Emulsion, but with added durability and washability!
Farrow & Ball now has 9 finishes on their roster. With new additions and name changes, I’ve made a graphic listing all the interior finishes, their sheen level, suitable applications, and a few “good to know” facts for each.
A Note About The Names
Farrow & Ball doesn’t use the same sheen names as American-made paints. The terms flat, eggshell, satin, and gloss are used differently with Farrow & Ball paints. Therefore, ignore the names of Farrow & Ball finishes; those don’t necessarily indicate the sheen level that we’re accustomed to. Instead, look at the sheen percentage.
Dead Flat and Estate Emulsion have a 2% sheen, which is equivalent to flat. Modern Emulsion has a 7% sheen, which is similar to eggshell. Flat Eggshell, with a 20% sheen, is actually satin. Modern Eggshell, with a 40% sheen, is similar to semi-gloss…although perhaps not quite as reflective. And Full Gloss has a 95% sheen, which is equivalent to high gloss. Save the cheat sheet below for reference.
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So appreciate you contacting Farrow and Ball on this issue. I too loved their Estate finish, but made the mistake of painting our entire living room, basement and hallways in their beautiful saturated Hague blue, Studio Green and Bancha. All amazing colors, but the finish was laughably ineffective—as soon as you place the slightest touch on it, it left a smear. What can you do after thousands of dollars of paint. I contacted Farrow and Ball and complained vociferously and told them that this paint should only be used in a museum setting high up on the wall or the ceiling where nobody can ever touch it otherwise it’s absolutely worthless. No monies for my troubles. Lesson learned buyer beware. Glad you were able to get through to them their colors really are terrific.