Choosing the Right Farrow & Ball Paint

Choose your Farrow & Ball paint according to the surface you are painting and the level of durability you need.

For most projects, the simplest starting point is:

Walls and ceilings: choose an appropriate interior wall finish, with the final choice depending on the room and how much durability or washability is required.

Woodwork, trim and furniture: choose a finish suitable for interior wood and metal, depending on the sheen and durability you prefer.

Exterior wood and metal: use a Farrow & Ball exterior finish designed for these surfaces.

Exterior masonry: use a dedicated masonry finish suitable for exterior walls.

Once you have identified the surface, compare the suitable finishes to decide which gives you the appearance and performance you want.

Start with the surface you are painting, then choose between the finishes suitable for that surface.

This avoids choosing a paint simply because you like its sheen or appearance when it may not be designed for the surface or conditions involved.

For example, a living-room wall, bathroom wall, skirting board and exterior door may all be painted in the same Farrow & Ball colour, but they can require different paint finishes.

Surface first, performance second and appearance third is a useful way to narrow the choice.

Farrow & Ball offers several finishes for interior walls and ceilings, so the best choice depends on the room and the level of durability required.

In lower-traffic living spaces and bedrooms, appearance and sheen may be the main considerations. In busy areas such as hallways, kitchens and bathrooms, durability and washability become more important.

Rather than choosing solely by sheen, consider how the room is used, whether the surface will need regular cleaning and the conditions the paint will experience.

Kitchens and bathrooms generally benefit from one of Farrow & Ball's more durable and washable interior finishes.

These rooms experience more moisture, condensation, splashes and regular cleaning than many other areas of the home, so durability should be considered alongside colour and sheen.

The exact finish will also depend on whether you are painting walls and ceilings, cupboards, furniture or woodwork.

Interior doors, skirting boards, architraves and other woodwork should be painted with a Farrow & Ball finish suitable for interior wood and metal.

Your choice can then be based on the level of sheen and the appearance you want, together with the amount of wear the surface is likely to receive.

Correct preparation and the appropriate primer or undercoat are also important, particularly on bare wood, MDF or previously painted surfaces.

Furniture normally requires a finish suitable for interior woodwork, but the correct choice depends on the material, condition of the surface and amount of everyday use.

A decorative piece that receives little contact has different performance requirements from a frequently used table, cupboard or cabinet.

The surface should also be correctly cleaned, prepared and primed where necessary before the topcoat is applied.

Exterior projects should use a Farrow & Ball finish designed for the particular exterior surface being painted.

Exterior wood and metal require a different paint system from exterior masonry because the surfaces behave differently and are exposed to different conditions.

Preparation is especially important outside, where moisture, temperature changes and weathering can affect the performance of the coating.

Yes. Using the same colour in different finishes is a useful way to create a coordinated scheme across different surfaces.

For example, walls and woodwork can use the same Farrow & Ball colour while each is painted in the finish most appropriate for that surface.

The colour can appear slightly different as the sheen changes because different finishes reflect light differently. This can create a subtle contrast even when the colour name is identical.

Not every combination of colour and finish is necessarily available, so availability should be checked when choosing the paint for your project.

Start by choosing the colour you want and then check which suitable finishes are available for the surface you intend to paint.

Start with three questions:

1. What surface are you painting?
2. How much wear, moisture or cleaning will it experience?
3. What level of sheen do you prefer?

Those three answers will usually reduce the choice to one or two appropriate Farrow & Ball finishes.

You can then use our detailed paint finishes guide to compare their sheen, durability, recommended uses and other differences before making your final choice.

For most interior walls, the choice is between Dead Flat, Modern Emulsion and Estate Emulsion.

Dead Flat is a very low-sheen, durable finish that can also be used across suitable interior woodwork and metal, making it useful where you want a consistent finish across several surfaces.

Modern Emulsion is a more durable, highly washable wall and ceiling finish suited to busy rooms and areas where resistance to moisture and everyday marks is important.

Estate Emulsion has a traditional ultra-matt appearance and is particularly suited to lower-traffic rooms where appearance is more important than maximum washability.

Dead Flat, Modern Emulsion and Estate Emulsion can all be considered for suitable interior ceilings.

The best choice depends mainly on the room and the appearance you want.

In bedrooms, living rooms and other lower-traffic spaces, Estate Emulsion can provide a traditional ultra-matt look. Dead Flat also gives a very low-sheen appearance while offering greater durability.

In kitchens, bathrooms or other rooms where greater washability and moisture resistance are useful, Modern Emulsion is generally the more practical choice.

Choose according to the balance you want between appearance, durability and washability.

Dead Flat: best when you want a very low-sheen, durable finish with the flexibility to continue the same colour and finish onto suitable interior woodwork and metal.

Modern Emulsion: best for busy or moisture-prone rooms where high durability and washability are priorities.

Estate Emulsion: best where you want a traditional, ultra-matt appearance in a lower-traffic interior.

For a detailed side-by-side comparison, see our Farrow & Ball Paint Finishes guide .

Modern Emulsion is the main Farrow & Ball wall and ceiling finish to choose when maximum everyday durability is important.

It is designed for busy areas and rooms where walls may need regular cleaning, including kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and family spaces.

Dead Flat is also durable and washable, but offers a much lower sheen and broader multi-surface use.

Modern Emulsion is the most practical choice when regular washing or wiping of walls is expected.

It is designed for areas that experience more marks, moisture and everyday wear than a typical bedroom or formal living room.

Dead Flat is also washable and scuff-resistant, while Estate Emulsion should be treated more gently.

Dead Flat and Estate Emulsion both have a very low-sheen, matt appearance.

Dead Flat combines that ultra-matt look with greater durability and multi-surface flexibility, while Estate Emulsion is aimed more at traditional, lower-traffic interiors.

Modern Emulsion has a slightly higher sheen, which contributes to its more durable and washable performance.

Bedrooms and living rooms usually give you more freedom to choose according to appearance because they often experience less moisture and heavy cleaning than kitchens, bathrooms or hallways.

Estate Emulsion suits customers who want a traditional ultra-matt look, while Dead Flat is a strong option where you want the same low-sheen appearance with greater durability.

Modern Emulsion remains suitable where additional washability is useful, for example in busy family living spaces.

Modern Emulsion is usually the most practical choice for hallways, corridors and other busy wall areas.

These spaces tend to receive more knocks, marks and contact than quieter rooms, so durability and washability are generally more important.

Dead Flat can also be considered where a lower-sheen appearance is preferred and its multi-surface characteristics suit the design.

Yes. Using the same suitable finish on both walls and ceilings can create a calm, continuous appearance.

This is particularly useful in colour-drenched schemes where reducing changes in colour and sheen helps create a more seamless result.

The chosen finish should still be suitable for the conditions in the room, especially where moisture, cleaning or heavy wear are considerations.

Modern Emulsion is generally the most practical Farrow & Ball finish for kitchen and bathroom walls and ceilings.

It is designed for interior walls and ceilings where greater durability, washability and resistance to moisture are required, making it particularly well suited to kitchens, bathrooms and other busy areas.

The surface should still be properly prepared and the room should have suitable ventilation, particularly where condensation is likely to occur.

Yes. Modern Emulsion is designed for areas where walls may need greater durability and regular cleaning.

Kitchen walls can be exposed to cooking residue, splashes, marks and repeated wiping, so a washable finish is generally more practical than a traditional low-durability wall finish.

Modern Emulsion can be used on suitably prepared interior walls and ceilings in these areas.

Yes. Modern Emulsion is the principal Farrow & Ball wall and ceiling finish for bathrooms and other moisture-prone interior rooms.

Its durable, washable formulation makes it more suitable for areas exposed to condensation and regular cleaning than a traditional emulsion intended for lower-traffic rooms.

Good ventilation remains important. Persistent condensation or underlying damp should be dealt with rather than relying on the paint finish to solve the problem.

Modern Emulsion is generally the better choice where kitchen or bathroom walls are exposed to moisture, marks or regular cleaning.

Estate Emulsion is valued for its traditional ultra-matt appearance, but it is better suited to lower-traffic interior spaces where high washability and moisture resistance are not the main priorities.

Where practicality is important, particularly around cooking, washing and areas affected by condensation, choose the finish designed for those conditions.

Dead Flat is durable and washable, but the conditions of the room and the particular surface should be considered before choosing it.

One of the advantages of Dead Flat is its ability to create a consistent very low-sheen appearance across suitable interior walls, ceilings, woodwork and metal.

Where walls and ceilings are likely to experience significant moisture, condensation or frequent cleaning, Modern Emulsion remains the more purpose-specific wall and ceiling choice.

You can compare their characteristics in our Farrow & Ball Paint Finishes guide .

Modern Emulsion is a practical choice for kitchen ceilings, particularly where steam, cooking residue or regular cleaning may be an issue.

Using the same suitable finish on both the walls and ceiling can also create a consistent appearance while giving both surfaces the durability required for the room.

Modern Emulsion is generally the most practical choice for bathroom ceilings.

Bathroom ceilings are often exposed to warm, moist air and condensation, so using a finish designed for more demanding interior conditions is preferable to choosing purely on the basis of sheen.

Adequate extraction and ventilation are also important because paint should not be expected to compensate for persistent condensation or damp.

Painted surfaces in bathrooms should not be treated as a substitute for appropriate waterproof finishes in areas subject to direct or persistent water contact.

Modern Emulsion is suitable for appropriately prepared bathroom walls and ceilings, including areas where moisture and condensation occur, but surfaces regularly subjected to direct water require an appropriate waterproof solution.

Always consider how much direct water exposure the particular surface will receive before deciding whether a painted finish is appropriate.

Yes. Kitchen and bathroom surfaces should be clean, sound and properly prepared before painting.

Grease, soap residue, dirt, loose paint and other contamination can prevent the new coating from adhering correctly. Any defects should be repaired and the appropriate primer or undercoat used where required.

Our Farrow & Ball Paint Preparation guide explains how to prepare common surfaces before painting.

Kitchen cupboards should be treated separately from walls and ceilings because the substrate and performance requirements are different.

The correct finish depends on what the cupboards are made from, their existing coating and the appearance and durability you want. Correct preparation is particularly important on previously painted, glossy or manufactured surfaces.

See the Kitchen Cupboards & Furniture section for the finishes and preparation considerations for these surfaces.

Dead Flat, Modern Eggshell and Full Gloss can all be used for suitable interior woodwork, with the best choice depending mainly on the appearance and level of sheen you want.

Dead Flat provides a very low-sheen finish and can be used across suitable walls, ceilings, woodwork and metal for a consistent matt appearance.

Modern Eggshell gives woodwork a more noticeable sheen together with a hard-wearing finish, while Full Gloss provides Farrow & Ball's highest-shine finish for a more traditional or dramatic appearance.

Compare the different characteristics in our Farrow & Ball Paint Finishes guide .

Dead Flat, Modern Eggshell and Full Gloss are all possible choices for suitably prepared interior skirting boards.

The decision is largely aesthetic. Dead Flat creates a very low-sheen contemporary appearance, Modern Eggshell introduces a stronger contrast and sheen, while Full Gloss creates the highest-shine finish.

Consider how much wear the skirting receives as well as how you want it to relate visually to the walls.

The appropriate finish for an interior door depends on the desired sheen, appearance and level of use.

Dead Flat can create a very low-sheen finish, Modern Eggshell provides a harder-looking mid-sheen appearance, and Full Gloss gives doors a highly reflective traditional finish.

Doors and their edges are frequently handled, so careful surface preparation and allowing the coating to cure properly are particularly important.

Architraves and interior door frames can generally be treated in the same way as other interior woodwork.

Dead Flat, Modern Eggshell or Full Gloss may be chosen according to the appearance you want and the requirements of the surface.

Using the same finish on doors, frames, architraves and skirting can help create a consistent treatment throughout the room.

Yes. Dead Flat is designed for suitable interior walls, ceilings, woodwork and metal.

This makes it particularly useful where you want the same low-sheen appearance across several different surfaces within a room.

For example, walls, skirting boards, architraves and doors can be painted in the same colour and low-sheen finish to create a more continuous appearance.

Yes. Modern Eggshell is designed for suitable interior woodwork and metal where a durable finish with a more noticeable sheen is wanted.

It is a practical option for skirting boards, doors, architraves, window frames and other interior trim.

Compared with Dead Flat, it creates a clearer visual distinction between painted woodwork and matt wall surfaces.

Yes. Full Gloss can be used on suitably prepared interior woodwork where a high-shine finish is desired.

Its reflective appearance can emphasise architectural details such as doors, frames, skirting and mouldings and can create a deliberate contrast with matt walls.

Because higher-sheen finishes tend to reveal imperfections more readily, careful filling, sanding and preparation are especially worthwhile before painting.

It can be, but it does not have to be. The choice depends on the effect you want to create.

Painting walls and woodwork in the same colour can make the architecture feel more unified and can reduce the visual contrast created by traditional white trim.

Alternatively, choosing a contrasting or complementary colour for the woodwork can emphasise doors, skirting, architraves and other architectural details.

Yes, provided the chosen colour is available in finishes suitable for the surfaces being painted.

You can use the same colour in different finishes — for example, an appropriate wall finish alongside a suitable woodwork finish — or use Dead Flat across compatible interior surfaces where a more uniform low-sheen appearance is wanted.

The same colour can appear slightly different when used in finishes with different sheen levels because each surface reflects light differently.

Whether a primer or undercoat is required depends on the condition and existing finish of the woodwork.

Bare timber, filled areas, knots, damaged coatings and previously painted surfaces may require different preparation before the finish coat is applied.

See our Farrow & Ball Paint Preparation guide for detailed guidance, or browse Farrow & Ball Primers & Undercoats .

Modern Eggshell is a strong choice for kitchen cupboards where a durable finish with a noticeable sheen is wanted.

Dead Flat can also be used on suitable interior woodwork and metal where a much lower-sheen appearance is preferred.

The best choice therefore depends partly on the appearance you want, but correct preparation of the cupboard surface is essential whichever finish you choose.

Compare the available finishes in our Farrow & Ball Paint Finishes guide .

Yes. Modern Eggshell is suitable for appropriately prepared interior woodwork and is a practical option for painted kitchen cupboards.

Its durable finish makes it well suited to surfaces such as cupboard doors and drawer fronts that are regularly handled and need to withstand normal household cleaning.

Preparation should be appropriate to the material and any existing coating already on the cupboards.

Dead Flat can be used on suitable interior woodwork where a very low-sheen finish is preferred.

This can be particularly useful when you want cabinetry and other painted surfaces in the room to share a softer, more unified appearance.

Kitchen cupboards receive considerable handling, so careful preparation and allowing the finished coating to cure properly are important.

MDF can be painted, but it needs to be prepared correctly before the finish coats are applied.

Bare MDF can be particularly absorbent around cut edges, while existing factory finishes may present a different surface altogether. The preparation method should therefore be based on the actual substrate and coating.

Our Farrow & Ball Paint Preparation guide includes specific guidance for MDF and other difficult surfaces.

Yes, provided the existing coating is sound, compatible and properly prepared before repainting.

Cupboards should be thoroughly cleaned and degreased, particularly around handles and cooking areas. Loose or failing paint should be removed and glossy surfaces may need to be abraded to provide a suitable key.

Any necessary primer or undercoat should then be applied before the chosen finish.

Laminate and melamine are difficult, non-porous surfaces and need specialist preparation before painting.

The surface may need to be thoroughly degreased, lightly abraded where appropriate and prepared with a suitable specialist adhesion primer before continuing with the appropriate Farrow & Ball preparation and finish.

See the melamine and laminate preparation guidance for more detail.

The best finish depends on the furniture, how it will be used and the level of sheen you want.

Dead Flat provides a very low-sheen appearance on suitable interior woodwork, while Modern Eggshell provides a more noticeable sheen and is well suited to harder-working painted surfaces.

Full Gloss can be considered where a deliberately high-shine decorative finish is wanted.

Suitable wooden furniture can be painted with an appropriate Farrow & Ball interior woodwork finish.

Tables, chairs and similar furniture can receive considerably more wear than decorative woodwork, so consider both the finish and the way the item will be used.

Previously varnished, waxed, polished or painted furniture may also require additional preparation before repainting.

Some cupboard surfaces will need sanding or light abrasion, but the preparation should always be appropriate to the existing surface.

The aim is to create a clean, sound and suitable foundation for the new coating rather than simply sanding every surface in the same way.

Glossy, damaged or poorly adhering existing finishes may need more preparation than sound matt surfaces.

Whether a primer or undercoat is required depends on what the cupboards are made from and their existing finish.

Bare timber, MDF, filled areas and previously coated surfaces can each require different preparation. Laminate, melamine and other difficult non-porous surfaces may require a specialist adhesion primer rather than a standard wood primer.

See our Paint Preparation guide or browse Farrow & Ball Primers & Undercoats .

Exterior Eggshell and Full Gloss are the principal Farrow & Ball finishes to consider for suitable exterior wood and metal.

Exterior Eggshell provides a lower-sheen exterior finish, while Full Gloss creates a much more reflective, high-shine appearance.

The surface must also be suitable for the chosen paint system and correctly prepared before the finish coats are applied.

Compare their appearance and recommended uses in our Farrow & Ball Paint Finishes guide .

Exterior Eggshell or Full Gloss can be chosen for suitable, correctly prepared exterior wood depending on the finish you want.

Exterior Eggshell gives exterior joinery a softer, lower-sheen appearance. Full Gloss provides a much higher level of shine and creates a more traditional or deliberately striking finish.

Whichever you choose, the condition and preparation of the timber are particularly important outdoors.

Exterior Eggshell and Full Gloss are both options for a suitable exterior wooden door.

Choose Exterior Eggshell for a more restrained lower-sheen appearance, or Full Gloss where you want the door to have a highly reflective, traditional gloss finish.

Exterior doors are exposed to weather as well as regular handling, so sound preparation and the correct primer and undercoat system are essential.

Suitable exterior wooden window frames can be finished in Exterior Eggshell or Full Gloss according to the appearance you prefer.

Exterior Eggshell gives the joinery a softer sheen, while Full Gloss creates a stronger reflective finish and emphasises the architectural detail.

Pay particular attention to the condition of the existing coating, joints, edges and any exposed timber before repainting.

Suitable exterior metal can be painted with an appropriate Farrow & Ball exterior finish when the metal has been correctly prepared.

The preparation required depends on the type and condition of the metal. Rust, loose coatings and contamination must be dealt with before painting, and bare ferrous metal requires the appropriate primer system.

See our Farrow & Ball Paint Preparation guide for detailed exterior metal preparation advice.

For suitable exterior metal railings and gates, choose an appropriate exterior finish according to the sheen and appearance you want.

Full Gloss can create a strong, traditional high-shine appearance, while a lower-sheen exterior finish can give the metalwork a more restrained look where suitable.

The metal must be sound and correctly prepared. Any corrosion should be treated and the appropriate primer used before applying the finish coats.

The most immediately noticeable difference is the level of sheen.

Exterior Eggshell provides a softer, lower-sheen appearance, whereas Full Gloss is Farrow & Ball's high-shine finish and reflects considerably more light.

This means the choice is not simply technical. It can make a substantial difference to the character of doors, windows and architectural details.

See the finish comparison tables for a broader comparison of Farrow & Ball finishes.

Use a Farrow & Ball finish specified for the exterior surface and conditions involved rather than choosing an interior finish simply because you prefer its appearance.

Exterior coatings need to cope with conditions that interior surfaces do not experience, including rain, changing temperatures, sunlight and prolonged exposure to moisture.

Choose the finish according to the surface first, then select the sheen and appearance from the appropriate exterior options.

The required preparation depends on the material, its condition and any existing coating.

Bare or exposed timber, previously painted wood, bare ferrous metal and other metal surfaces can require different preparation systems. Any loose or failing coating should also be dealt with before repainting.

For suitable wood, see Farrow & Ball Wood Primer & Undercoat . For appropriate bare ferrous metal, see Farrow & Ball Metal Primer & Undercoat .

Preparation is particularly important on exterior surfaces because the finished coating will be exposed to weather and changing environmental conditions.

Loose or failing paint, rust, decayed timber, dirt, biological growth and moisture problems should be dealt with before applying a new coating.

The surface should then receive the appropriate preparation, primer and undercoat system before the chosen exterior finish is applied.

Our Exterior Wood & Metal Preparation guide takes you through these considerations in more detail.

Farrow & Ball Exterior Masonry is the dedicated finish for suitable exterior masonry surfaces.

It is intended for exterior walls rather than exterior woodwork or metal, which require their own appropriate paint systems.

Before painting, the masonry should be assessed carefully. Problems such as loose coatings, unstable or powdery surfaces, biological growth and persistent moisture need to be dealt with before the finish is applied.

Exterior Masonry is Farrow & Ball's specialist finish for suitable exterior masonry walls.

It is designed for the different demands placed on exterior masonry rather than being an interior wall paint used outdoors.

If you want to compare its characteristics with the other Farrow & Ball finishes, see our Exterior Masonry finish guide .

Exterior Masonry can be used on suitable exterior rendered surfaces when the substrate is sound and properly prepared.

The render should be assessed before painting, particularly if it is new, powdery, cracked, damp or already coated with another product.

Any underlying defects should be corrected before applying the paint system rather than relying on the finish coat to conceal or stabilise them.

Whether an exterior brick surface is suitable for painting depends on the type and condition of the masonry.

The surface must be sound, clean and suitable for the proposed coating. Highly porous, damaged, contaminated or moisture-affected masonry may need additional assessment and preparation.

Where there is any uncertainty about the substrate, establish its condition and suitability before choosing the paint system.

Previously painted exterior masonry may be repainted if the existing coating and underlying surface are sound and compatible with the new paint system.

Loose, flaking or poorly adhering paint should not simply be covered over. It needs to be removed or dealt with appropriately so that the new coating has a sound foundation.

The surface should also be cleaned and any underlying defects addressed before repainting.

A chalky or powdery surface should be dealt with before Exterior Masonry is applied.

Loose and unstable material should be removed as part of the preparation process. Where the masonry or plaster remains porous, chalky or slightly worn, Farrow & Ball Masonry & Plaster Stabilising Primer may be appropriate.

See Farrow & Ball Masonry & Plaster Stabilising Primer for the product, and our Paint Preparation guide for more detailed preparation advice.

Not every sound masonry surface automatically requires a stabilising primer.

Primer should be selected according to the condition of the substrate rather than applied simply as an additional coat. Porous, chalky or slightly worn masonry and plaster may require Farrow & Ball Masonry & Plaster Stabilising Primer where specified.

A severely unstable surface needs to be repaired or otherwise corrected rather than simply being held together with primer.

Persistent damp or an underlying moisture problem should be identified and corrected before painting.

Applying a decorative coating over an unresolved moisture problem can lead to poor adhesion, staining, blistering or premature coating failure.

The masonry should be in a suitable condition for painting before the specified preparation and finish system is applied.

Exterior walls should be painted with a finish designed for exterior masonry rather than an interior wall paint.

Exterior surfaces experience rain, sunlight, temperature changes and prolonged environmental exposure that interior coatings are not intended to deal with in the same way.

Choose the paint according to the surface and environment first, then choose the Farrow & Ball colour you want.

Exterior masonry should be sound, clean and suitable for painting before the finish coats are applied.

Preparation can include removing loose or failing coatings, cleaning contamination and biological growth, repairing defects and dealing with moisture problems.

Porous, chalky or slightly worn surfaces may also require the appropriate stabilising primer.

See our Farrow & Ball Paint Preparation guide for the full preparation guidance.

Colour drenching is the use of the same colour across multiple surfaces within a room rather than treating walls, ceilings and woodwork as separate colour areas.

A colour-drenched scheme might carry one Farrow & Ball colour across the walls, ceiling, skirting boards, architraves, doors and other suitable interior surfaces.

This reduces visual breaks between surfaces and can make architectural details feel more integrated into the room.

Dead Flat is particularly useful for colour drenching because it can be used across suitable interior walls, ceilings, woodwork and metal.

This allows the same Farrow & Ball colour and very low-sheen finish to continue across several different surfaces, creating a particularly seamless effect.

Colour drenching does not require every surface to have exactly the same finish, however. The same colour can also be used in different appropriate finishes where additional durability, moisture resistance or a change in sheen is wanted.

Yes. Dead Flat is designed for suitable interior walls, ceilings, woodwork and metal.

Its multi-surface capability is one of the reasons it works particularly well for colour-drenched interiors.

Using one finish across compatible surfaces also minimises the change in sheen that would otherwise occur between walls and painted architectural details.

See our Dead Flat guide for more information about the finish.

No. Colour drenching is primarily about carrying the colour across the room, not necessarily using exactly the same paint finish on every surface.

You can use the same Farrow & Ball colour in different suitable finishes for walls, ceilings and woodwork.

This approach allows each surface to have the performance it needs while maintaining the overall single-colour scheme.

It can. Different sheen levels reflect light differently, so the same colour can appear subtly different when used in different finishes.

A higher-sheen finish may appear richer or more reflective than the same colour in an ultra-matt finish, particularly as the lighting changes throughout the day.

This can be used deliberately to create subtle definition between walls and architectural details while keeping the colour itself consistent.

Yes, but the conditions of the room should still determine which finish is appropriate for each surface.

In kitchens and bathrooms, moisture, condensation and regular cleaning may make a more purpose-specific finish appropriate for walls and ceilings, while cupboards or woodwork may require a different suitable finish.

You can retain the colour-drenched effect by using the same Farrow & Ball colour across those different finishes.

Yes. Doors, skirting boards and architraves are often included in colour-drenched schemes.

Painting these architectural details in the same colour as the walls reduces the traditional contrast created by white or differently coloured woodwork.

Choose either a suitable multi-surface finish or the appropriate woodwork finish in the same colour according to the appearance and durability you require.

Suitable interior metal can form part of a coordinated single-colour scheme when the surface and chosen paint system are appropriate.

Metal requires different preparation from plaster or timber, particularly where it is bare, previously coated or showing signs of corrosion.

Before painting a radiator or other heated metal surface, check that the proposed coating system is suitable for the particular surface and operating conditions.

A traditional colour-drenched scheme centres on carrying one colour across multiple surfaces, but the idea can be adapted to suit the room.

Related colours can be introduced on selected architectural details, adjoining spaces or individual features while retaining much of the enveloping effect.

The important practical point is that each surface should still receive a paint finish appropriate to its material and use.

Yes. Using one colour across a room does not mean every surface should be prepared in the same way.

Plaster, previously painted walls, bare timber, MDF and metal each have their own preparation requirements. These should be dealt with correctly before applying the chosen finish.

Our Farrow & Ball Paint Preparation guide explains how to prepare the different surfaces before painting.