Overview Elevate your interiors with the perfect balance of elegance and endurance. Farrow & Ball Flat Eggshell combines timeless colour with cutting-edge durability, giving you a finish that looks beautifully refined yet is tough enough to withstand the demands of everyday life. With its soft 20% sheen, it brings a subtle sophistication to woodwork, cabinets, and walls, all while offering exceptional resistance to stains, scuffs, and knocks. Crafted with an improved formula, it’s designed not just to look stunning on day one, but to stay that way for years to come.
Ultra-durable finish - Class I scrub rating for easy cleaning, so it looks newer for longer.
Stain-resistant & practical - Perfect for kitchen cabinets and high-traffic areas.
Fast results - Quick-drying and curing with exceptional hardness and block resistance from day one, so you can get back to using your space sooner. Improved formula - Up to 4x harder than Estate Eggshell and 2-3x better block resistance.
Health & home friendly - Minimal VOC, toy safe, A+ Indoor Air Quality, and enriched with bio-based ingredients.
Professional finish - Exceptional hiding power with just two coats, flowing smoothly for an even, flawless look.
Farrow & Ball Flat Eggshell is the perfect balance of beauty and performance, a tough, elegant finish that stands up to modern life while staying kind to your home and the environment.
Area
Interior
Recommended Use
Interior wood and metal, wood and concrete floors, kitchen & bathroom cabinets and furniture
Base
Water-Based
Coverage
Up to 12m2 per litre
Drying Time
2 hours
Re-Coat Time
4 hours
Recommended Coats
2 Coats
Application Method
Brush, Roller or Sprayer
VOC Levels
Low
Clean Up
Remove as much product as possible from the equipment before cleaning with water
Preparation Poor preparation is the main cause of paint problems. Make sure surfaces are properly prepared before painting to achieve the best results.
For best results, ensure your surface, tools, and product are clean before you begin. For most surfaces, we recommend using a dilute Sugar Soap solution following the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid solvent-based cleaners or strong alkaline solutions, as these can affect adhesion. After cleaning, wipe the surface with clean water. Always stir paint thoroughly, and lightly dampen brushes or rollers before use, removing excess water before loading with paint.
Surfaces must be sound, clean, dry, and free from dust, grease, mould, and loose material.
Lightly sand for better adhesion and wipe away dust.
Farrow & Ball paints are suitable only for surfaces with pH < 10. Use litmus paper if unsure (lime render, silicate, or mineral paints may be higher).
In kitchens and bathrooms, allow paint to fully cure before exposure to condensation.
New Interior Wood
For knots or resin: treat with knotting solution, aluminium-based primer, or replace with a wooden plug if severe.
Prime with Farrow & Ball Wood Primer & Undercoat for better adhesion and a smoother finish.
Previously Painted Interior Wood (not floors)
Remove any peeling or blistering paint.
Fill gaps, lightly sand, and patch prime bare areas.
Apply 1 coat of Farrow & Ball Wood Primer & Undercoat (allow 4 hours drying).
Finish with 2 coats of Farrow & Ball Flat Eggshell paint.
Wooden Floors
Remove as much old coating as possible, sand smooth, clean and dry (moisture <10%).
Apply 1 coat of Farrow & Ball Wood Primer & Undercoat to seal.
Finish with 2 coats of Farrow & Ball Flat Eggshell.
Not suitable for floors subject to frequent vehicle movement.
New/Bare Wood Floors
Ensure boards are secure. Fill gaps with wood filler.
Sand smooth, clean thoroughly, and dry (moisture <10%).
Patch prime knots, then apply 1 full coat of Farrow & Ball Wood Primer & Undercoat.
Finish with 2 coats of Farrow & Ball Flat Eggshell.
Interior Metal
Use Farrow & Ball Metal Primer & Undercoat for ferrous, non-ferrous, galvanised, and radiators. Ensure to apply 2 coats of primer.
For cast iron, always use a specialist primer to prevent rust.
Galvanised Metal
Treat with Etch Primer or Mordant Solution first.
Apply 2 coats of Farrow & Ball Metal Primer & Undercoat, then 2 coats of your chosen finish.
Concrete Floors
Repair old or unsound masonry before painting.
New concrete should cure for at least 3 months before painting.
Prime with Farrow & Ball Masonry & Plaster Stabilising Primer, then apply finish.
Not suitable for basements or buildings without a damp-proof course/membrane.
Interior MDF
Use high-quality MDF to avoid raised fibres.
Sand edges, minimise dust, and wear protective equipment.
Apply 1 coat of Farrow & Ball Metal Primer & Undercoat (allow 4 hours), then 2 coats of your chosen finish.
Surface Imperfections
Fill, sand, and smooth imperfections before painting.
For a flawless finish, repeat: mist coat → fill → sand → topcoat until even.
Tip: The final topcoat will only be as good as the preparation underneath. Smooth primers and undercoats are essential for a perfect result.
Not Recommended For Use On
Exterior decking or pressure-treated wood.
Basements or buildings without a functioning damp-proof course or membrane.
Floors exposed to frequent vehicle traffic.
Calcium Sulphate, Anhydrite, or Hemi-hydrate screeds.
Application For the best results, apply Farrow & Ball Flat Eggshell with care and attention to detail. Follow these steps to achieve a flawless finish:
Stir thoroughly before and during use to ensure an even colour and consistency.
Apply evenly using a high-quality synthetic brush, roller, or spray system suitable for water-based paints.
Maintain a wet edge at all times. Flat Eggshell has a mid-sheen finish, and if the wet edge is lost, you may see “lap marks” (visible lines where freshly applied paint overlaps dried paint). Work in manageable sections to avoid this.
Dark colours require extra care; apply generously and smoothly, blending edges as you go.
Apply 2 full coats, allowing the correct drying time between coats (minimum 4 hours, depending on conditions).
Work in a well-ventilated space. Avoid painting in very hot, cold, or humid conditions, as this can affect drying and the final finish.
Surfaces are typically touch-dry within 2 hours, but allow full curing before subjecting the finish to condensation, cleaning, or heavy use.
Approx. 12 m² per litre per coat, depending on surface and application.
Tip: For the smoothest, most professional finish, lightly sand between coats with fine abrasive paper and remove dust before re-coating. Aftercare & Storage Storage Instructions
This product is water-based and must be protected from frost and extreme temperatures.
For best results, use within 6 months of purchase. We cannot accept responsibility for the deterioration of contents or packaging after this period.
The product contains preservatives to prevent spoilage under normal storage conditions.
To minimise contamination and extend shelf life:
Decant paint into a clean kettle before use. Always use thoroughly cleaned tools before and after painting. Avoid repeated opening where possible, as this increases the risk of microbial contamination.
Water Contact
To extend the service life of Flat Eggshell, avoid allowing standing water to pool on horizontal surfaces.
Environmental & Disposal Advice
Do not pour paint or washings down the drain. Dispose of contents and container responsibly, in line with local environmental regulations.