Matte but Mighty: The New Paint Finish Experts Are Already Obsessed With
Words by Olivia Lidbury
Flat Eggshell (all surfaces, floors)
Photography by James Merrell
Flat Eggshell (all surfaces)
Photography by James Merrell
A hard-wearing eggshell paint with a truly matte finish sounds like a unicorn—but the new innovative offering by Farrow & Ball delivers just that.
Until now, choosing an eggshell finish with low sheen meant compromising on durability. Enter Flat Eggshell, the latest breakthrough from British heritage paint brand Farrow & Ball. This revolutionary new formula makes scrubbable, stain-resistant, and scuff-resistant surfaces—from woodwork to metal and even floors—a reality. With a low sheen of just 20%, practicality is its superpower.
“It achieves the highest possible Class 1 scrub rating, meaning it stands up to daily life without compromising on elegance,” says Gareth Hayfield, Head of Research and Development at Farrow & Ball.
Expert Zoë Feldman is already converted. “The beauty of it is that it brings the sophistication of a true matte finish to surfaces that historically required more sheen for durability. You can create a seamless, enveloping look across walls, woodwork, and cabinetry without sacrificing performance,” she says.
Flat Eggshell joins a lineup of versatile, high-performance finishes from the revered paint specialist. Below, we break down the ones that top our Experts’ list—and how to know which is right for your next project.
Dead Flat (all surfaces)
Photography by James Merrell
For an Ultra-Matte, Forgiving Finish
Dead Flat is the brand’s most matte, multi-surface finish. “It’s perfect when you want the softest possible look with a touch of added toughness,” explains Hayfield.
Fun fact: Dead Flat was developed over 70 years ago to mimic the 18th-century ‘flatted lead’ paint effect. Back then, artisans applied multiple coats to achieve a deep, richly pigmented finish. It was labor-intensive—and reserved for only the most important rooms in the house.
Ideal for walls, woodwork, and metal, Dead Flat’s ultra-low 2% sheen is remarkably forgiving. Brand Ambassador Patrick O'Donnell swears by it for tricky, uneven surfaces: “It banishes the flaws one would normally see.”
Expert Lisa Staton loves its timeworn charm: “The chalky, plaster-like feel helps drywall look and feel more like old-school plaster—especially in heritage homes.”
Flat Eggshell (floor)
Photography by Stacy Zarin Goldberg; Design by Zoë Feldman
For Matte That Works Hard
The new kid on the block, Flat Eggshell bridges the gap between the chalky elegance of Dead Flat and the subtle shine of Modern Eggshell. It's equal parts refined and resilient.
Hayfield notes: “Quick drying, quick curing, immune to yellowing, with outstanding block resistance and hiding power—it gives professionals and homeowners the freedom to specify a flat finish without compromise.”
Feldman is taken with its “quiet, velvety depth,” particularly with rich tones that come alive in the absence of shine. “It feels both modern and timeless. It’s especially transformative on cabinetry and floors, where a matte surface creates a more bespoke, furniture-like quality.”
O'Donnell suggests trying it on floors or high-traffic cabinetry—think mudrooms, laundry rooms, and entries, where beauty and durability need to coexist.
Pro tip: Prep is everything. Use the recommended primer and undercoat for bare wood and metal, and ensure surfaces are clean and dry for a flawless finish.
Photography by Stephen Karlisch; Design by Sabbe Interior Design
For a Soft Sheen and Subtle Contrast
With 40% sheen, Modern Eggshell offers more shine—but it’s far from glossy. Think soft reflectivity that adds depth without overwhelming the room. It’s far less dramatic and much easier to live with every day.
Hayfield explains: “It lends a reflective and contemporary feel to baseboards, doors, and floors.” Its mid-shine creates a nuanced contrast against matte walls and is a great option for busy areas where a slightly higher sheen is preferred.
O’Donnell reaches for it in darker spaces: “It creates a lovely bounce of light, especially in places like a windowless powder room or a curated pantry.”
Modern Emulsion (walls)
Photography by James Merrell
For Everyday Durability
Modern Emulsion is a go-to for hardworking walls. It offers a subtle sheen with a velvety matte effect that’s wipeable, washable, and mold-protected. A favorite among Experts for bathrooms, kitchens, and high-traffic areas, it’s designed for real life with pets, kids, and all the messes that come with them. So for a splash-prone bathroom or a steamy kitchen, the search ends here.
Hallways, playrooms, and dining nooks will withstand whatever is thrown at them (literally)... that’s if you can whittle your shortlist down to one shade.
Full Gloss (woodwork/trim)
Photography by Aaron Dougherty; Design by Toledo Geller
For All-Out Glamour
Looking for shine? Full Gloss is a water-based finish with a 95% reflective sheen. It’s the natural choice for exterior surfaces such as front doors and metalwork, and is resistant to water, flaking, and peeling for up to six years.
But embracing a gloss finish indoors is where the magic really happens. High-shine and high-impact, a gloss-wrapped ceiling lends a sleek members-club vibe to a cozy den or games room. On powder room walls, it instantly feels opulent. And then there’s the fun to be had with contrast—think: a gloss-painted stair runner or high-shine backsplash.
Pro tip: Gloss notoriously highlights imperfections, so be extra diligent when prepping and sanding. For large surface areas, apply with a low-pile roller.
Photography by Stacy Zarin Goldberg; Design by Zoë Feldman
The Expert’s Color Guide
Blues
“Stone Blue looks beautiful painted on furniture, walls, and millwork. It really commands the room, so I enjoy mixing with neutrals, russets, and ochres.” —Zoë Feldman
“Hague Blue is deep, rich, and enveloping. This shade is great in a library or on kitchen cabinetry. I love its depth and its soothing quality.” —Lisa Staton
“I recently paired Light Blue with silk grasscloth in a bedroom and the effect was ethereal.” —Nicholas Obeid
“Borrowed Light is my favorite pale blue. We use it all the time as a dining room ceiling color, as well as a trim color for millwork.” —Ariel Okin
“Lulworth Blue is my go-to when I want to add a little drama on the ceiling. It works well at the beach or in the city and really pops when offset with a crisp white trim.” —Kevin Isbell
“De Nimes is a warm, chalky blue that has enough depth to make a room feel saturated, but it’s not so deep that it feels oppressive and heavy. The chalkiness also brings a level of casualness.” —Zoë Feldman
Photography by Boz Gagovski; Design by Brandon Schubert
Greens
“Calke Green is one of the rare colors that can be both dark and happy at the same time. When I was young, my favorite Crayola color was called Forest Green, and this is the paint color that gets closest to it!” —Brandon Schubert
“Green Smoke is such a classic color, looks great with every other shade imaginable, and carries the perfect amount of depth and mood without overpowering its surroundings.” —Monica Stewart
“Breakfast Room Green is super vibrant and fun. I think it’s great for millwork or walls. I would put it in an entry or dining room.” —Tali Roth
“Bancha has a little bit of brown in it and works really well with other colors. It’s equally suited to a more formal space—like the millwork of a bar—and a kid’s bedroom.” —Nicole Salvesen
“We matched a Voutsa wallpaper with Vert de Terre for the entrance of a project in New York City. It turned out so beautifully—I love how it’s sort of natural-looking and changes color throughout the day.” —Patrick McGrath
“Lichen is a gentle sage green that works really well on exterior woodwork, as well as on spaces coming off the garden, like boot rooms and flower rooms. We find ourselves very drawn to green, as it is such an easy color to live with due to the fact that it is found in nature and feels incredibly familiar.” —Nicole Salvesen
Photography by Lauren Caron; Design by Studio Laloc
Reds & Pinks
“Setting Plaster is the perfect pink for a bedroom because it creates a comforting and soothing atmosphere. It is sophisticated enough to work in adult bedrooms, and fun enough for kids' rooms.” —Lauren Caron
“I recently painted the walls of a house in Dimity Dead Flat, and it is both rich, warm, soft, and lovely! It immediately gives a house an old-school European feel.” —Lisa Staton
“Bamboozle is just what you need to make a fearless statement. I’d use it on built-ins or go big on kitchen cabinets. I am giddy just thinking about the art and accessory combos with this type of warmth as a backdrop!” —Dee Murphy
“When you want to bring in a pink tone but don’t want it to be too saturated, Dead Salmon is the perfect solution. It’s a sophisticated, earthy neutral with amazing depth, reminiscent of timeless matte plaster walls. It can do wonders on custom cabinetry or the walls of a dimly lit, moody dining room.” —Katie Logan LeBlanc
“Calluna has been a long-time favorite light lilac. An obvious choice for a bedroom with its soothing and relaxing hue, it also makes a wonderfully subtle, unexpected neutral for living rooms.” —Lauren Caron
“Brinjal is perfect for a library or powder bath (especially in a lacquer finish) and reminds me of the opulent, immersive worlds of Mark Hampton and Renzo Mongiardino.” —Martha Mulholland
Photography by Lauren Miller; Design by Ashley Montgomery Design
Yellows & Oranges
“Yellow Ground is the closest to a classic light lemon yellow—not too sweet and not too cute, but with enough depth to hold a room. I see it as really traditional but also very fresh. It would look great with brown, pink, and light blues. I would love to do a whole kitchen in this color.” —Katie Rosenfeld
“I love Cord because it’s a nice warm tone. It’s yellow without being too much of a color and reads more as a neutral. Looks really pretty on millwork and cabinetry. —Marianne Brown
“Babouche is a bright and full-bodied French mustard yellow that is deep and happy and complex all at once. I love it in a summer house or on trim with wallpaper—it really pops.” —Katie Rosenfeld
“India Yellow is a true classic. Deep and rich with a historic gold tone, it complements browns and purples and can really hold its own in a space. It’s a bit more dramatic than other yellows, perfect for trim and ceilings to add a pop of color to a space.” —Ashley Montgomery
“Sudbury Yellow is a light, traditional yellow. It works well anywhere that is bright—from kitchens to breakfast rooms, and also children's bedrooms. One thing I love about this color is that due to its lighter tone, it works really well with brass finishes, whereas many yellows upstage brass when they are too saturated.” —Cameron Ruppert
“I love a splash of Charlotte’s Locks as a warm, playful accent. I like to pair it with a more neutral backdrop so it really shines. —Faith Blakeney
Photography by Tim Lenz; Design by Molly Kidd Studio
Browns & Grays
“Broccoli Brown is an effortlessly moody neutral best used in intimate spaces like studies or powder rooms.” —Molly Kidd
“Dark and moody, but still a bit unexpected, Tanner’s Brown makes a great backdrop for a pop of color. It also lends a lot of drama and warmth to soft white upholstery.” —Christina Samatas
“I love French Gray. It’s subtle enough that you won’t get sick of it. It has that sea-glass look, so it’s very comforting and brings the outside in. Perfect for adding a touch of warmth and interest to a kitchen.” —Katie Davis
“Pigeon is perfect for larger spaces where you want to bring in a gray-green without going too dark. It layers beautifully with warm neutrals and transforms throughout the day.” —Katie Logan LeBlanc
“My latest obsession is Mizzle. It’s a soft green that works nicely in a nursery or a bedroom because of the color’s inherent calmness. It feels like a beautiful balance of color while still being neutral.” —Tiffany Thompson
“Blue Gray might have blue in the name, but I definitely find it to be green at heart. It’s the perfect shade of celadon, and you can use it in the same way you would an off-white. It has just the right amount of richness to warm up a room, and it changes beautifully between sunrise and sunset.” —Brandon Schubert
“Mouse's Back is the perfect muted statement and serves as a classic and soft backdrop. The color reminds us of nature and is the perfect accent on furniture or floors when combined with more traditional whites.” —Molly Kidd
Photography by Andrew Giammarco; Design by Lisa Staton Design
Whites & Neutrals
“While some may not immediately see Slipper Satin as warm, it lends a sophisticated and peaceful air to a space. It works beautifully with natural linen and wood furniture. When applied in the “Dead Flat” finish, walls with a smooth texture will almost look like plaster.” —Carol Estes
“Farrow’s Cream is just saturated enough to give you the warmth and joyfulness that a yellow brings to a space without overpowering it. You can almost treat it as a neutral in your palette. We used this for a kitchen and it’s sublime, it truly does make you feel happy.” —Ashley Montgomery
“Pointing is great because it has a warmth and softness, while avoiding an undertone of yellow.” —Jenna Rochon
“All White is my go-to pure white. It’s perfect for ceilings, gallery walls, trim, and millwork. It's a non-fussy white with no harsh pigment.” —Anthony D’Argenzio
“School House White is one of my favorites for older homes. This muddy, creamy hue is timeless, without the cool undertones of a more contemporary white.” —Anthony D’Argenzio
