What's the difference between Farrow and Ball Estate Eggshell and Modern Eggshell?
As Farrow & Ball paints continue to rise in popularity, thanks to their stunning and sought-after palette of 132 signature colours, we often assist customers in finding their ideal finish. While our comprehensive guide on Farrow & Ball paint finishes provides in-depth information, one question we’re hearing more frequently is about the differences between Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell and Modern Eggshell.
What surfaces can Farrow & Ball Eggshell be used on?
Eggshell finishes by Farrow and Ball are specifically designed for use on interior woodwork and metal. For maximum results, make sure your surface(s) are clean and dry. For the best results, always use the suggested primer e.g. if using on wood use the Farrow and Ball Wood Primer & Undercoat, if using on metal use the Farrow & Ball Metal Primer & Undercoat.
To keep things easy we’ve created the comparison table below to distill down each finish and their characteristics:
Features | Farrow and Ball Estate Eggshell | Farrow and Ball Modern Eggshell |
Sheen level | 20% - offering a mid-sheen eggshell finish | 40% - slightly glossier than Estate but not a high-shine finish |
Washable & wipeable | Yes | Yes, plus also scrubbable |
Application | Brush, roller & sprayer | Brush, roller & sprayer |
Time to dry | 2 hours to dry, 4 hours to recoat | |
Child safe | Yes | |
Why opt for an Eggshell finish by Farrow & Ball?
Eggshell finishes by Farrow and Ball are durable and come in 132 colours. They are multi-surface, meaning they can be applied to the below surfaces:
Metal - touch up or colour drench your radiators
Wood - add a splash of colour to your kitchen cabinets, panelling, furniture or colour drench your skirting boards or internal doors
If you’re looking to touch up your kitchen cabinetry then we would recommend you opt for Modern Eggshell due to its higher sheen level, making it more durable and hard-wearing than its Estate Eggshell counterpart.
Most Popular Farrow and Ball Eggshell Colours
Pigeon
This strong blue grey is a soft and contemporary grey. Commonly used on kitchen islands and panelled rooms, it gives rise to this shade being one of the most popular paint colours in Eggshell finishes by Farrow and Ball due to its versatility.
Skimming Stone
This colour is a warm light grey which is extremely versatile and pairs particularly well with crisp whites. A fail-safe neutral colour.
Hague Blue
This hue is a strong, deep dark blue, which works brilliantly as an accent wall or on woodwork - such as kitchen cabinets, panelling or on trim to add a contemporary look and feel to neutral rooms.
Downpipe
This dramatic lead grey is a deep grey which offers blue undertones - creating a complex finish in varying lights. This dramatic tone is extremely popular in hallways, and even on stairs when used with light runners. Opt for this shade in your hallway, or use on panelling, to create a dramatic entrance to your home.
De Nimes
This is a very elegant blue which can be used in virtually any room in your home, from your kitchen cabinets, kitchen island, to panelling or use as a colour drench across multiple surfaces of your home for maximum effects.