No.2010

James White

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An off white with a slight green hue

This off white was first created for the pretty garden room of a discerning Dr James with a fresh underlying green tone. The slightest hint of green creates a calm, soothing and airy feel which is particularly useful for darker interiors. When used with no contrasts, James White transforms the space into the most light and tranquil of rooms, so it is often favoured in the bedrooms of the super stressed. It will look greener when used in contrast with All White and in north facing rooms.

Recommended Primer & Undercoat: White and Light Tones

Complementary white: All White

Key features

  • Audited and ethical supply chain
  • Water based with A+ Indoor air quality rating
  • Finishes to last. 100% of colours Scrub Class 1 rated*
  • Interior and exterior finishes
  • Unmatchable depth of colour

Choosing a finish

Which finish is right for you?

Every Farrow & Ball colour is available in a range of finishes. The colour stays the same; what changes is the sheen, the durability and where it belongs. Open any finish below to see what it is made for.

In a hurry?

Dead Flat SelectedThe most matt finish, now tough enough for trim 2% sheen

Dead Flat is the ultra-matt finish that gives Farrow & Ball colours their deepest, most velvety look. It stays matt from every angle, so a room reads as one continuous colour, and the newer formula is washable and scuff resistant enough to run across walls, woodwork and metal in the same finish.

Choose it when you want the whole room, trim included, in one seamless, light-absorbing colour.

Best for
Interior walls, ceilings, woodwork and metal; colour-drenched rooms, bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms
Not for
Splash-heavy areas where you would rather have Modern Emulsion's mould protection
Durability
Washable and wipeable; colour will not transfer or mark when wiped
Coverage
Up to 480 sq ft per gallon (about 12 m² per litre) per coat
Dry time
Touch dry in 2 hours, recoat in 4 hours
Application
Two coats over the recommended Primer & Undercoat
Sizes
750ml sample, US gallon

Designer note If you are painting walls and trim the same colour, this is the finish that makes it look intentional. Use Modern Eggshell on the trim instead if you want a subtle shift between wall and woodwork.

Modern Emulsion Washable, mould-protected matt for busy rooms 7% sheen

Modern Emulsion is the everyday workhorse. It keeps a soft matt look with just enough sheen to be fully washable, and it is mould protected, which is why it is the go-to for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and anywhere with children, dogs or steam.

If you are not sure which wall finish to order, this is the safe answer.

Best for
Interior walls and ceilings in high-traffic or humid rooms
Not for
Woodwork and metal (use an eggshell or Dead Flat)
Durability
Washable and wipeable, scuff and stain resistant, mould protected
Coverage
Up to 480 sq ft per gallon (about 12 m² per litre) per coat
Dry time
Touch dry in 2 hours, recoat in 4 hours
Application
Two coats over the recommended Primer & Undercoat
Sizes
750ml sample, US gallon

Designer note The 7% sheen is barely visible in daylight but shows a little more under strong side-light, so check your sample on the wall at night as well as during the day.

Estate Emulsion The classic chalky matt, for quieter rooms 2% sheen

Estate Emulsion is the original Farrow & Ball wall finish and the one many people picture when they think of the brand: soft, chalky and full of depth, with colour that seems to sit inside the wall rather than on it.

It is gently wipeable rather than washable, so it belongs in rooms that are looked at more than they are leaned on.

Best for
Interior walls and ceilings in bedrooms, formal living and dining rooms, studies
Not for
Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, children's rooms and anywhere that needs regular washing
Durability
Gently wipeable, not washable
Coverage
Up to 14 m² per litre (about 560 sq ft per gallon) per coat
Dry time
Touch dry in 2 hours, recoat in 2 hours
Application
Two coats over the recommended Primer & Undercoat
Sizes
Sample pot, US gallon

Designer note For the same 2% matt look with far more durability, choose Dead Flat. Estate Emulsion is for when the chalky, period character is the point.

Estate Eggshell Low-sheen finish for interior wood and metal 20% sheen

Estate Eggshell is the traditional choice for interior trim: doors, skirting, window frames, radiators, panelling and built-in cabinetry. The 20% sheen gives woodwork a soft, understated glow that pairs beautifully with a matt wall in the same or a complementary colour.

Best for
Interior woodwork, metal, radiators, panelling, furniture and cabinetry
Not for
Walls and ceilings; floors and worktops that take heavy wear (use Modern Eggshell)
Durability
Quick-drying and scrubbable, made to withstand everyday use
Coverage
Up to 480 sq ft per gallon (about 12 m² per litre) per coat
Dry time
Touch dry in 2 hours, recoat in 4 hours
Application
Two coats over the recommended Primer & Undercoat
Sizes
750ml sample, US gallon

Designer note A wall in Dead Flat or Estate Emulsion with the trim in Estate Eggshell in the same colour is the quiet, classic Kaage pairing.

Modern Eggshell The toughest interior finish, for floors and cabinets 40% sheen

Modern Eggshell is the most hard-wearing finish in the interior range. With a 40% sheen it has a gentle, satin-like lustre and a tough, washable surface that stands up to feet, hands and spills, which is why it is the finish for kitchen cabinets, staircases, floorboards and furniture.

It will not yellow over time, so pale colours stay true.

Best for
Interior wood, metal and concrete: cabinetry, floors, staircases, windowsills, skirting and high-use trim
Not for
Walls and ceilings, or anywhere you want a matt look
Durability
Washable and wipeable, scuff and stain resistant, non-yellowing
Coverage
Up to 480 sq ft per gallon (about 12 m² per litre) per coat
Dry time
Touch dry in 2 hours, recoat in 4 hours
Application
Two coats over the recommended Primer & Undercoat (Wood Floor Primer & Undercoat for floors)
Sizes
750ml sample, US gallon

Designer note Painted kitchen cabinets, painted floors and anything a child will touch daily: this is the one. Allow a full cure before heavy use.

Full Gloss High shine for front doors and statement trim 95% sheen

Full Gloss is the mirror-bright finish for surfaces that deserve a little drama: a front door, a lacquered-looking hallway, a library ceiling or a set of fitted bookcases. It works inside and out, resists flaking and peeling, and is protected against fungi and algae.

Best for
Interior and exterior wood, metal and masonry: front doors, skirting, banisters, feature ceilings
Not for
Surfaces with imperfections; gloss shows every ripple, so preparation matters more than with any other finish
Durability
Scrubbable (Class 1), scuff and stain resistant; lasts up to six years outdoors when applied per the Product Advice Sheet
Coverage
Up to 12 m² per litre (about 480 sq ft per gallon) per coat
Dry time
Dry in 2 hours, recoat in 4 hours
Application
Two coats over the recommended Primer & Undercoat
Sizes
750ml sample, US gallon

Designer note Gloss reflects the room, so the colour will read a shade deeper and richer than the chip. Sand carefully between coats for that glass-like finish.

Exterior Eggshell Flexible, weather-resistant finish for exterior wood and metal 20% sheen

Exterior Eggshell is made to move with the seasons. It is flexible and water resistant, so it copes with wood that expands and contracts, and it is protected against fungi and algae. Use it on window frames, cladding, garden furniture, gates and front doors where you want a soft low sheen rather than gloss.

Best for
Exterior wood and metal: windows, doors, cladding, railings, garden furniture
Not for
Pressure-treated or tanalised timber; interior surfaces (use Estate or Modern Eggshell)
Durability
Flexible and water resistant; resists flaking, peeling and chalking for up to six years when applied per the Product Advice Sheet
Coverage
Up to 13 m² per litre (about 520 sq ft per gallon) per coat
Dry time
Touch dry in 2 hours, recoat in 4 hours
Application
Two coats over Exterior Wood Primer & Undercoat or Metal Primer & Undercoat
Sizes
750ml sample, US gallon

Designer note Exterior colours read lighter in full sun. If you are matching an interior colour outside, consider going one step darker.

Exterior Masonry Breathable matt for brick, render and stucco 2% sheen

Exterior Masonry is a very matt, breathable finish that lets moisture out of the wall while keeping the weather off it. It is self-priming on most sound masonry, has enhanced UV protection so colours hold, and is protected against fungi and algae.

Best for
Exterior brick, render, concrete, terracotta and stucco
Not for
Wood and metal (use Exterior Eggshell or Full Gloss); interior walls
Durability
Breathable and water resistant; lasts up to 15 years when applied per the Product Advice Sheet
Coverage
Up to 8 m² per litre (about 320 sq ft per gallon) per coat, less on porous surfaces
Dry time
Touch dry in 2 hours, recoat in 5 hours
Application
Two coats; self-priming on sound surfaces, use Masonry & Plaster Stabilising Primer on chalky or powdery walls
Sizes
US gallon

Designer note Masonry drinks paint. Order more than the calculator suggests for old brick or rough render, and paint a test patch first to see how much the surface pulls in.

Primer & Undercoat The step that makes the colour look right

Farrow & Ball primers are tinted to one of four tones (White & Light, Mid, Dark and Red) so the topcoat reaches its true colour in two coats. Each product page lists the recommended tone for that colour, and there is a primer for every surface: Wall & Ceiling, Interior Wood, Exterior Wood, Wood Floor, Metal, Masonry & Plaster Stabilising, and Wood Knot & Resin Blocking.

Best for
Every new or bare surface, any dramatic colour change, and any surface that has never been painted
Coverage
Varies by product; see the Product Advice Sheet
Application
One coat in the recommended tone before two topcoats
Sizes
US gallon

Designer note Skipping the tinted primer is the most common reason a Farrow & Ball colour looks 'off' on the wall. Check the Recommended Primer & Undercoat line above and order it with your paint.

Coverage and dry times are Farrow & Ball's published figures and will vary with surface, colour and conditions. Always follow the Product Advice Sheet for your finish.