The all-new Dead Flat® from Farrow & Ball, is their toughest, ultra-matt finish yet, creating richer colour from every angle. This paint is available in over 130 colours from Farrow & Ball's beautifully curated colour range. This water-based paint has a 2% sheen level and is quick drying with low odour.
Suitable for walls, woodwork and metal, this multi-surface emulsion can be used on skirting, panelling or even radiators, for an effortless, colour-drenched transformation with just one finish. It's exceptional coverage and low splatter makes application quick and easy too. Farrow & Ball Dead Flat® has won the 2023 LivingETC style award for Best Paint Finish.
Dead Flat Overview
- Ideal for Multi-surface for interior walls and ceilings, interior plaster, interior wood and interior metal including radiators.
- Ultra flat finish
- Impressively durable, scrubbable and scuff-resistant
- Fast drying
- Available in the full Farrow & Ball colour range
Dead Flat® may seem like an unusual name but there's a rich history behind it. It all starts back in the 18th century with the popular ‘flatted lead’ paint effect, and the coveted ‘flat’, matt finish it created. Inspired to recreate this completely flat (or as they describe it, ‘dead flat’) look, Farrow & Ball launched their original Dead Flat® formula, which they’ve reimagined once again for modern living.
Children's room in Setting Plaster No.231 | Dead Flat®
Scrubbable and scuff-resistant, Dead Flat® creates beautiful spaces that stay beautiful. Plus, the water-based formula is toy safe with only trace VOCs and, like all Farrow & Ball finishes, handcrafted in Dorset.
Dead Flat® is ideal in children’s bedrooms or hallways, and any other high-traffic areas where there is a potential for marks and scuffs on the walls. This super matt finish is now scuff resistant, washable and wipeable.
This information was backed up by Farrow & Ball, performing industry-standard testing methods with their own teams, painters and consumers in their Labs as well as in consumer homes. The durability of Dead Flat® was really put to the test.
This examination was broken down from the Scrub Class 1 – An EU testing method by repeatedly scrubbing with an abrasive pad.
Dead Flat® received the highest rating the same as Modern Emulsion. In another test called the Pendulum hardness testing, proved that it is as hard as Estate Eggshell.
Dead Flat® paint can be used to achieve the stunning colour-drenching effect, that we talk about in a separate post, see here. This effect has multiple appealing dark & dramatic, light & airy, calming & tranquil.
Farrow & Ball - Eddy 301
Light & Airy Vibes with Dead Flat®:
If you crave a sense of spaciousness and airiness in your space, opt for light or mid shades with Dead Flat®. By blurring the lines between walls and ceilings, this technique creates a seamless and open atmosphere. This is particularly beneficial for narrow hallways or rooms with unconventional shapes, where colour drenching can make them appear larger and more inviting.
Embrace Dark & Dramatic with Dead Flat®:
For those seeking an intimate and cosy ambience, dark tones are the way to go. Dead Flat®'s ultra-matte finish enhances the depth and richness of these hues, creating a captivating cocoon of colour. Imagine evenings spent in a room bathed in deep, dramatic shades, inviting you to relax and unwind. With Dead Flat®, you can bring this striking atmosphere to life in your home.
Creating Calm & Tranquil Spaces:
Whether you are Colour drenching, or just using a splash of colour, Dead Flat®, offers a unique opportunity to craft serene and peaceful environments. Nurseries, offices, and spaces intended for relaxation can benefit greatly from this approach. By using the same shade throughout, you eliminate harsh contrasts and create a gentle, tranquil flow. Let your eyes wander effortlessly through the room, fostering a sense of calm and tranquillity.
Explore the Possibilities with Dead Flat®:
Create whichever effect you want with Dead Flat® From the light and airy Setting Plaster No.231 to the dramatic and captivating Beverly No.310, and the serene and tranquil Eddy No.301, their wide range of shades provides endless possibilities. Unleash your creativity and transform your space with the transformative power of Dead Flat® paint.
With Dead Flat®, you can achieve so much as Dead Flat is even more durable, than ever before. Whether you desire an airy, dramatic, or tranquil atmosphere, Dead Flat® offers the perfect finish to bring your vision to life. Let Dead Flat® paint transform your space.
Children's room in Tailor Tack, | Dead Flat®
Dead Flat® can be used across walls, woodwork and metal, for an effortless, full-room transformation with just one finish. The ultra-matt look makes their rich colours even richer, while the scrubbable, scuff-resistant finish is more than a match for mess. Plus, the water-based formula is toy safe with only trace VOCs and, like all Farrow & Ball finishes, handcrafted in Dorset.
Toy safe with only Trace VOCs
Farrow & Ball were the first in the industry to move to an entirely water-based range, reworking their super-tough eggshell and gloss finishes into gentler water-based formulations that don’t compromise on durability.
Now, all of their Emulsion paints are classed as Trace VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) which is the lowest rating currently possible. The remaining paints in Farrow & Ball's range are classed as Minimal or Low VOC, but in many cases go far beyond the requirement for inclusion in those categories.
Farrow & Ball - Templeton Pink
WHAT ARE VOCS?
VOCs are the culprits behind the strong smell of some oil and solvent-based paints, a result of pollutants being released into the atmosphere as the paint dries. By contrast, their low-odour water-based finishes don’t release any unpleasant smells, as well as being safer, more comfortable to apply and live with, and kinder to the environment than oil-based paints.
As part of their commitment to transparency, Farrow & Ball have just completed an in-depth review of their full ingredients list, working with Farrow & Balls' suppliers to get an even more accurate measure of VOC content across the selection. Farrow & Ball can clearly report that the VOC content in many finishes across their range is now even lower than the original calculations.
Farrow & Ball - Hopper Head
Dead Flats®’ richly pigmented paints are created to work in harmony with a historic property. Whether it’s through their entirely water-based range of long-lasting finishes – which score the highest grade for the lowest emissions with infinitely recyclable metal tins, their strategy for cutting down on waste, by making the commitment to reduce their impact on the earth without compromising on quality.
The all-new Dead Flat® is available in a completely redesigned tin. For this product, Farrow & Ball are opting for a modern matt-finished tin in a matt, keeping the classic shiny red tin for all the other finishes. We’re super excited for you to try the new Dead Flat®. We really think it will be a game changer in the Farrow & Ball product range.
Dead Flat® comes in all colours finishes, can be mixed in any of our Rabart Branches and is also available to buy online, using genuine Farrow & Ball bases and tinting machines.
