Farrow & Ball Paint at Rabart

Discover the full range of Farrow & Ball paints at Rabart — the iconic British brand renowned for richly pigmented, chalky-matt finishes and a distinctive response to light that has made it a favourite of interior designers, decorators, and heritage homeowners since 1946. Every tin is still handcrafted in Dorset, England, using high-quality pigments and traditional formulations refined over more than seven decades.

A British Paint-Making Heritage

Farrow & Ball was founded in 1946 in Dorset by chemist John Farrow and engineer Richard Ball, who shared a passion for creating rich colours using traditional methods and the finest ingredients. Their first factory in Verwood supplied paint to the Ford Motor Company, Raleigh Bicycles, the Admiralty, and the War Office. While many manufacturers shifted to cheaper acrylic-based paints in the 1970s and 1980s, Farrow & Ball stayed true to its original recipes and craft methods — a decision that defines the brand to this day.

In 2010, Farrow & Ball became the first major UK paint manufacturer to move its entire range to a 100% water-based formulation, with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds), low odour, and recyclable tin-plate packaging — making the range safer for families, decorators, and the environment.

What Makes Farrow & Ball Different

Unlike many paint brands that buy a base paint and add a tint, Farrow & Ball makes every tin from scratch at its Dorset factory. The paint contains a higher proportion of high-quality pigments, minerals, and resin than most mainstream brands, which gives the finishes their characteristic depth of colour and exceptional response to changing light throughout the day.

Each colour is formulated alongside its finish, so the same shade in Estate Emulsion will look subtly different from the same shade in Full Gloss — and that's intentional. The result is a paint that genuinely transforms a room.

The Farrow & Ball Finish Range

Choosing the right finish is just as important as choosing the right colour. The full Farrow & Ball interior and exterior range includes:

• Estate Emulsion — the signature chalky matt finish (2% sheen) for interior walls and ceilings in low-traffic areas. Beautiful depth of colour, ideal for bedrooms and living rooms.
• Modern Emulsion — a durable, washable, mould-resistant matt (7% sheen) suited to kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and busy family spaces.
• Dead Flat — a multi-surface, ultra-matt finish (2% sheen) that's washable and scuff-resistant, suitable for walls, woodwork, and metal.
• Estate Eggshell — a subtle 20% sheen finish for interior wood and metal, including skirtings, doors, furniture, and radiators.
• Modern Eggshell — the toughest interior finish (40% sheen) for kitchen cabinetry, stairs, floors, and hardworking wood or metal surfaces.
• Full Gloss — a dramatic 95% sheen, the glossiest water-based finish on the market for woodwork and statement surfaces.
• Exterior Eggshell — flexible and weather-resistant for outdoor wood and metal — front doors, fences, pergolas, and planters.
• Exterior Masonry — a long-lasting, breathable, water-resistant matt finish for brick and render.

The Iconic Colour Palette

Farrow & Ball maintains a curated palette of more than 130 colours, regularly refreshed with new shades and archive revivals. The famously evocative names — Elephant's Breath, Railings, Pigeon, Sulking Room Pink, Hague Blue, Dorset Cream, Lulworth Blue — often reference Dorset landscapes, historic homes, or the natural origins of the pigments themselves. The brand has also worked with the National Trust to develop near-exact colour matches for the restoration of historic properties.

Try Before You Buy

Light, room size, and existing décor all affect how a colour reads on the wall, so we always recommend ordering a sample pot before committing to a full project. Farrow & Ball sample pots are available from £5.75 and let you test colours in your own space, in your own light, at your own pace. For more tailored advice, visit any of our 11 stores where our team can help you build a complete scheme — including expert in-store colour matching for any shade, brand, or inspiration image you bring in.

Shop Farrow & Ball at Rabart

As an authorised Farrow & Ball stockist, Rabart carries the full range of paints, primers, undercoats, and supporting decorating products. Browse the collection below, or get in touch with our team for personalised advice on colour, finish, and application.