Farrow & Ball Old White No.4 Estate Emulsion tin and open lid

Farrow & Ball Old White No.4 in a room setting

Farrow & Ball Old White No.4 paint in an open tin

Farrow & Ball Old White No.4 Dead Flat tin and open lid

Farrow & Ball Old White No.4 Paint AT A GLANCE

Colour

No.4

FamilyNeutral / Greige

CollectionTraditional Neutrals

PrimerMid Tones

Farrow & Ball Old White No.4 Paint AT A GLANCE

Colour

No.4

FamilyNeutral / Greige

CollectionTraditional Neutrals

PrimerMid Tones

SKU: 5029496012941

Farrow & Ball Old White No.4 Paint

Name: Farrow & Ball Old White No.4 Paint
Brand: Farrow & Ball
SKU: 5029496012941
Price: 34.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

£34.00 Inc VAT

£28.33 Exc VAT

Farrow & Ball Old White is a soft grey green, described as the most historic of their whites. It reads as a subdued green in north facing rooms and a classic grey in well lit spaces. Read More

Current Size selected: 750ml

750ml

2.5L

5L

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Farrow & Ball Old White No.4 Paint AT A GLANCE

Colour

No.4

FamilyNeutral / Greige

CollectionTraditional Neutrals

PrimerMid Tones

Product Description

Farrow & Ball Old White No.4 is a soft grey green that Farrow & Ball describe as the most historic of all their whites. It can read as a subdued green, especially in north facing rooms, and as more of a classic grey in well lit spaces.

Farrow & Ball pair Old White with Slipper Satin as its complementary white, and it is one of their Traditional Neutrals. Their suggested schemes combine it with Lime White and Off-White, or Light Gray and Mouse's Back.

Is Old White grey or green?

It depends on the light. Farrow & Ball say Old White can read as a subdued green, particularly in north facing rooms, but feels more like a classic grey in well lit spaces.

Where to use Farrow & Ball Old White No.4

Farrow & Ball call Old White one of the most sophisticated of colours, equally at home in the drawing room of a historic house and the kitchen of a modern family home.

Choose Estate Emulsion or Modern Emulsion for walls and ceilings, Dead Flat for a completely flat look across walls and woodwork, and Flat Eggshell, Modern Eggshell or Full Gloss for woodwork and cabinets. For exteriors, choose Exterior Masonry or Exterior Eggshell for breathable, weather-resistant performance. Casein Distemper, Soft Distemper and Limewash are also available in this colour.

Colours that go with Old White

Slipper Satin is the complementary white Farrow & Ball pair with Old White for ceilings and trim. Their suggested colour schemes combine it with:

Suggested scheme

Old White No.4 Lime White No.1Accent colour

Off-White No.3Trim colour

Suggested scheme

Old White No.4 Light Gray No.17Accent colour

Mouse's Back No.40Trim colour

Colours similar to Old White

If Old White isn't quite right, Farrow & Ball's colour experts suggest sampling Slipper Satin and Off-White for a lighter shade, or Light Gray and Mouse's Back for a deeper one. Comparing sample pots side by side on your own walls is the most reliable way to choose.

Buy Farrow & Ball Old White No.4 from Rabart

Rabart is an authorised Farrow & Ball stockist, with decorating centres across Wales and the South West of England. All our stores have Farrow & Ball paint mixing machines, so you can usually have Old White mixed in your chosen finish and ready to take home the same day, subject to availability of your chosen finish. Alternatively, order online in a range of finishes and sizes from 750ml to 5L, or try a Farrow & Ball sample pot first.

Specifications by finish

Coverage and recoat times vary by finish. The figures below are from Farrow & Ball's product data sheets for normal conditions; cooler or more humid environments may extend drying times, and darker shades may need an additional coat.

Finish	Best for	Sheen	Coverage per litre	Touch dry	Recoat	Application
Interior Performance Finishes
Dead Flat	Walls & ceilings, woodwork & metal	2%	Up to 12 m²	2 hours	4 hours	Brush, roller or airless spray
Modern Emulsion	Walls & ceilings	7%	Up to 12 m²	2 hours	4 hours	Brush, roller or airless spray
Flat Eggshell	Wood, metal, concrete floors, kitchen & bathroom cabinets	20%	Up to 12 m²	2 hours	4 hours	Brush, roller, airless or HVLP spray
Modern Eggshell	Wood, metal, concrete floors, kitchen & bathroom cabinets	40%	Up to 12 m²	2 hours	4 hours	Brush, roller, airless or HVLP spray
Full Gloss	Interior & exterior wood and metal, front doors, skirting boards	95%	Up to 12 m²	2 hours	4 hours	Brush or roller, airless or HVLP spray (roller not recommended on large areas such as walls)
Exterior Performance Finishes
Exterior Masonry	Brick, render, concrete, terracotta	2%	Up to 8 m²	2 hours	5 hours	Brush, roller or airless spray
Exterior Eggshell	Exterior wood and metal, front doors, cladding, fences	20%	Up to 13 m²	2 hours	4 hours	Brush, roller, airless or HVLP spray
Full Gloss	Interior & exterior wood and metal, front doors, skirting boards	95%	Up to 12 m²	2 hours	4 hours	Brush or roller, airless or HVLP spray (roller not recommended on large areas such as walls)
The Estate Range
Estate Emulsion	Walls & ceilings in low-traffic areas	2%	Up to 14 m²	2 hours	2 hours	Brush, roller or airless spray
Casein Distemper	Walls & ceilings in low-traffic areas, historic homes, surfaces that need to breathe	2%	Up to 13 m²	2 hours	4 hours	Brush (not suitable for spraying; roller not recommended on large areas)
Soft Distemper	Plasterwork and intricate mouldings in low-traffic areas, historic homes	2%	Up to 13 m²	2 hours	No recoat required	Brush or airless spray (roller not recommended on large areas)
Limewash	Lime-rendered exterior and interior walls (not suitable for gypsum plaster)	2%	Varies with conditions	3 hours	12 hours	Long-haired or masonry brush (not suitable for spraying)

Dead Flat

Key Information

CoverageUp to 12 m² per litre
Touch dry2 hours
Recoat4 hours
Application methodBrush, roller or airless spray
Clean-upWarm soapy water
Finish2% sheen (dead flat matt)

Farrow & Ball Old White No.4

Colour story

Farrow & Ball Old White No.4 in real homes

See how Farrow & Ball Old White No.4 looks across interior walls, woodwork, exterior facades and more. Click any image to view full size.

Choosing the right Farrow & Ball finish

Every Farrow & Ball colour is available in a range of finishes. The right choice depends on the surface you're painting and how much wear it'll see.

Estate Emulsion

2% sheen

The classic chalky, very matt finish for walls and ceilings in low-traffic rooms.

Modern Emulsion

7% sheen

Washable and mould-resistant, ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and family rooms.

Dead Flat

2% sheen

Same matt depth as Estate Emulsion but scrubbable and scuff-resistant. Suitable for walls, woodwork and metal.

Flat Eggshell

20% sheen

F&B's tough new low-sheen finish for interior wood, metal and concrete, including kitchen cabinets, skirtings and floors.

Modern Eggshell

40% sheen

A harder-wearing mid-sheen for woodwork, cabinetry and floors.

Full Gloss

95% sheen

A high-shine finish for interior and exterior wood and metal, including front doors.

Exterior Eggshell

20% sheen

Protects exterior wood and metal with added algae and fungal protection.

Exterior Masonry

2% sheen

A highly breathable matt finish for brick, render and concrete.

Casein Distemper

2% sheen

A breathable, traditional distemper for heritage interiors. Ideal for lime plaster walls and ceilings in low-traffic rooms.

Soft Distemper

2% sheen

A soft, powdery traditional finish. Particularly suited to detailed interior plasterwork and period mouldings.

Limewash

2% sheen

A traditional breathable finish for solid lime render exterior walls, and interior walls and ceilings.

Not sure which to choose? Order a sample pot first to test the colour in your own space and light.

Shop Sample Pots

Product Specifications

Brand	Farrow & Ball
Type	Designer Paint
Suitable for	Brush or roller for most finishes. Limewash by brush. Full Gloss, Casein Distemper and Soft Distemper are not recommended by roller on large areas
Base	Water-based
Key features	Low odour, low VOC, A+ indoor air quality rating, toy-safe (EN 71-3), 100% water-based
Thinning	Ready to use. On new or bare plaster, Farrow & Ball recommend a 25% diluted coat of the emulsion or Wall & Ceiling Primer & Undercoat first. Soft Distemper needs at least 10% water added
Number of coats	2 coats recommended (Limewash 4, Soft Distemper 1). Darker colours may need more
SKU
GTIN / Barcode

Frequently asked questions

What colour goes with Farrow & Ball Old White?

Farrow & Ball suggest pairing Old White with Lime White and Off-White, or with Light Gray and Mouse's Back. Its complementary white is Slipper Satin.

What colour is Farrow & Ball Old White?

Old White is a soft grey green. Farrow & Ball describe it as the most historic of all their whites, and it is one of their Traditional Neutrals.

Is Old White grey or green?

Farrow & Ball say Old White can read as a subdued green, particularly in north facing rooms, but feels more like a classic grey in well lit spaces.

What colour is closest to Old White?

For a lighter shade, Farrow & Ball's colour experts suggest sampling Slipper Satin and Off-White. For something deeper, try Light Gray and Mouse's Back.

Which primer should I use with Old White No.4?

Farrow & Ball recommend their Mid Tones Primer & Undercoat for Old White. Choose the Wall & Ceiling, Wood or Metal version to suit the surface.