Choose Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion for the deepest, chalkiest colour in rooms that are not knocked or touched much, such as bedrooms, sitting rooms and ceilings. Choose Modern Emulsion for walls that need to be wiped clean, such as hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and children's rooms. The colours are the same; the difference is how the finish looks and how much wear it will take.
Both are water-based wall paints, both are mixed across the Farrow & Ball palette, and both follow the same simple system of primer and two topcoats. It is one of the questions we are asked most often, and the honest answer is that each is the right choice in the right room.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Dimity (2008)
The difference at a glance
- Sheen. Estate Emulsion has a 2% sheen, almost completely flat. Modern Emulsion has a 7% sheen: still matt to the eye, with a very gentle lift.
- Durability. Estate Emulsion is wipeable rather than washable and is intended for low-traffic rooms. Farrow & Ball describe Modern Emulsion as washable and scuff-resistant.
- Moisture. Modern Emulsion is protected against mould, which is why Farrow & Ball recommend it for kitchens and bathrooms.
- Coverage. Farrow & Ball's own quantity guide works out at roughly 14 square metres per litre for Estate Emulsion and around 12 for Modern Emulsion.
How they look on the wall
Estate Emulsion is the finish most people picture when they think of Farrow & Ball. Its chalky, almost powdery surface has a soft, tactile quality, and Farrow & Ball explain that this chalkiness scatters light around the room, which brings out the full depth of their colours. It also softens brighter shades a little and helps to disguise small imperfections in older or uneven plaster.
Modern Emulsion looks very similar from across a room. Up close, and especially in raking light, its slightly higher sheen gives a smoother, more even surface. The sheen is more noticeable in deep colours than pale ones, so a dark shade in Modern Emulsion reads as a touch more polished than the same shade in Estate.
Farrow & Ball adjust each colour's formula for the finish it is made in, because sheen always affects how a colour appears. The two will look closely matched, but it is worth sampling if you plan to use both finishes in the same space.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Purbeck Stone (275)
How they wear
This is where the two really part company. Estate Emulsion is the gentler finish. Marks can be lifted with a light touch, but it is not made to be scrubbed, and in a busy hallway the walls can start to look tired where hands and bags brush past.
Modern Emulsion is built for that kind of life. It can be wiped down, it resists scuffs and stains, and it copes with the steam of a kitchen or bathroom. If the room is used hard, or you simply want the reassurance of being able to clean the walls, it is the better choice.
There is a third option worth knowing. Farrow & Ball's Dead Flat has the same 2% sheen as Estate Emulsion but is washable, and it can be used on walls, woodwork and metal alike.
Which rooms suit which finish
- Estate Emulsion: bedrooms, sitting rooms, dining rooms, studies and ceilings. Rooms where the walls are looked at more than they are touched.
- Modern Emulsion: hallways, stairs and landings, kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms and children's rooms.
- Either: a guest bedroom or a quiet snug. Here it comes down to whether you prefer the chalky look or the extra peace of mind.
Many homes use both: Estate Emulsion in the bedrooms and living rooms, Modern Emulsion in the hall and kitchen. For woodwork in any room, Farrow & Ball's Flat Eggshell has replaced their Estate Eggshell, which is no longer made.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Lamp Room Gray (88)
Preparation and application
The method is the same for both. Farrow & Ball recommend one coat of their Wall & Ceiling Primer & Undercoat in the tone suggested for your colour, followed by two topcoats. A soft, mid-tone colour such as Lamp Room Gray (88) or Purbeck Stone (275) takes the Mid Tones primer, while a warm off-white such as Dimity (2008) takes White & Light Tones. Every colour page on our site lists the right one, and you will find them all on our primers page.
Because Estate Emulsion covers a little further per litre, you may need slightly less of it for the same room. If you are deciding between the two for a whole-house project, it is worth working out quantities for each.
Questions we are often asked
Is Estate Emulsion washable?
It is wipeable rather than washable. For walls that will need cleaning, choose Modern Emulsion or Dead Flat.
Can I use Estate Emulsion in a bathroom?
We would not. Modern Emulsion is protected against mould and is the finish Farrow & Ball recommend for steamy rooms.
Is one more expensive than the other?
On our site, Modern Emulsion costs a little more per tin than Estate Emulsion. In a room that is used hard, the extra durability is usually worth it.
