No. 4

Old White

Modern Emulsion

Old White is rated 4.8 out of 5 by 12.
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75 Years of Perfecting Paint
  • Handcrafted in Dorset
  • Free standard delivery on all orders

Express Checkout with Apple Pay

Ways to Pay


Card Payments


We accept card payments from Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and Amex.

Simply choose card payment and fill in your details at checkout to choose this option. In some cases, you’ll be asked to authorise the payment through your bank for additional security.


PayPal


With PayPal you can pay for your paint and paper in just a few easy steps.

Simply choose PayPal at checkout, confirm the payment on their website (you’ll need to log in or create an account if you don’t have one already), and then you’ll be redirected back to farrow-ball.com with your order complete.


Apple Pay


You can use Apple Pay when shopping on Apple devices and on a Safari browser. But you need to activate it in your Apple account and device first.

Choose Apple Pay at checkout, confirm the payment on your Apple device and you’ll be redirected back to farrow-ball.com with your order complete.


Klarna


Paint now, pay later with Klarna.

We’ve partnered with Klarna to offer you multiple ways to pay for your handcrafted paint and paper. Just look for the Klarna logo at checkout or visit our FAQ page to find out more.

Modern Emulsion

This colour simply earns its name by being the most historic of all our whites.  

Modern Emulsion is our super-tough, easy to clean finish for interior walls and ceilings. Washable and protected against mould, it’s the best choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

@harnhamhouse

Complementary white: Slipper Satin

Key features

Matte

Matte

Modern Emulsion is a beautiful, durable matte finish with 7% sheen.

Our deeper, richer colours are available in a range of finishes with different sheen levels. Sheen always affects how colour appears: the same shade in gloss can look very different in matte. That’s why we specifically adjust the formula for every finish to make sure the balance is exactly right and you get the colour you were expecting. Our colours and finishes are formulated together, so you simply can’t have one without the other.

For interior walls and ceilings

For interior walls and ceilings

Modern Emulsion is our super-tough, matte finish for interior walls and ceilings. 

From walls, floors and furniture to radiators, skirtings and sheds, our range of paint finishes can help you transform almost any surface in your home (and outside it, too). Browse our full selection of finishes to find the perfect paint for your project.

Best choice for kitchens and bathrooms

Best choice for kitchens and bathrooms

Our expert chemists add a preservative to Modern Emulsion that protects it from mould, keeping moisture-prone kitchens and bathrooms looking fresh. So, although it makes a wonderful addition to every room of your home, it’s the best finish option for these steamy spaces in particular. 

Tough and easy-to-clean

Tough and easy-to-clean

Our super-tough superstar for washable walls, Modern Emulsion has a high-performance formula that makes it easy to wipe away spills and marks – not paint. We use high-quality minerals and strong binders to make sure it’s also resistant to knocks and scrapes. 

100% water based

100% water based

We’re proud to have been the first in the industry to transition to a completely water based range back in 2010. As a result, all of our finishes, including our tough trim and floor paints, are made with a low-odour, low-VOC water base that scores A+ for indoor air quality. 
 
Plus, our water based paint doesn’t discolour over time like solvent based paints can. So your spaces stay beautiful for longer.

Toy safe

Toy safe

This finish is independently tested and certified toy-safe in accordance with Safety of Toys Part 3: Migration of certain elements (EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021). That means you can and a splash of colour to toys, cribs and other surfaces little ones come into contact with. Our paints also have hardly any odour and don’t need any solvents to clean up, so you can breathe easy during application and beyond. 


75 Years of Perfecting Paint

If you've ever wondered what it is that makes Farrow & Ball so special, you'll find the answers here.

From our high-quality ingredients to our artisanal methods, our 100% water based range of finishes and responsible practices, it's about so much more than just paint and paper.

Complementary White

Complementary white: Slipper SatinComplementary white: Slipper Satin

Slipper Satin

Without cool blue undertones, Slipper Satin often reads as a pale grey chalk which makes for a perfect neutral on walls with darker Old White woodwork. Find out more about Slipper Satin

Every colour in the Farrow & Ball palette is paired with a specific shade of white, these are selected to celebrate a shared undertone and create harmonious spaces alongside your chosen colour.


Recommended Primer & Undercoat

Primers & UndercoatPrimers & Undercoat

Mid Tones

Based on the colour Bone, using our Mid Tones Primer & Undercoat adds the richest depth of colour to some of our best-selling shades.

Made with the same natural ingredients and pigments as our topcoats, our Primer & Undercoat is the crucial foundation for creating a rich, even and longer lasting finish.


Colour Schemes

#C7BFAB
#E3DCC7
#DBD4BF
#E3DCC7
accent Colour Lime White
No.1
#DBD4BF
trim Colour Off-White
No.3
#C7BFAB
#AFA592
#958975
#AFA592
accent Colour Light Gray
No.17
#958975
trim Colour Mouse's Back
No.40

Sample Our Favourites

The best way to experience our colours before taking the plunge is with a true-to-colour paint sample. To help you narrow down your shortlist of shades, we've curated three of our most popular shades to help you find your perfect match.

Sample selection contains 3 x 100ml Sample Pots of our beautiful All White, Wimborne White and Pointing.

Sample Our Favourite Neutrals

The best way to experience our colours before taking the plunge is with a true-to-colour paint sample. To help you narrow down your shortlist of shades, we've curated three of our most popular neutral shades to help you find your perfect match.

Sample selection contains 3 x 100ml Sample Pots of our beautiful Drop Cloth, Stirabout, and Old White.

Rated 5 out of 5 by from Transforms the space to another era I love this color for my bedroom! It’s calming and at all times of the day enchanting. At night it becomes reserved but with a touch of romantic charm. I went with dead flat and have no regrets! Perfecto :)
Date published: 2024-04-08
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Classic Timeless Colour Love this colour, works really well in my utility room, which is in a farm house.
Date published: 2024-03-26

Product information

Water Based and Toy Safe

Back in 2010, we moved to an entirely water based range of finishes, becoming the first in the industry to do so. These low-odor, low-VOC finishes are easy to clean without harmful solvents. They also meet child- and baby-safe requirements in accordance with The Canada Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations, Canada Toy Regulations (SOR/2011-17) – Section 23 and ASTM F963 – 17 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety.

Quality Finishes

Every one of our paint colours is available in a range of durable interior and exterior paint finishes, each rigorously tested to ensure an exceptional depth of colour and long-lasting finish. For the very best results, we always recommend using a Farrow & Ball Primer & Undercoat - see above for the correct tone for this colour.

Safety Information

Always read and follow the information on the product label.

All Farrow & Ball finishes except Limewash contain isothiazolinones, which may produce an allergic reaction. Farrow & Ball Limewash contains calcium hydroxide which can cause severe damage in contact with skin or eyes. For further information about our products, including guidance on safe use and application, click here to view our advice pages.

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including acetaldehyde, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.