Free delivery available on all orders  

No. 2013

Matchstick

Soft Distemper

Placing your order

  Choose your paint finish

  Calculate paint quantity

  Add to basket & checkout

Payment & delivery information

Secure Payment options

Pay by Card

Express Checkout  

Pay in Installments  


Delivery Information

Hand Picked

When we receive your order, your paint is picked by our dedicated warehouse team.

Safe and Sound

Every tin is carefully packed to keep it safe on its journey from Dorset to your door.

Out for Delivery

We work closely with our courier to make sure your order arrives on time, in perfect condition.

You can find out more about our delivery options here.


Speak to an Expert

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by endless possibilities or looking for the confidence to try something new, our expert Colour Consultants are here to help either online or in your home​.

Find out more


Our Showrooms

Visit one of our showrooms for help on colour schemes & finishes. Our in-store colour experts can help you find the perfect palette to match your vision.

Find your nearest showroom


Live Chat


Our live chat team are available from 9am – 7.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). Click on our live chat button on the right hand side to reach one of our colour experts.


Customer Services

For Sales, order queries, colour and general advice, our team of experts are here to help and advise. 

Contact Us


Soft Distemper

This understated tone is named after the unbleached wood used in the stalk of a match.  

This traditional distemper has an exquisite, soft, powdery finish and is recommended for very detailed interior plasterwork. Its blend of natural resin and minerals means it can be delicately applied, allowing detail to be preserved on intricate mouldings.

Complementary white: White Tie

Key features

Very matt

Very matt

This traditional delicate distemper has an exquisite, soft, powdery finish and is recommended for very detailed interior plasterwork. 2% 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 matt. 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. 

Delicate finish

Delicate finish

This traditional delicate distemper has an exquisite, soft, powdery finish and is recommended for very detailed interior plasterwork. 2% 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 matt. 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 intricate cornices and mouldings

For intricate cornices and mouldings

Suitable for use on detailed plasterwork and intricate mouldings only. 
 
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. 

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. 


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: White TieComplementary white: White Tie

White Tie

One of our Yellow Based Neutrals, White Tie brings a gentle warmth to any room and is deepened with a touch of black pigment.
Find out more about White Tie No.2002

We pair each of our colours with a complementary white, hand-picked from our palette based on undertones, so they work wonderfully together and create an effortless, considered feel.


Why Choose Farrow & Ball?

Specialist Finish

This traditional distemper has an exquisite, soft, powdery finish and is recommended for very detailed interior plasterwork. Its blend of natural resin and minerals means it can be delicately applied, allowing detail to be preserved on intricate mouldings.

Matt 

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

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. 

Resistant to Mould

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.

Scuff and Stain Resistant

We use high-quality minerals and strong binders to make sure Modern Emulsion is stain resistant and scuff-proof. 

Very Matt

This traditional delicate distemper has an exquisite, soft, powdery finish and is recommended for very detailed interior plasterwork. 2% sheen. 

Highly Breathable

Highly breathable, allowing interior walls and plaster ceilings to breathe.


Paint that can't be matched


Asking ‘can you match Farrow & Ball colours?’ misses everything else that goes into the tin to make our industry defining finishes. We pack our paint with quality minerals, coverage-enhancing pigments and resin (using a much higher proportion than many other brands), ensuring an exceptional base to add colour to.


100% water based
Our completely water based paint range doesn’t discolour over time like solvent based paints can. So your spaces stay beautiful for longer.


Specialist formulation
Highly breathable finishes for stone walls, period plasterwork, and other features that require extra care and attention.


Low VOC
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. 

Colour Schemes

#E2D5BC
#D8CBAE
#D1C19F
#D8CBAE
accent Colour String
No.8
#D1C19F
trim Colour Cord
No.16
#E2D5BC
#AFA592
#958975
#AFA592
accent Colour Light Gray
No.17
#958975
trim Colour Mouse's Back
No.40
#E2D5BC
#EFE9D8
#EFE6CF
#EFE9D8
accent Colour White Tie
No.2002
#EFE6CF
trim Colour New White
No.59


Colour Consultancy

Our expert Colour Consultants are ready and waiting to help bring your style to life. If you’d like personalised advice on how to use our paint and papers in your home, book an in-home or virtual appointment today.


View All Yellow Paint Colours

Sunny, cheerful and warm, yellow paint has all the ingredients for a space that makes you smile. From delicate cream to zesty lemon, whatever mood you’re looking to create, we’ve got shades of yellow paint to suit each and every one.

 

Discover Yellow Paint Schemes

Find inspiration for your project and view beautiful images of yellow paint schemes in real homes.

 


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-odour, low-VOC finishes are easy to clean without harmful solvents. They are also certified child- and baby-safe in accordance with Safety of Toys Part 3: Migration of certain elements (EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021).

Exclusions: Casein Distemper, Wood Primer & Undercoat and Metal Primer & Undercoat. 

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

Limewash: Danger. Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye damage. May cause respiratory irritation. 

Exterior Eggshell and Exterior Masonry: Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects. Contains isothiazolinones. May produce an allergic reaction.

All other finishes: Contains isothiazolinones. May produce an allergic reaction.