History
It all started in Dorset, back in 1946, with local pioneers John Farrow and Richard Ball. Farrow was a trained chemist who found himself working for Ireland's Agnew Paints during the Second World War, while Ball was an engineer who survived capture as a prisoner of war. They met at a local clay pit and together shared a passion for making rich colours to original formulations using only the finest ingredients. The pair built their first factory in Verwood, Dorset, and went on to supply paint for the Ford Motor Company, Raleigh Bicycles, the Admiralty and the War Office. In the 1970s and 1980s, at a time when many began creating acrylic paints with fewer pigments and added plastics, Farrow & Ball upheld its original recipes and age-old methods. Out of the limelight in rural Dorset we proudly retained our traditional identity. Today the unique Farrow & Ball look transforms modern and traditional homes, large and small, inside and out around the world.
Specialties
Craftsmen in Paint and Paper. Our expert craftsmen are dedicated to creating our paint and paper in Dorset, England with many long standing members of the team and others spanning generations. Together they combine artisanal methods with technological precision to pioneer our craft. From the engraved patterns of our wallpaper printing blocks to the careful sourcing of ingredients and scrupulous testing of our finishes, our exacting standards, knowledge and passion underpin each tin of paint and every roll of Farrow & Ball paper. Our founders were groundbreaking in their pursuit of only the finest quality ingredients. From then on, our laboratory forged cutting-edge methods for testing the exceptional colour and performance of both our paint and wallpaper. In 2010, we transitioned our entire range to an eco-friendly water base.