Farrow and ball or Little Greene?

[Staverton]

What is the difference between these two paint companies? They are roughly the same price
Does little Greene give the same chalky matt finish? Is it as good quality as f&b?
I can't decide and don't want to paint a whole room before deciding ive picked the wrong one!
Having searched the archives I can't find a thread about it.
Thanks

[Staverton]

Or indeed fired earth? Is it the same effect?

[fossil97]

They are both good quality paints - depends on the colour or availability I guess? IME LG has a nice velvety finish in the matt, the Ultimatt costs a fortune but is well thought of for durability and standing up well in the kitchen. I ended up with it because I wanted an oil eggshell on my woodwork (only Little Greene do this in "posh" colours) and it was easier to pick further colours off the same card.

Why not buy a few testers and try out?

[spotty26]

I am a big fan of LGPC lovely finish, matt, but more durable than F and B. A few decorating blogs have discussed this. Apparently F and B have changed the formula of their eggshell and professionals are not impressed. Will try to find them...

[Rhubarbgarden]

I've used Little Green in the past and was very happy with it.

[minipie]

LG quality is every bit as good (my decorator prefers it to F&B).

For emulsion I'd say they are equal, so pick your favourite colour. LG colours tend to be a bit "cleaner" and less browny/muddy tinged than F&B.

For eggshell, LG is better as it's oil based whereas F&B is now water based.

Don't know about fired earth paints sorry.

[Pannacotta]

I prefer LG to F&B. I have also used F Earth and like their paints too.
I found both more durable than F&B which is important if you have small feral DCs as I do!

[Lizcat]

My decorator reckons that it takes 3 coats of F and B to get the same finish as 2 coats of LG. I also prefer the pigments in LG.

[Staverton]

Thanks. That really helpful! I think little Greene has less voc as well so better all round.
Would be really interested to see that blog about the comparison I've searched high and low on the t'internet

[minipie]

I think it's written by a man who paints bespoke kitchens in case that helps. Basically he says he used to use F&B but has switched to LG. BUT I think his comments apply only to eggshell as that's all he uses (can't quite remember)

[justasecond]

Minpie - I think you mean traditional painter
Yes he does only talk about eggshell though and I agree with him on that, LG is much better since FB changed the formula.
From the testers I have bought of FB and LG emulsion, LG seems like much better quality, it goes on better and has a great finish and the colour is clearer iyswim although I would not be put off using FB if they do the colour you like. I think you can also get LG to mix FB colours for you at specialist decorator shops like Brewers.

[Staverton]

Thanks!
Lg it is then. There is also a 20% off offer with living etc this month...

[acmasterpainter]

Hi, thanks for the mention, Im the traditional painter chap who hand paints kitchens and rates Little Greene very highly!

The oil eggshell is one of the most reliable trade quality oil paints you can get nowadays in that it dries as expected and sands down next day without any trouble. That is not the case with a lot of oil eggshell from other companies. It is "sticky" so if you arent a confident painter, or you are good and want a brushmark free more easily, add up to 10% paint conditioner (Owatrol instead of white spirit) and you will be very happy with the finish, sanding between coats.

F&B hybrid eggshell, I can get a really nice finish, because I have the right brush and I know what to do, but no way is it a delight to use, and I get enough feedback and personal experience to say it is not reliable, so I don't use it.

Little Greene acrylic eggshell is a doddle to use, and with a drop of Floetrol paint conditioner, it flows even better and levels out brushmarks, if you have those troubles.

Little Greene paint across the range is genuinely fab. On new plaster, dilute the absolute matt (old acrylic matt) about 15%, using a 3/8' pile sleeve. If you know how to paint nicely, at first glance, it will look like it has covered in one. Second coat of absolute matt or Intelligent Matt covers as solid as you like.

The LG intelligent matt is tough, the absolute matt is like the F&B estate emulsion.

Anyone who says Little Greene paints are expensive are not being fair. Across the board, the coverage is outstanding and it just doesn't misbehave. Little Greene Sanderson, and Paint Library all have the same pedigree, they are from the same factory I believe, just come in different colour ranges and maybe slightly different formulas, but top trade quality. Fired Earth and Zoffany also similar provenance. If you like your painting to the highest standards, and you like English heritage traditional colours, I wouldnt go looking too far beyond Little Greene myself.

[justasecond]

Hi Ac thats really useful info and a great blog btw, I have found it very useful. I have just used the LG oil eggshell to do my kitchen cupboards, they have come up lovely although I would have used the Owatrol you mention if I had known as it is a bit thick and you have to work quickly to get a brush free finish.
Also sorry to hijack thread but I have just bought a mahogany (I think) sideboard that I wanted to paint to match the cupboards, what is the best way of going about this? Should I sand down to get rid of the varnish then use a primer followed by eggshell? What would you recommend using as a topcoat to get a more durable finish e.g. wax, varnish?
Thanks!

[acmasterpainter]

cheers for reading the blog. Painting over varnish, wet sand and prime with Zinsser BIN (shellac based) or Blackfriars Problem Solving Primer (water based) then 2 or 3 coats oil eggshell sanding between coats, or acrylic eggshell, you could seal with clear Polyvine decorators varnish. I specify Annie Sloan chalk paint a lot nowadays, it is no prep and is protected with wax, and looks rather nice when it has hardened off.

[fossil97]

AC there is another discussion on difficulties with Annie Sloan, can you shed any light? here

I also took your advice on using LG eggshell for kitchen units and they have come out brilliantly, thanks!

[sh77]

Excellent advice. I am about to get my entire property decorated. Will switch from F&B to LG. The quality seems much better. One question - will LG colour match F&B through mixing or finding their own nearest colour?

[minipie]

sh77 I have had a Little Greene colour match of an F&B colour - it was spot on (much better than the Leyland attempt).

[sh77]

Thanks miniepie.

[acmasterpainter]

hi fossilfuel, added my penny worth about the chalk paint.

Thumbs up for Little Greene eggshell, hey!! Earlier in the year I coached my brother to hand-paint his pine kitchen. He mistakenly painted a timber trim around the worktop, never a good idea. I dumbly volunteered to sand it off for him so it could be varnished. Even with abranet, it took me a couple of hours. It was on really well. That was Dulux Supergrip primer over lacquer, plus oil eggshell.

[acmasterpainter]

sorry fossil97, i misspelt your name, I was having a ben and jerry moment.

[fossil97]

That's OK, thanks for all the details especially the "rolling and tipping", I've never dared use a roller on woodwork before.

[Pannacotta]

Staverton which Living edition is the LG discount voucher in?
DO you know how long its valid for?
Thanks...

[sh77]

Available now. I got mine 2 days ago. Valid until end June.

[Pannacotta]

Thanks sh

[SpringHeeledJack]

oh fab thanks for this thread- specially the decorator tips!

am going to get LE later on- waiting for a Little Greene paintcard I ordered in the week

am sure F&B are lovely, but I just find them...well, a bit annoying