Farrow & Ball paint

[lampfromikea]

Why is this such a popular paint brand? I've seen it mentioned a lot in various places lately and wondered why, above other paints, people rate I so much.

How is it different to any other brand of paint? If I were to paint one wall in, say, Crown/Dulux and another with F&B, would I notice any difference long term?

[lampfromikea]

Or is it a case of branding/price = higher quality product?

[GinAndOnIt]

I can only compare it with Dulux and B&Q own brand, but I do think it's far better than those. The colours specifically are just completely different to what is available with the other brands. I also really like how it applies in comparison to Dulux.

I have used Dulux Magic Eye to copy F&B colours, when I wanted a specific colour for almost the whole house, and not the budget for a truck load of F&B. It worked fairly well - the colour is almost identical, but doesn't seem to 'change' colour/tone in different lights as F&B paint does.

In terms of 'finish' I can't really see a great difference in how it looks on the wall next to Dulux. So for me, it is more about the colour. I think there are other companies (I think I've seen Little Greene mentioned on here?) that probably do lovely colours too, but as I said, compared with Dulux, there really is no contest (for me).

[Ilovewillow]

I think it's the colour choice I love with F & B. However, we used it in walls in a very old house and the quality wasn't great. I tend to get the paint mixed with farrow and ball colours but Johnsons paint which is a trade paint.

[witwootoodleoo]

As PP said it's about the depth of colour and the way it changes in the light. Also the finish- it's almost chalky somehow but that's not quite the right description. It also works particularly well on old plaster in period houses

[GinAndOnIt]

Depth of colour - that's what I was trying to say!

[sallylondon]

In the last two weeks I've painted two rooms, one with Dulux brilliant white (over brilliant white last painted five years ago) and another with F&B pink (over pale green last painted 12 years ago). The F&B coverage, even over a tattier and coloured room was far, far superior. The Dulux, which should have been a quick freshen up job, still looks very streaky after 3 coats and I think I will have to do another. It was awful to apply too, very scratchy, where the F&B felt like applying cream to the wall. I am converted. Worth every penny. A decorator may disagree (plenty say they don't like it) but since I'm DIYing rather than paying a professional, I think I can justify the expense to make my life easier. I did not use the F&B undercoat by the way, just put the coloured paint straight on the wall.

[InfiniteSheldon]

I love F&B, like others have said it's the depth of colour and the finish is unique. I dilute the first coat slightly as I find it goes on better I have dayroom yellow in one room and it is gorgeous changes with the sunlight. Nancy's blushes in a bedroom and it's incomparable for me there is no pink like it. My hallway is dimpse and I do have to touch that up. It can look grey, silver, blue or even almost green depending on the time of day. Visitors almost always compliment the F&B rooms. My living room is white but I'm considering redoing it in a F&B white has anyone used one?

[justaweeone]

Crown trade Matt is fab
Better than F&B
Hugh range of comparable colours, goes on like a dream and fab coverage
I buy it from Brewers, open an account and you get a 20% off your first order
They also sell F & B and I get my eggshell there but saying that their own brand Albany paint, emulsion and eggshell is great to but as all our woodwork apart from recently redone ensuite is F &B pointing I continue to use it for touch up rather than reprinting all the woodwork

[spiney]

Great edited colour chart. Not too much choice. Very contemporary looking colours. You almost can't go wrong. If you like the colour it'll probably work.

Professionals always seem to moan about it. Can't remember why.

I always get it mixed at Johnstones like the previous poster. Brings the price right down. If I had the £££££ I would just buy the brand.

[lampfromikea]

Thanks everyone!
I agree with the choice of colours, they do have some shades that other brands don't. Was just trying to work out if it is worth the expense or not!

[LozzaChops101]

My builder and decorator friend calls it "Farrow and Fucking Ball" and will talk clients out of using it if he can. He hates the way it applies, says it lasts 2 minutes when it's on the walls, etc etc. He's another one for Johnstone's trade colour matching.

[InfiniteSheldon]

I think professional decorators hate it because
1 you have to take your time painting with it and they don't want/feel able to pass that cost on
2 they can't buy it at a discount so can't make that bit extra on it and
3 are long gone whilst the customer enjoys the depth and beauty of the finished job.

[Cacofonix]

Yes I have been told by decorator friends that the main reason decorators complain about F&B is precisely that they cannot get it at discount and so can't make extra money on a job using F&B. I agree about the colour choice and depth of colour. Nothing wrong with Dulux though. I also highly rate Mylands paint - our kitchen (cabinets and walls) have been painted in Mylands and the colours and finish are great. Similar price to F&B though.

[namechangedtoday15]

Apart from the debate about the depth of colour / ease of application, consider where its going and family life. In my experience, its not particularly hard wearing, so when we had it in a child's room (in Middleton Pink) it marked really quickly and can't be wiped. We have it in a kind of grown up's sitting room where it's worn much better, but still find it needs touching up pretty regularly. Factor that into your "is it worth it?" considerations.

[namechangedtoday15]

Also, similar price but Little Greene is (imo) much better.

[BretonRose]

Lovely colours, great finish, goes on like silk- really pleasant to work with.

Pros moan about it because they can't take a cut. (Same reason pros will recommend a Howden's kitchen over an IKEA one).

[Shadowboy]

It's fab. They do three interior types- dead flat, estate emulsion and modern emulsion so it pretty much works in any room!
The colours and depth of colour is better than most!

It paints well and the colour seems to stay classic rather than some brands where their colour feels dated a year or two later

[NotMeNoNo]

Lovely colours and paint but very much copied now.

[bluefeathers]

I also have a number of friends in the decorating business who swear F&B paint quality is terrible. We like the colours but get it matched

[asknicely]

Another big fan of f & b here. I spent many hours and coats of paint trying to cover up a yellow smoke stained wall. F and b covered it with 2 coats. It's very pigmanty and it glides on. However the chalkie finish means it can't be wiped clean and it shows up little people hand prints very clearly

[Ifonlyiweretaller]

I have it in 3 rooms in my house, and whilst i absolutely love the depth of the colours and the way they change in different light, it is a pain when it marks as you cant wipe it without it looking worse!
I am having hall stairs and landings done at the moment and cannot justify the price or the lack of wipeability particularly in such high maintenance areas. (and its a big space so a lot of paint required) I'm sure the 'made up' F&B alternatives will be fine for this area.

[witwootoodleoo]

Those that say you can't wipe it... you can if you buy the modern emulsion rather than the estate emulsion :)

[ArriettyClock1]

Our entire house, inside and out is Farrow and Ball.

Many people say get the colour matched with Dulux or Valspar but it just does not look as good. I visit houses for my job as a surveyor and I can tell F&B at 20 paces.

[beargrass]

Agree with all those in favour. Esp the fact there aren't endless colours. You get that everywhere these days with all manner of products and it's mind boggling (how many types of tinned tomato do I need to choose from in the supermarket?!?!!).

It really does go on easily and far better than other types of paint, and does not require as many coats. Plus it does look better. Hadn't realised the point about marking though as ours isn't in a high traffic area of the house but, duly noted!

[Maverick66]

I think it's like eyeshadow you get what you pay for with regard to colour and pigment.