Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Farrow and Ball

128 replies

Nmchanger · 16/04/2023 07:44

Hi we've just bought a house and I really like the colour of the walls. I asked the previous owner what paint it was and it's Farrow and Ball. I suggested to my husband we buy a pot in case we need to do any touch-ups and it's £100 a pot!
Is it really worth it, it seems extortionate.

So YABU - It's really worth the money, or YANBU - no you're paying for the name.

OP posts:
BotterMon · 16/04/2023 17:22

Having just redecorated and used F&B colour matching paint upstairs and the real deal in the living room, there's no comparison. The F&B colours are amazing. I also prefer painting with it as better coverage and it doesn't smell as no chemicals. Also water based so really easy to clean brushes with none of that awful white spirit stuff.
I've never used a painter/decorator so don't care what they think of it.

SecretiveSquirrel · 16/04/2023 17:39

Lol at the F and B boasting.

Our home is F and B top to bottom. Meh. Emperor’s New Clothes of middle class aspiration. Not worth the money. Will do Dulux next time.

WhatHoMarjorie · 16/04/2023 18:08

SecretiveSquirrel · 16/04/2023 17:39

Lol at the F and B boasting.

Our home is F and B top to bottom. Meh. Emperor’s New Clothes of middle class aspiration. Not worth the money. Will do Dulux next time.

top to bottom F&B you say, boastypants?

SchoolTripDrama · 16/04/2023 18:11

Albiboba · 16/04/2023 07:47

Well if you colour match it with another brand it won’t be exact so you’re not going to be able to cover little marks.
If you buy a cheaper brand you’ll probably have to do a full cost.

You can, they keep your match saved on their mixing computer thingy. I went back for more and was identical

SchoolTripDrama · 16/04/2023 18:13

Ithoughtsummerwascoming · 16/04/2023 07:58

I didn't think it's allowed to mix farrow and ball for cheaper?

It most certainly is! B&Q do it with their own brand!

SecretiveSquirrel · 16/04/2023 18:15

WhatHoMarjorie · 16/04/2023 18:08

top to bottom F&B you say, boastypants?

Show quote history

I was merely pointing out the phenomenal and foolish waste of money. Nothing to boast about; I meant the opposite.

Justgorgeous · 16/04/2023 18:16

Little Greene is way better than Farrow and Ball in my opinion. Lots of interior designers and decorators recommend LG over F&B.

SchoolTripDrama · 16/04/2023 18:21

TizerorFizz · 16/04/2023 09:07

We have a high value house. We use F&B paint. The modern emulsion is hard wearing. We just repaint a wall if we need to. Rarely! It’s lovely paint. If there are issues with a finish, go for modern emulsion. The estate emulsion is a chalky finish and maybe not suitable for high traffic areas.

You just had to add in the "We have a high value house" didn't you?!

Clarinet1 · 16/04/2023 18:31

Anyone tried Annie Sloane?

OoooohMatron · 16/04/2023 18:35

Branster · 16/04/2023 13:38

The quality is exceptionally good.
It should wash well if you are worried about stains.
Obviously for scuffs you'd need to re- paint.

Yes, you can get a reasonable colour match from a different supplier but it won't match exactly.
In fact, for touch ups, even the original paint will not always match exactly.

It makes me laugh that you think anyone can actually tell the difference. If you tell people it's F&B rabbits fart they'll nod along and admire it and tell you it's worth every penny

bluegreygreen · 16/04/2023 19:39

Is there a definition of a 'high value' house?

bluegreygreen · 16/04/2023 19:40

(I'm assuming my 4 bed detached in the north isn't)

Snowite · 16/04/2023 20:26

@Justgorgeous agree LG is fab...colour, application, longevity all superb.
I do F&B mixed to Zinsser but LG goes on original formula.

DelphiniumsBlueWildRose · 17/04/2023 07:10

dubblee · 16/04/2023 07:46

It's really good. I don't think you're just paying for the name. We've got a lot of farrow and ball in our house and our decorator ( who doesn't work for f and b or anything like that ), said it really is very good and his preferred paint.

I know MANY decorators who hate using it.

DelphiniumsBlueWildRose · 17/04/2023 07:20

TizerorFizz · 16/04/2023 09:07

We have a high value house. We use F&B paint. The modern emulsion is hard wearing. We just repaint a wall if we need to. Rarely! It’s lovely paint. If there are issues with a finish, go for modern emulsion. The estate emulsion is a chalky finish and maybe not suitable for high traffic areas.

What does the value of your house have to do with it? 😂

TizerorFizz · 17/04/2023 09:10

Quite a lot. I can fully understand why someone with a smaller houses on a limited income wouldn’t want to spend the money. We think it suits our house and use this brand. We looked at lots of inspiration for decorating houses like ours and buying dupes from alternative sources wasn’t a suitable choice. I think what your house is makes a difference to choice. That’s all.

IhearyouClemFandango · 17/04/2023 09:13

Little Greene far better quality according to our latest decorator

springbox · 17/04/2023 10:50

TizerorFizz · 17/04/2023 09:10

Quite a lot. I can fully understand why someone with a smaller houses on a limited income wouldn’t want to spend the money. We think it suits our house and use this brand. We looked at lots of inspiration for decorating houses like ours and buying dupes from alternative sources wasn’t a suitable choice. I think what your house is makes a difference to choice. That’s all.

Value of house doesn't come into it unless you are desperately insecure. FWIW we have a high value house and I wouldn't touch Farrow & Ball. Quality is rubbish. Little Greene definitely much better and customer service is excellent. Think you may need to look a little wider for your inspo babes 😂

TizerorFizz · 17/04/2023 10:53

“Babes?”
It is all about style of house. F&B is high quality. Great colours. Not wanting dupes. I guess you have never used it! Anyone who says “babes” obviously would not! Ha!

springbox · 17/04/2023 10:59

It was ironic as you sound such a wannabe snob. Obviously went over your head though. F&B was okay twenty years ago and is very much mass market. If you want to be snooty, find something to be properly snooty about.

MsCunk · 17/04/2023 11:04

Colour match all the way.

Okaydonkey · 17/04/2023 13:29

F&B is not high quality. It is well marketed to the insecure and aspirational.

LadyVictoriaSponge · 17/04/2023 17:32

Anything that you can buy in Homebase isn’t particularly aspirational, it’s mass market available to anyone no matter the value of your house.

Ihatepainting · 17/04/2023 17:52

LadyVictoriaSponge · 17/04/2023 17:32

Anything that you can buy in Homebase isn’t particularly aspirational, it’s mass market available to anyone no matter the value of your house.

That’s the most hyacinth bucket thing I’ve ever read 😂

KitKatLove · 17/04/2023 18:11

TizerorFizz · 16/04/2023 09:07

We have a high value house. We use F&B paint. The modern emulsion is hard wearing. We just repaint a wall if we need to. Rarely! It’s lovely paint. If there are issues with a finish, go for modern emulsion. The estate emulsion is a chalky finish and maybe not suitable for high traffic areas.

We have a medium value house but that aside I agree with this.

Swipe left for the next trending thread