Please help me decide which paint to use!

[Yellowdaises]

At the moment my living room is painted in Dulux Trade Diamond Matt Jasmine White. I am wondering whether to repaint it in the same thing, or in Atelier Ellis Warm White.

The latter is practically the same colour but has a very matt, chalky finish, which I really like.

The advantage of Dulux Trade Diamond Matt is that it's wipeable, so stays looking fabulous for years. (The only reason for having the walls repainted now is that the plasterwork has been damaged, because of some work that had to be done.) The drawback is that although it's technically a matt paint, it is not as matt as the Atelier Ellis matt emulsion. It has almost a slight sheen.

The drawback of Atelier Ellis matt emulsion is that is comes off if you wipe it. I had my bedroom painted in Atelier Ellis matt emulsion only a couple of years ago and already the paint looks a bit scuffed.

As AE Warm White is almost the same colour as Dulux Jasmine White, if the living room were painted in it and then the paint was wiped in places over time, the places where it was wiped would not be very noticeable - just a bit shiny rather than a different colour.

I guess ideally I would have AE Warm White and repaint frequently, but I don't want the hassle and expense of doing that.

So which to go for?! A lovely matt paint which, in time, will have marks or shiny patches where the marks were wiped off, or a paint with a very slight sheen that will look pristine for years?!

Btw, I don't have kids and am careful with how I treat my flat, so it's not as though the walls get very marked, but somehow they do end up with some marks!

I am replying because I have used the Dulux Jasmine white(but in satin for woodwork not walls).

I used it because it matched Albany White Lodge (Albany is the own brand of Brewers Decorating), and is a very good price for paint.

I now always use Brewers and buy the Covermatt version which has no latex in and is more chalky than the usual retail vinyl paint you can buy.

Yes, I suppose it does mark more but I have got very good at learning how to get the marks off the wall without it noticing much.

I think it lasts better when the wall has had two good coats of the paint colour

If you’ve used the other brand and you think it looks scruffy, I’d suggest you look at the Albany paint. I love the Farrow and Ball colours, but I really don’t think their emulsion gives as good coverage as the Albany Covermatt. I don’t know what the brand you mention is like, but expensive isn’t always better I find with paint. I’d get a tester from both brands and try them out.

I think your heart likes the chalky finish, but you are letting your head stop you.

If you don’t have children then go for the one you prefer.

Thank you so much for your reply. I will look into that paint - it sounds great!