Which of these two Farrow and Ball colours is best?

[Shoezembagsforever]

I am need of some advice on the two colours we’re deciding between to decorate the downstairs of a Victorian terrace. My DH is holding up the carpet, cork tiling for the hallway and the wood the storage and shelving will be built with. I’m strongly in favour of one and he’s strongly in favour of the other, but don’t want to bias opinions!

We’re planning on having the area ‘drenched’ as in all walls, woodwork, cornicing and ceiling are to be painted the same colour and finish. The colour on the left is Shaded White and on the right is Skimming Stone.

This is causing a bit of consternation currently so I thought Mumsnet may be able to help.

F and B paints always seem watery to me, I'd never use them either OP. I would definitely go with armpit, the other is too dark for a ceiling.

@AnxiouslyAwaitingSpring they say it's very hard to work with - patchy coverage etc and requires more coats than others so £££.

This has been borne out with the sample pots too - the two in the photo were much patchier than three other samples we used from Johnstones (of F&B colours we ended up discounting).

The lighter one, definitely. It will be much more intense when it's on all the surfaces so bear that in mind if you go for the darker one.

Armpit

Under armpit, and white woodwork in my opinion.

The right hand one.

This is what I think too. The lighter more neutral one is just better for selling. Also, if you're doing it to sell, I wouldn't go with drenching not everyone likes it and it's much easier for a buyer to just be able to envisage painting the walls a colour of their choice when they're ready then all of the woodwork and the ceiling, et cetera.

SW gets my vote - lovely with the cork tile and nice contrast with the carpet.

SS looks insipid to me - clashes with the cork tile and too same-y with the carpet.

Agreed, and painting ceilings is such a pain that normally means you have to re-paint the walls too.

F&B paints are not watery but actually thicker and more chalky than johnstones. I’ve used both and FB def has a better finish and much nicer. But because it’s thicker it’s better applied with a brush not a roller, which upsets some people. Personally I don’t mind using a brush and taking my time. Also it’s washable and wipeable as long as you dont scrub it hard.

First pic: Skimming stone in a bedroom with All White coving and ceiling.

second pic: skimming stone in dark hall with Strong White woodwork

Thanks for the photos!

Under the armpit for me!

I don't think under the armpit is the official F&B colour, but it could be!

The one under his arm!

I have skimming stone in a small living room It is always right, if you know what I mean, though painting the walls with F&B was a complete pain. It was some years ago now so they may have changed the formulation.

Skimming stone - lovely, neutral and feels lightweight

Under Armpit, definitely.

Haha. Farrow and Ball, Beneath the Axilla

Not familiar with the other brand but Benjamin Moore paints are lovely. Easily as good as F&B anyway.

However, I renovate houses and I’ve never known a decorator to prime for f&b or need more than 2 coats.

20 years ago lots of painters refused to use them. But these days f&b is ubiquitous - at least in the UK - and it would be impossible for decorators to avoid the brand. The consistency and application is no different to any other premium paint.

These days the only product I’ve found decorators universally avoid is Little Greene oil eggshell as it takes so long to dry and has fumes due to oil base.

under the armpit goes better with the carpet and is lighter.
But I think the other one goes better with the cork and wood.
And the lighter one will kind of just look off white/neutral, rather than looking like a colour, whereas the other one will look like a colour. So depends on what look you are going for.

Honestly I don't like either, I'd go for something with a soft colour, olive or plaster pink. It strikes me as odd to choose cork and drenching for resale value. I'd rather go for a popular colour and conventional flooring/decorating.

The one on the left. The darker one! Otherwise I fear you are venturing into magnolia territory.

Skimming stone, although I would use All White for your woodwork and ceilings. Some people love drenching, some don’t, so play it safe if it’s for resale. A contrast white will make things seem lighter and brighter.

Btw. Mylands is miles better than F&B. No contest

F&B definitely need to change the name to armpit now 🤣