Farrow and Ball paint question

[Bunbaker]

I keep reading posts about F & B paint. Is it only mumsnetters who use this paint? What is so special about it? I buy my paint from DIY shops and have been happy with Crown and Dulux.

Not only MNers - I know all sorts of people who use it in real life (some of them quite common ). The reason that I like it is that the colours often manage to be quite strong without being brash or overwhelming. They also have a very interesting range of colours - slightly sludgy so that what might be jarring in real life seems toned down in F&B shades and they do work very well in period houses whether you are going for a traditional or contemporary look, they seem to hold the scheme together.

Agreed, they do work well in period houses. I like the fact that they often have a sort of chalky finish when applied, that looks different as the light in a room changes. And they are really beautiful colours. I tried hard to find a colour I liked for my living room from other ranges, but they were all too pink or too yellow. F&B did one that was really neutral.

Thanks for your replies. I don't actually know anyone who has used F & B. It is just something I have noticed a lot on here, along with Boden, again not something I have come across with my RL friends.

If you go onto ultra -hardcore property forums, no one would dream of using F&B - it's seen as very common, and people boast about using paint made in a small Dorset barn by one bloke that you can only buy from one shop in the country.

However, I rather like the colours and finish.

My whole house is in different shades of F&B. I love it! Before F&B I kept repainting as the colours were a bit harsh or not matching. They have a lot of "interesting" (iykwim) shades which, once applied, look very pacifying.

The problem with 'designer' paints (and F&B) are very mainstream, is their price. F&B is not cheap, but you are talking x2-x3 for a properly done "environmental", blah, blah, blah, "designer" stuff.

screwed up brackets (and F&B are very mainstream)

I have used pastel colours in my (modern) house and they aren't harsh at all. We have used professional decorators in the past and they recommend Crown and to avoid cheap, own brand paints. Although I found out the hard way that own brand paints are just not worth it.

Bunbaker,that is interesting that your decorators recommend Crown.I was on the verge of buying some Crown paint recently,but the reviews put me right off.There was not one good one and I was really surprised,people were claiming that coverage was poor,if you wiped a mark off the wall,the paint came off,all the sort of stuff you really wouldn't expect.

My decorator has used F&B in my kitchen and I was very pleased,but I like the very flat deep chalky effect it has.I'm considering using it again in the bathroom instead of Crown now.

I spend hours studying F&B colour chart. The paint is lovely, the finish fantastic. Even the white ones are more strange and surprising than bog standard dulux, crown. Everyone else has copied them for years. I do love fandb.

They are just lovely colours. I used to use Dulux until some kind soul enlightened me!

Just to add to the Crown paint debate - we recently bought white Crown paint for DD's room. It took 3 coats to cover pale blue! We thought Crown/Dulux were much the same in terms of price and quality, but I'd go for Dulux every time now (other than F and B obviously )

blackeyeddog, are you me? That is exactly what I would say, from greeneyedcat

I really want to find F&B an over-hyped rip-off, but I can't. I just love the colours, the finish, everything.

Just to add homebase stock F&B, no other national DIY store l know of does. It is included in their 10/15% off days, you can order in colours they do not stock on those discount days also. Only downside they can take 2-4 weeks to arrive.

What grendelsmum, sixties queen and blackeyeddog said. Am very fussy about colours and used to get Dulux mixed in shade of choice. However, had epiphany once I first used F&B and will not use anything else now. The chalkiness and the way it changes with the light through the day is lovely. Have it in the kitchen and hall and found it is as practical (easily wipeable) as Dulux.