Clear light neutral for dark hall - like F&B dimity but cheaper?

[MrsMcNulty]

Hi, we've been doing up our Victorian terrace for the past 6 years and have run out of money. Just the halls to do. They (upstairs and down) are long narrow and have no natural light, so I want to paint them a pale colour to brighten lighten and "open" them up. Love F&B dimity but can't stretch to it - is there a lovely Dulux/Crown colour anyone can recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Get "Dimity" mixed at a trade place eg Johnstone's/Leyland, great colour matching, much cheaper and their trade paint goes on really well.

agree, get johnners to mix it for you.

I would think Dulux Almond White isn't too far off. Or try Natural Calico.

Thanks fresh, will take a look at those. Amazonian and Aitch - I thought about that but upon doing some research (on mumsnet of course) found long thread saying copies of f&b colours are not very good. So would prefer just an off the shelf colour from a cheaper brand.

We've used Natural Calico in the kitchen and its a very clean cream if that makes sense, There was a thread that mentioned it the other day likening it to unpainted lining paper and I think that's a very good description of it actually. We've also just used Homebase's "Dusk" from their Sanctuary range for our hall, stairs and landing (we were in a similar position in that I loved the F&B colours (Blackened) but couldn't justify the cost for such a large area). This is the link reviews.homebase.co.uk/1494-en_gb/065650/reviews.htm
this range seems to get good reviews for coverage etc and we got it during one of Homebase's offer weekends - think it was buy one get one free.

Crown 'Refined'

Paint Direct do colour matches for all the f&b paints in their actual names so you can order online. Bargain price, good paint and I thought the colour matching was great.

honestly, that's people who BOUGHT f&b. they HAVE to say that. i got my entire house done in Johnstone's copies of F&B and they're fine. my painter pal says F&B is shite paint anyway.

I have to agree, I've had several rooms painted in Johnstone's colour matched, they're all fab, close enough for me and good colours in their own right. I'll save the real F&B for when the DCs are less messy

yup, for when they don't have sticky hands.

littleorno how does that site work exactly? Thanks for the tip off.