Just curious about fb paint

[Ghanagirl]

Is Farris and ball paint really that superior to others such as dulux if so why?

Does nobody have an opinion on this? really surprised as previous threads have debated various shades

didn'r want you to be ignored, just that I think this has been done to death - but no good if you've not seen previous discussions . The general consensus is that people like the depth of colour and general finish compared to other paints.

The texture is brilliant. My dovetail staircase in estate emulsion makes with the slightest touch though.

It has a lovely chalky matt finish which gives a fabulous depth of colour and the range of traditional colours is fantastic. Unfortunately the ultra matt finish means that it does mark more easily and isn't wipeable to the same degree as dulux or other less matt paints. And decorators all seem to hate it as it is apparently more difficult to work with (though I've never had a problem with it). It is expensive though. There are other brands who produce a similar very matt finish and are cheaper. I used Crown heritage range once when I couldn't afford/justify F&B prices and was quite impressed by it and would use again.

It's all about the colours for me I adore them and the rest don't come close

The texture is lovely, and how the colours change with shifting light. The colours are fantastic. But I am somewhat regretting having it all over my house when I have small children - it really does mark.

I think its so popular because of the clever marketing with the fancy poncy paint names. The colours are lovely though. I actually prefer The Little Greene Paint company. I think their paints are far superior in terms of quality, much richer with more depth of colour. I also would not touch the new F&B waterbased eggshell with a bargepole, the LG oil based is brill, have just painted my kitchen cupboards in it.

I couldn't afford F&B and instead opted for Wickes Chalky flat matt range. I'm thrilled with the finish and texture and it certainly hides the imperfections on the walls. Only downside being that the colour choice is quite limited.

Thanks guys I'm a newbie so obviously missed previous debates, but as were renovating have been thinking about paints etc and when I've asked either friends or sometimes (cheekily) clients what range/shade they've often said F&B with the sort of tone that implies it's the only way to go

I agree with justasecond - I decorated the whole house last year and went for Little Greene over F&B.

I used Earthborn and Greenpaint as it's voc free.

Little Greene is owned by crown - if Im right

Beautiful colours that everyone who walks into the one room where we have used it comments on. I would agree that it does mark but I put that down to us being a bit heavy handed (eg. leaning things up against it). I used to have dulux in my old place and that marked just as easily, come to think of it.

Oh, and on the point of decorators not liking it - that is not my experience. My painter said it was so much nicer to work with - easy to put on and of course, less coats, due to the high pigmentation. My sister uses it and paint with it herself and loves it too, I can't see why it would be harder to work with?

i do all my own painting.

farrow and ball: gorgeous finish, lovely colours, depth of colours, marks very easily, not so easy to paint with. their undercoat is an absolute pig.

i use fired earth now if i can. fantastic finish, depth of colour, don't know about marking yet because i've just finished. lovely colour palette.

ooh, never tried Little Greene

just ordered paint card to file with six million others

My decorator started off taking the piss out of me for buying F&B, and ended up saying how great it was. He said that though it was twice as expensive as the stuff he usually used, he needed half as much of it to get the same coverage.

If you use modern emulsion it's fab, hardy and wipes clean very easily. I have it in my kitchen which is a thoroughfare for all house traffic....muddy kids, dogs and men!

Does modern emulsion have a chalky look?

Sure does, very flat looking .....just been to check now and it is definately chalky.

Thank you!

I hate Farrow and Ball and am with the decorators on this one. The coverage is poor, the quality is poor (it took 7 coats of one colour to completely eliminate all base cover shine through) and it is a pig to work with. It also works out really expensive due to the extra coats required. The walls I have done with F&B are also prone to marking and chipping.

It has a lovely soft feel though as the paint is light absorbing rather than light reflecting. Modern paints are as standard light reflecting, which can feel cold. To get the soft feel specify 'flat matt'. I have used Dulux flat matt in a period property and it is often complemented (and often thought to be F&B).

The paint I would really recommend however is Zophany. Excellent on all fronts.

Dalailama Little Greene is def not owned by Crown.

I work in a paint shop, Little Greene are a very good company and would not use the same products as Crown.

They have a tie in with Paint & Paper Library, Sanderson, Designers Guild.