Tell me about your Farrow and Ball front door?

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

Does it look fab? Did the paint go on well? What's the exterior eggshell finish like? Has it lasted well?

We have finally moved into our cottage. Having spent too much some time reading the DIY section of mnet, I am determined to paint it white with a lovely F&B Blue Ground front door. However, my painter says I should just go with Dulux. What do you reckon?

You're paying for it, so if you want it Elephant's Eyeball or Aged Vein, then you can.

The painter will think you are throwing your money away, of course, and it may take him longer, at your expense, but if you pay him well he may grumble less loudly. Paints aimed at the amateur market are usually formulated to be easier to apply by unskilled users, and are often thicker and slower to put on.

If he is very highly principled and inflexible he may suggest you find a different painter. He will probably say that he doesn't guarantee the durability of materials that he doesn't recommend and supply.

I've had 2 F and B exterior eggshell front doors and been very happy with them - Green Smoke and Railings. Both times I painted them myself; Victorian houses with storm porches so slightly protected from weather extremes. Went on easily and covered and lasted well. (The house I sold six years ago still has the same front door and it still looks good!) Have to say though that durability on the garden gates I painted to match has not been nearly as good and has needed touching up every few months, presumably because more exposed. Or perhaps I used the wrong primer.

Hmm... Thank you for your replies. On careful reflection, I think I will go for the cheapest brand the painter recommends.

We've got RAF blue and it is great - but the main reason we went with F&B was the range of colours was so much better. B&Q only stocked about 4 different exterior colours. Price wise I don't remember the difference but as it is a one off I wasn't too fussed.

Apparently little greene paint's eggshell is much better, and has similar lovely colours.