Farrow & Ball - is it worth the extra?

[Ponders]

I love the colours, but 2.5L is £35 where Dulux is £20 (but doesn't have the same colours of course)

also, what's the difference, practically, between Estate Emulsion & Modern Emulsion?

I'm looking at \link{http://www.farrow-ball.com/breakfast-room-green/colours//fcp-product/100081\breakfast room green}

Dulux have \link{http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10151&catalogId=1500001201&langId=110&searchTerms=Dulux+Emulsion+puting+green+paint+&authToken=&int_cmp=paintswatch\putting green} (putting green green, surely? ) which looks similar, though paler, on the sample image but completely different to what I have in mind in the \link{http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=409010\room image}

I haven't done any serious decorating for about 15 years so I'm floundering!

TIA

[Vinomum]

Look up your nearest Dulux Decorator Centre. They sell trade paint and will be able to mix it to any colour you want. If you take in the F&B colour they will match it for you. It's excellent quality paint, generally only needs one coat and is extremely durable.

F&B is crap quality paint and I know this for a fact - DH is a scientist and makes a living from testing paint.

[Naebother]

I like the colours, finish and the way it absorbs and reflects light.
However, I did a colour match with dulux to paint our wardrobes and there is very little difference in the finish tbh.

[Ponders]

oooh, thanks, Vinomum!

turns out there is one about 12 miles away. I'll take my F&B tester pot there

[mum47]

I really like F & B for painting furniture - it goes on like cream, I love the chalky finish and the colour choice. Not used it on walls yet though.

I also really like Craig & Rose and Crown Period paints - have used both on walls and both have lovely finish.

[ClaudiaCutie]

Hmmm well I once felt F & B wasn't worth the extra and did the house the whole way through in Dulux. That was 2010 ...and I was never happy with any of the rooms or the colours. It looked cheap and all the colours were a bit 'off' and none of the rooms looked right. We've just finished repainting all the way through in F & B and the transformation and improvement is incredible - colours softly matte and rich, lots of depth to the colours, and a far more elegant, upmarket look. The only room I didn't re-do was the bathroom which was done in a Homebase cheapo bathroom paint - still looks great and just needed a scrub. Never again would I use Dulux and even though the F & B colour range can be frustratingly limited, the results were just beautiful.

The disadvantage for F & B Estate Emulsion I found was in the hall & stairs where I used Dayroom Yellow which looks gorgeous but does show the marks from cleaners lugging the hoover around, and where anything gets clonked against the understairs cupboard. Still happy to touch it up though to keep the matte look perfect but probably not very practical for anyone with toddlers.

I would definitely use the cheapie Homebase bathroom paint again though, it washed amazingly well and is fully matte.

[MarshaBrady]

I find that it is, and really like it. I do prefer the matte finish and chalky texture. I know it's harder to put on.

Also love the eggshell for the woodwork, that is easy to put on and very lovely. Have just been touching it all up after a little drawer scribbled on stuff.

[Deux]

I like F &B paint but have found it can fade very quickly in the sun eg on my front door.

If you want something truly wipable and scrubbable thenDulux do a brilliant paint callled Diamond Matt.

You can have it mixed in any Dulux colour including heritage colours. It has a really nice flat finish.

It doesn't mark or polish up when you wipe/scrub. I've removed blue magic marker from a pale wall and you'd never know.

[AlanMoore]

Our kitchen is Dulux Putting Green! It's lovely but it is quite green iyswim our room is south facing but I don't think it'd be as nice in a room that wasn't nice and light.

Craig & Rose paint is gorgeous texture and lasts really well. They have some fantastic strong colours but don't compare to the choice f&b offer in a bajillion shades of off white! Considering some f&b colours but will probably get trade Dulux matched instead.

[racmun]

Similarly a professional decorator friend of mine hates it.

We've used various paints. Crown heritage are really nice as are the dulux heritage colours. As far as I know anywhere that has a dulux mixing machine will be able to mix it up for you if you have the heritage colour chart.

I really like little green paints they do an acrylic based paint for walls which is really really scrub-able. The girl in the independent paint shop I go advised against f&b for dining room as it is so easily damaged.

[BooksandaCuppa]

The best quality emulsions we have ever used have been a now extinct range from B & Q called Tate and....Wickes' own brand chalky matt. It goes on like an absolute dream. Highly recommended and a really good colour range, too.

[MoreBeta]

Avidly following the thread.

Just planning to decorate a whole house. Never ever painted anything and getting professionals in. Was thinking of using Breakfast Room Green in the dining room.

I was dubious about F&B - now not sure.

My mother has an old house and swears by Craig & Rose.