Anyone found a good alternative to F&B Pointing?

[teejwood]

Property/DIY gurus I need your help!

DP had finally agreed to a paint colour for hall/living room/stairs etc - F&B Pointing - and then I read the F&B debate thread here We used several F&B paints when we last decorated but it sounds like the new formulations are not as good. So I'm back to square one and getting DP to agree to a colour is like pulling hen's teeth - bloody impossible!

I need a slight off-white to go with the new curtains - like these (NB not my pin account). The house is small and does not get very much light but the living room gets the evening sun, so I need a colour that will not close us in iykwim, but equally not be too much when the evening light comes through during the summer months.

Can anyone recommend a slightly off-white (pure white probably too cool for our space) dopple-ganger for Pointing or similar that will go with those curtains?

Thank you!

Go to an independent paint shop with your fabric etc. they will have thousands of possibles and you can spend hours pondering on your selection and get some testers. They also have different base paints - chalky, matt, kitchen, bathroom etc ....

Thanks, Pancake, we do actually have a lovely man locally but DP doesn't like his original recommendation. Maybe if I go back with the curtains we'll come up with a different choice.
I have spent so much money on tester pots

I've not read the f&b threads, but if you like the colour but are worried about the paint formulation why not get it colour matched in a different brand? Our local decorators merchant colour matches f&b using Leyland paint. I've used that in Pointing a few times (for cost reasons) and it looks good.

Brugs I had thought of doing that but several people on here have said it doesn't really work, the colour is never as good - so heartened to hear that it worked for you and that might be an option

I've had a quick look at the other threads. I expect it's correct that the final look isn't identical. I understood is the texture that's different mainly, ie it direct have the same slightly chalky finish. The extent to which that is important or affects the look varies depending on the colour and where it's being used.

With an off white (in my view) what you're looking for is the right balance between light/dark and warm/cool tones. The colour match paint still has that, I found. I expect the colour matching is less successful with stronger colours where depth of pigment and the exact shade is more important, particularly if you're after a rich luscious type of look.

must admit ive never had an issue with f&b paint and we only used it at the beginning of the year.

I've had F&B colour matched recently and it was rubbish, I wouldn't do it again.

I'd just go with the real stuff if I was you. I never have any problems with their paint and I think it's only the eggshell that people say isn't as good anymore (as it's no longer oil based), but I've used it and found it absolutely fine.

I've always found F&B applies better than Crown/Dulux anyway, so never really understand all these threads slating it

Thanks for the comments, everyone.
kitsmummy - were you colour matching lighter or darker colours? Just mulling what Brug said about light colours possibly being easier to match....

It was shaded white, so one of the lighter colours and it came out similar but not right. My cost saving exercise cost me a lot more in the end than if I had just bought f&b in the first place!

I've said this before on threads, but go for Little Greene. Waaay better to F&B but similar chalky look. Slaked Lime is good. We've done two houses, one in F&B and one in LG (though still a way to go with second one!), and there's no comparison in terms of coverage and quality.

Ah - OK kitsmummy, and impecunious. It sounds like you pays your money and takes your choice - either go for a dopple but accept the results mightn't be as good or just go ahead with F&B/LG...