Is Farrow and ball paint worth it?

[Hurraahhnaptime]

I'm starting to paint rooms in my house and looking at the Farrow and ball paint chart. Is this paint worth the extra cost? They talk about depth of colour and high pigment content. Sounds appealing but the cost! Or are other brands just as good? Has anyone found it cheaper anywhere?

No.

A friend has it in some of her house and not in other parts and you can’t tell the difference.

Apparently it's not even great paint to use, just search around and you can see that decorators prefer to use dulux trade or little greene etc

My mate's a decorator and seems to think it's the Second Coming (which I have no doubt is the name of one of their many off whites.

We've used Earthborn and Little Greene paint. Chosen because they're more "eco" and happy with the quality. I always thought F&B was wanky and overpriced but the paint we used was probably just as expensive or nearly

We use little greene and our decorator says it's the best paint he works with. It isn't cheap though.

We have some F&B walls and we really like it - maybe I've drunk the koolaid, but I was going to say the colour has "depth" too We've been really pleased, it's a lovely finish. And didn't find it difficult to use (how could paint be difficult to use?!)

The good thing about Little Greene is they have so many colours, you can pretty much colour match.

We put farrow and ball in our bedroom, and while I love the colour as it has so much character (changes colour in different lights, lots of depth) which you just don't seem to get with dulux paint as it is pretty flat, especially in dark colours, it was a massive ball ache to apply! It takes lots of coats, I think we've done 3-4 in places and this was on whitewashed newly plastered walls. It goes on really unevenly even with an expensive roller. The finish is really delicate - anything that touches leaves a mark. I won't use it again, even though the colours are lovely, it just took so long and I can see a lifetime of touch-ups ahead. We used stiffkey blue in the regular estate emulsion.

Decorators tend not to like it as it takes more time and skill to apply well, not because it's no good.

I quite like f&b for the very matt, chalky finish that you never get with cheaper brands, and also the depth of colour. I bought what was supposed to be a putty grey from dulux recently for the inside of a cupboard, and it's turned out a definite baby blue! You don't tend to get those kind of problems with f&b. I'm not a fan of little green as the colours tend to be a bit weak and sheeny imo, but my favourite brand currently is paint and paper library - even more matt than f&b and wide range of colours.

F&B is generally of superior quality, I use it frequently. The colour range is impressive and subtly varied, the company have clearly spent a lot on development.

But for that reason it is expensive, and if the money is not to be wasted it should be applied well. Professional decorators may not be able to get trade prices on it which affects their profits, so take what they say about F&B with a pinch of salt.

Cheap paint also has it's place, just don't ask it to do the same things that a better quality paint will give you. You get what you pay for in this area, and that includes getting professionals to do the work.

" I'm not a fan of little green as the colours tend to be a bit weak and sheeny imo"

The Little Greene paint we have is a beautiful strong colour, Matt finish and was a dream to paint.

I really like the finish and think it’s worth buying. But you will get many decorators saying don’t use it.

So I just say I will be and if they don’t want to quote then fine. I’ve found someone who does a great job with it.

I think it is worth every penny. It is gorgeous to use, absolutely no splatter. Their brushes and rollers are also brilliant and actually quite cheap.

Just read upline and have to say I haven't had problems with needing lots of coats but I do use the recommended undercoat, makes a big difference. I have used dark and lighter colours in my house and never get tired of the way the colours change subtly depending on time of day/lighting etc.

AnotherEmma like I say, just my opinion. I've used it before and haven't been quite as pleased with the results, although I know a lot of people rave about it. E.g. their colour scree which is surely direct competition for f&b's downpipe just looks a bit flat to my eyes in comparison. But admittedly I haven't been through their full collection so maybe I've missed some gems.

Oh dear lots of varied opinions. I'm not sure which brand to go with.

I find it really thin. I'm in love with Brassica, However, which is a gorgeous purple-grey.

Try some testers op?

Absolutely worth it! I am not influenced at all by brands or fads, but am a big F&B fan. It sounds poncy, but it really does change colour depending on light and time of day. Key thing to remember though is that you MUST buy the Modern Emulsion finish as it is wipeable. Estate Emulsion isn't and once the walls are scuffed, marked, it won't come off. I learnt the hard way. We have Modern Emulsion in our hall (high traffic area) and I wipe it regularly and it looks good.

The Dulux colour matches just aren't the real deal and there's only a £10 or so difference to get it colour matched (when buying 5l), so I would rather pay the difference and have a colour I am completely happy with.

Have a look on Ebay if you aren't fussy on colour. Got some bargains of new tins on there.

DO IT!

I forced my decorator to use F and B exterior eggshell for wood on our sawn timber garage. It was painted in 2011 and is still fantastic. The garage was previously stained and it faded and was messy to look at. So glad we persevered. Inside we have used it too. I like the colours and I like the interior eggshell finish. Little Green would be ok too and Designers Guild. Kevin McCloud used to have a paint line. Not sure if they are still current.

No. Lovely colours but as someone said it just marks and comes off VERY easily. We used it in 2 rooms 3 months ago and I have had to touch up several times since.

Has anyone used the modern emulsion F&B? Does it mark easily as it says it's more hard-wearing. Is it a nice Matt finish too?

Nice colours. Horrific application, horrific finish.

To those saying the finish is poor and it's difficult to paint, honestly can't be doing it correctly. I think it paints really easy and is very forgiving in that when it dries the finish is superb.

I totally agree however the estate emulsion can mark easily and its not wipeable so don't use it in high traffic areas like hallways etc. We've just used the modern emulsion in kids bedroom and not a single mark to date, wears well so far.

The best feature imo is the way it changes colour in different light, we have Hardwick White in a bedroom and it's green during the day when the sun is shining through and grey at night, it's mesmerising.

Estate Emulsion 5% sheen, Modern Emulsion 20% sheen I think. Both look very flat and chalky, which is what I want. Use Modern Emulsion everywhere. Does it mark? Depends how you live.....