Gloss or eggshell?

[swedishmum]

My painter's starting tomorrow (looks rather like Johnny Depp's better looking younger brother but that's beside the point ) and dh is abroad as usual. He's a student who did a fab job on a friend's stunning house. I need to buy supplies tonight.
At the moment our staircase (was yuk darkish 80s wood) is painted with eggshell but it - and door frames etc - don't really look finished. Maybe wear and tear of 4 kids needs something tougher? And if other wood is gloss, what do I do about the radiator cover in the hall?
Any advice before I rush off to B and Q??
Thanks.

Ohh I would go eggshell every time. I think it looks better for longer than gloss which can yellow and chip.

Oh, and please post a pic of your hunky decorator.

Eggshell.... then change your mind just as he finishes and make him do it all over again with gloss.

I like gloss myself - wipeable and less unfinished looking.

Plus - another call for a photo!

Ask him to take his shirt off before you take it too. In the interests of Health and Safety, of course

Vote for eggshell - more stylish imo, gloss is a bit old fashioned

I insisted on egg shell throughout the whole house - it's a bugger to keep looking nice and clean and freshly painted. I have now agreed with DH that egg shell is great for bedrooms or low usage areas, but gloss is a must in the hallway/staircase.

Especially with children/husband/cat.

I prefer eggshell too - will stick with that! Bit worried I might scare him if I ask for a photo ....

Oh just do it woman! We need our thrills!

You need work in progress shots for, erm, DH to verify

Agree - eggshell.
Applies better, doesn't smell as strong, safer for kids and the environment and more importantly washes out of carpets easier when you have those small spills ;-)

hmm..I would choose eggshell but it was painted on our bannister and has chipped so actually what's needed is sthg between matt and gloss..is satinwood an option? Not sure what this is but might be possible

I went for gloss in the end - it was only painted 2 years ago (can't remember if it was satinwood or eggshell) and already looks really rough. I have 4 kids, a cat and a labrador...