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Farrow and Ball anyone ?

(44 Posts)
Fairydoll2030 Sun 28-Jan-18 19:07:38

I like their paint and think it is (probably) superior to many other brands. We had our old kitchen cupboards painted in one of their shades a couple of years back and the paint has weathered well. We just chose the paint and never bothered with a match pot.
However, recently, we decided to repaint our living room and picked up a couple of match pots as the colour is pretty critical. Unfortunately the colours didn’t seem right on the walls, so it was back to the store for a couple more matchpots. They weren’t right either, so I have spent £18 just on matchpots!

I,ve now selected a shade from the Dulux Range after buying two of their matchpots at £1 each.

My (eventual) point is - I think the F & B matchpots are a rip off. Granted there is quite a bit of paint in them but, really, how much do you need?

Just wondered if anyone else has bought their matchpots, and did you mind paying £4,50 for them?

Greyduster Mon 29-Jan-18 10:44:45

I’ve never used or even considered using Farrow and Ball, but DD did in their last house. Their decorator said it was a pleasure to use and they would never get better paint. I had to agree it looked very nice but when she told me how much it cost I was glad it wasn’t me that was paying!! Crown, mostly, for us. I think they have a better range than Dulux.

grannyactivist Mon 29-Jan-18 12:44:29

I am impressed that people even know the brand of paint they have!! Although I guess if I'd paid F&B prices I would absolutely remember. grin

goldengirl Mon 29-Jan-18 14:43:25

How does F & B it compare with Annie Sloan which is another popular paint? I'd love to use F & B but I wouldn't let my GC anywhere near it! - or are fingermarks easy to remove? We tend to use Crown or Dulux

cornergran Mon 29-Jan-18 14:58:13

Used f&b in our hall and kitchen, looks good and is lasting, bit concerned I’ll be bored with the colour before it need repainting. Mr C wouldn’t be happy grin.

etheltbags1 Mon 29-Jan-18 15:04:18

He he i bought some pots of fAndb paint. It was vastly reduced and the colour was a sort of stone. It worked fine on my staircase and has lasted for about 10 years. No probs. I will take lucky dip again. F and b is lovely paint

maryeliza54 Mon 29-Jan-18 15:08:31

I use the Modern Emulsion which wipes down beautifully on walls and ceilings and the Estate Eggshell for the wood etc - I like this because it only has 20% sheen and I dislike full gloss. When we have the hall, stairs and landing done shortly the decorators will be expensive so decent long-lasting paint is actually a long term economy. BTW its not true that 'paint is paint' - there are different ingredients in F&B.

maryeliza54 Mon 29-Jan-18 15:10:15

Both are water soluble and I can testify clean up perfectly from carpet and clothes even when found lurking several days later

Jalima1108 Mon 29-Jan-18 16:16:18

Is F&B suitable for kitchen cupboards or would it be better to use the Annie Sloan chalk paint?

Jalima1108 Mon 29-Jan-18 16:16:50

or change the whole kitchen altogether

NotTooOld Mon 29-Jan-18 16:40:36

Our family DIY and paint expert (that's DH) swears by Wilko paint and wouldn't dream of paying FnB prices. He's recently painted all the kitchen cupboards and for that he bought a specialist paint (specially for kitchen cupboards, that is) from BnQ which has turned out beautifully. I don't know what it's called but it's always on display in BnQ.

maryeliza54 Mon 29-Jan-18 17:59:37

Jal there is only one answer to that and it has nothing to do with paint ?

TerriBull Mon 29-Jan-18 18:06:51

Some F&B paints have a quite chalky finish, we have so far used Cornforth White, in our bedroom, Joa's White in another and Elephant's Breath in one of my sons' old rooms, (who thinks up the names grin clearly having a laugh. String in the kitchen. We are about to get the living room, hall and stair well repainted, but like a lot of decorators, ours isn't mad about F&B, particularly not the chalky finsih, says he thinks they are fine for NT properties where walls aren't touched, but not for the every day home. He did recommend another finish, can't remember and also suggested we might like to try and get some close matches in Dulux. I'm worried that brand won't have the effect I want though.

maryeliza54 Mon 29-Jan-18 18:22:41

The chalky finish is the estate emulsion not the modern emulsion - the latter is great everywhere and washable. I love string - I have it throughout the house and then complement it with another colour in the different rooms. I love the daft names of so many of them

BBbevan Mon 29-Jan-18 18:40:51

Not F&B but Little Greene are our paint of choice. Excellent colours and coverage. And a Welsh company. Only bought Wilco paint once. Never again. It was thin and needed several coats for a good coverage.

GracesGranMK2 Mon 29-Jan-18 19:05:09

I suppose you pays your money and takes your choice. I like FB but wouldn't use it everywhere just as I prefer Annie Sloane when it comes to chalk paint. They seem to me to be better and it's me that's paying.

Jalima1108 Mon 29-Jan-18 19:14:11

Thanks NotTooOld
Maryeliza that's probably what I want to hear - it's just the mess that's putting me off

Who knows what colour an Elephant's breath is grin
It's like that chain of eateries called Hog's Breath - somehow I have never fancied eating there.

Purpledaffodil Wed 31-Jan-18 08:21:27

Jalima We have had F and B on kitchen cupboards for c 7 years in Charleston Grey. Cleans well and has lasted too. DH brush-painted ours, but a friend had hers taken away and sprayed which cost a lot but looks even better and is still cheaper than a new kitchen.

BBbevan Thu 01-Feb-18 06:04:41

Off to buy Littlegreene Thai Sapphire for the kitchen walls, this morning. The walls are covered in little sample squares. All colours, all brands. Thai Sapphire won. Might paint the utility room Deep Space Blue. Lovely names aren't they?