Home DIY

can't B&Q just colour match it

Yes, yes they can and will. What's more the paint will be better quality especially if you can find somewhere to colour match Zinsser AllClean (not sure b&q will do this). Then you will have better paint that can be scrubbed clean of grubby fingerprints that are invariably left everywhere young children go.

I really rate Craig & Rose - not quite as expensive as F&B but excellent quality and great coverage. Nice range of colours too.

Is farrow and ball paint worth it

Ooooo, contentious. I've known fist fights over that question. Derek the Decorator who recently did my living room (not in F&B) goes puce with rage if you even mention Farrow, let alone Ball.

F&B good points: YMMV, but it's a good range of colours, although they can be colour matched. Applied well it gives a nice chalky and very matt finish with no sheen or gloss.

F&B bad points: Needs more coats than other paints for decent coverage, it's not a very durable finish, and it'll scuff and stain easily.

My living room has recently gone from the previous owners' slime green (they only moved out 18 years ago) to Dulux Trade Diamond Chic Shadow (aka grey). So obviously that's what you should get too, cos that's what all the cool kids have.

P.S. I would mention that my bin store with electrically-actuated lids is painted in F&B paint, but that's probably just more Golf Club ammo.

Absolutely shite paint, buy something good and get it colour matched

F+B yes I guess if you've got new surfaces and want them to look baller.
C+R do similar period looking finishs (flat/no sheen/good texture) for a bit less money
Or stick with the main brands, always been happy with Leyland for simple colours.
B+Q own brand stuff, VERY mixed results. I wouldn't use it anymore on anything that you would potentially see (cupboard usage etc) as have had several large rooms turn into a right mess when tins of paint from B+Q from same batch code don't anywhere near match in colour, texture or finish, was really weird. Ended up flattening down, white out and then used the big D instead.

If you have oldschool plaster/lime/horsehair etc, consider using 'clay' paints, theres an online company that does them, really similar finish to the F+B and C+R period finishs, but less money, and apparently breath better

I tried out Benjamin Moore paint for the first time on a wood bannister, very impressed and will use again. Got it from G Travers&Co in Ealing, helpful and un-bullshitty.