Farrow and Ball paint
Farrow and Ball are one of three companies that make traditional paints for plaster, metal and woodwork.
For years I have favoured Farrow and Ball above their 2 main competitors, Little Greene Paint Company and Paint and Paper. All three manufacturers produce a similar heritage colour range and their paints all share a similar traditional look that sets them apart from Dulux or Crown (modern) paints. But…
… please note that as of June 2010, I will no longer be using Farrow and Ball eggshell paints on woodwork, kitchen units and furniture. Instead, I will be happily using the traditional low odour “eco formula” oil-based eggshell from the English heritage Little Greene Paint Company.
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The reason for this change to Little Greene Paint Company eggshell/satin finish is due to an unbelievable policy change by Farrow and Ball.
In recent months, F&B have completely changed their recipes and no longer produce oil-based paint for woodwork or metal. They have abandoned oil paint for some sort of hybrid water-based paint, in the name of environmental friendliness. This move is completely misguided for a niche traditional paint manufacturer, in my view. I don’t feel I am being unreasonably stick-in-the-mud with this opinion, seeing as their two main competitors have worked hard to make their oil-based eggshell more eco environmentally friendly, without sacrificing the many qualities of traditional oil paint.
Little Greene Paint Company oil-based paints are loaded with colourant, they have good body, they sand well, and the finishes are all practical without the high sheen of modern paints. By today’s standards, traditional heritage colour ranges (including Farrow and Ball’s) are fairly limited, but there is a fabulous choice at the lighter, “whites” end of the spectrum, where neutrals are actually quite strong. Anyone with an eye for colour can create beautiful schemes blending the neutrals with mid and strong colours.
In this modern age, I still find that traditional paint finishes offer us that certain something special. I will continue to recommend, use, stand by Farrow and Ball emulsion wall paint, but for hand-painted wooden kitchens and furniture, I look forward to continuing an age old decorating tradition with oil eggshell from the Little Greene Paint Company.
Traditional paint v Dulux and co. »
The traditional look made so popular by Farrow and Ball is very different from the ultra modern plastic appearance of Dulux, Crown and co. I cannot criticize the modern manufacturers’ paint for quality, but in my opinion, the brilliant finishes are too brilliant, and don’t age as gracefully as traditional paints.
Critics say that emulsion paint from the likes of Farrow & Ball aren’t as durable as the modern competition. This is true with almost flat emulsion on walls in high traffic areas, but a traditional emulsion with a 7% sheen is practical in normal use. When it comes to a traditional hand-painted kitchen or piece of furniture, I would have no qualms recommending a traditional oil eggshell paint. I favour Little Greene Paint Company as a perfect solution for anyone seeking a practical, durable and timeless finish.
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Farrow and Ball are one of three companies that make traditional paints for plaster, metal and woodwork.
