FPE is the BEST paint I've used on woodwork. I was first introduced to it when I lived in Europe and my love affair with it hasn't diminished over time. I'm very particular and take my time when painting, especially doors and trim work. So I'm more than willing to pay extra for high quality paint that gives me results that are in line with the time and effort I put into painting. But as picky as I am, there are plenty of other things I'd rather be doing than painting. (smile) I've used the components in the FPE Dutch Door Kit (Hollandlac in Dutch Chocolate). And though I love the high gloss finish, it's not a look that's meshes well with the architecture of my current home in southern California. So when I painted the front door on this house, I first put on a coat of the Swedish Putty (the door is exposed all afternoon to directly sunlight plus heat from brick steps reflects back onto the door all of which caused cracks on the lower portion of the door). Then I put on a coat of primer and then two coats of the Brilliant (sanding after each coat). Then I put on two coats of the Satin (sanding between coats). It's been four years since I painted the door. To maintain it, I put a coat of wax on it each fall. The sun hasn't faded the color yet nor has the paint oxidized at all (unlike the original paint applied by the builder). It's not uncommon for real estate agents who are selling houses in the neighborhood to leave notes on my door asking me what kind of paint was used on my door and who painted it. So I'm guessing that others like the curb appeal of my standard tract home quality front door, too. I've also used Eurolux Interior Gloss (White from the Classic European Color Group) on all the trim work in the house as well as on some cabinets and bookcases I've built to look like "built-ins". Not a single brush mark in site on hundreds and hundreds of linear feet of trim and shelving. I brush on one coat of primer and then depending on where the trim is located, I put on either one coat of Gloss followed by one coat of Satin or two coats of the Gloss. (I lightly sand between each coat of paint.) The painting goes faster than it sounds like it would -- because I don't have to be overly careful about ensuring I end up with no brush marks. The brush marks seem to almost automatically level themselves out of existence. The Eurolux paint cures to a rock-hard finish. Best of all ... no wear marks yet even after 5 years on the stair railing. Despite three teenage boys who can't seem use the stairs without dragging their hands along the entire length of the railing in an effort to help propel 185+ pounds of body weight up or down the stairs. (smile) A quick swipe with a damp paper towel once a week removes the residual grime. PS: I believe the paint store in my area originally carried only the Classic European Colors. And they heavily promoted the Dutch Door Kit. As contractors and homeowners became accustomed to seeing it, they've since expanded into the additional colorant groups.

I should've qualified my answer some... I haven't directly used BM products. (I'm at a C2, RL, & ACE-Royal dealer) BUT...through research, studying the Data-sheets, etc., BM's upper lines are very good paint, and give great performance...assuming qualified applicators (both Homeowner's & Painters) do everything properly. In the "next level up", lie the ULTRA-Premium labels, such as Farrow & Ball, FPE, and a couple others. * At this level, you really can't go any higher. * Pigment-grind levels, resin-quality, and colorant ("pastes" here) quality are without equal. * I HAVE directly played-around with various FPE product-samples. Wow...ONE COAT COMPLETE OPACITY with their Eurolux Matte, tinted to "Wine Red". * I did this on a black/white striped test sheet. Used a foam brush, & pulled the coat real thin. COMPLETE HIDE...NO trace of the stripes. Absolutely unheard of in normal paints. I was immediately hooked. * That's why I ordered some to paint my lower bath...the "Brown Cafe" I've mentioned in other posts here. Their ECO-Series, in Brilliant (Gloss) & Satin, are beautiful for Trims/Cabs, etc. These paints level so nicely! I did some sample trim pieces, on their sanded primer....again...Wow. Faron Here is a link that might be useful: FPE Info....

I totally 2nd Aura bath and spa paint. I painted my master bath with that paint in Sherwood Tan over new year's weekend (my idea of fun!). Initially I was disappointed when my BM dealer said that the bath and spa paint only comes in matte finish. But from the time it went on the wall till now, I cant help admire the finish every time I look at it. I did two coats, and it is absolutely beautiful. I am getting ready to paint my guest bed in Baby Turtle, and will be buying Aura regular in matte for that as well.

we had house we bought a year and half ago repainted before we moved in--all of the interiors and the ceilings because the original owners had painted ceilings same as wall colors... our painter said that flat was what they recommened for living areas, semi-gloss for closets and satin or semi-gloss for wet areas like bathrooms... I had always used satin finish before when we painted in other homes but I must admit I like the no-sheen aspect of the flat paint--especially on the ceilings-- they used semi-gloss in closets for durability and to get the reflective quality to help with light dispersal... my pantry painted in true white looks awesome--and almost glows in the dark we don't have small children--but it is easy to touch up the few times we have needed to--we had couple of rub-spots the moves made with furniture when they were moving it in--and once covered up you can't tell new from old... when we bought the house and saw it after the owners moved furniture out--when it was naked so to speak--we could see where they had done touch-ups with two different types of paint--flat and semi-gloss-- there is difference in price and the paint that some painters use is not as "thick" as what you might buy at the same store in gallon lots... so just make sure you are getting what you paid for-- most painters get their prices discounted depending on how much paint they buy from particular store too... so are you paying over what the painter's cost is? our deal was that we paid HIS cost for paint and materials and paid him for labor which included his profit...