In my opinion, the big draw to Farrow and Ball is the colors. I suppose I like a narrower choice, and I appreciate their eye. I want my colors "edited" down. When I look at a big BM fan deck, it seems like a waste of time --- what % of those colors does anyone actually use. They use Linen White --- I wonder what % of sales that is!

Then there is the issue of paint quality. I have only used FnB and BM. I may be deeply flawed, but I cannot see the difference in quality between those two. I do believe that lower end paint, like Behr, does not cover as well as BM.

I imagine you know that almost any mfr's paint color can be copied --- just give your local paint store the name and number. I have often had good results with that, but the last time I did it I was not too happy with it. It was a cream then ended up much peachier than the original. Make sure you test, test, test colors.

Its the texture and coverage.

In the last month I have used SW, Olympic One and Valspar. I will not even try the last two again.

SW Cashmere and Duathlon goes on great, smooth finish no drips or runs. Duathlon washes great also in the matte finish.

I had a Lowes gift card so decided to try their brands. Olympic One was a constant pain to get up the drips, very runny.

Valspar was so thick and sticky I even had a hard time washing it off my hands. Used twice as much paint as I expected so that was more expensive in the end.

All of the premium paint stores have big sales and also coupons that really offset a large part of the cost.

You can get a sample of both Olympic One and Valspar for only a few bucks each and try them out. Unfortunately the SW samples are for color only and are not the same as the actual paint texture. You could see if they have any discounted cans for a few bucks just so that you could compare.

If you are going to be painting a huge area it will be worth the $20 you may spend on trying each brand to see which one you really like.

If you live in tampa area I could give you unopened cans of SW Engigma

Good Luck

I know..you're not interested in paint pro opinion, but I'm offering.

It's paint! American paint companies make high quality paint. I encourage you to buy American made paint. At least until the unemployment rate is below 3%. :)

You can buy small samples of Farrow and Ball, if you are interested. They call them "pots". You can find a retailer on line, or even have a pot shipped to you.

Any paint store I have ever tried, just needs a number and a name. They have a computer that has the formulas in it. People can argue all day if the color is really the same or if the quality is materially inferior. It depends on how and where you are using it and how picky you are.

If you are really curious, buy a pot ( think they are $7), and then got to your local paint store and ask them to mix you a quart of the same color. Try it on your wall. I have done this many times. In some cases I have opted for FnB, in others the copy was suitable IMHO.

Here is a link that might be useful: where to get FnB samples

mtnrdredux, just wanted to say thank you for the link -- just discovered there's a F&B 'stockist' now in my town! Weekend trip for sample pots, since it's my birthday : )...come on Saturday!

#1 - Color. The SW and BM fan decks have a more subtle array of shade variation.
My mother (annoyingly!) has always insisted there is no difference and uses SEARS.
She has to repaint much more often than I do and her rooms all look BABY BLUE, LEMON YELLOW, BUBBLEGUM PINK.

#2 - Durability. Less fading. Cheap paint washes off easier and fades. Did you ever take pictures down and see the shapes?

Yes, dont you love it? Stockists?
AT least now you can see for yourself.

PS It was my bday yesterday and cause for a pillow-shopping extravaganza. Enjoy

mtnrdredux (happy Bday!)

I wholly agree w/ your take on color matching (when you don't have the color name &/ or # so the match the chip). Since F&B is out of my price range I have had a few of their shades colormatched at Lowes w/ very good success. Honestly I believe I was more pleased w/ my colormatches becuase I knew going in that it wasn't going to be exactly F&B.

PS Folly GReen is such an amazing F&B color!!!!

The F&B website says there is an official F&B showroom in LA ... thanks mtnrdredux, now I have to fight traffic on melrose and check it out!!! ;-) I know there is also a BM store in my area that has the pots, but they weren't on the website.

The Farrow and Ball colors are fine if you are living in an English novel. I think they are bland. Like all of the formulas start with 50% gray.

I don't know if the paint is particularly good, but I do know not all paints are created equal.

I have never used Farrow & Ball but I do like the colors I see online. Two paints I have used in the past that are very poor quality (to me) is Glidden and Valspar although I have heard that Gliddens high gloss is nice. We have had five different houses during the time the kids grew up over a twenty four year span and I can find absolutely no difference in wear time or hardiness between Behr paints and BM. My youngest son used to put his hands on side of halls and walk down hall walls with his feet. He was constantly jumping up and hanging off painted ledges...same amount life span and easy clean off between BM and Behr and same painting coverage. Recently my husband and I used SW in master bath and I do love the feel of that paint for cutting in, it's pleasurable to paint with and you can't beat the great sales they often have. I do not have enough experience with long term use with SW to compare though. The reason I normally switch back and forth between BM and Behr is due to a color I may like.

I've not used F&B either, but do love their colors. Then again, I'd be perfectly happy - not necessarily living in an English novel - but cooped up in a little thatch in Wiltshire or a Cotswold cottage. ;-)

I'm also drawn to several of the Ellen Kennon hues, but again, have not used that particular brand.

Not sure if it's considered "high end" (at $60/gallon, it's fairly high end to me), but I've been over-the-moon thrilled with BM Aura. I've used SW quite a few times in the past, but my last experience with it was not good and won't go there again. I'm an Aura girl now.