If I were you, I'd call the FPE headquarters and talk to Emmett. He is very knowledgeable (actually anyone who answers the phone would be). I gave them what I was looking for colorwise in BM and they told me what colors would be really close in matching and what ones they would actually suggest. He asked that I send in pix of the room during the day/night. And, then he offered up his suggestions for the colors. I ended up with a pretty good match for FB pointing and actually ended up with good old chelsea gray from BM. I also ordered a really beautiful green and blue. And, if you order from them, they send you a free little pot of paint. (well, I did pay for it. I think shipping was eight dollars.) As far as the finish, you really can't compare it. I haven't tried the new advance paint from BM. I've tried seriously everything else. But, this stuff really is beautiful. I painted the lower cabs in my kitchen the gray (which I didn't realize was so trendy until this site) and they look pretty much sprayed. The people who see it stroke them. The finish is rock hard and it has a nice depth to it. (That was the satin in eco.) The flat finish is also just beautiful. Easy to quickly wipe down with out the dreaded streaks. (It takes at least a month to harden.) I haven't tried the FB in flat, but I have heard/read that the finish is like velvet. You might see if funcolors is around. She helped me to decide on FPE rather than FB as far as durability. Also, Faron and I think paintguy1 are very helpful as far as painting in FPE. They are in the paint section. Incredibly helpful. Good luck!

I did read that thread. I guess I should have been more specific in my question. I should have asked--If FPE is the best, is it worth the money to put it on builder grade kitchen cabinets? Or do builder grade cabinets not "deserve" a paint like FPE, but rather a slightly lesser quality, but still good, paint like BM? Or would using FPE paint make the lower quality cabs look higher quality? Thanks again, I hope that question makes sense :)

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....