Farrow and Ball paint - any cheaper alternative?? (2025)

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littlechezza Posts: 242 Forumite

6 April 2009 am30 10:33AM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

We need to repaint the woodwork in the kitchen, the original colour we used was the All White from the Farrow and Ball collection, would anybody know of a cheaper alternative to this colour please, we also used their Blackened colour on the walls and would again appreciate a cheaper alternative to this.
Thanks

Zazen999 Posts: 6,183 Forumite

6 April 2009 am30 10:36AM

We couldn't get the colour from any supplier, so we took the colour chart to B&Q last weekend and they mixed the colour up for us, and now have a back door painted the right colour. We have restricted colour schemes as we live in a conservation area...so we needed it to be right.
See Also
Farrow and Ball MODERN emulsion

littlechezza Posts: 242 Forumite

6 April 2009 am30 10:37AM

Thanks for that, did you get the colour chart off the Farrow and Ball website and how did it work in difference in cost??
Thanks again:T
Zazen999 Posts: 6,183 Forumite

6 April 2009 am30 11:08AM

littlechezza wrote: »
Thanks for that, did you get the colour chart off the Farrow and Ball website and how did it work in difference in cost??
Thanks again:T
I got the colour card from homebase, who do SOME of their colours.
Difference in cost, can't say exactly as we bought a tin which is probably about 4 times the amount we needed. Alternative was to get it ordered online and delivered, which would be around £20...the paint we bought was about £12 and we could have got away with a much smaller pot.:think:
WestonDave Posts: 5,154 Forumite

6 April 2009 am30 11:11AM

The other option is to look out for a trade paint place (Brewers in the south or Crown Trade) as they can often scan and mix almost any colour.

Adventure before Dementia!
Watty1 Posts: 6,025 Forumite

6 April 2009 pm30 2:31PM

I've just used some farrow and ball paints and was actually surprised - coverage was fab and I didn't use as much as I did with the cheaper trade paint I used in another room. So although expensive I thought they were worth it actually.

Made it to mortgage free but what a muddle that became

In the event the proverbial hits the fan then co-habitees are better stashing their cash than being mortgage free !!
Doozergirl Posts: 34,021 Forumite

6 April 2009 pm30 5:19PM

I really don't think you can colour match Farrow & Ball. I tried it before but the colour always comes up much more 'clean' with colour mixes. It's hard to describe but it looks like kids poster paint compared to the earthy, chalky nature of F&B. I'm certain it's to do with the actual ingredient content of the paint.
If you live with F&B now then you will almost certainly notice the difference.
Besides, if you already have it then you're talking about painting over it which should be done in one coat. Try colour matching it and whatever colour it is it's going to show quite differently. I bet that using F&B would be cheaper if you're repainting in the same colour.

Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
Peartree Posts: 796 Forumite

6 April 2009 pm30 7:07PM

Johnstones Paint Centres have scanners that can match any colour. However, they get asked for Farrow and Ball, etc, so often, that in my branch they have a list of the colours from the latest charts and their 'recipes' so can mix them for you straight away. It isn't quite the same finish (you don't get exactly the same 'chalky' texture but it's not bad and if you're doing a large area it is CONSIDERABLY cheaper. I had their 'Green Ground' (I think) mixed for my HUGE hall, stairs and landing and liked it so much I've done my dining room and am about to do the kitchen (tomorrow). I certainly couldn't have afforded to slap on that much Farrow and Ball.
If you're desperate for the 'texture' of F&B, you could always use this if you need a few coats - just use the F&B for the final coat.