You have 0 items in your cart
The question I get asked the most as a designer and paint colour consultant… “Is designer paint worth the money”.
Now, I can’t answer that question for anyone but myself. That’s because value for money is totally subjective.
For me personally, I do think designer paint like Farrow and Ball is worth the money. But I don’t think designer shoes are. That’s because I value what goes on my walls more than what I wear on my feet! A £400 pair of shoes is not going to positively impact my life every day because I won’t get to wear them every day. But an £80 tin of Farrow and Ball will be visible on my walls every single day. This is going to bring a little piece of happiness to my day-to-day life.
But that’s just me. You do you.
But if you are considering posh paint and you’re not quite sure then this is the blog for you.
Four good reasons to use a designer paint brand.
# 1 They have a small edit of colours
Brands like Farrow & Ball and Paint & Paper Library have a small edit of colours, unlike trade and large brands that offer up to eight thousand colours. A small number of colours is a good thing, particularly if you find selecting paint colours daunting. So sticking with a designer brand can be really helpful when whittling down to a shortlist of testers to try. The designer brands also curate their colour cards into groups of colours that have the same tonality, so you can see which colours work well together.
# 2 Their paint charts show the actual colour
When you pick up a designer paint colour chart like Little Greene or Paint & Paper Library colour chart you will be seeing and touching the actual paint! This is why they look and feel so good. You are seeing the true colour and feeling that distinctive matt chalky finish of designer paint.
In contrast, other brands digitally print their colour cards so the colour you’re seeing has been electronically reproduced. This is why you are sometimes so shocked at how different the tester looks from the colour on the card. Plus they are often laminated to make them more robust and long-lasting but this negatively impacts how the colour appears on the colour card. This can mean a lot of wasted money on testers that come out very different to the digital colour chip. With designer brands what you see is what you will get.
# 3 You can access hundreds of inspiration images
We all know the internet isn’t real and that a paint colour you fall for on Pinterest could look wildly different in your own home. However, it can be really fun and inspiring to access hundreds, even thousands, of images of the colours you are considering used in real people’s homes. Because brands like Farrow & Ball and Little Greene have such a cult following and a huge fan base you can see gazillions of images on Pinterest or Instagram of that actual colour, particularly if it’s a really popular one like Down Pipe or Green Smoke. What’s more, you can access these real people by messaging them and asking them any questions or concerns you have about the colour. The Farrow & Ball community on Instagram are usually a friendly bunch 🤗.
# 4 They have a helpline!
Massive paint brands can be hard to pick up the phone to but designer brands often have a dedicated team and helpline to answer all your questions. I call the Farrow and Ball one all the time! They will answer any technical questions you have like how to calculate quantities or which finish to use on which surface. But they will also answer your creative questions like “Is this colour suitable for a north-facing room” and “Does Dead Salmon work with Skimming Stone?” Plus their website is really helpful by providing schemes you can build around a particular colour and which white coordinates best with that particular colour. If you are ever having a wobble or you’re unsure of anything I would definitely recommend picking up the phone to them.
But just because these are four legit, good reasons to consider a designer brand, doesn’t mean I am telling you to buy expensive paint. That’s for you to decide.
What next?
If you are struggling with any colour decisions or interior design dilemmas then I am here for you! Drop me a message, book a free discovery call, or sign up for a Design Surgery appointment here.
And if you have any home projects on the go this year then treat yourself to a Room-By-Room Renovation Planner to inspire and guide you 💜.
Until next time,
Sarah
