I know that you get what you pay for, when it comes to decorating - and if you buy your housepaint in a discount store at rock bottom prices, it may not have the coverage of a better quality paint. And the range of colours may not be quite what you want. Our go-to mid-range paints for years have been Homebase [well, a huge bucket of blue, bought in a sale which we used in Leicester and here] and Wilko [sage green in the lounge, grey in the Futility Room, twine beige in the atrium, deep blue in the kitchen...] and we have been very happy with the results.
But posh paints, that's a different matter. In Dorset, Farrow and Ball were situated close by on the Ferndown Industrial Estate. Labels saying Stiffkey Blue, Elephant Breath, String and other hi-faluting names were stuck on the elegant cans. This week I was with Bob as he bought some varnish. I picked up the guide to Morris&Co paints. The guide has no prices in it - although, somewhat bizarrely it has a nice recipe for squash and feta salad, and a guide to making candles in their empty glass tester pots! Inky Fingers, Fired Biscuit, Ernest White...£45 a canIn a bucket by the door were sample rolls of Morris wallpaper labelled FREE. I don't need telling twice! I got a an 8' length of "Snakeshead' pattern, and 6' of "Marigold". I checked online. Full rolls cost between £118 and £139. So my bits were together equivalent to £55 ! Bob pointed out there was not enough to do even a feature wall. I said they would wrap some very classy presents, or make elegant dust jackets for books. Then my National Trust magazine arrived.
I flicked through the pages after lunch "I've entered the free online competition in the National Trust magazine" I told Bob. "What do you win?" he asked. "Well first, you get an hour's consultation with a Little Greene man..." "What ?!?" he expostulated. I explained that it was the paint manufacturers and you were given advice, then got money off the L G products.
Bob was greatly relieved, he thought I'd said 'little green man'. I know the National Trust prides itself on its inclusivity. But this would be carrying things a bit far. Mind you, the paint colours would probably be "out of this world"
I remember staying in a national trust holiday cottage at Battle Abbey some years ago. The walls were painted with Little Greene paint, and there was a definite difference in the way the light and paint colours interreacted. If I had the money (and that type of house!) I would consider it...maybe. But Homebase does the job for us and our semi nicely!
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DeleteLittle Greene paint has definitely gained in popularity recently and we have succumbed a couple of times to get the shades we wanted. They have a variety of whites but for white gloss we stick to good old Dulux! Catriona
ReplyDeleteDulux and Crown are the tried and trusted brands I remember from my childhood (before the Posh stuff, and before B&Q arrived on the scene)
DeleteThat was a result with the freebie! I hope you get to make first (prize) contact with the Little Greene man! Kx
ReplyDeleteThat would be fun!👽
DeleteThat would indeed be fun! We don't have a Homebase near us so we use a company called Brewers who are very good and helpful. They stock posh paint (out of our league), Dulux, Crown etc and their own brand which is good and what we have on the walls with Dulux on woodwork. It all looks fresh and bright and we are happy with that. Hope you have a good weekend, regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteInteresting to read about the different paints and colors. That's great that you were able to get two free sample rolls of wallpaper! I hope you win the contest and get to meet the Little Greene man!
ReplyDeletei love the TV add when the women wants to buy just white paint who thinks up the names ?
ReplyDeleteYes that one amused me too
DeleteI've never used Little Greene but see it advertised quite a bit. I used Laura Ashley paint for my sitting room and it seems very good quality. It's probably made by Dulux!
ReplyDeleteI suspect it is - LA are unlikely to have their own paint factory
DeleteWhat a great find, free exclusive wallpaper. Certainly good enough for gift wrapping or drawer liners.
ReplyDeleteI think the wallpaper samples could also be used as a background in a picture frame with a smaller photo or picture inside. Since it's stiffer than normal paper you could also make little boxes with lids from it, for small gifts. Knowing how your mind works you probably have many more ideas! JanF
ReplyDeleteOh that's an excellent idea as a mount for a picture. Thank you
DeleteOur usual 'go to' paint is from Homebase. However I did use Farrow & Ball on my dollhouse. Great find with the wallpaper. It will be interesting to see what you do with it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a tasteful dollhouse!!
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