So this weekend, we were finally at the point where everything in the room had been prepped, filled and panelled within an inch of it’s life and we could finally get to the good stuff – painting.
Now, as I mentioned in this post, I’d decided on Farrow & Ball’s Blackened. One of the reasons I decided to give Farrow & Ball a try is because it’s very difficult to ignore all the hype around this brand. I know so many people who absolutely swear on it and wouldn’t consider painting their homes in anything else. That kind of brand loyalty is impressive and I knew it was really good quality paint – but I did wonder two things – were people just saying this because it was a high-end brand and it made them sound more sophisticated/posh? (I know, I can be such aΒ cynic!) And was Farrow & Ball paint really worth all the hype?Β How good is it REALLY?Β
I wanted to find out for myself.
So once I’d decided on the colour, I approached F&B about working with me on this project as one of my sponsors. I was already impressed with the sample so I was eager to see if painting all four walls would really make me – a bit of a Dulux girlΒ myself – turn over to the Farrow & BallΒ side. Happily, they agreed to work with me on this one, with the understanding that it would be, as always, an honest review of their product.
They supplied a 5L tin of Blackened in Emulsion Estate for the walls and a 750ml tin of Blackened in Estate EggshellΒ for the metal radiator. On early Friday morning, we got up, taped up the walls and with Wayne starting on one side of the room and I on the other, we began withΒ the cutting in, around the skirting boards, coving, panels and dado rails with small brushes. As the only parts we would be able to use a roller were inside the ‘squares’ of the panels, we knew it was going to take a while so Wayne took the top half of the room and I took the bottom.
When all the edges were complete, we did the same again with the roller with Wayne taking the top half of the wall and me the bottom, working our way from oppositeΒ ends of the room to the other, criss-crossing in the middle.
The first impressions we both had was that the coverage was incredible. I had heard some critics say the coverage isn’t exceptional on this paint and that admittedly scared me a little – would I need to do 3 coats? Did I get enough paint? But I was genuinely blown away with how quickly the paint took to the wall and the quality of the coverage that was left behind with each brush stroke and pass of the roller. While I am used to the first coat ending up a bit patchy with lots of the original colour coming through, I was shocked at how little white (the base colour) could actually been seen after the first coat.
Those patches on the left is just where the paint was still wet and the light was hitting it!
Of course, doingΒ a second coat would complete the transformation and when we returned to repeat the whole process again 4 hours later, the results were incredible.
*excuse my animals – they are all camera hogs.
On Saturday morning, I hung the wallpaper which I’ll share with you on Wednesday but once that was complete and I’d finished off a few other bits and pieces, we decided to remove that manky floor covering we’d been living with for 4 weeks. Suddenly, it all looked more like a room and no longer like a building site! Hurrah!
The paint is beautiful. Really truly stunning. It has a soft warm glow and in the southwestern light of my dining room, there is a distinct subtle lilac undertone (which is what I wanted). One of the things that happened when we’d originally painted it bright white to ‘cancel out’ the original deep indigo blue walls was that I was determined not to lose that light and bright look the room suddenly had. I didn’t want a murky grey that would make the room feel at all dark again. And Blackened was such a perfect choice for that. It reacts so beautifully in changing light but it never goes dark or murky or purple – it stays a beautiful shade throughout – from a pale dusty lilac to a blue-y grey to nearly white in full light.
I’m utterly in love with this paint. I get it now. Honestly. Is it worth the extra money? I suppose that would be up to you because I think there are decent mid-range paints out there for sure and if you are on a really tight budget, that option makes sense (although I would never recommend going to a really cheap paint – total false economy!). But do I think you get what you pay for? Yeah, I do – it’s amazing paint with excellent coverage and beautiful pigmentation. Would I spend the money and purchase it for another room? I reckon I would for sure. The ease of painting this room was definitely due to the quality of the paint and the final colour is just stunning. And yes, that’s absolutely my honest feelings about Farrow & Ball.
So I’ll be sharing the wallpaper with you soon (I shared a sneak peek on Instagram – are you following me there?) so stay tuned for that but in the meantime, what do you think of the transformation? What do you think of Farrow & Ball paints? If you’ve not used it yet, are you tempted?
Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post but did receive paint free in exchange for my honest review. As always, all images, words and opinions are my very own. I only work with companies I really like and think you will too! Thanks for supporting the brands that support Swoon Worthy!
Hi Kimberly
The colour looks fab! Soft greys can be hard to get right. I agree that you get what you pay for, yet, as you say, there are other mid-range paints that offer up good coverage too. I’ve just paired Dulux Timeless Classics ‘Scent Bottle’ (on 2 walls) & their ‘Bowler Hat’ (on 2 walls), of my re-vamped study/dressing room, which I’m super thrilled with, but it did take three coats to attain the finish I wanted. I redecorated our guest bedroom at the same time (in for a penny…) pairing F&B Hague Blue (on 1 wall) with Dulux’s Just Walnut (on 3 walls), which also hints to soft lilac in certain light, and can agree with you that the F&B paint was a joy to use in comparison… never mind the roller, I could have put it on with my hands I loved it that much ;))
I didn’t appreciate, til’ just now, that your front door holds that colour too – isn’t it yummy!! I want to use it elsewhere, but must show restraint ;). We’ll see…
Catherine x
Gorgeous color! I have been wondering about their paint too. And wanting to try it. There is so much hype about it.
The walls looks fab, Kimberley. As you know, the dining room is on our list of projects and Beloved and I have been following your panelling installation with great interest. But it’s the kitchen I want to tackle first and I’ve been umming and arring about whether to use F&B. You’ve just answered that question, so thank you! I can’t wait to eridicate all that orange oak!!
I am a huge fan of F&B paint, the quality is amazing. I always use in kitchen as its so scrubbable. Can’t wait to see your dinning room finished.
And you’ve just completely settled my internal dilemma, Elaine. F&B on the kitchen cabinets it is!! Would you recommend the Estate Eggshell? Sue
Yes, that would be perfect. It leaves a really good finish on cupboards. x
Thank you Elaine! Actually quite excited about it all now :-) x
What a great call to lighten this room. It’s going to look so sophisticated. The color is gorgeous and the detail on the wall adds so much. You’ve outdone yourself.
Wow that room is looking stunning, it doesn’t look like the same place.
i’ve never used Farrow and Ball paint , so its really good to see a review of it, the best way to find out about something is word of mouth, and yours i trust. The colour looks good i like it alot, i now my use it, so thanks for that. Xxx
Absolutely fabulous. Love the color. Even though my vote had been for the merlot. A previous commenter mentioned that the eggshell finish would work on kitchen cabinets. As I am mentally preparing myself of tackling this project myself I was thinking semi gloss for washability. What do you think?
The room looks amazing. I wasn’t sure about the panelling but it really raises the look of the room. I know you’ve no furniture in but it seems bigger too and, having been surprised at how a big coffee table made my room seem larger, goes to show sometimes divisions in space give the impression of more
Oh, also :), great info about farrow and ball. It looks completely worth it! But I did think it might be, reading about pigmentation etc. Good to see that -in progress- and before/after though.
Its looking wonderful – can’t wait to see the next stage of the reveal! Whoop!
Your dining room is already looking fab. When we painted ours light grey we must’ve tried about 15 different Dulux testers and all of them came out with a weird lavender or baby blue undertone. We eventually went with F&B ammonite and I am now converted. I think the pigment is so much better and their paints stay true to colour.
Looks wonderful, love the panelling in your walls too. My whole house is Farrow and Ball. Love it. Can’t wait to see the completed look. x
I’ve always loved F&B’s colour ranges and although I’ve never repainted a whole room before, have used some of their paints on photoshoots and loved them – really good to know they stand up to the whole 4 walls test!
Oh, and that colour looks gorgeous btw – great eye Kimberly xx
Wow. That colour is stunning. It’s great that it stays true to colour, nothing worse than painting a room only for the light to change and the paint to go a completely different shade. Like you I’d always wondered if the whole snobbery thing explained the F&B hype so it’s good to read a review by someone I totally trust. If it’s within budget in future I’ll definitely give F&B a test run myself. Love the panelling by the way.
That’s a beautiful shade, when I read the name ‘Blackened’ I was expecting a smudgy, soot-like colour, so it was a surprise to see how light it is! Very classy and I can’t wait to see what you do with the rest of the room. And I love the animals getting in on the act, they just love having a nosy when something is going on don’t they! x
It does look really good and I love your honest approach to reviews
Looks so good already!! And i’m so relieved to hear the F&B is a thumbs up. Phew! Got a whole house to do in it next month. The last thing I need is a decorator bending my ear about the “goods”. Can’t wait to see the big finish!!xx
Your room looks amazing and I love the panelling as well as the wall colour. I’ve used F&B in one of my previous houses and had major issues with the coverage (I needed three coats to cover white) but it seems that might have changed. This is elegant, bright and classic. Love it :-) x
I’m loving all your updates and how you’re walking us through the remodel. I so can’t wait to see it all finished. The F&B colour is stunning. Up until recently, I wasn’t convinced that the pricier paint was worth the money but I’ve just used it in the living room and it went on so smoothly, it was a dream to paint with.
I love Farrow & Ball paint and have used it a lot, I find their colours are richer and deeper than other brands, they have a presence and aren’t watery or cheap looking. I haven’t tried Blackened yet but as a grey lover I think I’ll have to give it a go on my next project! X
Great choice on the colour and I’m totally in love with the panelling! It’s lifted the room to a whole new dimension! So much gorgeous character! Once you use “posh paints”, you’re converted! I was a few years ago. Mid range paints like Dulux absolutely have their place in the market (although the really cheap ones are a total false economy), but the likes of F&B and Little Greene really are worth it when you want something a bit special. Can’t wait to see your progress on this room!
Oh wow love it! The room looked brilliant before with the blue (of course!) but this is absolutely charming with the excellent work you’ve put into the panelling. I thought we’d settled on Dimpse for our kitchen but I actually don’t think we picked up a sample of Blackened so need to rectify that stat! x
Holy balls. Well this just answered all my questions from your next blog post. Is Farrow & Ball worth it? I totally agree. It actually looks *incredible* in your dining room and I’m not just saying it because I love you. Especially along with your paneled walls, your dining room is regal as fuck now. I know I’ve said it about a gazzillion times already, but you’re making me want to buy a house!!! This is all so fabulous.
p.s. Quito made me laugh. SUCH A FLOOFY LITTLE FACE!
I’ve always wanted to try F&B. Definitely going to now!
Hi Kim, really love your dining room. Where did you get your wooden flooring? It’s gorgeous and exactly the colour I am going for.
Thanks,
Mia
Hi Mia,
Thank you! The flooring is pine from Wickes: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Bordeaux-Pine-Wood-Unlacquered-Flooring-22x120x2000mm/p/124000 and we used three coats of Ronseal Oak (http://amzn.to/1Sa1gOV) stain on them. They are still not done as they need another coat of stain to match the flooring in the other areas of the house and a coat of poly (this is the one we use: http://amzn.to/1Sa1hCv) to protect them :) Hope that helps! xx