Wall finishes
Matt emulsion: lowest sheen (3–5% reflectance); hides wall imperfections + lath-and-plaster ripples + minor cracks; classic refined finish; not washable (marks set in). Premium matt: Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion (low-VOC, breathable, deep colour), Little Greene Absolute Matt Emulsion, Paint & Paper Library Pure Flat Emulsion, Edward Bulmer (plant-based, breathable). £30–£50/L premium; trade matt (Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt, Crown Trade Matt) £6–£15/L acceptable for non-prestige spaces. Modern emulsion / matte washable: Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion (5–7% sheen, washable, low-VOC), Little Greene Intelligent Matt (washable, scrubbable), Dulux Easycare (budget). Splash-resistant, light scrubbable — use in kitchen, bathroom, hallway, child's bedroom. Slightly higher reflectance than full matt — minor wall imperfections more visible (good plastering essential). Silk emulsion: 20–30% sheen — heavily washable but reflects light + accentuates wall imperfections; falling out of favour vs modern matte washable; retained in budget rental + utility. Heritage spec: matt walls (Farrow & Ball Estate or Edward Bulmer) + eggshell woodwork = elegant, refined, period-appropriate.
Woodwork finishes
Eggshell: 10–20% sheen — contemporary preferred finish for skirting, architrave, doors, joinery; understated, washable, hides minor brush marks better than gloss; available oil-based traditional (longer life, harder finish) and water-based (modern, low-VOC, faster recoat). Premium eggshell: Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell + Modern Eggshell, Little Greene Intelligent Eggshell, Paint & Paper Library Architects' Eggshell. £35–£60/L premium; Dulux Trade Satinwood + Crown Trade Quick Dry Satin £15–£28/L trade. Satin: 30–40% sheen — kitchen + bathroom moisture-resistant choice; slightly more reflective than eggshell. Gloss / full-gloss: 80–90% sheen — traditional heritage finish; very durable + washable; reflects + accentuates wood grain + brush marks (requires excellent prep); period properties + Victorian/Edwardian + Georgian heritage spec. Premium full-gloss: Farrow & Ball Full Gloss, Little Greene Intelligent Gloss. Note: heritage gloss is oil-based traditional — slow drying + high VOC; allow 8 weeks ventilation + curing before resident return. Cap-coat options on woodwork: bare-wood / oiled / waxed (e.g. limed oak finish on flooring or doors): Osmo PolyX (hardwax oil), Treatex, Rubio Monocoat — natural finish penetrates wood + waterproofs without film build — premium spec for engineered wood + heritage timber doors.
Specification + cost
Premium brand premium: Farrow & Ball / Little Greene / Edward Bulmer £30–£60/L (vs Dulux Trade £6–£15/L). Coverage: 12–14m² per litre per coat (matt + eggshell typical). Whole-house repaint (3-bed, 120m² of wall + 25m of woodwork): 30L wall paint + 5L woodwork + 5L primer = 40L total; premium spec £1,400–£2,400 paint cost; trade spec £350–£650. Labour: decoration £25–£45/m² of internal wall depending on prep + brand + complexity (heritage cornice cutting adds 30–60%). Whole-house premium decoration: £4,800–£12,500 supplied + applied (3-bed terrace) vs £2,400–£6,500 trade spec. Spec the paint at design (colour palette + finish + brand) at RIBA Stage 4; provide painter with detailed schedule per room + element. Sample boards (Farrow & Ball card or A4 sample) test colour in actual light conditions — paint colour shifts dramatically between artificial + natural + north/south light + morning/evening; test 3-day cycle minimum before committing. Test patches direct on wall: 1m² sample minimum, view at all times of day; small swatch insufficient. Premium painter (Farrow & Ball Approved, Pure & Original Approved): 20–40% premium over standard decorator; worth it for premium brand + period property + specifier projects (interior designer involved). Builderr in-house decoration team uses Farrow & Ball + Little Greene as default premium spec; offers trade alternative.
