Painting Shutters - a wee word of warning

[Thejohnsons]

After 2 and a half years of trial and error and much deliberation, my wife and I finally decided on a colour for the shutters of our old Normandy house in Saint James (50240).

 We decided on a stunning (we think) Farrow and Ball blue and travelled to their factory in Dorset to pick up the paint on our last visit back to the U.K.  On arrival at the factory, we were told that the blue we wanted had just been discontinued, but not to worry, ' we will make you up some and it will take 10 minutes'.  Ten minutes later 4 tins (10 litres in all) of Claydon Blue duly arrived,and together with a 2.5 litre tin of primer and a small tin (0.75l) of Trust Green paint arrived, and the bill came to £204.

I have nearly completed painting our 8 wooden shutters ( one primer and two top coats on each side - as recommended) and have only used just under 2.5 litres of the topcoat (Eggshell Exterior) paint for the complete job.

T'is a pity that I now have a further 7.5 litres (3 tins) at about £40 per tin left.

While French paint is hailed as being expensive and poor quality, I can vouch for the excellent covering capability of Farrow and Ball's paint.

I have no association whatsoever with Farrow and Ball but merely wish to notify other members who might be contemplating painting their shutters with F & B paint not to buy TOO much.

I think I now have enough in stock for the next 30 years or so.  I do hope it lasts that long in unopened tins!!! 

However,we think that the end results are stunning and worth every penny. 

Good Luck to everyone painting the outside of their houses this year, and better estimating!!!.

Kind Regards.

Colin Johnson. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Iceni]

Do remember to check with your commune that you are allowed to use the colour you have chosen. Some areas have fixed colours and deviation is not allowed. Other areas near historic buildings, national monuments etc are even more restrictive.

It is better to check first and pay later. Some areas just allow you to use the colour chart from the local brico, others are very strict.

As TU often comments, UK paint is made to suit UK weather (the UK is the greyest country weatherwise in Europe). Paint in France is made to withstand the bright sunlight and the further south you are the more important this is. So for Normandy you are probably OK, I would not say that this would be the same for the rest of France.

[CatherineS2]

I totally agree with you about Farrow and Ball paint. For many years I resisted buying it because it is more expensive, but once I did, I would never use any other paint! As you say, it covers really well, it is fast drying and so easy to use, and there is very little odour.

By the way - did you say they had discontinued Claydon Blue? That's a shame because it is a very good colour and I too had considered using it for our shutters, but husband and I disagreed and in the end we went for Mouse's Back - he loves it but I think it is too drab...

[Mawebb]

[quote]After 2 and a half years of trial and error and much deliberation, my wife and I finally decided on a colour for the shutters of our old Normandy house in Saint James (50240). We decided on a stunni...[/quote]

Totally agree with the quality of F & B paint.  Could I just ask which type you used? 

[Coco]

We're in Manche too and used a F&B blue paint on our barn doors 3 years ago (you can just see it in the avatar).  The door which faces south in the courtyard and gets the full force of the sun (???) all day will probably need a fresh coat next Spring but the others are fine - well worth the money.  I wanted to do all the shutters in it too but my husband resisted, saying that the woodstain lasted longer and we would have to repaint every year if we used paint.  Perhaps next year I will be able to persuade him that we can go F&B all over!

We had plenty over too!