Little Greene Paint: The Best Colours for Period Properties

Little Greene is one of the finest paint companies in Britain — and arguably the most versatile for period properties. Founded in Manchester in the 1770s, the company has been producing historically authentic paints for centuries. Today its range spans over 200 colours, all researched from historical sources and formulated with the high pigment levels and quality binders that make Little Greene a serious alternative to Farrow & Ball for London's Victorian, Edwardian, and Georgian homes.

Why Little Greene Works So Well in Period Interiors

Little Greene's colour archive is derived from historical research — many shades are lifted directly from eighteenth and nineteenth-century interiors, using the same pigment combinations that the original painters would have used. This means the colours feel genuinely authentic in period settings. Where Farrow & Ball's palette is constrained and sometimes idiosyncratic, Little Greene offers a broader range of usable, beautiful colours, including several excellent whites and neutrals that are hard to find elsewhere.

The Best Little Greene Colours for Victorian Houses

For North London Victorian properties, the following Little Greene colours consistently deliver excellent results:

• Slaked Lime (No.44): a warm off-white with a hint of green — perfect for hallways and reception rooms
• Gauze (No.91): a delicate stone tone that works beautifully in both north and south-facing rooms
• Mizzle (No.50): a soft sage-grey that has become a contemporary classic for Victorian kitchens
• Obsidian Green (No.92): a rich, dark green — compelling in libraries, home offices, and dining rooms
• Middle Buff (No.19): a classic mid-tone buff derived from Georgian sources — elegant in hallways
• Pale Lucie (No.166): a very pale lavender-white that brings quiet sophistication to bedrooms

Little Greene's Product Range

Beyond colour, Little Greene offers an excellent product range for period properties:

• Absolute Matt Emulsion: the flattest, most velvety finish available — excellent on plaster walls with minor imperfections
• Intelligent Matt Emulsion: a durable, washable matt suitable for kitchens and hallways
• Intelligent Eggshell: a water-based eggshell for woodwork — lower in VOCs than oil-based alternatives with comparable durability
• Oil Eggshell: for clients who prefer traditional oil-based finishes on woodwork — slower drying but with exceptional levelling and hardness
• Masonry Paint: a breathable, durable exterior masonry paint in a wide range of colours

Little Greene vs Farrow & Ball: Which to Choose?

Both are excellent paint companies and the choice often comes down to personal preference. Farrow & Ball has a more limited, highly curated palette with strong brand recognition. Little Greene offers more colours, slightly lower prices per litre, and — in our experience — marginally better coverage per coat. For period properties, both are superb. We are happy to advise on which is better suited to your specific project. Call 020 3874 2670 or request a quote.