We work with every leading premium paint house — from Farrow & Ball and Little Greene to Keim mineral paints and Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. This guide explains which brand is right for your specific project and why.
Best for: Period interiors, joinery, feature walls
Founded in Dorset in 1946, Farrow & Ball is the most recognised name in British heritage paint. Its deeply pigmented, chalky-flat emulsions and eggshells are formulated with the highest concentration of pigment in the industry, producing colours of extraordinary depth. The 132-colour palette is one of the most considered in the world — many colours named after the rooms and architectural features they were originally matched to.
Our recommendation: Use Farrow & Ball for principal rooms, hallways, and joinery in period properties where depth of colour and finish quality are paramount. The Dead Flat and Modern Emulsion are outstanding on walls; the Full Gloss remains the finest brush-applied gloss available for front doors.
Best for: Heritage colour matching, historically accurate interiors
Little Greene holds one of the world's most extensive archives of historical colour, with a palette drawn from original 17th, 18th, and 19th-century paint analyses. Unlike many heritage ranges, Little Greene's colours are derived from genuine archival research — making them the preferred choice of conservation architects, English Heritage, and National Trust properties across the UK.
Our recommendation: The natural first choice for Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian properties where authenticity of period colour is important. The Intelligent Matt Emulsion is one of the most durable period-finish paints available. The Archive collection is unmatched for historically accurate restoration projects.
Best for: Joinery, bespoke colour, London townhouses
Mylands has been manufactured in London since 1884 and remains one of the few truly British paint companies still producing on home soil. Its eggshell and satinwood finishes are justifiably famous — the depth and hardness of the pigmentation produces a finish on doors and skirting boards that is simply in a different class to mass-market paints. The bespoke colour-matching service is also exceptional.
Our recommendation: Mylands Marble Matt is our default recommendation for walls in premium London townhouses and flats — it is more durable than Farrow & Ball's emulsion while maintaining the same depth of colour. The No.1 Eggshell is, in our view, the finest eggshell finish currently available for joinery.
Best for: Conservation projects, heritage restoration, bespoke tinting
Papers & Paints of Chelsea is one of Britain's most specialist paint companies, working closely with conservation architects, listed building officers, and heritage property owners. Their formulations are designed for breathability on old lime plaster and porous masonry — a critical consideration in the Victorian and Georgian stock of Hampstead and Belsize Park. They also offer a world-class bespoke tinting service.
Our recommendation: The first choice when working on a listed building, a conservation area property, or any home with original lime plaster. Their Historic range provides authentic colour matching to documented historical periods and their advice service is second to none.
Best for: Ecological interiors, old buildings, natural pigments
Edward Bulmer Natural Paint is made using entirely natural pigments, linseed oil binders, and chalk — free from synthetic resins, biocides, and plasticisers. The resulting paints are genuinely breathable, have minimal VOC content, and are completely safe for use in homes with young children and allergy sufferers. The colour palette is derived from Bulmer's extensive work as a period interior designer.
Our recommendation: Edward Bulmer is our recommended brand for clients seeking genuine ecological credentials without sacrificing aesthetic quality. Particularly well-suited to older properties with original plaster, where breathability prevents moisture trapping, and to households with health sensitivities to conventional paint chemistry.
Best for: External masonry, rendered facades, heritage stonework
Developed in Germany in 1878 by Adolf Wilhelm Keim, Keim Mineral Paints are silicate-based — they do not form a surface film like conventional paints but instead bond permanently into the substrate through a process called silicification. The result is a finish that cannot peel, crack, or blister, lasts 20–30 years on external masonry, and requires no VOC solvents. Keim is the gold standard for London's painted stucco and render.
Our recommendation: If you own a stucco-fronted or rendered property in Hampstead or Belsize Park and are tired of peeling masonry paint every three to five years, Keim is the long-term solution. The initial cost is higher than conventional masonry paint but the life expectancy makes it significantly more economical over a 20-year horizon.
Best for: Primers, stain blocking, problem surfaces
Zinsser is not a decorative paint brand but a specialist manufacturer of primers and problem-solving products that are indispensable in professional decorating. BIN shellac primer is the industry standard for blocking nicotine stains, severe water damage, and persistent bleed-through. Bulls Eye 1-2-3 is our default primer for previously painted surfaces and new plaster where adhesion is critical.
Our recommendation: The correct use of Zinsser primers is one of the most important determinants of decorating longevity — more important, in many cases, than the choice of topcoat. We use Zinsser BIN and Bulls Eye 1-2-3 on every project where surface preparation demands it. Clients should be aware that this is a professional product rarely used correctly by DIY painters.
Best for: Cost-effective projects, rental properties, high coverage
Dulux Trade represents outstanding value for projects where premium aesthetics are less critical than durability, coverage, and cost-effectiveness. The Diamond range — particularly Diamond Matt and Diamond Eggshell — offers Class 1 scrub resistance, exceptional opacity, and a professional finish at a fraction of the cost of premium brands. For rental properties, HMOs, and commercial spaces, Dulux Trade is our default specification.
Our recommendation: Dulux Trade Diamond Matt is our standard wall paint specification for rental properties and high-traffic spaces. It achieves a clean, professional result that withstands repeated cleaning and looks excellent in photography. For clients seeking the quality of a premium brand at a more accessible price point, we also recommend Crown Trade and Johnstone's Trade.
A quick decision guide based on the most common project types we work on across Hampstead and North London.
Victorian or Edwardian period home
Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, or Mylands
Authentic period palettes and depth of colour that suits pre-war architecture.
Listed building or lime plaster walls
Papers & Paints or Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
Breathable formulations essential for heritage fabric and moisture management.
Ecology-conscious home or children's bedrooms
Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
Zero synthetic resins and biocides; safe for sensitive occupants.
Stucco or rendered exterior facade
Keim Mineral Paints
Permanent bond, 20–30 year lifespan, fully breathable masonry finish.
Rental property or HMO
Dulux Trade Diamond
Class 1 scrub resistance, high coverage, outstanding value for regular redecoration.
Problem surfaces — stains, water damage, new plaster
Zinsser primers then premium topcoat
Correct primer selection is the single most important factor in decorating longevity.
Common questions about choosing and using premium paint brands.
For a Victorian or Edwardian property in Hampstead or Belsize Park we typically recommend Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, or Mylands for principal rooms and joinery. All three have period-appropriate colour palettes and formulations that work well on traditional plaster surfaces. For listed buildings or properties with lime plaster, we would recommend Papers & Paints or Edward Bulmer Natural Paint for their superior breathability.
Farrow & Ball paints are genuinely excellent products that deliver a unique depth of colour and finish quality that is difficult to replicate with cheaper alternatives. That said, they are not the only premium option — Mylands and Little Greene offer comparable or superior performance in certain applications at a similar price point. For rental properties or secondary spaces we would not recommend the premium tier — Dulux Trade Diamond achieves a very strong result for significantly less.
Yes. All modern trade paint manufacturers offer colour-matching services that can replicate any colour from any brand to a very high degree of accuracy. This is particularly useful when you want the aesthetic of a Farrow & Ball colour but prefer to use it in a more durable formulation from Mylands or Dulux Trade. We carry colour spectrophotometers and can match virtually any colour on site.
As a general rule: use dead flat or ultra-matt emulsion on walls and ceilings in formal rooms where you want maximum colour depth; use eggshell on joinery (skirting boards, architraves, doors) for durability; and use satinwood or gloss on external joinery and front doors. In kitchens and bathrooms a slightly more washable emulsion (such as Dulux Trade Diamond Matt or a silk) is more practical. Our colour consultation covers finish selection as well as colour choice.
Our complimentary colour consultation includes expert paint brand advice tailored to your specific property, budget, and aesthetic goals.