Paint & Paper Library make one ultra-flat wall finish, Pure Flat Emulsion, and a family of hard-working, self-priming finishes called the Architects' range: Architects' Matt for walls, Architects' Eggshell and Architects' Satin for woodwork, and Architects' Gloss for a high shine. In short, choose Pure Flat for depth of colour in quiet rooms, Architects' Matt for walls that need washing, and Eggshell or Satin for woodwork depending on how much sheen you like.
All of them are water-based and, Paint & Paper Library state, available across their full colour palette. Every colour you see on a Paint & Paper Library card can be mixed in any of these finishes, and we mix them to order.
Photo Credit: Paint & Paper Library; Colour Used: Powder I (291)
Which finish where
- Pure Flat Emulsion (2% sheen). Dead flat, for interior plaster walls and ceilings. Interior use only.
- Architects' Matt (3% sheen in pastel colours, 5% in dark ones). Self-priming, for walls and ceilings inside and out, including kitchens and bathrooms.
- Architects' Eggshell (10 to 20% sheen). Self-priming, for woodwork, metalwork, furniture and radiators, inside and out, and for kitchen and bathroom walls.
- Architects' Satin (30 to 35% sheen). Self-priming, for joinery, doors, skirting, windows and kitchen cabinets, and outside for front doors. You may also see it called Architects' Satinwood.
- Architects' Gloss. A high-gloss finish for woodwork, metalwork, radiators and front doors.
Underneath them all sits Architects' ASP, an all-surface primer and undercoat for woodwork, building plastics, tiles, glass and metal.
Coverage and durability
Paint & Paper Library give the following coverage for a single coat:
- Pure Flat Emulsion: up to 15 square metres per litre.
- Architects' Eggshell: up to 14 square metres per litre.
- Architects' Satin: up to 12 square metres per litre.
Durability rises with the sheen. Pure Flat is described as gently wipeable, so it suits rooms where walls are not knocked or touched much. Architects' Matt is washable, with what the brand call excellent scuff and stain resistance, which makes it the better wall finish for hallways, kitchens and family rooms. Architects' Eggshell is fully washable and formulated not to yellow, and Architects' Satin is designed to stand up to the knocks of busy woodwork and kitchen cabinetry.
Every finish in the range can be recoated in four hours, and Architects' ASP in two.
Photo Credit: Paint & Paper Library; Colour Used: Stone II (202)
Best for woodwork
For most skirting, doors and architraves, the choice is between Eggshell and Satin.
- Architects' Eggshell gives a soft, low sheen that sits quietly beside matt walls. It is our pick for period rooms and for woodwork painted the same colour as the walls.
- Architects' Satin has a little more polish and is the tougher choice for kitchen cabinets, stairs, children's rooms and front doors.
- Architects' Gloss is for a deliberate, lacquered look. Paint & Paper Library advise priming new woodwork and aged gloss with Architects' ASP in the same colour first.
Because Architects' Eggshell and Satin are self-priming, sound, previously painted woodwork usually needs only a clean and a light sand before you begin. For furniture and laminate, our guide to painting IKEA furniture covers the preparation in detail.
Neutral colour families
Paint & Paper Library are best known for their Architectural Colours: 95 graduated shades in 19 families, each numbered I to V by strength. Every shade can be used on ceilings, cornices, walls and woodwork, so a whole room can be built from one family, typically with deeper tones on the walls and skirting and lighter ones above.
- Stone, a classic light beige. Paint & Paper Library suggest pairing Stone IV (204) with Stone I (201) to pick out architectural detail.
- Sand, one of the softest, holding a little pink for added warmth. Sand I (261) on the upper walls with Sand IV (264) on woodwork is a scheme the brand suggest.
- Cashmere, with soft yellow undertones. Cashmere II (492) makes a calm, continuous backdrop.
- Powder, a pink-based neutral. Powder I (291) is a gentle alternative to pure white.
- Canvas, elegant sand shades well suited to contemporary rooms, from Canvas I (301) to Canvas V (305).
Photo Credit: Paint & Paper Library; Colour Used: Canvas II (302)
When to use Pure Flat
Pure Flat Emulsion is the finish to choose when colour matters most. Paint & Paper Library describe it as highly pigmented, giving a profound depth of colour, and at 2% it has almost no sheen to catch the light. They recommend it for the more intimate rooms of the home: bedrooms, snugs and libraries.
It is less suited to walls that will be brushed past, leaned on or wiped often. For a hallway, kitchen or children's room, Architects' Matt gives a similarly flat look with far more resilience.
Questions we are often asked
Do I need a primer with the Architects' range?
Architects' Matt, Eggshell and Satin are self-priming. Paint & Paper Library recommend Architects' ASP under Architects' Gloss on new woodwork or aged gloss, and it gives a robust base on surfaces such as tiles, glass and metal.
Can I use the same colour on walls and woodwork?
Yes. Every colour is available in every finish, so Pure Flat or Architects' Matt on the walls with Eggshell on the woodwork gives a seamless, tonal room.
