Fired Earth Paint review- Matt emulsion & Eggshell

Available online, Fired Earth paint is an environmentally friendly designer paint, popular with interior designers, a bit like Farrow & Ball. It’s not the worst paint to use, but is it worth the price tag? This is my full Fired Earth Paint review- Matt emulsion & eggshell, but there is loads more info on the Decorators Forum UK

I recently had a job painting a front room with some shelving units (previously painted) for a customer who supplied the paint. When she showed me she had bought Fired Earth I was looking forward to using it, as I enjoy trying out different paints. I had heard about it but had not seen people’s opinions on how good it was as a paint.

Fired Earth Paint – Matt Emulsion Review

First impressions using the matt emulsion (it was like a sort of magnolia colour) weren’t great. As I opened the tin, there was a thick build-up of paint around the rim which I could see falling into my scuttle. I ended up constantly picking bits off the wall when rolling. It was definitely the paint, as I was using a new scuttle liner and clean brush and roller. Also, it was very thin, almost like I had watered it down ready for a mist coat.

Don’t get me wrong, the overall finish was brilliant. There was a depth to Fired Earth Matt Emulsion that you simply don’t get with the trade brands, but I didn’t enjoy using it. You will need to strain the paint before use, and probably apply a third coat.

Fired Earth Paint – Eggshell Review

This is a fully water-based paint, which is perfect for interior woodwork and other trim. I had a similar bad first impression, as when I opened it, it seemed like it hadn’t been mixed properly when made.

So I gave the eggshell a good shake-up, then when I opened it, I thought, “this is the wrong colour,” as on the colour chart it was meant to be a sort of grey colour

Anyway, after I had prepped the built-in shelves ready for decorating, I applied the first coat. Again, like the emulsion, it was really thin. Almost the same consistency you’d thin it for a stage 3 HVLP (proper thin). Funnily enough, I had already seen that it doesn’t mention spraying on the tin — just brush and roller. But I guess spraying goes against the environmentally friendly ethos of Fired Earth. Other than that, it was nice to use and spread for miles. It also changed colour dramatically whilst drying. The finished colour looked perfect.

The next day, I returned to do the second coat. The first coat had covered quite well, although it was over a similar colour before. When I opened the tin, it became apparent that it wasn’t that the tin wasn’t mixed properly when made; the paint had started separating again and had started to ‘unmix’ the same as it was before. The second coat went on well, covered solid, and had quite a good finish (levelled out ‘ok’ for a WB).

Final Thoughts

Both the Fired Earth Matt Emulsion and Eggshell cost roughly £85 for 2.5 L of tinted colour, so it’s not cheap. It only comes in 30 or so colours from what I can see, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The colour palette is well thought out and the colours are spectacular.

Both products are easy to use, but they’re very thin and require an extra coat.

However, if you have the budget and you don’t mind a little extra work, Fired Earth is a viable choice. The overall finish is awesome. There is a lovely depth, which I absolutely love.

Summary