A few weeks ago I stopped into a Janovic store in New York for a can of black paint when a poster caught my eye. It said something to the effect of “Century vs. Farrow & Ball” beneath two matte, deep purple paint swatches. Nearby was a display of pots: dusty grays, marigolds, and rich blues with names like “Delft,” “Thistle,” and “Purbeck Grey” (uncannily similar in name to Farrow & Ball’s “Purbeck Stone”). It prompted us to look deeper at this line of “small-batch,” pre-mixed paints launched last year by Benjamin Moore, who say they are designed and crafted by specially trained Benjamin Moore experts. Is this new line really comparable to the coveted Farrow & Ball (one of our all-time favorites)? You decide.
Photography via Century.
![the line of 75 colors have a \2\20;soft touch matte finish\2\2\1; 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/benjamin-moore-century-grey-chair-733x1178.jpg)
![a detail of the line\2\17;s matte quality. d: wild caraway. 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/century-benjamin-moore-paint-caraway-733x1178.jpg)
![one caveat? unlike farrow & ball, the collection has no shades of whi 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/benjamin-moore-century-grey-733x1178.jpg)
![one of the rich greens on offer: terre verte. 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/benjamin-moore-century-green-plants-733x759.jpg)
![painterly cobalt. the company says century paints are not recommended for 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/benjamin-moore-century-blue-733x1178.jpg)
![a true matte black: obsidian. century paints are \$\1\25 per gallon, slightly m 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/benjamin-moore-century-black-733x1178.jpg)
![a blue grey, aptly named thistle. 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/benjamin-moore-century-vases-733x759.jpg)
See the full collection here.
And for much more on paint hues, see our Palettes & Paints guide, plus:
- Palettes & Paints: A New Line of Luxe Paints from Cassandra Ellis
- Expert Advice: Three No-Fail Color Palettes for Walls, Ceiling, and Trim
- 10 Paint Colors with Cult Followings: Architects’ All-Time Favorite Paint Picks
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation