How does Douter by Farrow & Ball compare with Johnstone's’s closest paints? The nearest match by perceptual distance is Johnstone's Pencilpoint (ΔE 3.0, “near-identical”). 2 more Johnstone's colours sit within ΔE 4 — close enough that the difference is hard to spot once paint’s on the wall. Prices for these 4 Johnstone's paints range from £6.14 to £12.36 per litre, against Farrow & Ball Douter at £25.60/L.
Farrow & Ball Douter vs Johnstone's
4 closest Johnstone's matches ranked by ΔE
ΔE (CIEDE2000) is a perceptual distance metric — lower means a closer match. Matches under ΔE 2 are typically indistinguishable; ΔE 2–4 looks “the same” once dry on a wall; ΔE 4–6 is noticeable side-by-side. Always view a sample pot before committing — screen colours and lighting vary.
| Colour | Number | ΔE | Match quality | Price/L | Price/m2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pencilpoint | — | 3.0 | near-identical | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| Thyme Green | — | 3.6 | very close | £12.36 | £2.06 |
| Steel Smoke | — | 3.8 | very close | £6.14 | £1.02 |
| Pigeon’s Back | — | 4.3 | very close | £12.36 | £2.06 |