Auro
Certified as a carbon-neutral company, Auro makes all its emulsions, colour concentrates, gloss, radiator paints, primers, waxes, stains and varnishes using natural raw materials from environmentally managed sources. Coloured emulsion is priced from £19.35 for 2.5 litres: white emulsion costs slightly less.

Beckers available through; Ray Munn
The spectro-photometer of the Swedish company Beckers offers environmentally friendly paint in any colour; it can also be supplied in aerosol cans for smooth application. Products include Elegant Helmatt, a water-based paint with a total matt finish, £11.49 for 1 litre; Décor Latextempera, a chalky matt emulsion, £31.99 for 3 litres. It also sells primers and satin and gloss for woodwork. All sport the European Eco-label (a daisy) to testify to their environmental credentials.



EarthBorn Paints
EarthBorn's range of Claypaint is the only UK brand licensed to carry the daisy symbol and is free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Claypaint has an ultra-matt finish and comes in 27 colours, while emulsions and proAqua satin and eggshell paints for wood surfaces are free of oil, acrylic and VOCs. They are described as the “ultimate eco wood finish". The new Eco Chic range has colours by Oliver Heath.

Farrow & Ball
One of the best-know names for traditional paints, Farrow & Ball offers several low-odour, environmentally friendly formulations that are comfortably within the EU legislation for environmental considerations. The Estate and Modern Emulsions, Water-Based Eggshell, Soft Distemper, Casein Distemper and Exterior Masonry paints are all environmentally friendly, and the paints are available from selected stockists or online. Estate emulsion costs from £23.99 for 2.5litres.



Fired Earth
Available through the company's showrooms or online, Fired Earth's water-based emulsion, eggshell and masonry paints are within the official “Low" to “Very Low" category when it comes to solvent levels. The water-based eggshell is tough and washable, and can be used for walls, ceilings, wood and metalwork.

Francesca's Paints
Known for limewash paints and chalky emulsions, Francesca also has a new Eco Emulsion, which is water-based and solvent-free. It has an appealing citrusy scent and is available in 154 standard colours. The company also offers colour-matching and on-site colour consultation services. All paints can be bought online; the Eco Emulsion costs from £29.37 for 2.5 litres.



Green Paints
The Green Shop's own range of Green Paints contains no solvents or toxic components and the shop also sells Auro paints, Osmo natural wood finishes, Stuart Furby's Lime Earth paints, Holkham Linseed paints and EarthBorn paints, so you will be spoilt for choice. There is also a good range of other eco-friendly household products, from light bulbs to solar panels, and everything can also be bought online, with Green Paint matt emulsion costing from £35.90 for 5 litres.

The Little Greene Paint Company
The water-based paint range from this company, based in Wales, has minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the oil-based paints have very low VOC levels. The company produces distemper, limewash and flat oil paint as well as the water-based acrylic matt emulsion and acrylic satin emulsions. There are a total of 128 colours, including 60 inspired by traditional shades from the past that form a historical collection, which has been created in association with English Heritage. All Little Greene paints are available online as well as through more than 175 distributors in the UK. Prices start from £20.50 for 2.5 litres of matt emulsion.



Marston and Langinger
Marston's water-based Premium Paints are odourless and solvent-free and there are formulations for both interiors and exteriors, as well as a recently launched water-based gloss. The paints are highly durable, and Marston & Langinger suggests that the exterior paints will last for seven to 12 years. The interior paint, described as a superfine washable matt emulsion, costs from £29 for 2.5 litres. All paints are available from the store, selected stockists and online.

Nutshell Natural Paints
There are no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or solvents in Nutshell Paints, and paints are made of natural raw materials. Products include Super Eco Emulsion, Earth & Mineral Pigments, and Colour Wash Medium. White Super Eco Emulsion costs £16.99 for 2.5 litres and can be tinted with a choice of 27 different pigments at £7.99 each. A colour specifier pack of samples and swatches costs £5 and is deductible from your first order over £50. Gloss paints, £15.99 for 750ml, are made from all-natural ingredients including plant oils and clay.

FEBRUARY 2008, WORDS LINDA PARKER, PHOTOGRAPHS IPC IMAGES