atelierellis.co.uk Reviews 11

I chose Atelier Ellis because I live in an older property and specifically look for breathable, heritage-appropriate paints. Their marketing strongly suggested this would be a high-quality, suitable option. Unfortunately, the reality was the worst painting experience I’ve ever had.

Once applied, the paint is incredibly delicate. Even very light touches on the wall leaves permanent marks, and because it isn’t even slightly wipeable, any scuff, mark, or contamination means you’re forced to repaint. That alone makes it impractical for normal living.

The bigger issue came when touching up. I purchased two tins (one left unopened after first painting). Despite thoroughly stirring the second tin, the colour was noticeably different from the first. The result was an obvious patchy appearance wherever touch-ups were done.

When we contacted Atelier Ellis, they confirmed they believed the paint was mixed correctly, and advised that touch-ups shouldn’t be attempted at all — instead, you should repaint the entire wall. That’s not just inconvenient, it’s completely unrealistic for a modern paint product. Any minor damage, fixture removal, or mark requiring a touch-up would mean repainting whole sections of a room. In my case, even repainting the full wall wouldn’t have solved it, as it would likely have created visible differences between walls and corners.
In the end, I lost an entire weekend using this paint, and then had to spend another undoing the damage and repainting with a different brand.

Afterwards, I checked reviews and found similar feedback from professional painters and decorators, many of whom say they would refuse to use this product again even at a higher rate. I completely understand why.

I’ve used a wide range of paints over the years, and this is by far the worst experience I’ve had. I wouldn’t use it again even if they started giving it away for free.

I don’t normally post reviews, but thought I would given the reviews on here. I was initially panicked after reading those left by professional decorators here … however, I’ve done two walls now (as a non decorator!) and found this no harder to work with than the standard trade dulux I’ve used in the past. I’ve got a consistent finish on both walls using the True Matt emulsion with only two coats. I would say it is crucial to do two coats before deciding on the colour. Initially I thought they’d mixed my tin wrong, but after two coats it is as pictured on their website (Bone, Shell and Quill) and a beautiful colour. This paint does require a bit more soaking with hot soapy water to clean the brushes, but by no means have I had to discard any brushes, so really not sure what that is about!
In summary, if you’re a DIY painter and love these colours, I wouldn’t be put off by the reviews here from professional decorators

I'm a professional decorator of over 40 years. This is the second client that has insisted on using Atelier Ellis products. I have used the true Matt, steadfast and the true eggshell. I have never in my life used any paint of any kind that is as bad as these. Nothing covers, the paint cracks, and the spray from using a roller is unbelievable! On both jobs I have used this it's nearly doubled the time taken to complete. In the future if a client insists on using this paint that is not fit for purpose I will simply turn down the job and take a loss it's that stressful!

This is the worst paint in every respect I have ever painted! Whether it is Emulsion or Eggshell. I advise against painting with such paints. The effect is terrible, the paint cracks on every mastic, applying paint to wood with a brush looks like a child playing painter, the roller splatters terribly and creates hundreds of bubbles on the wall, and you can't wash the rollers after painting, they have to be thrown away. I will not agree to hand painting with these paints even for double the price.

Paint arrived the next day. Lots of advice online and phoned to discuss as well. Very helpful customer service. Coverage is excellent.
The paint is thick so you need to make sure you are using it correctly. Ordered Wayfinder, absolutely love it. Cannot recommend it enough.

First time I've used this product today in the form of true matt emulsion. I'm a specialist decorator of 30 years and I rank this below Farrow & ball which is my least favourite product. It's like f&b estate emulsion but more chalky and doesn't cover at all. I hate to think of the longevity. My customer is using these products because they are apparently eco friendly? But with the extra coats involved in this massive house equates to more days, more travel, more diesel consumed making the journey, not really eco friendly after all.

Very quick delivery. Beautiful paint with the best colours. There are some things to be mindful of when using this paint. The first coat tends to look very streaky but don’t panic the second coat goes on well. Always leave at least 6 hours between coats. I found this made for a much better second coat. The use of a roller is recommended. So a bit of patience is needed in the application but it’s worth it for the end result.

Certainly a communicative and friendly enough company however the paint was without doubt the worst I have ever used in my nearly 30 years in business making furniture. Triple warm white in water based eggshell for an MDF fire surround. Within seconds of application the paint became tacky and chalkey despite perfect preparation. Avoid. A shame as the colour was very nice!

Between three off us using the paint we have painted hundreds of houses but we tried using the new finish - steadfast matt emulsion - and what a nightmare! We have now sanded back twice and using a different brand as it just kept peeling. All of our prep was spot on and as I say we have been doing this years. There is just something in this paint that is terible and reacts badly to the plaster I guess, Completely baffled by it all and just would avoid unless you want the same problems we have had.

I ordered a paint pot sample from Atelier Ellis and after 4 working days I still hadn't received it. I called them and the lady on the phone was most unhelpful - no apology that it hadn't been received and said that I should probably receive it the following Monday. I honestly felt like an inconvenience though during the call. Emailed them to chase and no response and tried calling and the phone is just ringing and ringing. Have requested a refund from Paypal. It's a shame as I've just bought a house and wanted to redecorate from top to bottom. The colours they produce are fantastic but I firmly believe that customer service sells (or in this case doesn't sell) a product. Regrettably will not be spending lots of money here and I would advise people to stick to companies like Farrow and Ball, Neptune etc who give great customer care and attention in my experience.

I feel I’m an appropriate customer to write the first review of Cassandra Ellis’ paint range as I have just painted ( or had painted, I should say ) my entire house in her gorgeous colours. I used nine colours in all - thousands of pounds worth of paint - plus I have ordered many, many samples and charts over the past year or so.
Firstly, the colours are extraordinary; to the extent that I tried very hard to find something I loved as much but my house, in my imagination, was already characterised by these beautiful, rich, velvety colours. They all work together- you can’t go wrong with that really as they’re tonally so in harmony - and I
am literally sitting now gazing at my sitting room and loving the way the same colour looks different from moment to moment as the light changes. If depth and subtlety of colour ( quantity and quality of pigment) matter to you, and you love really knocked- back, rich and chalky colour, this is the range to choose.
The paint covers well ( it’s made by Mylands - I did my research!) it’s not going to be hugely robust as it’s very, very matte - and we all know what that means. I keep a small pot of every colour for touch-ups! I wouldn’t paint kitchen cabinets in it, let’s say, but the walls have stood up to being wiped occasionally so far.
BUT - we come on to their customer service. It’s frankly appalling.
I have been ok on the practical side, basically because my decorator dealt with them- but certainly in all the months of deciding and choosing I haven’t had a single one of my Instagram queries or emails answered. Not one. Totally ignored. It’s as if they think they’re far too niche/ cool to be answering customers’ questions or responding to them 🤷
What might be of interest to them in the long term is that this is definitely the reputation they’re fast gaining. Five people have ordered samples or quantities of paint from Ellis as a direct result of my saying “ wow - look at this!”. All five- ALL FIVE- have told me that they have encountered either astonishingly rude or - at best- entirely unconcerned customer service.
If you’re going to start a niche business aimed at not being Farrow and Ball etc then I would’ve thought the first rule was to foster a relationship with the people who’ve been attracted to your exclusive offering!
That’s it: beautiful paint - I invested despite what people were saying - but Cassandra Ellis might like to know the other stuff!