'I swapped budget paint for new Millie Mackintosh range and it's incredible'

North Wales Live

29-06-2025

Upon buying my own house, I hadn't anticipated the sheer volume of work it would entail. From painting to wallpapering, panelling, laying floors, and general carpentry, there's hardly a task I haven't tackled.
Three years of relentless DIY have honed my ability to distinguish quality paint, which piqued my interest when I was invited to try out the new Millie Mackintosh range by COAT Paints. I must admit, the results have left me impressed.
Over a year ago, I decided to revamp my hallway with a rich dark green on the lower section, complemented by a soft cream hue above and a sleek black finish on the doors. The decision to go for darker shades was driven by a desire to conceal the inevitable marks and scuffs brought in by my dog. While it did mask the dirt well, I hadn't considered how dark it would make the area feel.
Thankfully, natural light from a landing window kept the upper floor bright, but the entrance hallway suffered from an unwelcoming, gloom – not the first impression I wanted for my home. Despite my dissatisfaction with the atmosphere, the thought of redoing it seemed too daunting, so I resigned myself to living with it for a while, reports the Mirror.
However, when the chance arose to inject some new life into the space, I seized it eagerly. Delving into COAT's latest offerings, I selected the "soft fresh green" Manifest for the lower walls and paired it with the "Earthy Pale Beige" Centred for the upper sections.
Having a dog and a young child, I was hesitant about using matt paint due to its propensity for marking easily. Instead, I opted for the soft sheen variant, which offers a more durable finish that's easy to clean off any grubby handprints.
First impressions
The paint was delivered promptly and securely packaged with tape on the lid and clips on the tin to prevent any mishaps during transit. The sticker indicating who mixed the paint adds a personal touch, reflecting COAT's commitment to sustainability.
The company asserts that each colour in this new palette is designed with minimal environmental impact in mind, utilising COAT's made-to-order model to reduce waste and ensure every paint can serves a purpose.
As previously mentioned, I've experimented with numerous paint brands over the years, and it was immediately evident that this one is of high quality. It applies effortlessly without dragging and feels incredibly smooth on the wall.
I also noticed it has very little odour, eliminating the unpleasant lingering smell often associated with painting - plus, it dries rapidly.
The Centred beige shade evokes memories of Dulux's Egyptian Cotton ( £36 for 5L at B&Q), a colour I've previously chosen for my living room. Centred offers a tranquil and neutral tone that, in my opinion, would suit virtually any space seeking a calming atmosphere.
I was so taken with it that I even extended the colour to the ceiling, banishing the conventional white in the process. Admittedly, painting the ceiling to match the walls isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it's an interior design trend I've embraced and repeated on several occasions.
However, it was the green hue of Manifest that truly delighted me when I tackled the lower section of the wall. This lighter green breathed new life into the hallway with each stroke of the brush.
Generally speaking, the paint provided excellent coverage; although covering a dark shade with a lighter one can sometimes be troublesome, a single coat did a commendable job, with just a second coat needed to perfect areas where the darker colour peeked through.
Choosing a soft sheen finish for its added resilience proved to be a wise decision. After installing new glass doors and inadvertently knocking the freshly painted walls during the process (the doors were quite heavy, in my defence), I'm relieved to report that the paint has withstood the initial wear and tear remarkably well.
I also snapped up a 1-litre tin of Manifest with an eggshell finish priced at £38, captivated by its suitability for metal – an ideal choice to brighten up the hallway radiator. It was a swift job; just a couple of coats did the trick, flawlessly complementing the wall colour.
There's hardly anything to criticise, overall I've been very impressed with it, the only thing of note to mention is that it obviously isn't the cheapest out there.
The 5-litre tins of both Manifest and Centred cost £96 each, in addition to the 1-litre of eggshell paint at £38.
This paint truly excels in quality, yet comes with a more premium price compared to some other brands. For those watching their budget, my experience over the years has led me to find Dulux trustworthy at the budget-friendly end.
A particular favourite of mine is their 'Overtly Olive' green in the 'Easycare' range, claiming to be "washable and tough" – which, in my case, has proven true. You can bag this for £42 for 5 litres at B&Q. Lick is another brand I've used, painting my main bedroom in a blue tone and finding it a delight to work with, though the cost is pricey at £39 for a 2.5-litre tin.
What else is in the Millie Mackintosh range?
The elegantly chosen Millie Mackintosh collection presents a palette ideal for every corner of the home, from serene bedrooms to lively bathrooms. The 35 year old former 'Made in Chelsea' star shared her thoughts on the venture: "Creating a mindful home environment has been essential to me, especially as I've navigated motherhood and my personal wellness journey.
"Every colour in this collection is a reflection of that - whether it's the calming tones of 'Balance' or the warm embrace of 'Gratitude.' I wanted this palette to encourage people to slow down, reflect, and create spaces that feel comforting and rejuvenating."
The COAT x Millie Mackintosh range boasts six unique hues. The lineup includes Presence, a Blush Plaster Pink; Poise, a Pale Blush Pink; Centred, an Earthy Pale Beige; Renew, a Teal Blue; Manifest, a Soft Fresh Green; and Nourish, a gentle muted sage green.
With each shade available in six different finishes – Flat Matt, Soft Sheen, Interior Eggshell, Exterior Eggshell, Claypaint, and Floor Paint – there's a perfect texture for every surface touch-up or transformation.
Prices across the collection cater to various needs and projects, starting at £30 for 1L, £56 for 2.5L, and reaching £96 for 5L cans. To make decision-making simpler, eco-friendly peel-and-stick samples are available for each colour, boasting fully-recyclable credentials and claimed 100% colour match accuracy with the actual paint.