Choosing a new paint? Here’s why you need to think about more than just the colour

Creating a product of the highest quality isn’t something that just happens overnight. In the case of Celbridge-based company Colourtrend, it’s been a core commitment since the very beginning, and has been built on over many years. In fact, current managing director Rachel O’Connor is the third generation of her family to take the reins of the brand, and she has a proud tradition to carry on.

“General Paints Group, the company behind Colourtrend, was founded in 1953 by my grandfather, Ronan O’Connor,” she begins. “He set up the business in a famine workhouse, built in 1851 in Celbridge County Kildare, which is still our home today. Ronan was a brilliant man with a passion for making quality paint. For almost 70 years we have been committed to being at the cutting edge of paint technology.”

Ronan initially started the business with knowledge of new paint techniques he had brought home from America, and the company has since always been at the forefront of new formulations.

“Our team of dedicated and skilled chemists formulate high- performance paint, using only the best quality ingredients, making our paints apply smoother, last longer and withstand common household stains, keeping our customers’ homes looking beautiful for longer,” Rachel explains.

Creating paint is a complex process, one that the company is constantly working to perfect and refine. “We constantly strive for excellence with our products, and only use the best ingredients available,” Rachel says. “We source top quality acrylic resin along with rich pigments, and our products are tested to the highest European standards.”

The result is a paint that looks beautiful not only immediately after application, but for years to come thanks to long-lasting, durable colour that can stand up to everyday life. It’s this quality, Rachel says, that is a main reason why their customers return to them again and again, both professional painters and people decorating their own homes.

While creating a top-class product has always been a consistent thread throughout the business’ history, Rachel has faced some unique challenges since taking up her position in 2020. She had to find ways to make their experts and products more accessible when people couldn’t travel to stores, and these services are still a great help to people who are short on time, or live far from a showroom.

Ask an expert

You can get personalised project and colour advice through Colourtrend’s Video Ask service. Simply record a video with your questions, showing the room in question, and one of their colour consultants will respond. You can also book a free 15-minute consultation or upgrade to a paid 30- or 60-minute video consultation with one of their experts for more in-depth advice on putting together a colour palette, or help with larger home projects.

“This enhances our overall customer experience and helps us provide expert advice to our customers,” Rachel says, “something that is at the core of our business.”

You’re sure to find your perfect shade, as Colourtrend has a gorgeous selection of colours, many named after hallmarks of our countryside and seascapes. They are created in collaboration with Irish designers to perfectly suit Irish homes. Colourtrend is a world of quality in every colour. Each colour has all the quality you need for every project, inside and out. Any colour, every finish.

Colourtrend is available nationwide through 160 stockist locations, seven company own stores and online at colourtrend.ie. For more inspiration, follow Colourtrend on Instagram.