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Q&A / Brands / Is there a cheaper alternative to Paint & Paper Library Mock…
Brands · answered by Fini

Is there a cheaper alternative to Paint & Paper Library Mockingbird?

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Quick answer

Yes — Dulux Mysterious Teal is the closest cheaper match at ΔE 1.4, which is very close to imperceptible. It's the one to go for if you want Mockingbird's deep inky teal without the premium price.

Dulux Mysterious Teal is your best bet, mate. At ΔE 1.4 from the original it's a very close match — that's well under the 2.5 threshold where most people would struggle to tell the two apart on a wall. With an LRV of 9.5 it sits in the same deep, light-swallowing register as Mockingbird, so the character carries over. You get the same dark teal drama at a fraction of the cost.

If you'd rather stay a touch more premium but still under Paint & Paper Library money, Crown Endeavour lands at ΔE 2.9 with an LRV of 9.8. That's just outside the "very close" band, so you'll notice a slight shift if you put the two side by side — but on its own in a room, nobody's going to clock it. Crown's trade availability also makes it easy to get hold of in volume.

COAT The Drink is the loosest of the three at ΔE 3.6 and a darker LRV of 7.4 — it reads deeper and a little moodier than Mockingbird. I wouldn't call it a true dupe, but if you fancy something in the same family with COAT's lovely low-VOC eco credentials and brilliant coverage, it's worth a sample.

The big "but what about" here: a colour match on screen or on paper is never the whole story. Deep teals like this are heavily affected by finish and light. A matt estate-style finish will read inkier and softer; a fuller eggshell will pull more of the green-blue out. Mysterious Teal and Mockingbird may match on paper but a different sheen level will change how they feel.

So — order sample pots of Mysterious Teal and Endeavour, paint two coats onto A2 lining paper, and live with them on the actual wall for a couple of days. Look at them in morning and evening light before you commit. Nine times out of ten Mysterious Teal will be the one, and you'll have saved a decent chunk doing it.

Colours from the answer

LRV 8.9
Paint & Paper Library
Mockingbird
LRV 9.5
Dulux
Mysterious Teal
LRV 9.8
Crown
Endeavour
LRV 7.4
COAT
The Drink

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