Every painter is going to have a different opinion about what is best. All the premium brands are going to be good.

I wouldn't hesitate to use Grahams Ceramic in flat on the walls. And then to keep it simple use Graham's satin or gloss on the trim.

Back in the day, it was common to see semi-gloss or at least satin in kitchens and bathrooms. That's kinda old-school because modern formulations offer rather high levels of durability in flat/matte finishes.

If you're super concerned about it, maybe buy a quart and check it out to help you decide.

I agree with paintguy, you can find top tier grades in all brands. A lot factors into why someone considers one brand better than the next.

Since I have been doing this painting thing for so long, I run into a lot of customers that think they want durability, but actually do not. They think they will be washing their walls all the time because they have 4 kids and 9 dogs but just don't wash them all that often. I think for the person that is really going to be doing serious wall washing all the time, a matte finish is going to let them down. Mattes just aren't truly durable in my opinion. All the companies that make paint of course market them as if they are the most washable surfaces around, but those are just marketing lies. I remember many years ago before Grahams was bought by Muralo, Grahams was my favorite paint. We used to use the flat and it did seem to be truly washable. Of course, that changed after they got bought out and I eventually stopped using it. Of course, the price went up as the quality went down as well. I still will use the Grahams Satin though and it is still very durable but it's really shiny so the durability comes with sheen. I think it's always been this way. I wonder if a true durable paint will ever be available in a matte finish, but then I guess it doesn't matter because as long as you market your paint a certain way, it doesn't really matter how it truly performs, only how people think it will perform.

agreed ^^^

After you wash down one large wall, you'll move on to other more important family needs and put away the wall washing project.

I guarantee it. :)

My suggestion (I have 3 toddler grandkids) is to clean the wall immediately after little paws have contaminated it. A mild solution of water and fabuloso using a grout sponge works for me. If you wait for a wall to become dirty, it's a project instead of a chore.

Kitchens should get kitchen paint.

All things equal, more gloss is easier to clean. The better flat paints will be easier to clean than cheap flat paint.

I don't know what people do in kitchens that require "kitchen paint". We're a family of two boys, two dogs and we cook 3 meals most days - and there's usually an extra kid friend or two bellying-up to join us at the table. It's the light switch areas that get tagged the most, but other than that I can't imagine needing my walls to be as durable as CorningWare.

I don't know what matte finishes you all have experience with but I can tell you that, so far, the top tier matte paints (insert just about any brand you want) have worked out extremely well where I've spec'd them.

I'm liking the Dunn-Edwards palette a lot these days and their Suprema Velvet puts a lovely, sturdy finish on the color.

If something gets on the wall that's so stubborn it needs to be scrubbed instead of swished off with a wipe, I'd say it's probably time to get out the touch-up kit.

If all else fails, maybe cover the walls in corrugated metal or diamond plate.

I actually have diamond encrusted walls in my kitchen. It's very durable and I'm extremely happy with how it holds up. It's a shame too, because I'm so busy at work, most of my meals I get at McDonalds which means I'm hardly ever in the kitchen.

I can't imagine needing my walls to be as durable as CorningWare.

*chuckle