Hi venice. I too love the look of a matte finnish. We went with BM matte finnish in our kitchen. It is the Regal Premuim Interior 100% acrylic paint. The gal that has been helping me out there is an expert and informed me that matte would be great AS LONG as I went with the middle price range or higher (has to do with the finnish, you get what you pay for). I can't say how it hols up as our kichen isn't finnished yet but it went on really nice and I love it!

I did BM matte paint (sherwood green) on my kitchen walls 4 years ago. There isn't a lot of paintable wall space and it's not in areas that get abused except behind and either side of the cleanup sink. There was supposed to be a backsplash but I haven't gotten around to it. It's used regularly but not heavily. The backsplash wall needs to be washed occasionally and there has been no problem with it. I wipe it down with a sponge with very little Dawn. I would recommend the finish.

I have a lot of wide trim (Superwhite) in the pearl finish. It's a nice combination with the matte walls.

FWIW, we painted most of our upstairs walls and the ceilings in Super White, matte finish in Aura, and used the same color for the base molding but in the satin finish in Aura (Aura paint comes in satin, but not pearl finish). Did the same finish combo in our office, but use an Affinity color called Spa (light green).

Matte is beautiful and in a kitchen softens the room.
I agree with Megpie77. You get what you pay for.
Spend the extra money and get the best top brand for
the matte finish. BM is a great quality paint but still
get the most expensive for the kitchen. You won't
regret it.

I have BM Aura in matte in my entire house, including kitchen, and can't say enough about it. Gorgeous rich velvety finish, and scrubbable (although I have a tiled backsplash).

I am the only one I believe that has the BM matte as my backsplash. I have posted pics in the past. It is behind my gas cooktop and deepfat dryer and also the sink and baking areas....gets LOTS of abuse. It is still perfect after 2 1/2 years. You MUST let it cure for 30 days ! Do not skip this step. If you do you will be repainting it...ask me how I know this LOL. After that time you can and should scrub it with a rough cloth or brush. Do not use anything too soft. The paint is made with ceramic in it. That is why it has a lovely patina. Good Luck. You will love it. c

Many thanks to everyone for your posts and reassurance. Trailrunner, your longish-term experience with it is especially reassuring.

I'm sold! Paint goes on tomorrow!

venice: here is a pic from a week ago. DH is stirfrying...I scrub that wall almost daily although with the vent system we have there is very little grease it is mostly his enthusiastic "splash" of soy sauce etc that gets the wall. You won't be sorry but please don't touch the paint at all for 30 days after last coat.

Hi trailrunner -- nice pic (and more reassurance)! And, advice duly noted -- will follow!

OT, but trailrunner, what color is your paint, it is so pretty!

On good advice from here I encouraged my Mom to go with BM Aura in a flat sheen. Only the side splash is paint but so far so good (5 months in). In terms of appearance it was the right decision for this colour and this space (interior kitchen with no window).

For anyone that is curious, I went with the Aura matte, and the kitchen was painted yesterday. Love how it looks: velvety and soft. Not a speck of shine. Painters said it went on beautifully. Smell was a bit funky at first, but quickly dissipated, and there is no smell left now.

Hey just checking back. my3sons: it is Thyme. This is a color from Olympic paints at Lowes made up in BM Matte. we can't get the Aura here as our dealer says it is too expensive to carry and noone will buy it...sigh. Would love to have had it.

I hope you will post pics so we can see venice ! c

trailrunner - maybe you've answered this b4 but I forgot. Which line of BM matte did you use? I've got Regal Matte (but not sure it's the "Premium" that someone else has). Do you have Aura, Regal or something else?

ajsmama, I have the Regal Matte. Our dealer does not carry the Aura paints or I would have used them. They were just coming out with them in 2006 when we did this reno and since then I checked the other day and they still have not added them to their line. I don't know about the premium . Hope this helps. c

Thanks trailrunner - sorry for the ? about Aura - it was late and I apparently only read/processed the first sentence! I find the Regal matte is "wipable" but not "scrubbable" w/o burnishing, even after a year and a half. And then it touched up well in some colors (Navajo White and to some extent Horizon and White Satin - all light colors) the first year but not Thornton Sage (fairly light green), Antique Jade (1 shade darker), or Summer Blue (very intense blue). Going into 2nd year (same paint stored in basement) the Navajo is flashing a bit, though without UC lights I can't see it - only see it when looking at walls on angle with light on opposite side from me.

I'm wondering if it's worth the $ to repaint the backsplash in Aura (even though I can't see touchups) just for durability, and when we have to repaint in 5-10 years do the whole house (esp. FR, kitchen, mudroom, and bathrooms) in Aura as well? I really like the look of matte paint, don't want satin or pearl "kitchen and bath" paint.

Thanks

trailrunner, I certainly will post pics ... soon. Right now, it's still a construction zone. But, getting close!

So venice, are you going to get Aura or Regal?