Is the sample from a quart mixed in the brand, grade, and sheen you will ultimately use to paint? Or is it some other kind of sample? Like paint pots or jugs, etc.

The sample was mixed in Ben Moore's sample pint size. I'm not sure what quality that is--it looks like it is an eggshell finish, maybe. We'll probably be using BM's Regal (I think that's what it is?) in the matte or eggshell finish, unless we do the calculations and decide that Aura's extra coverage will make it worthwhile. (I'd like to go that route but it depends if it is financially feasible.)

Looks like I was typing too fast. Should be "hunter green," and "If I end up hating the rooms." Sorry!

If you have no reservations about the Smoky Mountain, why not go all the way with it & skip the Desert Shadows accent wall? You can always add paint later, after your guests leave! If you feel you must have an accent wall after living with Smoky for a while, but still would prefer another shade to DS, you can ask the same (or another) consultant to come back & take a look at your newly painted walls & maybe then she'll have an alternative to suggest. Good luck!

Sorry, I reread my message and realized it wasn't clear. I love the Desert Shadows; it's the Smoky Mountain I'm not sure about. And that's the color that is going everywhere--eat-in kitchen, living room, front room/kids' play room, two-story foyer, stairway, and upstairs hall, open to the foyer. That's why I want to get it right; we do NOT want to have to repaint all of that until we change the carpet and furniture and can change the color scheme to something I _really_ want.

Oops, I'm sorry! Just re-read your post & it's the Smoky Mountain you're not sure about, not the Desert Shadows.

I thought SM was really pretty, but was uncertain about DS!

Blue greens from what I've read here, are very chameleon colors that do change with the light. I've read that time & again about so many paint colors like yours. Silver Sage, Wythe Blue, Palladian Blue, I could go on & on. Everyone says the same thing about blue/greens! If that will drive you crazy, ask the consultant to recommend a neutral. If you think you could make peace w/it, consider how your artwork & accessories will give it a lift & keep it from being "depressing." I think it looks tranquil & soothing. It's all in how you look at it! Again, good luck!

Looks like a very nice color, but I am not sure why you want to use it everywhere. That's a lot to ask from a single color, any color, to work in so many different spaces.

"it's the Smoky Mountain I'm not sure about. And that's the color that is going everywhere--eat-in kitchen, living room, front room/kids' play room, two-story foyer, stairway, and upstairs hall, open to the foyer."

Smoky mountain has a LRV of 25.5.

Putting a color like that, low LRV plus its color characteristics, everywhere is a bold move. Not gonna lie, I'd be hesitant too. Howenver, not sure I'd feel like a neutral was the answer or necessary - rather just a better color choice.

I emailed the designer to express my reservations and she responded with an encouragement to stay the course, she's sure the color choice is good with our carpet and furniture.

Unfortunately, the carpet and furniture doesn't give a sh1t if the entire house ends up feeling depressing, dated, and stodgy. This is why I never color for the inanimate contents; they should not be a priority -- contents are considered LAST. People, light, structure come first.

Thanks, everyone!

Stinky-gardener, it is a really pretty color, and if it were in just one room, I'd be happy to use it. Just not sure about for the main color for everything.

Amysrq, I wish we didn't have to use any one color everywhere, but there are no good breaks between the kitchen, dining, living room, play room, and foyer. Each of those has common walls with no delineating features. I love our open floor plan, but it does make painting difficult as we need to find a paint that works for numerous areas.

Funcolors, I think that is my hesitation--it is just a little too much for everywhere. I like having color, but this one just seems to be too much, especially with as much area as it would be covering. On the other hand, most "neutrals" don't seem to work well with the oak cabinets, trim, AND the color-changing carpet (gray with green undertone in natural lighting, but has almost brownish undertones with artificial lighting). I love seeing what people have done with Putnam Ivory, for instance, but it looks positively ill with our woodwork and carpeting.

*sigh* Funcolors, want to come help with my color selection? :-)

Credo, I forgot that your trim is unpainted. Yes, many neutrals would look washed out against that, I suppose. You've already looked at grays, rather than beiges, but I guess they look depressing? How about a lighter version of Smokey? Maybe Funcolors could find something with an easier to live with LRV in a bluish green? Also, would you consider painting the trim? White trim might gain you access to a wider range of wall colors. No matter what your style, contemporary or traditional, white trim would work!

Stinky-gardener, if it were up to me, I'd paint the trim in a heartbeat. Every inspiration picture that I love has gorgeous white trim. However, in interests of marital harmony, it is staying stained. :-( Same with the kitchen cabinets. *sigh*

I wonder how many husbands ever confess to their friends that in the interest of marital harmony, they are agreeing to paint all the trim white. Somehow, I never hear that story here. Ever. What is it about men and their wood? Sheesh..... (I am married to one of them, btw. But he doesn't mess with me and my paint!)

Getting back to that paint and more importantly the open plan. I personally believe that anywhere there's a corner, you have an invitation to change colors. Unless your house resembles the Guggenheim, you have plenty of opportunity for variety.

Now, I am not saying it is easy, to make lots of colors play together nicely in an open plan. I am just saying it is possible. And in this case, it is preferable to painting the whole house blue, even if it is a gorgeous blue that goes with the couch that you may not keep for all that long anyway.

I imagine your Interior Designer is a lovely person, but I think she has led you astray on this one.

hmmm - if you don't like it now, I'm not sure you will all over? color is all about feeling:) no good to be depressed IMHO

from my own world, I brought home every paint sample in the book from lots of companies, very stressed. I found Ellen Kennon paint - full spectrum. The colors immediately just felt better to me. She gives a free color consultation if you buy paint - maybe worth a check?

I really like both of the colors as I am see them on my monitor. I wasn't sure when I looked at the strip, but I think it's really nice. To me it doesn't look dated or like hunter. But I know what you are saying. As I am looking for a tan, I find that some of them seem a little dated, and makes me think I should not do tan at all. Of course that being said, if you don't like it or feel depressed, than it will bug you forever. I am with you too on the white trim. I love it; it looks so clean and makes colors looks so nice. I kind of agree that maybe matching color to a couch that may not be there forever might not have been the best but maybe she does have a point and you need it all finished in order to really know if you like it or not. Have you made any decisions yet?

Well, I talked to the designer today. I'm going to try a couple of different samples (thank goodness for paint sample sale!), send them to her, and see what she thinks. Also hoping to get her out here before our painting weekend to talk through a couple of other options in person, but her schedule is really booked until after that weekend, unfortunately.

If the other samples don't look better than what we've already tried, we'll probably just go with it and see the finished product...and deal with repainting when we eventually get new furniture. Even if it is a two-story foyer and a paint to paint, it's just paint...or so I keep telling myself. I'm so ready to be done with this!

Kjmama, I would love to try the EK paints sometime. I've heard such good things about them!

I keep thinking about your Smokey Mountain, I really like it in your picture. I am think I need to switch gears and forget the tan which I think is becoming dated and try that or something similar. I have SW Svelte Sage in the kitchen which is kind of similar in tone but in a more green hue. I can't wait to see pictures of your final decision. Our wood and lighting does seem very similar.

Keep us posted!

Ojoy, we decided to stay with the Smoky Mountain. My husband did a mockup of the foyer with a few different choices, and that one definitely won out. Now that I've decided to stop agonizing over it, I'm excited to get going and see the finished result. :-)

Here are the mockups:

I'll be sure to post pictures once we're all done. I'm eager to see what you decide on for your space, too!

I love it! It's so crazy to me that I am always drawn to the khaki side and always thought I didn't like blue (only blue by comparison). When I saw the Nantucket Gray I thought, oh I like that but when I saw the Smokey Mountain, that was a WOW!
What a relief that must be. I am so excited to go get a sample of SM and the Sea Pine. Can't get to it this weekend though. Congratulations on finding finding your color. Good Luck painting and post final picts!

Yes, Credo, glad to hear you're in a good place with the Smoky Mountain! The mock-ups are great. Your dh really helped out by doing that, I'm sure. I also think the SM looks beautiful. Nice with your trim! Post pics of the real thing when you can!

I havea similar saga and you expressed your frustration quite well. I can so relate. I also do really like your smokey mountain.. I am deliberating betwixt and between
a smiliar color (BM Wedgewood gray which is a smokey blue but I think maybe less smokey than smokey mountain:) and Bradstreet beige/brookline beige). This has been going on for over 2 months now and I am just getting so sick of it. Anyway I wanted to encourage you along and I am so happy to see somebody arriving at a decision happily.

I wanted to add that the LRV factor, which I think I recently stumbled upon thanks to this forum, seems to be a pretty good guideline. Not that it's helped me to make a decision but it is useful input. The paints I am looking at have LRV's from a low of 39 to a high of 51.

Thanks for your encouragement and help, everyone!

Ojoy, I liked the Nantucket Gray a lot too, but the SM definitely is the better choice for now. I'm really looking forward to seeing everything painted (after lots of hard work) next weekend. I'll be sure to post pictures. Good luck with trying it in your space. I have two sample cans of the Sea Mist I wish I could give you. I don't dare even try putting that one up now for fear it'd throw me into another indecisive tizzy.

Sheila, Wedgewood Gray is actually what we're painting our mudroom. :-) Good luck with your decision!

Well, I still don't have pictures that are ready to be posted--we haven't finished painting everything, and the parts that are painted don't have anything back on the walls yet. But I LOVE the Desert Shadows accent walls--the color is stunning, striking, and breath-taking. :-) Also love the Narragansett Green we used in our bedroom--it looks great with the natural oak trim and furniture. Once I have the room straightened up I'll be posting pictures and asking for accessorizing suggestions.

And finally, the Smoky Mountain. I actually really like it. It looks great with the trim and carpet and definitely warms up the space more than our cold white walls did. It is also a LOT darker than what we used to have; the foyer chandelier gets turned on far more frequently than it used to, and I need to get moving on some better accent lighting for the living room. But I do like the color. So, thank you to everyone who helped me while I agonized, and I promise I'll get pictures posted soon.

Ojoy, how is your color search coming? I'm eager to see what you choose for your space!

pretty! glad to hear you are happy about it

I have been thinking about you and have been meaning to post to see how it went. I'm glad to hear you like the colors!

I have taken another break from picking colors. I am hoping to set up a time this week for someone to come out and help. This time it is just too big of a job to get it wrong. I'm gald in the en your designer was right, gives me hope.

I can't wait to see your pictures!

I posted a new thread with several pictures. They aren't the best, but I wanted to get them up, especially for ojoy119. Eager to see what you decide to do!