We did Benjamin Moore Dune White and went with an Eggshell finish (baseboards too) because we have children and I needed clean-ability. I think flat looks the nicest, but will show scrub marks. We also used Aura.

I went with the same finish for trim because I like a seamless, modern look.

Hope that helps!

So is the 'modern' look to use the same finish on walls and trim?

I just used some semi gloss on new window trim . I think it is the better sheen for trim...it's not really that shiny as high gloss would be. A look as far as trad or modern has more to do with the type of trim : relief or profile and height in inches etc.

If you are using the BM Regal line - I like the Ulti-Matte finish from that paint line - it is my favourite paint to work with. I usually do matte on the walls and semi-gloss on trim. The sheen factor makes the same colour paint amazingly different at times.

Use the matte or eggshell on the walls, and either satin or semi gloss on the the trim

The shinier the paint the less forgiving it is of an uneven substrate. If there are any bumps or ripples in the wall surface the way the light reflects off of shiny paint will make them more apparent. While I sometimes covet the look of a high-gloss lacquer in someone else's house, that is something best left to the pros, and high-end, meticulous, expensive pros at that.

While I have heard good things about newer flat paints, generally the higher the gloss, the more durable the paint. That includes cleaning, but also general wear and tear. That's probably the biggest reason semi-gloss is often used for trim--it holds up better to being banged and bumped (that awkward box you were carrying through the doorway or a vacuum cleaner against the baseboards).

I usually go with eggshell for walls and semi-gloss for trim. But lots of people like flat for walls.

I prefer flat walls and satin or pearl trim. I just don’t like any shine on my walls.

I like satin everywhere; a little shine never hurts and I like the way it enhances light in a room. If you are a fry cook, you might want semi-gloss in the kitchen.

I am in the process of painting my entire downstairs. My painting contractor has really educated me on different types of paints and walked me through it like a therapist would, because it is stressful! We landed on Matte walls and semi-gloss on the crown/trim and doors. The only true flat we did was on the ceiling. I thought Matte and Flat were the same, and they are NOT.

Ah, yes, I thought Matte and Flad were the same. I will clarify with my painter on what we will use. Kelly, what brand of paint does your contractor use?

For the kitchen, eggshell should be used because it is more wipeable. The kitchen ceiling however, should be flat. You def don't want a shiny kitchen ceiling. The same would be for the bathrooms. The other rooms in the house should all be flat. Trim (baseboards, door jambs and frames) should be semi-gloss.

SW Duration Home

Lori, Do you think Aura is worth the extra cost? Especially since I am not using a staturated color--just White Dove? My painter thinks I should not spend the extra $$.

I ALWAYS buy the best paint..that means it is more than the others....I never buy the cheaper paint. Why does a painter tell you to not spend extra? that's a weird one. I use the best brushes/rollers as well. And I will prep to make the surface as good as I possibly can. I take my time with all aspects of painting as the result is more satisfying and will last longer. Cheaper or just plain cheap paint ain't worth it. paint does keep climbing in price but there are sales and is the extra 10-15 dollars per gallon that critical to your budget? the last kitchen paint I used was pratt and lambert accolade in 1997 or so .it is still handling washing and the color saturation has not faded. But I changed color scheme and started around the kitchen walls this fall , and bought PPG at Menards ...the highest grade of the 3 PPG lines . it has excellent working time and no brush or roller marks . Really great paint. There are many good paints....all I can say is buy the best paint .

herb, I am not sure I agree that the 'best' paint is always more than the others. I think it depends on the application and the attributes of each paint formula--whether the 'best' paint for the project is a saturated color, whether you want washability, quick dry, how long you intend to keep the wall color in your space, one coat, or if one wants to stay on budget. For example, Farrow & Ball is expensive but not always the 'best' paint for the project. Likewise Fine Paints of Europe.

My contractor always tries to keep me on budget and he believes Aura and Regal Select are both very good but price wise Regal Select would probably fit my budget (which is getting out of hand). LOL. Thank you for your thoughts.

Yes.

Aura matte is one of my favorites. Paint is like fabric. Different finishes have a different "hand".

And I like Aura matte. I like the way it looks and feels - high end.

I think it's pretty.

I've specified a lot of it, painted many of my own rooms with it, touched up many dings and scuffs. (I have two boys and two dogs).

BTW, touch ups are best done with a slightly damped sponge brush and apply Aura in very thin coats until you get the coverage you want. Take your time, don't rush.

Never been disappointed or regretted spending an extra 5 cents per square foot.

If you do the math, it literally comes out pennies per square foot difference.

I never compare paint price per gallon.

Always price per square foot.

Aura matte averages about 375 square feet per gallon.

Regal matte averages about 425 square feet per gallon.

Divide your price per gallon by square feet to figure out approx. price per square.

Taking a look at the numbers might help you decide if it's worth it or not.

Flat or matte for walls and ceilings. Satin or semi-gloss for trim.

I like eggshell for kitchen walls, satin or semi-gloss for trims. My kitchen is small and splatters end up in surprising places. Plus, I like the look of eggshell next to shiny tile better than flat.

It is true about different brands having different amounts of gloss in a finish. I stopped using Behr when they changed their formula (many years ago) and their eggshell suddenly had too much gloss for my preference.

Eggshell walls, semigloss wood, flat ceilings. For this color & space I would skip Aura even though it has its place occasionally.

Benjamin Moore Advance satin on woodwork

Advance is a really pretty finish too. Dry time between coats is brutal but worth investing the time if you can.

I would argue strongly against using matte. We used it on all our walls and we were really not happy with it at all. It looked chalky and unfinished and, despite advice that it was scrubbable, it looked horrible after just a couple of years. We have now painted most of the high traffic areas ourselves with eggshell. We used the Aura.

I use Behr satin in UltraPure White. Because I like pure white walls and Behr has the best pure white.

I live a bit of sheen and dislike flat paint immensely. Flat paint looks unfinished to me.