""You want to make sure all seaming is level to the touch which is the most importanr step before topcoating". Meant to say befiore skimcoating, not topcoating." Either way, feel is not going to tell if the finish is at level 5. A light (even a flashlight) parallel to the surface will reveal if the finish is up to level 5. The light washing over the surface is one of the times that level 5 can really provide a nice wall. Every slight hump or hollow will show. Using a light across the surface avoids the slight color variations fooling the eye. After p[riming the color variation is gone, making it less likely to fool your eyes, but a light works all the time (and the installer should have used a light before even thinking of priming to check the job).

I saw an infomercial on this product last weekend and painting appliances was the first thing I thought of... MRB Here is a link that might be useful: For Dummies Tile Paint

Danielle, Really the best thing to do is borrow a fan book from Benjamin Moore or some other top brand. Bring it home, go through it, and write down every color that you love for the space. If you have more than, say, five, go through the ones you love again and edit out the ones you love less than the best. Bring home samples or quarts, paint large patches on your walls, and live with them for a week, checking them in different lights: overcast, bright sun, twilight, lots of electric lights, dim electric lights, etc. You can also make your own color if you find a color you like that's too dark or intense. If you want to mix a color you like better than any on the cards, count how many spoonfuls (disposable spoon) of each color you're combining, and be sure to paint a bit of it on a paint sample card (get them at the paint store--they have a true white finish similar to primed drywall). Take your sample card to a good paint store and they can use a computer to analyze and reproduce it. The formula is a backup, to know what you did if the store version isn't 100% right. Having said all that, I'd go with a slightly buttery cream color. The yellowish undertone will make the blue island pop, marry well with the warm tones of the wood, and will be fresher and less stark than browner or grayer neutrals. BTW, once you have your color sample you can get it made in any paint formulation (i.e., any brand). In your case, however, with no backsplashes, I'd recommend you invest in the best quality paint you can get. The big difference between paints is the binder. Poor quality paints, and paints mixed with water, don't bond as well to the wall. That could be important if you're wiping it often.

I never see Aura on sale. However, there is a store called The Andersons (in Ohio) and they sell BM paint. They have 20 percent off coupons in their flyer, so I've gotten it there when I only needed a few gallons at a time. I no longer live near one of the stores though. We had the entire interior of our newly purchased home painted and I got my paint from a local store. I used all Aura, and I bought some 5 gallon containers and then some individual gallons and the owner gave me contractor pricing, which brought the price down quite a bit, especially considering I needed 20 gallons. I absolutely HATE SW paint. I think Aura is worth the money, but still try to get a deal!