I used the SW and it was a bit thin and I needed an extra coat of primer (more than usual) BUT its nice paint and the low odor was great for us as we have a toddler. Once I realized it was thin (we also chose light colors) I was careful about the application and it was fine. It is a bit pricey though. The thing I liked was you could get any of their colors mixed in it and the SW store is nice to shop with a toddler. I have older plaster walls so they may be different than drywall. good luck

ICI's LifeMaster in eggshell. It's not shiny, it's like just right in the sheen department IMO. Touches up well and washes down well. I have two boys and a dog. LifeMaster mixed full spectrum is my favorite flavor of paint :D. (see link) ICI can provide all kinds of information about the product. LifeMaster is 100% acrylic, no odor and low VOC. Can't beat the price and it's a dream to paint with. Depends on your location as ICI is quite prevelant in some areas and less so in others, but many professional painters are ICI/Dulux dedicated and for good reason, IMO.

I dunno about no odor, low VOC primers to be quite honest. My personal feeling is use the best primer for the job because no odor or low voc be darned, it has a job to do and take respite in the fact that it will be sealed over with two coats of a no odor, low VOC product. Might be a completely invalid point of view to take, but that's what has worked for me so far.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum Paints

I hate to sound like a commercial, but if you're near a C2 dealer, the newer C2 "Lovo" (Low VOC) line is very nice.
Averages ~ $44/gal.
Also, it's one of the highest "Percent-Volume-Solids" paints out there...

Not much odor...to ME anyway! Nice comments from customers too.
C2 has various primers now that are Low-VOC.

"Perceived" Odors and VOC's have nothing in common.
The popular Zinsser 123 Latex primer STINKS IMO!! I won't use it. It IS a very good primer though! I could use C2's Latex C2-ONE primer all day...odor wise! BUT its VOC's are a little higher.

(Fun-C...get up here...I may just slide a gallon your way!! You'll never go back... You'll get woozy over a gallon of LOVO Matte "Potsticker", and you'll never set foot in that ICI-place again...;-))

Wow...did I just try "Paint-seduction"?!?!!?
;-)

Ralph-Lauren is also Low-VOC.

Faron

Here is a link that might be useful: C2 Paint info.

Faron, I would love to have a gallon slipped my way and I'm sure you would make me a convert. I know C2 is great stuff, lots of super feedback from my color friends -- many are addicted to the palette. I just don't think of it too much because it's not available in my area. Glad you're there to toss out more options. I think that's the best service these forums provide -- letting people know about all the wonderful paint and color options available to them.

Like I always say, we are so lucky to have so much quality product to choose from and there is a way for everyone to make their color dreams come true. :D Life is good!

Thank you so much......all three of you!

You each offered up some great info. I'm so excited to see some new possibilities.

Faron, i'm sad to say that C2 doesn't appear to be sold in PA. : ( I am going to continue reading more about it though. I really appreciate the info. Ralph Lauren is easy to get around here - I haven't checked into it yet but will do so today.

funcolors, thanks! I love the verdigris color! I'd love to see it in person.....sounds really cool. I found 2 places in Pittsburgh that may sell it and plan to give them a call later to find out.

sarahdecor, very good info. Thank you! I have a SW store close by so maybe i'll stop in and check it out.

I really do appreciate all the info. and will keep it all in mind as I continue trying to decide on a paint.

Dawn

BM has a new product called Natura that will be available nationally in March - unlike others mentioned here, it's premium and remains 0 VOC even after tinting. Go to benjaminmoore.com/Natura for more info.

Good luck.

Thanks paintguy1!

Going to check it out now. That sounds really great!

I used Freshaire Choice from Home Depot. I used this on brand new drywall. After using a good primer, I literally could have gotten away with one coat if I were a better painter and had not been doing some of it in the dark. It's a bit expensive. I think it was like 33 or 38 a gallon. But worth it. No VOC great colors to pick from too. I used Midsummer Gold. Such a nice rich warm color. But they have lots to pick from.

"I literally could have gotten away with one coat if I were a better painter and had not been doing some of it in the dark."

I dont know anyone that can get away with one coat if they want a professional finish, no matter how experienced and how "quality" the paint! Just my 2 centavos!

Just sayin, it covers well.

This might or might not be useful and I will definitely raise and expensive alarm here but want to mention this because I was so happy with the 0 -- and I mean 0 -- odor when we repainted with Farrow and Ball primer and paint.

It's not for everyone because of price and somewhat limited colors bitt it was superb and because we also used another brand in certain rooms it was very easy to judge the difference, which was noticeable. The brand has other attributes as well though well known limited colors.

However, if I had a new baby or small kids and could afford it I would use the F&B without a moment's worry.

Just throwing it out there.

Thanks dollfanz. I've never heard of it either so I will check it out. We have a lot of painting to do so I appreciate knowing that it covers well.

rococogurl, did you use the Estate Eggshell? Colorwise, I loved what they had to offer. They had several shades that I have in mind for our new house. Thanks for yet another eco-friendly option!

So far I have a pretty good list of options and I really and truly appreciate all the suggestions. My DH should have our electric rough-in almost complete today. It's hard to believe that after such a long journey we are getting so close to painting. Yay!

I'm still open to more ideas so if you have 'em, please share!

Thank you,
Dawn

We used the Estate Emulsion (flat/matte) on walls in all but two rooms and F&B Estate Eggshell for all the trim and bead board in several colors. That has a very low sheen and also a wonderful finish.

The next day it was as if nothing had happened. There was a bit of residual odor for a few days from the other (also very good) brand as that cured.

I used FreshAire too from HomeDepot. I used 4 of their colors & was pleased with the coverage. I did it last year & it has withstood 3 toddlers. I did use their primer & then 2 coats & it covered very well.

One good trick for good coverage is to tint your primer to the color of your paint.

I, too, used the Fresh Aire from Home Depot in my bedroom. No noticible odor after it dried and it covered very well. There's a lot of color choices there and the price is right.

Teresa

This thread came up when I did a search for Benjamin Moore Natura. I have always done my own painting (for 30 years) and consider myself an fairly experienced DIY painter. We're at the tail end of completely repainting the home we moved into 7 months ago. My husband picked up paint for me today, and I made the mistake of not specifying which paint I wanted.

He brought home Natura. I shouldn't have tried to paint once I stuck my brush in it and realized the consistency, but I did. This is the thickest paint I have ever seen. It's like trying to paint with Elmer's glue. It has no flow at all, and cutting in against my crown molding with it was just a mess. I never did try rolling it, I can't imagine what that would be like! I'll be back at the paint store in the morning to exchange it for "real" paint.

I've never returned paint in my life, this stuff is that bad.

I've used the ICI a lot, and liked it. Yes, the texture is a little different, but not having the chemicals in the air is absolutely worth it! And it seems to hold up well.

I'm intrigued by the no-VOC (instead of low VOC) paints. Next I think I'll try Natura or the Home Depot brand-- I have heard really great things about both of them.

I don't think Farrow and Ball is even low VOC, although I could be wrong. The odor-chemical correlation is not perfect.

I'm a little late to this thread, but I just wanted to put in a recommendation for SW Cashmere Low Lustre. It smells a little (not unpleasant) while you're painting, but the smell fades quickly when it dries. And the finish is just luscious - so smooth with a nice glow. I've painted two bedrooms with it. It's silky smooth going on and doesn't drip.

SW Duration is also nice but to me, the smell is stronger. Also it has a bit of a grainy feel once it's dry although it looks great and wears like iron.