Thank you for the responses! Hmm...what to do now? On Friday I told the contractor we wanted BM Satin Impervo. Over the weekend, I changed my mind after several people told me to definately go with semi-gloss or even gloss so I called him yesterday. He had ended up placing the order for the BM Satin Impervo after I gave him the go ahead on Friday but was able to cancel it yesterday because it had not been tinted yet. Is it possible to get just as good of a result from semi-glass vs the BM Satin Impervo because I have to call this guy back again and tell him to switch it again, he is going to think I am nuts! Really...looking at the end result, will I actually notice a difference between these two kinds of paints or not? Thank you!

I am also a fan of the dark gray kitchen cabinet. We chose a great dark gray color, but a horrible paint for cabinets as it turns out--Olympic Semi-Gloss, low VOC paint. It took forever to flash and just isn't as hard as a cabinet paint should be. pcweary, please tell me what paint you ended up using. Are you happy with the results? And, can you offer me any suggestions before I mess everything up again? We are going to repaint, I'm considering using BM #314 (Waterborne Satin Impervo Finish) or BM #309 (Impervex Acrylic Gloss Enamel). You mentioned that the Impervo didn't come in a dark gray. I read on BM's website that the Impervex comes in a variety of colors. I want something water-based, 100% acrylic, and an enamel. I'm also considering using Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish as a protective coat over the paint. I'm really curious to hear your suggestions, or those of anyone else who'd like to offer them. Thanks.

My husband and I painted our whole house with Home Depot Behr Ultra Scuff Defense Stain Blocking paint and primer; flat for walls and ceilings, and satin for doors and moldings. We used fine quality paint brushes and rollers. The paint handled beautifully and is quite durable and looks great. We took our time, lightly sanded all doors and moldings first, washed and rinsed all walls and ceilings prior to painting. We did all the correct prep work. I even got a 10% military discount ( I am a retired Air Force Captain). Our house looks great! I have used BM and SW in past homes I lived in. BEHR is just as good. I painted my front door about 10 years ago, also with BEHR and it looks as good as the day I painted it. We since replaced our front door with a high end fiberglass door, and plan to paint it with BEHR when the pollen dies down in the air. I can also assure you that there is no professional painter that would have ever taken the time to do all the prep work my husband and I did prior to painting. We are semi retired and have the luxury to take the time to do a great paint job! I have read countless Houzz threads on botched professional paint jobs in expensive homes. As my Dad always says: if you want the job done right, do it yourself.

UPDATE: I'm going with a Satin finish in the Benjamin Moore Aura line. Thanks, everyone for your input. I feel very comfortable going with Satin, as it will be more cleanable. I learned a lot about cedar too! Special thanks to paintguy22 who recommended a product I've researched and will buy, for a spot way up high on the chimney where the paint has peeled. I buy things on Houzz and now I'm also very grateful for Houzz.com's discussion forum. Thank you Houzz!