I would definitely avoid Benjamin Moore Aura and their other low VOC paints. Benjamin Moore had a class action suit filed against them because of lingering odors with their Natura paints and I've had the same problem with Aura. I've been a Benjamin Moore fan for years. Most of my house is painted with Regal classic, but like you, health reasons made me decide to use a low VOC paint in the bedrooms. I painted the guest bedroom and bathroom with Aura. The smell was initially quite strong but it dissipated more quickly than their regular paint, so I decided to use the Aura again a year later when painting the master bedroom and bathroom. It's been a complete nightmare. ThereâÂÂs an odor that wonâÂÂt go away and has made the rooms uninhabitable for close to 10 months. I tried to sleep in the bedroom about 3 months after it was painted but I woke up in the middle of the night with a pounding headache and feeling suffocated by the smell. Now I go in the room as little as possible. Benjamin Moore was initially somewhat responsive. They admitted the smell was caused by the paint and promised to fix it. But when it became clear that sealing the paint hadn't worked and drywall would need to be replaced, they started to backtrack and now blame my plumbing. I am so disappointed in this company. I guess because I used their paint for so many years, I expected more ethical behavior. I have never been reimbursed for the "fixes" they promised to pay for (over $1000) and now they say they'll only reimburse me if I sign a waiver. Why would I sign a waiver when they still haven't fixed the problem? I've done a fair amount of internet research and my sense is that the low VOC paints are just less stable. Some people have a great experience with little smell. Some people say it smells more than regular paint but goes away quickly (as happened with my guest bedroom) and others experience a nightmare situation with a smell that wonâÂÂt go away and nothing works but removal of all painted surfaces. In the future, IâÂÂll stay away from Benjamin Moore paints. Great colors but not worth the risk.

Truly, I don't spec BenM because it's not uber convenient for me. That's the only reason. Sure would if I could. I could walk to the ICI store from my house if wanted to and I adore the full spectrum paints from Ellen Kennon which are mixed via ICI. The Pittsburgh Paints store is right down the street from the Design Market Place where I rent space. In Ohio there's a Sherwin Williams store on just about every street corner (well it feels like it any way) and I have a lovely, brand new ACE hardware that carries the ACE Paint brand, Cabinet Coat, Pratt & Lambert and Ralph Lauren. I like spec'ing a mix of all different brands. Keeps me from getting bored, love a lively diverse network of people too and I think the mix lends each project I do some individuality in some way which may only be noticeable to me. But that matters. :-) Waiting for the BenM resource that is within a reasonable distance to me to offer Aura, at least I hope they will. Would love the opportunity to try it. As of now, I just don't have a reason to make a special trip to the BenM store because I have so many other wonderful options that I just happen to like more.

Tibbrix- I loved Frappe but it was way too light , especially on the stairwell. Hollykay is correct about Straw Hat having green undertones. Because of living in the woods I already have a greenish light coming in that area so I am finding anything yellow or yellow green goes greenish. While I don't like reddish undertones, I am finding that I need a color to counter the greenish light. I'm also looking at Mushroom by Ellen Kennon that was suggested by Funcolors. I sure don't want to do any worse than the orangey beige I have currently.

I just bought a few gallons of Emerald. I like the way that it went on and the coverage. I've already scrubbed a lot in many areas and the paint has been fine. I used flat. I didn't like cashmere because it had a subtle sheen.