Some good points in your post Liz! Considering your 2-coat 123 priming, neither paint should be raising the grain. Were these trials over the primed surface, or on "bare" wood doors? They are 2 different paints obviously... * For a new painter, the Aura will seem finicky/fast set-up times. You could add some of XIM's Latex Xtender to help it level better, and slow the set-up time. * The ACE Cabinet paint is a "Hybrid", meaning it's "Both" Latex paint, AND a harder-resin Alkyd polyrethane paint. * The ACE requires 24 hrs. between coats to level itself out, and harden-off enough for the 2nd coat. * Aura would be ready for 2nd coat in 2-3 hours. * I did my ACE sample-boards on some primed/sanded pallet boards. They still look very nice! Faron

Let the man use what he prefers. There are better products for cabinets than Aura. With that said, however, Aura is no shrinking violet in the line up of paint choices for cabinetry. If he likes to (if he can) use Aura and it's included, there's no reason to complicate things and making choices to keep happy the one who is doing the actual labor can bring benefits. Properly prepped surface and Aura in a light gray semi should serve you nicely for many years to come.

BM Satin Impervo 100% Acrylic does not come in dark colors. Only the oil based Satin Impervo has the full color range. You can however get BM Low Luster (Satin) paint which has the full spectrum of color and is also 100% acrylic and is made especially for wood and metal. It also is self priming but bare wood should be sealed at least and prefinished cabinets should be roughened up so that it can have something to grab.

Carol, it is very important to try the colros first since they are custom colors. Pittsfield buff link: http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Benjamin-Moore-HC-24-Pittsfield-Buff-p/mpc0006990.htm Monroe Bisque link: http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Benjamin-Moore-HC-26-Monroe-Bisque-p/mpc0006991.htm Great color combination with Monroe bisque link: http://www.myperfectcolor.com/MPC-Designer-Picks-Calm-Classics-1-p/mpc-mpcombo-0710mcc1.htm This site is usefull because they make a sample size for any color you want. I had used Monroe Bisque for my wall in my hallway and on the trim I had www.Myperfectcolor.com send me another sample at 25% strength for my trim. You might want to check out there most popular bedroom colors: http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Top-Selling-Bedroom-Colors-Myperfectcolor-com-s/68.htm In Short I like Monroe bisque since it doesnt show up as yellow as the Pittsfield buff. Good luck and post a pciture when complete