msrose - The picture came after the paint. I was wandering around JoAnn Fabric and decided to take a quick look down the art aisle "just in case" there was something that would look great in my new kitchen. I saw this and thought it was perfect! lyban - it's SW Sierra Redwood. And you are absolutely right, cheery and warm is how it makes me feel! pbrisjar - les917 and jejvtr suggested I try something in the rust/terracotta family, so I picked up a sample of the Sierra Redwood. I had actually almost decided on the Mountain Moss, but then I figured I should probably paint up a sample board of the Sierra Redwood considering I had already spent $5 for the paint :) Lo and behold, once I saw it on the sample board I thought, I LOVE this color! I still wasn't sure it would go in the kitchen, but my husband loved the color too, so we decided to paint one wall and see from there. I think the biggest problem I had before was 1 - I couldn't imagine what "went" with the tile and counterop so was really limiting myself and 2 - I was too focused on picking a color that "went" and not focused enough on finding a color that I LIKED. Actually liking the color made me bold enough to try it on the wall. As others have mentioned, I don't think most of us would look at it and say "oh yes that will look great" [well, except for Les and jejvtr ;)] It sort of takes a small leap of faith! Anyway, this has truly been a learning experience with color and I thank you all again!

I think the dinginess could be coming from the photograph and from the existing wall color more than from the samples themselves. But if you are concerned about that, and want a more reflective, brighter color, consider SW Dover White 6385 or Paperwhite 7105, or Restoration Hardware's Buttercream (it really does look like unsalted butter), or Benjamin Moore Vanilla Ice Cream, or for a little more color, B. Moore Mannequin Cream. Don't give up until you are really happy about the color! And don't choose just from a chip - when you are down to three, paint boards with sample sizes and...well, you've heard it often enough right here!

I actually quite like the stone despite the "coffee stains", although I agree it would be nicer without. I probably would have said exactly what you were thinking..."You aren't moving them for nothing, you are moving them so you can sell me a slab I like." And I would have added that I had driven 2.5 hours to get there. AND I would have pointed out that they had obviously moved at least 4 slabs for a previous shopper who apparantly had liked the inner slabs better than the outer ones. Then I would have crossed my arms and tapped my foot, and broken out my best evil eye. It still might not have worked, since it sounds like he was stupid and lazy. I would actually recommend that you get on the phone with the yard, ask to speak to the manager, and tell him what happened and what your expectations are/were. If your options are limited (and that is the only reason I would consider going back there), I would definitely make that call before I invested the time in another trip.

Out of the colors I posted, the only ones I don't think I'd care for in your space are the Formica Butterum Granite and Walnut Quartstone, but I posted those because you said you were looking for a medium to dark tone brown. I am not as crazy about the Wilsonart Deepstar Bronze because it may be a bit too orange. It's a pretty pattern however. Like dianalo said, you have to see the samples in your lighting. I have so many laminate samples it's crazy. Ones I loved on the computer were not right in my kitchen. I have a bunch of samples of Mineral Jet here and I do like that color. In my kitchen is reads more dark grey than a true brown. My aunt put Uba Tuba in her kitchen and her walls are green, but a bit softer color than yours. It looks awesome. I personally like to have flexibility when I choose these things. What if you decide in a few years that you hate the green paint? I would pick one you like overall and not just because it looks good with this paint.