OK, I absolutely adore Behr Grass Cloth and BM Wasabi! The Wasabi is perhaps the "edgier" of the two, which would probably play well with my artwork, but the Grass Cloth does look like something that I'd be content to live with for a long time. And really, that's what I should be after, I suppose - considering I have now painted the living room 3 times in less than 8 years.

Who sells Behr, Lowes or Home Depot?

I found a "pre-new-drapes" photo of the LR that's slightly less dark than those I posted last night, if anyone would have any interest in taking a shot at putting Grass Cloth, Wasabi or Melange Green on the walls!

Found another photo online of Grass Cloth. I think I'm in love.

Glad you like it, it's a pretty nice color. Behr is sold by Home Depot. Regardless of the color you choose, that yellow is going to be challenging to cover. I've suggested this before and it's worth repeating, have the store add 1 oz of black to the white primer to make gray. It covers bold colors really good and acts as a neutral for the new color. You can also get the primer tinted the same color as the paint, but I just did the black so the left overs for future projects would work on any color.

Do you know... I have never used a primer when repainting! Do you feel it's an absolute must? I'm lazy. ;)

Well, we did and even then it still took many many coats of both primer and paint to cover the colbalt blue that was in the kitchen with the yellow we used. It just kept bleeding through. That was before we learned the technique with the gray.

From what I understand, priming not only prepares the walls but it also provides a foundation keeps the colors pure. I guess you'll get a more pure color if you do. You could try that primer/paint that Behr has, I used it to paint our bathroom vanity black and it was ok, but I'm almost certain you'll still need two coats. Do you sand?

Thanks, I'll look into the primer paint. Never sand, but always do two coats. I tried the visualization tool using my room as canvas on the Behr website, but the color looks nothing like the sample. I'm about ready to commit to Grass Cloth...just go ahead and give it a whirl... unless someone convinces me otherwise! ;)

I know it will work with the blues and aquas, but I would sample it to make sure it works with ALL the colors in the room like the golden yellows. Boy it sure looks pretty spiffy in the photo you found though doesn't it? They sell sample bottles now at HD now too so it wouldn't cost much to try it.

You don't sand? Geeze, every time I don't sand, the new coat peels.

What about Churlish Green? (I love VdeT and have used it in my past two MBRs.) I've specified Sweet Daphne....nice color, but it doesn't have the gravitas I think you need for your art.

I can't see it in that green. My first thought? peacock blue. Like the inspirational picture.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Auntjen,

The last picture you posted is actually LA olive 4, I know because it was my inspiration photo for when I painted my kitchen. She used to post on here and now has a blog, I don't know if I am allowed to post the link to her blog on here? Anyway I was going to actually suggest it or it's lighter version LA olive 3.

Here is my Olive 4

auntjen-

What about BM Medieval Times or Folk Art? I like Churlish Green too, I considered it for my entry where the Medieval Times is, it was a little too yellow for my space but might work in yours. As usual I agree with amysrq that the strong elements in your room need a color with bite to stand up to them.

sandyponder

If you do use a primer, I would like to recommend a primer by KILZ. It's not the KILZ that stinks and you use just to cover stains, but it is a primer that they make now. I have never been so impressed with a primer and the ceiling paint that they have is awesome too. I think HD told me that BEHR is actually making the KILZ products now, and you can find them at HD (and at Walmart!) I'm sure other places have it too.

Here's BM Medieval Times:
{{!gwi}}

And here's Grass Cloth:

And here's Folk Art - first the sample, and then used in a room. Looks like two completely different colors to me. :-/ ...
{{!gwi}}

Your thoughts on which would work best in my room? I'm really loving the idea of green - just want to make sure I choose the right shade.

Ummm, that's a gorgeous peacock blue. It's almost identical to the color of my dining room which is adjacent to the living room, so I don't want to use the same color in my LR. But it's definitely one of my faves. :-)

Tergar, ah - you are correct! My dining room used to be painted in LA Olive 6, so I should be familiar with the 4, since it was one I considered when we were doing that room.

BM Wales green? Too "much"?

{{!gwi}}

Here's Medieval Times in my (at that point unfinished) entry:

I haven't written off BM Wasabi either ...
{{!gwi}}

Sooooo many choices! Arrrrrgh!

Sandyponder, what an amazing space! Gosh, MT is yet another lovely, fresh green! I'm torn now with whether I should go toward the bluer greens or the yellower greens.

...and the BM dealer will/should have the Wasabi in the tiny little test jar, no need to buy the $6 pint. I'm not pushing the Wasabi, just sayin'

Yup, Wasabi is Aura, so there is a small sample pot. If you're buying BM paint, I recommend having it mixed in Aura no matter the color, Aura is a superior product to the regular BM paint IMO. I also like the matte finish for that "just blotted lipstick" tone.

FWIW I love Wasabi too, especially with purple, love that pic beekeeperswife posted.

sandyponder

I like medieval times! I just used weekend retreat in a room. I really liked that too. Also wind chime an aura color. that is a lighter green. I can take pics later if you want (but the rooms aren't finished!)

Here's Agave, which is a step or two away from Wasabi on the BM deck. I like it! (That's part of my problem - I like everything.)
{{!gwi}}

How about a more neutral green khaki color? I think a neutral would help allow your gorgeous colors to pop!

I'm just bouncing all over the place here, aren't I? ;-)

While I do love Behr Grass Cloth, I'm now leaning towards a green with slightly more yellow/khaki hues to it, as aktillery suggests. Right now, I'm inclined to like BM Agave, with Wasabi in second place. Actually, I think either would be nice, but Agave might be slightly more restful, while still maintaining some pop.

Agave:
{{!gwi}}

Wasabi:

Votes?

I like the agave. It looks like a balanced green - not too warm or cool, more neutral, at least from what it appears on the sample.

Personally, I was right there with you. When I was looking at the samples, I kept saying I liked the agave better too. But, when I bought the paint jars, and painted with them, I liked the wasabi better, went with it. I was so nervous when it was being painted while I was at work. I kept calling my dh, and asking him, "is it crazy looking?", "why is nobody calling me to report in?" I was sure it was horrible. It was the biggest surprise when I saw it, and then when I added in the stuff to the room, it just worked. And now, I'm picking out colors for my bedroom, I want to bring this kind of green upstairs. I was leaning to the "calmer" agave, but I just can't do it. The wasabi has a certain "shabang" that I really like. It is the right green without being "neon" or too electric looking.

I know whichever you choose, it will look great. I still think if you go get a sample jar $2 each, and paint 2 poster boards, you will be able to hold them up behind your art and see what works with your lighting, etc.

Here's another picture of it, in the background:

Oh, wow. I still do really, really like the Wasabi! My only hesitation there is that it will remind me too much of the really bold gold that was on my walls (seen below) before I did a glaze over them to tone things down a bit. The overly-brightness of this particular color, which I loved initially, really grated on me over time.

OK, so that's not really fair. Wasabi and my previous color are really nothing alike - except that Wasabi is slightly more "electric" than Agave. I guess I'm wimping out and leaning towards playing it a bit safer. DH is picking up samples for me this afternoon, so we'll see.

I just spoke with a guy on the phone at the BM paint store who was very helpful and raved about the Aura line. Is it as wonderful as he's making it sound?

I appreciate all of the help from everyone so very much!

The Affinity colors play very nicely with each other. They explained to me that it was designed so that the open floor plans that are so popular can use these colors and they seem to work together nicely. I have not been disappointed with an Affinity color yet. And if there was a color that should have disappointed, Wasabi should have been "it".
Best of luck to you with your decision.
Bee

This is funny to read, you ARE all over the place! It's hard, but I think you should narrow it down to a few specific colors, then get some samples and see how they work in YOUR space. Just make a decision from there.

No time to load these individually into a post...can you see these? Someone else feel free to post on the thread if you like...

Here is a link that might be useful: color examples pasted into room

I know. I'm embarrassingly obsessed. ;)

I would go with a nice warm tan, I think. Great room and love the new curtains!

Bungalowhouse, thank you so very much! That's a huge help and I definitely now know which way I strongly lean.
:-)

Well??? Which way? :)

Ah didn't know you have a blue room already.

Another aura green is Anjou Pear which I am considering for my living room. I tried Wasabhi too but it might be a bit too dark for my room, plus it'd extend up the stairs to the upstairs hallway. DH likes both. Anjou Pear looks like a shade lighter than Wasabi (yellowish green) whereas Agave is more green.

LRV wise, wasabi and agave are roughly the same (around 38). Anjor Pear is 45.23.

And the winner is ... Agave. :-)

As soon as that sample went up, I knew that was it. This may be the first time I've ever painted and instead of having a feeling of, "ooooh, I hope I chose the right one", I am feeling decidely "ahhhhhh, yes." I'm exhausted but have one wall finished. This BM Aura paint is fab. Will post pics when I'm done, but for now I am hauling my tired old bones to bed.

Agave was my favorite of all your choices. Can't wait to see it on the wall. I bet it will look lovely with your drapes.

I like the Med. Times very much! Great space!

I LOVE the Wasabi in that hall pic.

Here is SW Tupelo Tree (my favorite bright green):

My favorite shot of it because I honestky felt that the green was such a natural bold green that it blended perfectly w/ the trees outside of this window. I swear that the walls simply disappeared. I've never felt that way about any other color!

I think that the 1st & last pic are the truest. It is a very 'acidy' green that matched the green velvet perfectly on one of my antique chairs.

So glad you love the agave. I told you it was a close runner up for our space, but the wasabi just matched my greens I had going on in other places better!

and, Anjou Pear, that's the one I couldn't remember.

Yeah!!! Glad you sampled and found "the one". There are so many fabulous greens out there to choose from! Can't wait to see it when it's done!

Thank you all so much! Ttodd, that green on your walls is just stunning and gorgeous against the woodwork. I haven't broken the news to DH yet, but I envision more painting in our future. Our den/tv room is painted in Tiger Eye (a deep rusty orange), but it's got large windows on two sides that look out on huge trees. It's crying out for a leafy shade on the walls. Also, the Agave somehow just looks more sophisticated than my current dining room color, so I'm thinking the DR will also be transformed in the near future.

Gotta just love paint! Where else can you get so much decorating bang for the buck? As soon as I have another gallon or so of coffee, I'm back to the roller and brush.

I can't wait to see pics!

Hello...it's Saturday evening...where are our photos...don't know how much longer I can wait...

OK, just kidding. Sort of.

I love Agave. It was my 1st choice for your room, so glad that's what you went with.

Come on, paint faster :-)

Well, I'm full of enchiladas at the moment so I think I'm too sluggish to paint. I've finished two walls (took a total of 8 hours - I used to paint faster than this, must be getting old!) and am thrilled with the new color. It really makes me go "eww, ugh" at the two old golden-brown glazed walls. The old color now reminds me of a dirty diaper, so I'm very eager to get the room finished!

Off to try a pot of tea now. Maybe that will wake me up and get me moving again.

Jen...what is going on, lol?
I'm picturing a very calm room now...but actually I think you found the perfect way to incorporate your new vision in your home! Can't wait to see and plse tell us why you love the Aura paint.

I think the new color is so relaxing, she can't get a picture taken and is lounging around enjoying the calmness of it all.

Get up and paint!!!! We're waiting lol. I love agave but didn't want to sway you in any way. Good choice.

Oh, why wait until it's finished? Snap an "in-progress" picture-we are dying here!

Painting in progress ... am tempted to snap photos now, but want to wait til the room doesn't look like a tornado hit it! I'm exhausted ... sore, with blisters forming on my palms. And I really want to just kick back and drink a couple of beers, but I'm not gonna let myself go there just yet! (Diet Coke break for now though.)
;-)

PLEASE snap pics & post! DH and I were just talking about doing aubergine and a green for our master and seeing the pic that BKW posted as well as the one you posted (hallway) are definitely making me lean in that direction.

Would love to see how agave works with your all your brilliant treasures!

BTW - completely OT but how about Coke Zero over Diet Coke? I can't drink DC now that I've been exposed to Coke 0. :)

Oops - never mind. Found your pics!