No, not dim at all. If the tactical side of color were easy, then everybody would get it right off the bat. I think Aneles was talking about reaching for a stronger color. And she chose to use the word intentional to describe it. And, yes, whether you want to look at it as "intentional", stronger or higher in chroma, it is those kinds of colors that partner well with a northern exposure. Less nuance would be denoted by a higher value number like 8,9,10, etc and/or a higher chroma number like 1, 2, 3 and up. I said and/or because nuance is what it's called when you consider value and chroma together at the same time. The color notations listed above came directly from SW. I come up with slightly different notations when doing conversions here at The Land of Color's *color lab*. They are very close to SW, but a little different. That's okay because I understand how SW arrived at their notations and I know their process was consistent for all the colors in all their collections. So, it's not a problem comparing SW color notations to each other. The only time that difference I'm talking about would be a problem is if one were to try to use the SW color notations in comparison to another brand's color notations. This image illustrates value and chroma scales. You can see how nuance changes by following the lines of color swatches horizontally, vertically or diagonally. All three ways because nuance is value + chroma. Hope that helps.

I find generic, and especially Walmart generic, to be hit or miss. If I buy name brand, it is always the same unless they change the formula. Walmart is bad about changing the supplier of their brand at any time. I may like one I buy, but if they can save a half penny, they will swap suppliers. So the cream cheese or catsup, or beans you buy one time will not be the same the next. They also seem to get the "seconds" or it will slightly thinner than the name brand. I have had fairly good luck with Publix brands, but even then, some I haven't liked. Fortunately, I can spend the little extra so far to get the constant taste I like. I buy the same brand each time for everything I buy. (And I found out this spring why, when I had to get different paper towels and toilet paper!)

@ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5 - thank you so much for your quick response. I find in my neighborhood that people have a lot of hedges & arborvitaes and deciduous shrubs, which is exactly what I tore out. Or, they use a lot of azalea's, which I love but fear would last about a week with the deer in my yard. That said, I've attached some photos of homes that I saved on my gizmo that struck my fancy. I like round, symmetrical (some might save "typical" or "boring"), but I'm not afraid to try fun stuff. I just think in the front of the house, the less is more approach would be better for me. (I'm very "type-A" and I accidentally killed an indoor bamboo plant, if that's any indication to my style and skill set. :) PS - I agree with the Holly tree. I don't think it's very happy there. PPS - I think the house is considered a traditional colonial...pretty typical for the NE suburbs.

We have had very good service from Gerhard's. I'd go with them the next time I want something that they carry.