tribbix, I did start a thread actually but after having tried some of the suggestions, the colors just haven't worked out for me. I think I was trying to go for the "coastal" look and I really need to stop forcing the room in that direction. I've bought a ton of paint samples and I'm just not happy with any of them. The blues are too blue, the grays are timid (but at the same time I'm afraid of going darker) and I just do not like any of the yellows and oranges or reds. I've gone through all the colors on the spectrum and nothing is 'clicking.' My current wall is yellow so I've been using posterboards and leaving a white trim to get a better read of the colors. I loved the idea of Wickham Gray and Gray Owl, but they read as very pale on my postercards. I wonder if it's because I'm just not very good at mentally imagining what the entire apartment will look like painted? Or do postercards whitewash colors and make them lighter than they actually would be when painted on the wall? I need to paint the walls before I move in and the painter is coming Saturday! I work so can't spend all day trying out paint colors and seeing it at different times of the day. I am now stressed to the point where I'm thinking of just throwing a dart, picking a color and hoping for the best. artikllery9, I loved your picture posted up above. Is that of a north facing room? That is the kind of color scheme that I want - gray walls, brown wood floors (carpet in the livingroom, wood in the dining area) and white sofa and couch with dark brown coffee tables. The room looks stunning! I tried Gray Owl but it read as very pale on my walls. Maybe I need a heavier coat of paint? Or maybe it will look different once the entire room is painted in that color? My room does actually get quite a bit of light and has one wall of mirrors on the far side of the room. Massagerocks: did Clay Beige work for you in a north facing room? I really wanted to like Horizon and Abalone but Horizon didn't show up as a color for me and Abalone was pure lavendar - has anyone else had this experience? Thanks in advance for all your help!

I have untinted SW paint in my basement from the last 40% off sale because I hadn't chosen colors yet but I'm willing to consider having it tinted to a competitor's color(s). How I want the rooms to feel is a hard question. I guess I'm too analytical. Comfortable and livable -- somewhere between jarring/pay-attention-to-me and boring/bland? Guest room is rarely used, just the occasional overnight by a traveling family member. It might get more use in a few years if my kids bring friends home from college but I doubt they'll care as long as you feed them. :) Tibbrix, I'll definitely check out the other blues you suggested. I'm glad you responded because I remembered seeing that you weren't entirely happy with SW Languid Blue. Will take some photos after I get things better organized.

I just painted my north facing room smokey taupe from Benjamin Moore. I tried BM Halo on poster board in the room and looked at it from all different angles and at all different times of day and thought I loved it. When the room was painted it looked mint green. I had to then make a decision about what color to repaint and snow made it so I couldn't go get samples -- so I did as much research as I could on other "grieges" and picked smokey taupe from a paint strip because the articles I found said it had red undertones versus green -- and I love it. Has a nice taupe-gray feel that's very neutral. The upshot is, pay attention to what research you can find about undertones -- I don't recommend picking from a paint strip, obviously, but the research helped a lot (and I guess I got a bit lucky). I know seeing is believing, but a little supplemental research can really help, too. Wish I had paid attention to it before I had to repaint!

For my daughter’s room (which faces north east) we plan on painting it BM slip. The room across the hall (facing south west, I suppose), I wanted to do in BM Beach Glass. I painted a sample board. It’s a beautiful color, just worried it will be too dark in this room. Am also thinking about BM Silken Pine or BM Healing Aloe. The room next to my daughter’s room (further north than east) will be my son’s room. Sapele bunk bed, navy sheets. Am thinking BM edgecomb gray (LRV 63) or gray owl (LRV 67), though I’ve read that gray owl can be a minty green in certain lighting. The problem is little lighting as there is only one window. The hallway will be BM Wickham Gray. This is the one color that will stay as is because it works with the great room and the main foyer. Any thoughts / suggestions?