Isn't that funny--I've recently struck up a *great* relationship with my local BM store, and I've become a true Aura believer (see the thread about Aura paint--anyone else disappointed?). I *love* that it is self-priming so that I don't have to do everything twice at least, if not three times (trigger thumb, incipient arthritis), and they custom-mixed a color for me with no complaint whatsoever. Not *all* BM dealers have been like this, but these guys have earned my patronage by their great advice and respect rather than contempt (which I have gotten when I've asked to custom-mix colors at other places). I also love the Waterborne Satin Impervo for trim, although I love the Aura exterior semi-gloss as well, which doesn't seem to be getting such positive reviews. Some professional on the paint board has said that Aura is tougher than the Satin Impervo on cabinetry, fwiw. Aura at a contractor price also ends up less expensive than other paints plus primers. We're using matte for the first time, and DH loves it already--I'm pretty close to loving it--it definitely visually smoothes out the silly west-coast "textured" walls rather than calling attention to the bumps. The Aura Matte is scrubbable as well, supposedly. The one thing about the colors in Aura is that the particular waterborne colorants will always grey out any given color; I had opportunity to compare a regular Regal sample of a color with the same color mixed in Aura, and you could definitely see the difference. So be aware of that and prepared, if you are going to have other colors mixed in it.

Once: You'll either have too much going on with a visually busy floor, visually busy ceiling that's cut up with visually busy beams or you'll have a compete disconnect between your floor color and ceiling color. Or both. Probably both. Twice: you are introducing too many elements that you (or your husband) like individually but that don't relate well to each other. It's going to overwhelm the senses and feel disjointed. Seems the third time was the charm: You are stuck in the unfortunate spot of selecting things that appeal to you individually, but that do not at all work well together. You need some big picture help. Your cabinets are installed. That is your basis for everything else. In the pictures they do not look like the color from the mfg website that you showed but that's not surprising. Regardless, they are lovely. Your counter choice is beautiful but look here.... do you see what's happening? These are pictures on monitors where colors are never true, not real life but this is the beginning of trouble. and not inexpensive I can fix it with a coat of paint trouble. That stone is costly - are you obligated to it? Wait for your designer next week. I'd recommend totally stepping away from this and stop trying to come up with *the thing* that's going to tie this all together. Hopefully the only thing that's a done deal is the cabinets and if anything else is pending, stop it while you can.

Design isn’t a vacuum. You must have items that drive this decision- hardwood floors. Carpets. Location in the country. Personal style. Northern v southern. Pacific Northwest versus Palm Springs. Thousands of whites. I have lots of modern art so tend toward very neutral whites. My last house had black floors so it had a slightly warm white, my new house has light oak floors so the white is more grey.

Step 1: Cut the individual colors out of the sheet they are in so you can see the color directly against the stone. White borders are useful when viewing a sample on a color you are going to be painting over, but not useful when comparing a color to an element that is staying. Step 2: Throw out any samples that clearly don't work with the stone Step 3: View the samples at different times of day and under daylight and artificial light. Throw out any samples that clearly don't work at each viewing. Step 4: Put the samples on the floor. Do they work with your floor? Throw out any that don't work. Step 5: Move the samples around the room. View them on vertical surfaces, not just flat on your counter. Throw out some more. Step 5: If you are keeping wall and trim color, test the remaining samples against those and throw out any remaining ones that don't work. If there are any other elements you are concerned about playing well with the cabinets, do the same for them. Step 6: Now with a much smaller pool of candidates, order large swatches (or sample paint so you can paint your own). Repeat steps 2 through 5 with the large samples. Step 7: Pick your favorite. If you can't pick a favorite by this time, they are all fine; throw a dart and don't stress.