What sheen is their trim? Matte/flat will be more forgiving for texture. if the contractor is insisting on using matte it's probably because the walls aren't as good as they could be.

Eggshell is a little nicer IMO, but not if the trim is eggshell too. Also, by going for eggshell it may show imperfections in the wall. Eggshell and satin sheen is a littler easier to clean too, so if they have kids that may be something to consider.

The trim should be satin?

There are washable Matte paints available.

Their designer is wrong in stating that matte paint is builder grade! It is in fact not flat paint and only comes in the higher end product lines of BM and Sw! I prefer matte myself as it gives a very nice velvet finish and yes it is washable. I don’t like a sheen on walls, I prefer the contrast of flatter walls with the higher sheen of trim. I don’t want the light bouncing off my walls to interfere with my art etc.! The added advantage is touch up is easier too. It’s less obvious on a flatter paint set face. Not so on a shinier one, it usually flashes and your having to paint the whole wall!

What lynartist said. My favorite is BM regal in matte. Great coverage, nice velvet finish and still washable. Flat is for ceilings, not walls. IMO, matte is very different than flat and have no idea why someone would think (or say) that eggshell is a higher end finish. Hogwash.

So true Lori! There’s nothing stopping the homeowner from upgrading any sheen paint! A contractor may price out SW Pro Mar 200 but you can pay more and stipulate Emerald ( in flat , matte or whatever!) same for any brand paint. So pay attention to what you are getting and paying for because it does make a difference!

BM Regal Select? Is that a good one. Someone above posted BM Regal matte as a favorite (assume that's the same)

Or try and see BM Sterling comes in Aura. Is Aura for bathrooms/kitchens or that is a different one

I have BM Aura matte. It’s wonderful, looks great, seems to be able to wipe up ok, and I don’t have to worry about moisture in the bathrooms.

Any BM colour can be made in Aura (or so says my local BM store). It's the reverse that's not possible: Affinity colours are available in Aura only. BM does have a special Aura for bathrooms and kitchens.

I, too, have BM Regal in Matte, and agree that it has a velvety finish. I also have BM Regal in Eggshell and I do not like the finish as much. My walls are all light in color and I like how my trim (BM Advance Semi-Gloss), though also light in color, stands out next to the wall.

Ok, so affinity colors were created for the Aura paint base. I believe any color can also be used. The Color Stories collection must be used with the Aura base but is pricier as it is a full spectrum paint. This collection was created to compete with the finer European paints and has a some very beautiful colors! But$$$! And yes, there is a bath& spa in Aura.

If you are wondering what full spectrum means in relation to the Color Stories collection it refers to the # of pigments used. These colors use 5-7 different pigments to create each color and there is no black or gray used. They are very beautiful and nuanced colors.

Matte isn't as washable as eggshell, even though all the marketing the paint manufacturers put out there says it is. Aura Matte is significantly better than Regal Matte though.

Matte paint is not flat paint and certainly not builder grade I have all matte paint and I have had it for 12 yrs and it still looks good but I did my trim in it too and that I am slowly changing to satin for ease of cleaning.

All of the doors in our house are painted matte by fine paints of Europe and they are wearing well.