Thanks Lisa, and everyone else who complimented the color! I've tried BM Duxbury Gray, BM Gray Owl and BM Fieldstone and none worked quite the way I wanted in the last few months. So I understand the frustration of seeing a color look great in someone else's home but not work in your own. I ended up mixing the Gray Owl and Fieldstone and came up with a color that I really like. It is my second choice for the family room along with Revere Pewter. I'm going to start a new thread for that so please stop by and take a look. DH said this B&B wainscot was the easiest project I've given him yet and the cheapest. We did picture frame wainscoting in the study and dining room earlier this year and added a coffered ceiling to the dining room. You can see a hint of each in the photos above. The wainscoting for the stairs is made of 1 sheet of 1/2" MDF cut into 3 inch width's. The entire project, w/o paint, cost $30. I was at work when he did it (I supervise too much) and he said once he figured out the correct angles that the sawing and nailing part only took a couple of hours.

That stinks, doesn't it? This may be 'out there', but I wonder if you could get a recessed light fixture put into the porch ceiling that uses a low wattage bulb that would cast some light toward the door there inexpensively. I think it would make a huge difference in giving a welcoming look to the house, and I'd use it during the day, and have it on a separate switch from the one that controls the ones on either side of the doors. That would also allow you a larger palette since you'd be able to SEE the doors.

First off, I can see you have so many colors right next to each other for swatching, and when I see a client do that I know I have lost them. Can you cover those colors, and regroup? There are too many colors... and now you are most likely unable to see any of them, even if you had a winner! A few color options to consider is Light Pewter, White Dove or Grey Owl (all Benjamin Moore) are all colors I have used in combo with Revere Pewter very successfully, and both options could work well in this space. Keep in mind when it is covering a larger space it doesn't look as dark as when it is in just one spot... and it will dry a different color. Another trick that designers sometimes do is purchasing a pearl or semi gloss finish which tends to read brighter since it allows the light to reflect off of the surface. You mentioned Sherwin Williams, but you are referencing Benjamin Moore color names. Benjamin Moore is the only one that does a pearl finish, so that is important. Let us know how you make out! ♥

The stain on the maple is called colonial (by our cabinet designer). We will be doing rustic white oak flooring (clear coated) and also have wormy chestnut on the wet bar top. Our cabinets will be 9ft high and lots of them plus the kitchen will be open to the living room (and i'd like to paint that revere pewter with simply white trim), both the kitchen and living room have cathedral ceilings with wood beams at the top...here are a few pics of the warm woods and and countertops.... again- we get a ton of light! thanks so much! revere pewter behind, simply white wood, maple sample and hard marble flooring (pic from old house) .... wormy chestnut bar (pic from old house- ignore the cabinet color)