Hey Posie, Sorry to be so long on answering...trying to stay ahead of my mowing!! It's kinda hard to tell from the 2 pics...since I can't view-'em side-by-side; and the pics aren't close-up. * 3 yrs. is a little soon for noticeable fading from quality paint though... * I don't know of Monarch paint. What supplier/store did your "painter" use?? If you track this down, you could inquire at that store. Ask a few neighbors, or your paint stores if they know of the brand. * Had you picked out a certain brands' color other than Monarch?? The reason I ask... * Some homeowners painters' will take a chosen brands chip, and have it matched into "cheap-brand-x" paint, and still charge YOU for the higher-price line. * I tint a LOT of paint where I work (NOT HD or a SW/BM store), and periodically, a painter will come in and take some chips (we have ACE-Royal, Ralph-Lauren, & C2). They then leave to have them matched at a store where they get BIG discounts on "entry-level" grade paints. * Since we have a high-end line like C2 (low $40's/gal.), it prob'ly happens more than I'd like to believe! >>> Since you can't locate the painter, I'm guessing this is your situation. >>> Exterior spraying...Takes a practiced hand to do it right. Spraying is usually the "fast & cheap" way out. >>> The best do it the old-fashioned way...by HAND. Coupled with good prep...cleaning/sanding/caulking/priming/TWO brushed topcoats...you should get a decade of good wear. Lemme know what you find out! Faron

I agree with Lori. It's best to pick from all the colors already in your brick -and there are many. It looks like that's what they did when they chose colors the last time, although I wouldn't have favored the orange so much. There are lots of pretty shades of red in the bricks you could choose for you door, several to choose from undo the window. The wine looks like a mis-match in my opinion. I'm not big on paint colors but my description of paint I would choose would be a rustic red.

Thank you all for sharing your precious time to help me. The Ben Moore guy said I am right that new laws governing paint ingredients come out every few years, and what they want the manufacturers to get rid of always turns out to be the good stuff. So when CR does a test on 3, 6, and 9 years on paint, it's quite likely not the paint you can go to the store and buy today. Paints we've all known and loved can go downhill, and boy have they! Of course, my bad luck with the SW Superpaint white doesn't mean someone else won't have good luck with a blue, or red, etc. I read one review where the guy claimed Behr white was good, but avoid the tints. Shrug. Christopher Nelson, you gave good advice and I'm glad I listened to you. I picked up a quart of Ben Moore Aura this afternoon, and it was like night and day. Went on smooth as silk. I may need two coats, but not four. Thanks! I'm now a new Ben Moore fan, and I may yet finish this job well before the bad weather sets in.

Hello! I would appreciate the help of anyone who understands paint colors, undertones, lighting, and all that good stuff. We recently closed on our home and moving in soon. Painters are coming in Monday to begin work and I only have a couple days to pick paint colors. I am most concerned about the family room. The pictures I have posted show the color the previous owners had (along with their furniture). We are keeping the shelves on the wall and the shelving unit under the JOY sign will be in the room as well. Our couch and overall color of the room will be on the beige/cream/brown scheme of things, with possibly some pops of jade or dark navy. Anyways, I currently HATE the green color (green undertone?) that is currently in the room. I want a beige/neutral color. I spoke with a design consultant where I am purchasing paint from and she recommended BJ Muslin or Moccasin for the room. I initially liked the Muslin color but keep reading online that there is a definite "pink" undertone to it which scares me. I definitely don't want that. I am trying to learn more about BM Moccasin but sadly cannot find much information about it online. Does anyone know what kind of an undertone it has? For reference, it is a north facing room with lots of windows as well as sky lights. I am not sure what the natural lighting is like because, unfortunately, we are moving states, so I will not be able to be back in the house until AFTER painting is done and we move in. Double whammy, I know! That is what's making this process so difficult. I went and got paint samples today to see the colors in real light, but unfortunately I cannot see them in the actual room. Please help! Oh, and the kitchen is open to the family room, which is BJ Revere Pewter... if that helps? Also, there are areas of clear discoloration in the hardwood flooring where rugs were placed so this tells me that the room must have a lot of natural sun light even though it is north facing? Just an assumption but don't really know for sure.