I always use eggshell for walls and satin for trim and doors. The trim and doors take the bigger beating and satin wipes clean without much force.

IMO semi gloss is my choice for trim and matte for walls and ceilings I use the same color for all if the walls are quite light toned . I love raccoon fur but how does the black connect to the rest of the space ? IMO then you need black in the bedding or somewhere you don't just plunck a black piece in a space because you like it. Satin for trim is great not sure how much less glossy you can get without goinf the same as the walls which IMO is not ideal for trim

Generally speaking, eggshell or satin for the walls; semi-gloss for trim and cabinetry, matte/flat for the ceiling. But I also LOVE the look of high gloss on painted cabinets. See below:

Comfortable and Collected · More Info

Thanks all for your input, it is very helpful.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting, I'm plunking down racoon fur because I love my husband and he loves that color. He is also using this space as his office and I am thrilled he didn't want to paint the entire space raccoon fur!

We are going for a masculine vibe in the furnishings (walnut desk and headboard) and I have a few pieces to be upholstered so will likely be able to tie in there. I'm thinking of putting a very slender console table to the left of the book nook. I could go with something black there as well. Thanks for the reminder to do so.

I’ve always used semi-gloss for trim. it holds up well and is such a small amount doesn’t look too shiny. i like matte for walls but did just put eggshell in our hallway because the walls get so scuffed. very happy with that decision!

Honestly, I would still consider matte for the walls and test out samples from different brands. Not all matte paint is created equal. In my experience, Sherwin Williams matte is easy to clean (the "premium" ones from Lowes). I never had a problem painting with that brand either. On the other hand, I once bought BM matte and it was SO impossible to clean, I will never buy it again (plus they don't do small sample pots, which is ridiculous).

@User . Good point. I have only ever used Farrow and Ball and Benjamin Moore paints and both are so hard to clean in matte finish. There are a lot of imperfections in the walls so I know that eggshell will magnify them, but I'm sort of feeling lazy at the moment and just wanting to stick with Benjamin Moore!

If you prefer a matte finish, take a look at Benjamin Moore's Scuff X. I normally use eggshell on my walls, but the Scuff X matte is just a touch higher in sheen than say Aura, but MUCH more durable.

We used the Scuff X satin for trim, but again, it is a VERY durable paint, so the Scuff X eggshell would work for your trim.

To really compare the sheen, find the % of gloss level listed on the TDS sheet.

Here are the sheens for Scuff X:

Gloss / Sheen Matte (8 – 13 @ 85°) (9.5 @ 60°)

Gloss / Sheen Eggshell (15 – 25 @ 85º

Gloss / Sheen Satin (20 – 35 @ 60°) (48 @ 85°)

If I was doing a dark (like Raccoon Fur), I would want less sheen, not more.

Find out EXACTLY what brand of paint your cabinet maker is going to use. The better waterborne brands (Centurion, Renner, etc.) come in almost any sheen, and are durable regardless.

Ahh yes semi-gloss for trim! Forgive my Covid brain for saying satin.

We are going to use Aura. I looked at the scuff-x but it is higher VOC than I want.

Good to know about the TDS sheets and gloss % info. I'm going to compare the Farrow and Ball to Benjamin Moore since I'm looking at FB in my own apartment but will be using Benjamin Moore in the guest suite. Thanks.

@Kendrah, I have a compromised immune system and need to be extremely careful of all products. That being said, I had zero issues with Scuff X (and I do my own painting).

I have used Aura, and found it a breeze to paint with. However, even fully cured, it marks and nicks easliy.

That's one of the reasons the "VOC's are lower". I didn't check the exact stats, but most likely the difference is minimal. Just FYI.

Does anyone have thoughts on Aura Bath and Spa? I usually stay away from bathroom / anti-mildew paints because it is usually loaded with anti-fungal ingredients that I don't want to around me. I was just going to use Aura Eggshell, but now I see they say it is anti-mildew as well. What's the difference?

Thanks for the heads up @Mary Elizabeth. I too am immunecompromised so I really appreciate hearing your review.

Is there a particular product you use for redoing floors? I have always used Rubio Monocoat but really don't want to use them in this instance. The contractor says they will use a waterborne poly coating. I have little idea what that means or what kind of off gassing I'm in store for.

In regards to the Rubio, we also used that on our hardwood maple floors (2600 sq ft) in 2015. I did not have any issues with it smell wise, or any after effects. However, it does NOT protect the wood enough and the cleaning & maintenance is just not worth it.

Doing further research, I also found that Rubio actually contains "isocyanates", but at a level that does not have to be disclosed.

Point being, so much of the "low VOCs", etc., is more marketing hype than about purity.

Some of the WORST products for our health are in the cleaning aisle at the grocery store or the cosmetics aisle. But they are not as heavily regulated as the coatings industry. OR worse yet, regulated under the FDA, so they're allowed to keep their ingredients "secret".

Example - if I go into someone's home that uses the plug in air fresheners - within minutes, I can barely breathe.

I don't think you need to worry about any of Benjamin Moore's higher end products, as they have been lowering the total VOC's as much as possible for some time now.

As far as a floor finish, we plan to redo our floors with Centurion -

Clear Polyurethane Floor Coating 2400 Series – Centurion Wood Coatings

Thanks for the Centurion link @Mary Elizabeth. It seems to me like their products are all clear. What would I use to change the color of the wood stain? (As you can tell, I know so little about floor finishing.) I used Rubio about 15 years ago and it was fine but tried it again a few years ago and the smell really bothered me.

I have a major asthma attack from plug-ins and air freshners and can't even walk down a cleaning products aisle in a supermarket. Thankfully there have been so many new products on the market in just the last decade. I can now even dye my hair. But cosmetics are a real challenge because so many clean products that get good ratings on EWG use essential oils, and I'm super allergic to them as well. Rosemary and lavender might as well be Glade and Gain.

@Kendrah, I have the very same type of response to the essential oils! Plus, I think Bounce (or any dryer sheets) should almost be illegal!

As to your floor - are you having it all sanded and re-stained?

The type of stain needs to be coordinated with your top coat. If you're using an oil stain (more smell), it sometimes isn't compatible with a waterborne topcoat, or there's an extended dry time.

Centurion does have their own line of stains, and you can call or email them with questions.