This is going to be a hate post.
I’m sorry for that.
But, perhaps I can save you some turmoil.
I hope so.
Here goes: I HATE Valspar paint from the Do*It Center.
It’s Satin is as shiny as a normal semi-gloss ***bling***. So…we adjust. I bought eggshell this morning at 7:30AM (along with a pack of Skittles. The $1 pack of Skittles was a good choice. It got me through the trauma to come.)
Bad news: the “eggshell” finish is AS shiny as the “satin”, which, as you might recall, was as shiny as the “semi-gloss”. They are all butted right next together on my wall! I’m not blind. Yes, it’s dry. It’s just more olive in color than the last green. and we weren’t particularly going for more olive than we had.
I seriously think Valspar made a mistake and put the same base paint in every can. What to do? $25.00 and I’m not using a cup of that paint. I have to go try to match a quart of paint at Porter, swallowing a $25.00 loss, plus two sample quarts…about $40.00 altogether from this last test. Irritating.
It’s an inferior and poorly represented product. To put the ONLY finish samples on wood for sheen isn’t helpful. I mentioned that and she pointed me to more wood painted samples in different light while she talked shop with a customer and answered a phone. Great multi-tasking, but I’m not buying their “medium” quality paint at this point. Laura Ashley is the high end choice at a whopping $35.00 a gallon. Geez. (Though now I realize I could have afforded it if I’d just started there).
ILowe’s is not a bad option but to drive thirty miles for paint is just against my morals. My morals may be at a crossroads with the paint issue. If it worked. If I have this many trips with it, I certainly can’t justify all those trips.
I think it was Holly who told me to not be stressed and just have fun with decorating.
I’d rather be reading or writing or running or something. I have back-logged work to do.
I have three “field trips” with the kids this week.
ow. Three!
I was really hoping to get this great room under my belt today. I think I’m getting whipped with the belt at the moment.
Wow! We have always used Valspar and have had really good luck. We also use the satin finish. Hmmmmm…
Did you prime the walls? It could be the difference, but I don’t know. The only other paint I have used was Sherwin Williams and Porter — both fabulous, but expensive.
Oh goodness, wish you were my neighbor so I could walk over with a vanilla bean scone and a cup of coffee and help you figure this out!!!
Blessings,
Dori
Reply: You are the greatest, Dori! Thanks!
Do you have a Sherwin Williams around there? We used Harvest yellow in our kitchen and den, sage in our bedroom, demin as an accent color in HJ’s room (also harvest walls) and some sort of red (I can’t remember right now) in our bathroom. HJ’s room has some of that same red too. I talked to a decorator, she told me these colors, looked great to me and so I went with it. I have lots of other friend who have used the sage and harvest colors in their house. I hired the painting done and it turned out fabulous. Everyone always loved the colors, especially the harvest and sage, and our house sold right away recently, without even listing it, but we’re giving God the credit on that one….not necessarily the paint colors!
I hate that this is not a good and SHORT experience for you! Bless your heart!! Talk to a decorator (maybe ANOTHER decorator???) let them tell you something. Go with your gut, make a decision and paint the room. Really….I am blessing your heart. I’m with Dori…I’d bring food to you if I weren’t in TX!
And put on some Kari Jobe………….
REPLY: I miss you, Sarah! I’m not sure I could taint Kari Jobe with this moment!
OK. Cleansing breath….
I hate to say it, but I think you may be taking it just a little more seriously than it really deserves. I mean that in the kindest, sweetest way possible though.
I like Olympic paint from Lowes just fine. It fits my budget and honestly… I am painting my entire house for less that you have probably spent on samples. I figure since it is rather inexpensive, if I hate it… I’ll paint it again in a few years because with my kids actually living in my house it will likely need it by then anyways.
I also have read great reviews on Behr paint. I think it’s expensive, too, though.
Reply:
My audience is simply not satisfied…
must…
keep…
going…
I have used Behr paint and I really liked it (Home Depot.) I have also used alot of Sherwin Williams paint and like it alot too. I had bad experiences with paint from M’s when Richard worked there…….it’s worth the drive out of town to buy something better!
REPLY: If this last sample doesn’t prove it’s worth, I’ll be forking out the money for gas…a last resort. I hate to travel alone for jobs like that.
Maybe you need to take your audience to the paint store with you!! hehehe
Reply: We’ve discussed this a few times. If we weren’t so “one” it would probably help!
I have to say that I love Laura Ashley paint from Lowe’s, but have had decent results with Malone valspar, so I don’t understand why you are getting the results you are. I do know this—-since you are decorating for the long haul and want something durable and washable, spend the extra money now, (whether paint, gas or both) and get the results you will be happy with for years. If you need company for the trip let me know!
I could just kick myself for not taking a quick pit stop at your house today. I was helping my mom set up at the flea mkt and I thought…I wonder what Maggie is doing…I bet she is still fighting with that silly paint.
I agree with CJ…take the extra steps neccessary to make sure you get what you want!!!
Awww. We have painted many a room (two whole houses) with Benjamin Moore and Glidden paint. We loved both!
I’m so sorry it is being not fun. Boo on painting! But hey, it’s a memory!
Now we are in a home with so many crazy place the walls go that if you paint one wall, then you have to connect it to the next and somehow, it just would get complicated–not to mention that scaffolding is not my forte. So our home is a light beige-coffee color. To add colors, we add paintings and stuff.
LOVE LOVE LOVE your new design! It’s “so fashion,” as my 8 year old would say