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Friday, October 05, 2007 6:10 PM

Have you tried eco-friendly paint?

My walls are very much in need of a fresh coat, and I’ll definitely be using low-VOC paint. Conventional paint emits lots of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that pollute indoor air and have been linked to kidney and liver disease and even cancer. A “freshly painted” smell coming from walls is the scent of yucky chemicals being released (and they continue to off-gas for months and even years after the smell goes away!). So, since I’ve got a toddler and another kiddo on the way conventional paint is NOT an option.

There are a number of reputable low-VOC paints out there (look for ones that are Green Seal certified) but the one that everybody’s buzzing about is the new Aura line from Benjamin Moore. It’s acrylic-based (instead of oil or latex), and is supposedly brilliant for reasons that have nothing to do with the eco factor—it provides amazing coverage in just one coat, goes on without drips and splatters and is super-easy to clean. Or that’s what an interior designer friend tells me anyway. But it’s expensive—$55 per gallon, and not that easy to find.

Have any Nesties used Aura? Or do you have another (maybe cheaper?) low-VOC paint to recommend?

Posted by Nest Celeste
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Comments

re: Have you tried eco-friendly paint?

I'm planning on using the new Aura line for our new house. For two reasons, primarliy for all the green reasons you've mentioned above, and then also, because for $15 I bought the decorator paint chip set and have decided that my home will all be one of the 144 colors they made specifically for this line. (although, you can have that paint blended to any color) This way, I've limited myself to 144 pretty colors and will stop feeling overwhelmed at the endless choices for color. This will be good.

Posted by Madame Morgan    Sunday, October 07, 2007 4:26 PM


re: Have you tried eco-friendly paint?

I actually just used the Aura paint on our bathroom door a few weeks ago. The guys at the hardware store had just gotten it in and raved enough to talk me into it (even though, yeah, it was a bit of a splurge). I've gotta say it WAS actually really easy to use and gave great coverage. I also felt really good about the eco-friendly part. Don't think the lack of chemicals is going to make it not smell, though. My bathroom has no windows and certainly smelled like paint for a few days. Overall, I give this stuff a big thumbs up (and I'll give it an even bigger one when the prices go down)!

Posted by Nest ErinW    Wednesday, October 10, 2007 11:00 PM


re: Have you tried eco-friendly paint?

Thanks for the feedback!  I can't wait to try it.

Posted by Nest Celeste    Wednesday, October 10, 2007 11:47 PM


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