Knock Off Restoration Hardware Paint: SLATE

If there’s anything you know about me so far, it’s that I have a deep and passionate (and highly inappropriate) love for Restoration Hardware. Remember my map and my chair? Is it a disease? Some kind of “itis?” Probably. There’s no cure for people like me. But there are support groups!

Last time we were at Restoration Hardware, I took a paint sample and put it in my wallet. I took it to Sherwin-Williams, and together we came up with a dead on match. I wasn’t sure if I’d like it, so I decided to get a few other samples:

analytical gray
cotswald (Benjamin Moore knock off)
mushroom

I am a FIRM BELIEVER in paint samples. It might cost a little more up front, but SO WORTH IT. Would you buy a car without test driving it? If you answered yes… you’re rich and bored. I’m neither of those.

Two things happen when I use paint samples:

1. It shows me I was loony as august on a drunken baboon for wanting my first choice… because it looks TERRIBLE in real life.
2. It confirms that I really did love what I had my eye on all along.

Samples in this order: RH, analytical, cotswald, mushroom

Here is the actual swatch of Restoration Hardware Slate

I love the warmness in the gray. It’s inviting and soothing. But I wasn’t about to spend $40 + tax per can. So I took my sample to my buddies at Sherwin-Williams.

After a little “needs to be lighter” “needs to be darker” “needs to be warmer” banter, we came up with a winning paint.
We brushed some on the card, and it is a dead match. There is only a very slight difference in sheen. That’s it. We don’t mess around.
It felt better than any 4.0 I got in school.

If you’re interested in this color, here’s the formula to write down, or save/print this picture. Take it to the paint counter, and they’ll know exactly how to cook up your knock off color recipe for you. All the hard work has been done for you!

I am in love with this color. It looks beautiful in natural sunlight, and it looks beautiful in the warm glow of our lamps at night. I could just eat it up. But I won’t. Seeing as how my day job is real estate compliance… I read several documents on the dangers of eating paint. But no one says anything about the dangers of eating it up with my eyes!

I was planning on doing the source list today, but I’m going to share that with you tomorrow. Haters gonna hate.

So have you ever been so crazy about a certain color that you went to great lengths to get it color matched?

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kenz

Tagged:

http://twitter.com/MiddleClassMod Tracie

I wanted a very specific shade of green for my last house. The very specific shade of green of my favorite shirt. The ACE hardware people were very nice about the whole ordeal.

I still can’t get over how fantastic your bedroom looks.
- http://www.facebook.com/mekenzie.crowder Mekenzie Burton Crowder
  
  Oh that’s awesome! Did you just take the shirt with you to the store? Where did you end up painting it? And did you LOVVVVE it??
  
  And thank you! There are still some things that need to be done, like flooring (I hate that blue carpet), and new dresser/nightstands…. but the budget only allows for a little at a time.
mk_marie

It’s a night and day difference in this room! I feel like this transformation definitely fits the other rooms in a much more cohesive way AND it reflects your style well.

I’m drooling over how that grey came out in the room! That original swatch (the online one) almost looks like it has some sort of plum undertone, but that isn’t as apparent in the picture of the swatch you took. Was that intentional or is it just my screen?
- http://www.facebook.com/mekenzie.crowder Mekenzie Burton Crowder
  
  Oh I totally agree. It really transforms the room. Everything before was so mismatched and hideous. I still hate the blue carpet… but ya know.. “budget.”
  
  The original swatch from online does have a hint of plum, but it’s ever so slight on the paint chip from the RH store.
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Terry

Fabulous, just in time for me to paint my kitchen in this color1
- http://www.facebook.com/mekenzie.crowder Mekenzie Burton Crowder
  
  I’m glad you like it Terry! Be sure to send me pictures of your kitchen when you’re done! I love me a good before/after shot
William

Just used this formula for my home office, and it turned out great! Thank you! Sherwin Williams had 30% off and I was able to use a $10 off $50 coupon too.
- http://www.facebook.com/mekenzie.crowder Mekenzie Burton Crowder
  
  That’s so awesome! Great color and great deal! email me a picture and we can show off your office. interiorsbykenz(at)gmail(dot)com
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Sarah

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!! Every so often I comb the internet for a Slate knockoff and have NEVER been able to find one! I am SO happy right now! (happy dance)
- Kenz
  
  I’m so glad! I combed and combed and couldn’t find one either. That’s why I took matter into my own hands (and Sherwin Williams’ hands) I’m glad the recipe will work for you. Good luck!