Hey fellow eco-warriors! 
I’ve been on a mission to make my home as green as possible, and my latest project involves repainting my living room. I’m determined to stick with VOC-free paints this time around, but I’m hitting a bit of a snag. I’ve fallen in love with a specific shade of warm terracotta that I saw in a magazine, and I’m struggling to find a VOC-free paint that matches it perfectly. So far, I’ve tried Earthborn’s Claypaint and Ecos Paints, both of which have fantastic eco-credentials, but the color matching hasn’t been spot on.
I’m curious, has anyone else been through this color-matching journey with VOC-free paints? What brands have you used, and how did you ensure the color was just right? Also, how did the paint perform on your walls? I’m particularly interested in how these paints handle on plaster surfaces, as my living room walls are a mix of old and new plaster.
Let’s share our experiences and tips! Whether it’s about the application process, the finish, or how the paint has held up over time, I’d love to hear your stories. And if anyone has managed to nail that perfect terracotta shade with a VOC-free option, please, do tell! 
Hey @EcoPainterJane, I’ve been down this road before! It’s tricky, but not impossible. I used BioShield’s Clay Paint for a similar project. Their color matching service is pretty good, but it might take a couple of tries to get it just right. The key is to provide them with a very clear sample of the color you’re aiming for. As for performance, it’s been great on my plaster walls. No issues with adhesion or durability so far.
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Thanks, @GreenThumb88! I’ll definitely check out BioShield. Did you find their paint easy to work with? I’m a bit nervous about the application process, especially on the older plaster parts of my walls.
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Absolutely, @EcoPainterJane! The application was smoother than I expected. Just make sure to clean and prime your walls properly beforehand, especially the older plaster. It makes a huge difference. Also, applying two thin coats rather than one thick one helps achieve an even finish.
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I had a similar challenge with a sage green shade. Ended up going with Auro Natural Paints. Their color matching was spot on, and the paint has a lovely matte finish. It’s been over a year, and the color hasn’t faded at all. Highly recommend giving them a try!
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That’s great to hear, @SunnyDaysAhead! Auro is on my list to try next. Did you find their paint easy to apply? And how does it handle on plaster walls?
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Yes, @EcoPainterJane, it was quite easy to apply. I used a roller for most of it, which worked well. On plaster walls, it adhered beautifully, but like @GreenThumb88 mentioned, preparation is key. Make sure your walls are clean and primed for the best results.
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Just a quick tip for everyone: when color matching, always test the paint on a small section of your wall first. Natural light can really change how a color looks, and it’s better to be sure before committing to the whole room. Learned that the hard way!
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Great advice, @NatureLover23! I’ll make sure to do that. It’s all about those little details that make a big difference in the end.
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I had a similar issue trying to match a specific shade of green. Ended up going with Auro Organic Paints. Their color matching was decent, but like you said, it took a couple of tries. The paint itself is great though, really eco-friendly and it’s held up well on my walls. Just make sure to give them a very precise sample of the color you want.
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Honestly, I think the key is patience and persistence. I used Green Planet Paints for my bedroom and it took a few attempts to get the color right. But once we did, it was worth it. The paint is low odor and has a nice finish. It’s been a year and it still looks fresh. Don’t give up!
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I’ve heard good things about BioShield’s Clay Paint from a friend who used it for her kitchen. She said the color matching was spot on after a couple of tries. I’m considering it for my next project. How’s the coverage with it? I’ve got some uneven walls and I’m worried about how it’ll look.
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I went with Ecos Paints for my living room and while the color matching wasn’t perfect on the first try, their customer service was super helpful in getting it right. The paint has a nice matte finish and it’s really durable. It’s been a few months and it still looks great, even with my kids running around.
I’ve been down that road too, trying to match a specific color with VOC-free paints. It’s tricky, but I found that Biofa offers a great range of colors and their eco-friendly paint matched my desired shade almost perfectly. The key is to bring a sample of the color you want to match when you go to the store. They can usually tweak it to get closer. Also, their paint has held up really well on my plaster walls, no issues with fading or peeling.
That’s interesting about Auro Natural Paints. I went with Green Planet Paints for my project. They have a custom color service that worked wonders for me. I was aiming for a deep ocean blue, and they nailed it. The application was smooth, and the finish is durable. It’s been six months, and the walls still look fresh. For anyone struggling with color matching, I’d suggest looking into brands that offer custom color services. It might cost a bit more, but it’s worth it for the perfect shade.
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I totally get the struggle with color matching VOC-free paints. I used Biofa Paints for my kitchen and was pleasantly surprised by their color accuracy. They have a wide range of colors, and their customer service is super helpful with custom matches. As for performance, it’s been a year, and the paint still looks fresh, even in high-traffic areas. Definitely worth checking out if you haven’t already.
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That tip about testing the paint on a small section first is golden. I made the mistake of not doing that with my first VOC-free paint attempt, and the color looked completely different once it dried. I ended up using Auro Paints for my bedroom, and their color matching was spot on. Plus, the paint has a really nice, matte finish that hides imperfections well. Just make sure to give it enough time to dry to see the true color.
I’ve been down the VOC-free paint rabbit hole too. Farrow & Ball offers a line of eco-friendly paints, and while they’re a bit pricier, the quality and color accuracy are unmatched. I used their ‘Setting Plaster’ shade for my living room, and it’s held up beautifully against the test of time and sunlight. Their customer service can also help with custom color matching, which is a huge plus. Just a heads up, though, their paints can be a bit tricky to apply, so take your time with the prep work.