Best of SF: 5 Benjamin Moore Paint Colors That Deserve Your Attention

by Cynthia Cummins

Cynthia is owner and founder of Kindred SF Homes and a top San Francisco Realtor. Check out RealEstateTherapy.org for refreshing reflections on the meaning of home and for more “best real estate advice” (since 2013).

Reading time: 3 minutes

It’s a favorite pursuit of mine – perusing paint color strips at my local Benjamin Moore dealer, then taking them home and using them as writing prompts.

Keep reading for 5 fast stream-of-consciousness writes on color names – by yours truly, your favorite Realtor writer. (If you’re so inclined, please use them as a jumping off point for a story of your own and then share with me? I’d love to publish your tale here!)

As your agent, I’m always happy to put in my two cents when it comes to choosing colors. It’s not that I’m good at it, but I just love talking about PAINT. Reach out to me anytime if you’d enjoy debating the merits of White Dove vs. Chantilly Lace vs. Marscapone – or any other groups of color.

Ten Gallon Hat 1210 (brown)

“A classic paint color that works with traditional or modern décor.” ~ Benjamin Moore

When he parted the swinging doors and entered the saloon, I noticed first his dusty boots and the frayed hem of his trousers. There was a twist to his grin and he spoke from a throat honeyed with tobacco and scraped by the desert wind. But what really caught my attention was his enormous Ten Gallon Hat.

Jupiter Glow 021 (orange)

“This color is part of the Benjamin Moore Classics collection.” ~ Benjamin Moore

“Really, tell me. Just tell me and I’ll try it. What’s in it?” I asked. She shut her eyes and closed her lips around the straw, slurping the last of her Jupiter Glow. I could see the little grains it left on the ice and the glass – like the silt of a Kerns nectar. Nodding, she pushed the tumbler toward the barkeep. “It’s a proprietary secret and they don’t share it with anybody. Honestly, you’re better off not knowing. Just try one and thank me later. It’s an otherworldly high.”

Misty Memories 2118-60 (grey)

“Like a long-ago memory, this light, misty shade of gray-lavender is soft around the edges.” ~ Benjamin Moore

She hated the song. All those dumb rhymes and wholesome wordplay about sex. As an ingénue she’d never considered that her first big hit would end up being the song forever associated with her stardom. She’d heard someone in the lobby referring to her as “that lady that sings the Misty Memories song.” They’d asked her to perform for the President and she’d eagerly accepted, trusting they’d want her sing something else, anything else. But, no, it had to be that damn song. She clutched the mic, took a deep breath and…

Olympus Green 679 (green)

“This color is part of the Classic Color Collection.” ~ Benjamin Moore

There’s no way I’ll be able to get Zeus to do anything about it; he’s too busy hurling thunderbolts compulsively down the side of the hill. And Hera always has a headache. I asked Artemis and Athena, but they just said to talk to Hester or Hermes. And vice versa. Ares is so creepy, there’s no way I’m going round there. As for Hephaestus, he’s fine if you want a new metal jockstrap or a gilded baseball cap, but otherwise he’s useless. None of these clowns wants to take any responsibility for the garbage piling up on the Olympus Green. What a shame. All these gods and no divine intervention whatsoever.

Dream I Can Fly 769 (blue)

“Youthful and uncomplicated, this rich, saturated hue is clean and crisp. Evoking daydreams of magic carpet rides, it feels fun and carefree.” ~ Benjamin Moore

How can I believe in myself if you don’t believe in me? How can I be the best I can be if you’re not 100% certain I’m the best? How can I be an overachiever if you don’t push me to achieve? Come on, Mom! All the other kids’ parents are doing it. Come on, please? Please? Dream I Can Fly?

Photo Credit: Christina Rumpf