Hello AT,

I've been looking at reds to paint one big wall that goes from the parlor floor upstairs.

I though Benjamin Moore's "Candycane" might be the one, but it's a bit cold. BM Tricycle was too orange [these are shown in the pic above: Tricyle, left, Candycane, right]. BM Exotic Red, too pink. Those are the three I've actually tried on the wall.

Farrow & Ball's Rectory Red looks pretty gorgeous on the swatch, but I'm loathe to spend the big bucks. Anybody used Pratt and Lambert? PL Red Statement and Candy Apple look good to me...but then Pintchik doesn't mix that brand there, and they were out of stock. HELP! Guido

/>Dear Guido, we say paint bigger swatches and allow them to border your staircase, so you can see the effect of the brown and the red together. As for what you have here, Candycane doesn't look bad at all. May we suggest you look at Rembrant Red from Shreuder Paints (for color only)? Also, ou can usually get expensive paint colors matched in BM. What does the crowd say?? MGR