I won't go anywhere else again. I've always had wonderful service here. Not just getting the color right, but always great information about what specifically to use and why. I've cheated and gone to The depot to save money or home decor group in Swpt because it's closer, but never again. Recently I've redone three baths. First one I went to home decor group with a picture on my phone. Owner told me he can't match something on my phone and left me to find a similar swatch. Next two projects I went back to waters and brown. Heidi helped me match pictures and made spot on recommendations. I brought in samples and images and she gave great choices to match or coordinate. Then over to the counter for the actual paint. John couldn't be nicer and more helpful (plus he actually remembers me by name and project). Some projects easier than others. More complicated (expensive) projects he gave me questions to ask my contractor and alternatives. I so appreciate the service here. It's second to none and the quality can't be beat. They've earned my loyalty and I'll return the favor by encouraging anyone to go here first and last. This is how a customer centric business is run. read more

Another great experience with Waters and Brown! I was there on a Saturday, they are extremely cautious with COVID-19 concerns, and only allowed 2 people in the store at a time. They had hand sanitizer and a mask requirement. Super helpful and knowledgeable staff. They always take the time to really talk through your project and help you make decisions. I wouldn't trust any other store to come close to their service. read more

Yes, you'll pay more for their paint than you would at say, Home Depot but it is so worth it. Don't believe me? Then try it for yourself! Go to Home Depot and show the guy behing the paint counter a swatch of your granite countertop and ask him what color he would recommend considering you have cherry cabinetry. Then, when he's done laughing at you, go to Waters & Brown and show your granite swatch to Sam and Lauren (I think her name is.) That's what I did and they immediately both thought of the same color, Quahog. So much darker than I ever wanted to go but wow, just the right color. Then Sam suggested Oxygen (a pale blue) for the ceiling and a color called America's Cup for the trim. The America's Cup (an off white) threw my husband into fits of worry. Will it be too yellow? Will it look dirty and dingy? Sam, promised it wouldn't and explained why . . . and he was right. So right, that my husband went back and asked him what color we should paint the adjoining hall, Sam made a recommendation and my husband walked out with that color paint. This is the same husband who would gladly spend months deliberating every decision, no matter how minute!!! So it is no exaggeration when I say that Sam may have single-handedly saved my marriage, or perhaps my husband's life because I was ready to either kill or divorce him. So as we decorate our entire home over, all I can say is thank God for Waters and Brown, and thank God for Sam!!!! read more

I love this place! We have been coming here for design ideas, paints and all sorts of home decorating products since we first bought our first house last year. Everything has been right on the money and we continue to get compliments on the rooms we've completed. The service here cannot be beat! I have been helped by Evan, Nick, Lori, Sam and others (who's names are escaping me), and they have provided priceless advice on how to approach our house projects. The most recent (and highly amusing) encounter involved the completion of our dining room. We chose an absolutely gorgeous wallpaper and took Sam's advice on a dark paint below the chair rail. When it came time to paint, my husband and I got cold feet and wanted to go w/a light color. I brought the paint back and explained our position, and while they did say they would try to resell the paint (which was nice of them to offer) Nick, Lori and Sam strongly encouraged us to stick w/the original paint. They were very nice about the whole thing and gave a very detailed explanation as to why our original color would be best. And not surprisingly, they were right. Our dining room is gorgeous!!! Even when we were working on the scraping the ceiling, I would stop in there w/o making a purchase just to get advice on the best approach to our current project. They would take the time to explain everything and recommend techniques that would help us achieve our desired result. And the results in every room have been gorgeous. I know we couldn't have done it w/o them. I highly recommend consulting W & B before any big project, they will show you the right way to get it done. read more

First off, I typically do not write reviews. However, Waters and Brown in Salem is a special place. I would challenge anyone to find such amazing customer service in any industry. The staff there goes out of their way to be sure you have the right products. The quality of the products available is second to none. Their knowledge is incredible. Some examples of how I have been treated: *Always greeted when I walk in, even when busy. If I go to find something in an aisle, someone magically appears and asks how they can help. They always know the answer and I am in and out. *They can match anything. They matched interior wood floor stain to perfection. Took my sample piece brought it to their wood shop, cut my sample and custom tinted about 4 samples to ensure I would get a match. All this for a 15 dollar sale. *I needed to find a pro exterior painter and was having issues getting someone to commit. They took down my number and someone called me within a few days and committed. I could go on and on here. I would give them 6 stars if I could. I simply will not buy any painting or finishing products anyplace else. If you find something at a big box, grab the chip and bring it here! Everything I have purchased here has made my projects come out better than I ever could have imagined. DO NOT HESITATE, go here and let them make you look good! It is worth every penny! read more

Gayle did a wonderful job in giving us advice on paint our kitchen.

Waters & Brown has the best advice and product selection in the area. When I have an important painting project I go to them. Other retailers are fine, even good. Waters & Brown is at least two notches better than the rest. In this case, I needed to paint over a dark blue textured wallpaper that has been on the walls for decades. I used a flat paint and it turned out terrific! What a great solution. I'm very happy with the results. I know I'll be back to W & B soon to get some C2 paint for an old bedroom set that needs a refresh. Thank you Waters & Brown. read more

Really charming staff, smart and competent. They really know what they are doing and are easy to work with. This place is great! They are kind and fast, super turnaround time for my order with no questions :) love them read more

Waters and Brown is a true gem. This is a place that really gets it regarding how to build relationships. Which is why we keep going back. You can simply count on them to have the best quality at a fair price (not cheap, but you always get what you pay for in life), and their advice has saved me hundreds. Whether for our home or business, this is a terrific place. Juli read more

The entire team at the Design Center is as helpful and friendly as can be imagined. Their selection of wall paper and fabrics are fantastic. They are my go-to resource -- and it is well worth the drive from Boston to Salem. I have had my wallpaper and fabric sent directly to my house or they will hold it at their store. read more

After a year and a half of getting nowhere with paint swatches and samples from national-chain hardware stores, we hired Lee from Waters & Brown for a (reasonably priced) color consultation in our condo. He has a masterful eye and the beautiful C2 colors we picked with him have given our condo new life (cliche but accurate). Lee and the Waters & Brown team have been helpful and attentive with every detail and each of our questions. Like someone else noted on here, Waters & Brown is not the cheapest, but you do get what you pay for. read more

Wonderful service, knowledgable staff John, and a pleasant service. Just painted a small bathroom and Waters & Brown did a perfect job matching the color of my new custom-design shower curtain. You may pay a little more than the big chain stores but the service and advice is worth it! read more

We've been doing business with W&B for several years and they have been a pleasure to deal for every project. I have called them several times for advice and product info and they always take the time to patiently answer our questions. Not the cheapest... but you get what you pay for...and I never mind paying a little extra for quality products and great service. We highly recommend them for your painting/staining/refinishing needs! read more

Shopping for paint here is an experience unparalleled. Highly recommended. This review brought you by my uncaffeinated and unshowered iBrain, but trust it :). read more

This place has top of line paints, stains, and related tools/supplies. The staff is polite, welcoming, ready to assist you, and very knowledgeable. read more

The staff at Waters and Brown are the nicest, most helpful people I've ever encountered. They are consultative, patient, and genuine. They pulled out tons of samples to find just the right color for our guest room. We made a mistake in another gallon for our office and they happily spent lots of time tweaking it until we got just the right new color! We will be loyal shoppers from now on!! read more

I went here looking forward to the stellar service other yelpers have spoken of, and found nothing of the sort. First it took a while to find someone who would give me the time of day, then once I had their attention, they made it VERY clear that they would rather be doing literally anything other than helping me. Their tone was condescending and acted like I was a few crayons short of a crayon box. I can't speak to many of their services, simply because I have yet to find an associate that would spend enough time with me to provide them (even after I would ask). I wouldn't necessarily be writing a yelp review, except that this has happened every time we have gone in. I have purchased a few overcharged items here and there, but don't know that I will be going back anytime soon. read more

I couldn't find the paint color sample card I was looking for so I walked over to the front desk and asked for help. One of the ladies found what I was looking for, told me it was too dark and walked away. I approached her again and asked if she would look at a picture of my room. I told her I wasn't sure what color family to choose but I had seen an example of a color online that coordinated with my furniture. She found me that sample card and a few similar, answered a few questions and walked away again. She made no suggestions. I was made to feel like I was interrupting something even though there were no other customers in the store. It was just a waste of my time. When I'm ready to buy the paint, I won't buy it here. read more

Waters and Brown and Beverly and Salem is the best. I wanted to update paint colors to sell my house. I was greeted by Dawn MacBurnie a color specialist and interior decorator. Because I have a lot of open space in my house I was confused where to start and end a paint color. We talked for a long while and then thought it best if she came out to the house. She was amazing, we worked together in every room learning the best colors and what would look best depending on lighting. Dawn thought of everything, from the colors during a sunny day, to an overcast day to night time. Her decorating eye on colors is truly inspirational. We went through each room and figured what work best in the space. The paint colors we picked I knew I liked, however seeing them on my walls they look amazing. We picked mostly Benjamin Moore colors but also C2. When I come home now all I think of is how much I love the colors. I wanted to sell but now after repainting with Dawns help, I don't think I will sell. Complete transformation. Color is the key to your home. I would recommend Dawn coming to your home, lighting is so different and to match with your likes and for a specialist like Dawn seeing the color in the space makes a huge difference. You might like one shade at the store, however once in your space you tend to maybe go a shade lighter or darker. Also she can see your decor and compliment it with color. Thank you Waters and Brown and especially to Dawn Macburnie, exceptional service. read more

They have excellent advice about paints and techniques. When I had problems with one of my paints, they took it back and gave me a replacement at no charge PLUS a new brush. I've gotten good advice about floor maintenence as well. Good hours too. They even have discounted "oops" paints if you are flexible with colors. read more