OT: Painting Primer or No Primer

OK so this is totally way off topic, but I figured since there are so many people on here with various opinions I'd ask.

my partner HATES the color of our living room.. I mean LOATHES it.  I honestly like it.  2 walls are terra-cote and the other 2 are beige.   He wants them all one color and I think we're leaning to a "natural" green.  Not sure how to describe the color, no clue what the color is called, just know it when I see it.. kinda of a light warm green .. the color you see associated with recycled materials.

So here's the question.   Do I really have to prime the walls?   I've always primed the walls in the past (not sure why.. just have)  but I really don't want to this time around (trying to save money.. this is a spur of the moment thing)  The room is fairly big and if I have to prime then paint I think I'm going to run out of steam and end up with yet another half assed project.
The color I want is more than likely going to be a little darker then the existing color (definitely darker than the tan, maybe in line with the terra-cote)

Your comments would be appreciated... seriously I don't want to have to put multiple coats on but if priming is going to knock it down to 1 coat primer 1 coat paint, then I guess I'll go that route... sure don't want to have to do 3 coats... ideal for me... paint it once one coat and be done with it.

suggestions on paint brands?  He's such a label ***** and I know he's going to demand Valspar  (I can never get him to buy cheap even if the cheap one is better)  But if I have AMMO then maybe ;-)  He's  already saying "Lets go to Sherwin Williams" meanwhile I can just hear the chimes of a high dollar ticket for this "project"   I really don't want to spend more than 100 dollars to get this done... the holidays are upon us after all

thanks for listening.. hopefully someone will read all the way through and help me out with suggestions and comments :-)

Remember when you are painting, its not just about coverage, its about the color rolling true.  If you use a high quality paint like Valspar, (lowes)  then you should be able to do one coat.  Can you get away with no primer?  Probably.  But you might see a difference in the shade on the terracotta walls.  I would at least primer those two.  And primer does not have to be expensive.  Cheap works fine.   Unless you are covering something awful.  Good luck!!!

Thank you :-)    yeah I guess using a high end paint would prevent me from having to do multiple coats... I would imagine I could get away with 2 cans to do the room.  I think the room is 16 * 24?  Normaly 8 foot celings. Maybe 3

From a lot of expirience ( we have had 2 homes and both were tragic when we bought) YOU SHOULD ALWAYS PRIME. 

A GOOD PRIMER DOES SEVERAL THINGS. IT PREVENT BLEED TROUGH OF ANY GREASE MARK OR STAINS. IT WILL ALLOW BETTER COVERAGE ....AND WILL USE LESS PAINT WHICH WILL BE CHEAPER IN THE LONG RUN.

I CAN TEL YOU IF THE WALL IS TRUELY A TERRACOTTA IT WILL BLEED THROUGH. TERRACOTTA IS A VERY SATURATED COLOR (DIFFERENT FROM "LIGHT OR DARK") IT WOULD MOST LIKELY NEED SEVERAL COATES OF PAINT......

PRIMER GIVES YOU A "CLEAN SLATE" TO WORK WITH

I'm always of the mindset of using primer before painting because you don't want the old colors to bleed through.  however it sounds to me that if the color tone isn't far off from what you have ont he walls (light on light or dark on dark) then if you're wanting to save money, just prim the walls that are farthest fromt he tone of the color you want to put on (light on dark or dark on light).  If the tones aren't that far apart then I wouldn't worry about it.

I worked thirds and did my bedroom in one day with "help" from two friends. I did primer since I was in a HIDEOUS color of orange and was going to a berry. I would worry about the color not being true once you get it on if you don't prime. Good luck with the project.

You can have the primer colored the same as the paint. This is a good plan--makes for less work. I have found Sherwin Williams to be a fine brand of paint.

Connie 

Ditto with Connie's response!

I would rather be whipped than to paint...yuk!


Kent

y'all are killing me

I just got back from checking out Sherwin Williams...  O M G 60 dollars a gallon.. does it jump out of the bucket itself???

puts Valspar in a whole new light

I may be a day late and a dollar short, but my wife was a painter/remodeler before being diagnosed with Lupus.  She ALWAYS primes.  It will help with color consistency and coverage, especially if you tint the primer.  Enjoy your new room.