You might be placing your large scale remodeling ideas on hold in view of the economy. At the same time remodeling bargains can be had. Still a right now option that maximizes your dollar can be painting. Paint provides a clean fresh surface and wall protection but beyond that it is art. Some designs seemlessly blend tones of walls, paintings, furniture, blanket throws and pillows, and lampshades. Others tie in bold colors with a few accent pieces. Let’s get started with unlocking your design possibilities!
Notice colors that you like and combinations of colors that appeal to you. Collect pages from magazines. If a friend has something you like ask for the colors and pickup the paint cards. Collect palettes you like in general and those that might be specific to the room(s) you want to paint.
Notice color trends as you watch TV. Look at the walls in the scenes. You will find examples of rich bold colors in surprising places. If you like some color combos in a business, such as a nice destination coffeehouse, don’t be afraid to imagine them in your home.
Combine your own research with the advice of your artistic friends. You might know several people with a designers knack. There advice can be very helpful. Sometimes though, they can give you a bum steer. Most designers and artists, by nature, are comfortable taking chances–stretching the envelope. They may capture for you exactly what you want, or give you a shocking array of colors that aren’t you.
Notice the colors in the color. All colors are tipped in a direction. An attempt to find a “simple beige” will reveal beiges that lean toward pink, toward yellow, toward gray–it almost defies logic. Putting other color sample cards next to a color will reveal components of a color you hadn’t noticed before. A given color can be found in warm hues or cool tones.
Don’t be afraid to buy samples to try out. Some stores will sell low cost 1 oz. packets. Others have quarts as their smallest product size, which cost as much as half the price of a gallon. If you continue with a color you don’t end up liking you will be disappointed. Still I try to get it right and buy the gallon (to save!). Sometimes I alter the paint before applying a second coat.
Medium to dark shades will require two quality coats. Some colors, such as a vivid red, can benefit from special primer for dark colors, followed by two coats of the color.
Sheen. Flat covers imperfections best, and its lack of sheen is loved by designers, but is never truly washable. Avoid in places hands will touch it. On the other end of the spectrum is gloss, which I have never used, with most people using semi-gloss for a high shine washable surface. Between flat and semi-gloss are usually satin and eggshell, but companies vary as to which is closest to flat and which to semi-gloss, so don’t assume. If we think instead of 1 to 5 with flat being 1, I tend to use 2 for common areas and bedrooms, and 3 for kitchens and baths. Traditionally kitchens and baths are done in semi-gloss (4) as are all trim (I follow tradition here). Apartments are painted with more emphasis on durability and washability: 3 or even 4 for general areas and always 4 in kitchens and baths.
Do it yourself or hire a highly recommended professional painter? Im a consumer too and as such am all for saving money. When I come in to do a professional paint job over a homeowner previous work, rarely do a find a really good job. There are “holidays,” meaning areas where the under color are visible, thin areas and roller marks (lack of saturation), paint where it shouldn’t be (electrical receptacles, baseboards, casings, walls of other colors), and signs of proper wall prep before painting. True enough these same homeowners seem quite happy with their work-so who am I to say. But if you want a full quality professional paint job it is going to take lots of meticulous effort, and you will make an investment, whether you do it yourself or hire it done.
JR Mathwig Builders on HelpHive
