Tips on Painting

For many, picking a paint color is a very difficult task. Most of my clients have problems picking a color for just one room. And many just have no idea where they want to start or what color they want to do.

The first step in picking a paint color is deciding what your inspiration is for the room. Pull a color out of something else that's going on in the room, such as a fabric or a piece of artwork.

Or maybe your inspiration is the paint color. This route is fine too. You can start with a paint color and decorate a room around it. Pick your fabrics and artwork to complete a cohesive look.

Many narrow their color choices down to two or three choices. If you can't decide which on to go with, buy a quart of each and paint a small part of your wall. You can also buy big pieces of foam board and paint those too to see what the colors look like.

The most important thing to remember when doing is this is to make sure you see what the color looks like at different points of the day. Natural light can make a color look totally different in your home. Also, make sure you see what your furniture looks like up to the paint colors.

Many do not know what sheen or gloss level to go with once they've selected their paint color. Here is a list of all the selections and what each means:

1) Flat- Matte finish, no sheen- for lower traffic areas

2) Flat Enamel- Non-reflective finish with superior durability. Ideal for interior trim and doors

3) Eggshell- Appearance of matte with a very low sheen- for medium traffic areas

4) Satin- Medium sheen, multi-purpose finish- for medium to high traffic areas

5) Semi-Gloss- Created for stain resistance and repeated washings. Good for kitchens and baths

6) High-Gloss- Stain resistant and scrubbable finish. Ideal for doors or trim

7) Ceiling Paint- Non-reflective finish that is made to go on easy without dripping

Now that you've picked out your color and the type of paint you want to go with, it is now time to move on to the next step. The next thing to do is to prepare the surface you are painting. This step is just as crucial as proper painting practices. It is essential that the surface to be painted is clean and dry.

If you have any gaps, seams or holes that need to be prepared it is best to do this before painting as well. The gaps and seams can be done with paintable acrylic caulk. You can fill the holes with spackling compound. After you finish this, you will want to prime the area.

Now you're ready to paint! Tape off the trim, cover your furniture and floor and start painting away! If you're still having issues selecting your paint, I do color consultations to help with this.