Nelson Interior Painting

Finished Woodwork

Cedar Siding Before and After

Is your bedroom too small?  Do you wish your family room felt more intimate?  Color has the power to manipulate our sense of space.  Using light hues from one color family will create an optical illusion of sorts by visually expanding a room.

If a ceiling feels too low, bright white can “raise” your perception of its height.  By taking a cue from clothing designers, adventuresome homeowners can paint their walls with vertical stripes also to enhance the sense of height.  This technique can be applied with great success in a play space for children.

When the objective is to make a large room feel cozy and intimate, paint color can again do the trick.  Choosing darker shades for the walls will reign in a large space and a darker shade on a tall ceiling will “lower” it.

If color alone isn’t enough, use color to create visual breaks.  Divide your wall space horizontally with a chair rail and paint the upper and lower portions different colors.  Picture moldings are another visual device.  Paint the interior portion a different shade from the rest of the wall.

It’s amazing the impact of color and how it can dramatically affect your living space.  However, it is important that color is used in the right way.  Join us again for more tips that can help you create an impressive transformation of a single room or your entire home.

Give your home an entirely new look with a fresh coat of paint.  Don’t be afraid to have fun with colors and Just Paint It!

Paint Quality

When it comes to coverage, cleanup, and durability, paint quality determines the paint job.  Knowing the qualities of each will help you determine which paint to use and how much you should spend.

Regardless of the type of paint you will be using, one of the most important factors in the ultimate success of any paint job is the quality of paint used.  On this subject, experts agree: You should use the highest quality paint to get the best paint performance.

How do you identify top quality paint?  Unless you are a paint chemist, you should simply purchase the best paint within your favorite manufacturer’s line of products.  More costly paints typically contain a higher percentage of better quality ingredients that are critical to superior paint performance.  Top quality paints outperform ordinary grades of paint in many ways:
• They are more durable and long-lasting.
• They often have better hiding characteristics, which is especially important when you are painting over a darker color.
• They are easier to apply.
• They have more uniform color and sheen, and they maintain their original color and sheen better over time, so your paint job will continue to look good for a longer period.
• They frequently contain higher levels of additives—for example, more mildewcide to help keep unsightly mildew in check.

Quality Paint = Great Value

Painting with a top-quality paint can add years to the life of a paint job and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars (US) in the form of lower home maintenance costs.  This is especially true with exterior paints.  With proper surface preparation, top quality exterior paint can last 10 years or more, compared to about four years with ordinary exterior paint.  The best way to appreciate this “investment value” of top-quality paint is to compare the life-cycle cost or “cost per year of service” for high quality and ordinary paints.  Consider a hypothetical case, involving a 3,500-square-foot (325.15m2) home requiring 20 gallons of exterior paint:
• At $15 per gallon (US) for 20 gallons(1 US gallon = 3.8 liters) of paint, it would cost $300 to paint the home using an ordinary paint.  If the expected lifespan is four years, the cost of the paint per year of service is $75.
• If a top-quality exterior paint were used instead, and the cost per gallon were $25, the total paint cost would be $500 ($25 per gallon x 20 gallons).  But this paint job will last 10 years or more, so the cost per year of service is, at most, a more economical $50!  If you were to hire a  painting contractor to do your painting, you would realize an even greater advantage by choosing a top quality paint instead of an ordinary paint in terms of cost per year of service, as the illustration shows.

While these examples are typical of the kind of savings that are possible by choosing high-quality exterior paint, your precise savings may be different depending on a number of factors, including how well you do your surface preparation, local weather conditions, the cost of paint in your area, and other variables.  In any event, since you don’t have to paint as often when you use top-quality paint, you will also save a great deal of work and time.

The fact remains, when it comes to paint, it pays to invest in the best.  And that is true whether you are doing exterior or interior painting.  Talk to a professional painting contractor about what type of paint will work best for your situation.

Benefits of Quality Interior Wall Paints

Once you have figured out the correct variety of interior paint for your project you must now take the next leap down the rabbit hole: selecting a finish.  Who knew that there were so many shades of gray when it comes to paint.  If you are like most people you can’t distinguish between an eggshell finish and an order of eggs Benedict.  We would like to share some of the insights we have picked up over the course of hundreds of interior painting jobs while working with every finish under the sun (there are about five give or take).

Eggshell

It is an “all-a rounder” because it can do a little bit of everything for your walls.  Eggshell is one of the best finishes for hiding imperfections while providing that modest sheen (like an eggshell) that you may want for your walls.  If your walls are in decent shape and you don’t have to worry too much about kids, pets or impaired buddies dirtying up your paint eggshell is a great choice.  It resists dirt and moisture better than flat finish and touches up moderately well.

Flat

Oh, trusty old flat, the manila envelope of paint finishes, just because flat doesn’t have the sensual sheen of a satin finish doesn’t mean it is without utility.  Flat paint is the workhorse of the finish stable.  Flat is outstanding at hiding imperfections on the wall surface, which is great if you are a resident in an older or more experienced home.  Flat finish provides any room a calm and cool feel due to its lack of sheen.  The finish is a great choice wherever you may have televisions or intense lighting.  Yet, you must consider that flat paint resists moisture poorly, gets dirty easily and is difficult to clean without residual effects.  The saving grace being that it is the Rolls-Royce of touch up finishes and can easily cover blemishes.

Gloss

Gloss finish, you know, looks glossy.  People who like shiny will be happy with gloss.  This extremely high sheen finish resists dirt and moisture the best while being the most washable/cleanable of all finishes.  If you have imperfections in your wall steer clear of gloss because the blemishes will be exaggerated.  Gloss is best suited for moist areas like bathrooms or in well used kitchens where food may tend to splatter onto the walls.  The finish is also popular for use on trim and cabinets.

Satin

This finish has slightly more sheen than eggshell, yet less so than semi-gloss.  It resists dirt more than eggshell but less than semi-gloss.  It is not a good touch up finish, but it does clean decent and resist moisture well.  It is also poor at hiding imperfections in your walls.  If you have few imperfections in your walls, little reason to fear them and a predilection toward a finish with a little more sheen, then satin finish is for you.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss is like semi-chocolate.  It’s not as rich as the original, but it can still provide some of the desired effects.  As aforementioned with gloss, semi-gloss cleans well, resists moisture well and reflects light.  This mid-to-high sheen finish touches up poorly.  It is best suited for use in children’s bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms.

The Final Word on Paint Finish

When choosing the perfect paint finish you must consider the context of your project.  Do you have a messy spouse or kids?  What is the room you are painting used for?  Do you like shiny things?  Another important thought to consider: we feel that is more important to have a finish that touches up well rather than a finish that washes well.  No matter how gentle you are, washing paint will eventually take a toll leading to inevitable touch ups.  Yet, there is a time and place for every finish.  Just make sure you can identify when and where.  As always, whatever you decide, have fun with it and Just Paint It!

Color Trends For The Upcoming Years

Try to pick a paint color that will have lasting impact for years to come.  Home, kitchen and bedroom color trends for 2010 reflect overall changes in culture and lifestyle.  Global, eco friendly green, and techno influences can also be found in paint color trends for 2010.

Happy and Warm
Yellow is the hands down favorite color which decorators and designers are choosing for inspiration this year.  Sunny bright yellows, pale yellows, Tuscan inspired hues, and pure yellow will all be seen in showrooms in 2010.  This color also has lasting impact, so expect it to be around for a while.

Eco Green Inspired
Greens in muted shades like moss, or gray-greens are just as popular in 2010 as the trend for “being green.”  This trend reflects our more environmentally conscious attitude about connecting with nature and protecting our resources.

Charcoal and Slate Grey
Darker gray anchors a room and adds a sophisticated touch.  A soft and cool gray will also complement any bright colors in a room.  Techno and industrial kitchens often benefit from gray tones that match highlight black or stainless appliances.

Lavender is Everywhere
Soft gray based hues of lavender are found in bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces. Lavender is a healing color and often associated with relaxation, luxury, and calm.  When thinking color trends for 2010, we are not talking about strong, potent eggplant or deep purple tones.  Instead, think about the calming effect of a spa or retreat when selecting your lavender hue.

Turquoise and Aqua Blues
It might be hard to imagine an entire room painted turquoise, but how about just one wall.  Turquoise and aqua blues are a huge hit in women’s fashion this year, so it’s natural that decorators and color experts are recommended this for the home.

Still confused about your choices?  Before you embark and commit to any major color change in your home, take photos of your furniture or swatches to the store.  Many companies offer small test samples that you can use to test the color on your walls and see it in natural and evening light.  Still nervous about making a significant change?  Think about painting just one wall with a bolder color and selecting complementary and more subtle colors for the remaining walls.  Whatever you decide, have fun with color, and Just Paint It!

How To Choose Paint Colors For Your Home

Ask almost anyone about choosing a paint color for their home and they will most likely agree that it is a very daunting task.  While it is true that picking a paint color is not exactly in the top 10 most stressful events list, it can still be nerve wracking.  The following is a list of some helpful steps to picking the right color for you.

Remember that it is you and your family that live in your home, so pick colors that you like.  Don’t worry about what others will think.

A good starting point for deciding on a color is to think of the colors you wear.  You want to look good in your environment and chances are you also feel comfortable with the colors you wear the most.

Now that you have picked some colors that you like, take a look at the other elements of the room.  Are you working with existing accent fabrics, such as curtains and rugs?  If you are, find one of the colors you like and have your local paint store color match it for you.  If you don’t already have these elements, think of the size of your room and it’s natural lighting.  Do you want it to appear larger or smaller?  Keep in mind that dark colors advance and can make a room appear smaller.  Lighter colors recede and can make a room appear bigger.  It almost goes without saying that dark colors absorb light and make a room darker, while lighter colors reflect light and will make a room brighter.  There are many shades of every color, so you should be able to find one that fits your environment.

Think too of your climate or the mood you want to create.  Do you live in a very warm climate?  You might want to choose cool colors such as; blues, purples, or greens.  If you live in a cold climate, warm colors like red, yellow or orange might be better for you.  If the climate doesn’t concern you, the mood you want to create might.  Generally, blues and greens make people feel calm and relaxed, while yellows and oranges are warm and cozy.  Purple is the color of royalty so if you want to feel like a queen or king that is the color for you.  Red excites the nervous system and is the color of danger so it is usually best used as an accent.  However, if you love it go for it.

Don’t forget, your rooms have more than one wall, so you don’t have to pick just one color.  Many sample cards have 3 or 4 colors in the same shade that can match nicely together for subtle interest.  If you are more daring, pick a complementary color scheme.  Complementary colors are those opposite of each other on the color wheel.

Finally, remember that it is just paint and if you don’t like it you can always paint over it.  Don’t be afraid, grab some color swatches and Just Paint It! 

Choosing The Right Paint Colors Part 1

When it comes to decorating, choosing paint color can really be a challenge.  While you may feel that there are so many choices you are bound to find the right one, you may end up feeling that there are so many choices you don’t know where to start!

The tips here will really help you if you feel stumped by this important choice.  After all, the paint color will set the tone for the room.

It’s great to collect paint chips when planning a room, but hold off making final choices until you’ve developed an overall room scheme.  Paint is available in literally an infinite array of colors and is the most versatile element of your room decor, the easiest to change, and the least expensive.  Get ideas but make the final decision after rugs, wallpaper, and fabrics are finalized.

Coordinate Decorating Samples ~ When you go shopping, you’ll need to refer to your fabric, carpet, tile, wallpaper, and trim samples constantly.  Be sure to take everything with you wherever you go.   You might see something wonderful.

Study the Colors ~ You’ll find clues about the underlying tones of different shades of a color on a full sample strip of coordinated colors.  Even if you’re not even considering using a darker tone, look at all the colors carefully.  Decide if the family of colors is the direction you’re headed with your color selection.

Tried and True Formula for Colors ~ If you are working with a print fabric, you will probably be happier if you select the coordinating wall paint color from the background of the print.  Use the deeper or brighter tones for accents throughout the room or adjacent spaces.

Trim it Out ~ More often than not, you will select a shade of white or off-white for the moldings, doors, and windows.  If you’re feeling brave, consider the palest shade of color to coordinate with the walls.  For a really striking look, try lighter walls and dark tones or bright color for trim.

Choose the Paint Finish for the Job ~ Consider which paint finish might be best for your project.  Matte or flat finishes hide wall imperfections, but glossier finishes will reflect more light.

Give your home an entirely new look with a fresh coat of paint.  Don’t be afraid to have fun with colors and Just Paint It! 

Choosing Your Paint Colors

Well chosen collection of paint colors can revitalize every surface of your home, from the walls and ceilings to the exterior siding and trim.  An entirely new look is possible, but with thousands of house paint colors dozens of manufactures and many sheens to choose from the possible combinations of house painting colors can be mind numbing.

This subject is the one that most people have the greatest trouble with, including my customers. Although the processes involved with house painting are relatively simple to understand, selecting a paint color can be extremely difficult and time consuming.

The challenge is to find the best colors to fit your personal taste and style,  and still have a color scheme that will be enjoyable or increase your homes resale value.

It’s best to get this right the first time, but fortunately paint is fairly inexpensive and in many situations the color can be easily changed with a little more effort and a few more gallons of paint.

The basic principles of color are hue, value, intensity and temperature.  By combining these four ideas all potential combinations are possible.

There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to choosing your paint colors, but here are a few basic terms to guide you.

The Basic Terms of Color

• Hue – Hue is another word for color. All colors you see and can imagine are hues.  Typically the term applies to combinations of primary colors with different values and intensities.  Hue is a favorite term of decorators.
• Value – This term refers to the lightness or darkness of a color.  Value is determined by the amount of white, gray or black that is added to a pure color.  Think of this as “light”, “medium” or “dark”. Other related terms are tint, shade and tone.
• Intensity – Intensity is the measurement of the brightness of a color.  If a color strikes you as light, medium or dark you are judging the value.  While intensity is bright or dull.  Low intensity hues are commonly used as main colors while higher intensity hues are used for accents.
• Temperature – Colors are often referred as warm or cool.  Red, orange and yellow seem warm, like fire.  While blue and green are cool.  Neutral refers to a combination of warm and cool, example is beige.  The temperature of a color helps set the mood and can affect your perceptions of a room or space.

A hue can be combined with another then lightened or darkened in an infinite number of ways.  The goal is finding balance between these four ideas and achieving a look you can live with.