TEN TIPS TRICKS OF THE PROFESSIONAL PAINTING TRADE PART 1

Turquoise is popular because it is a cheery, vibrant color which brightens up any room such as this Echelon Homes-featured den.

If you’re like many who have built their dream homes, you may love your new house, but one or more of the paint colors you chose has turned into a nightmare. Simplify the paint selection and application process by following these tricks of the trade.

1. Mind your mood. When selecting paint color options, consider the mood you want to create. If your goal is to create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere, select soft, cool colors and neutrals. On the other hand, a dramatic and bold atmosphere is best accomplished by choosing intense colors.

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2. Consider using a color wheel. A color wheel is an ideal tool for modifying, intensifying and selecting colors. If you draw a line between the yellow-green mark on the wheel all the way down to the red-violet, you will see warm colors on the left and cool colors on the right. Complementary colors with the strongest intensity will be opposites, e.g. red and green, so use your fabrics, rug samples, etc. when evaluating which colors on the wheel appeal to you most.

3. Take a minute to learn the terminology. A ‘hue’ simply refers to the color, e.g. taupe or blue. The level of lightness or darkness of a hue is called the ‘value.’ Saturation refers to the spectrum of a hue. As one moves from indigo to light blue, the blue hue becomes less dominant. Intensity speaks to the color’s brilliance. Pure colors such as primary colors are very intense, but when combined with softer colors, become less intense. As a benchmark, stronger colors tend to have dominant hues.

4. Start with small strokes. Pare your preferred options to three or four and buy 8 oz. samples. Select an area of the wall on which to paint that is open enough for you to, for example, easily move furniture, rugs, art, etc. against to ascertain which color is best. You can also paint on large poster boards to avoid painting on the walls.

5. Enlighten your opinion. The color of your paint will naturally appear differently during various times of the day. As a rule of thumb, the truest color is shown during daylight; incandescent lighting emit warm tones and yellows; and fluorescent lighting casts sharp blue tones. If you have looked at your color options at different times of the day, and with a variety of indoor lighting, but still can’t decide—fret not…Painting a small room can pay huge dividends. Ideally, experiment in the powder room, bathroom, a small hall or even an accent wall. Words of the wise—painting bathrooms can be challenging due to extra elements one must taper off, so if it all possible, choose a small area that is easy to paint. Make sure your test area has the same elements as the room you are ultimately painting in terms of lighting so you can make an accurate assessment.
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Check back next week for the remaining five tips on how to paint like a pro.

Article by: Jennifre Elkow