Paint Is Great………..and Cheap!!
My clients have often heard me proclaim, “Paint is cheap!” There are few ways to transform a space as inexpensively as with a change in the paint color. As we start to climb out of our years of economical opportunities and with new construction on the brink of new growth, now is a great time to create a transition.
This year’s color trends are taking their inspirations from nature. The greens are deep, rich, and lush. (Time to say good-bye to the yellow-tinged greens of the past!) The blues are a calm reflection of water. Reds are saturated and graduated. Neutrals this year are subtle, and influenced by raw materials (think sand, stone, wood).
New colors can quickly and economically enhance and update your space. A few things to remember:
- Always work with your existing upholstery and carpet; everything needs to coordinate. An investment of a few hours with a professional designer will assure the right selections.
- Think of the mood you want to conjure. Warm colors (reds, oranges, and yellows) are exciting and energizing. Cool colors (blues and greens) are calming and relaxing.
- When in doubt, test the color on a 4 foot x 4 foot sample sheet. Don’t paint directly onto the wall—that could affect the final color. Attach your sample to the wall you’ll be painting and examine it during different times of the day; as the lighting changes, your color often changes as well.
- Beiges can be the trickiest hues to select—what looked perfectly neutral in a sample can go red or gray in your room. I recommend always looking at a large sample in the space it will be used. The lighter the color, the more it will reflect the colors surrounding it. One of my all-time favorite beiges is Duron’s “Botany Beige.” It’s just about perfect in most spaces.
- Want to make just a small change? Try color blocking one wall with your color.
- Not everyone is a skilled painter; it is a gift. If you don’t possess that particular gift, it’s worth it to invest in someone who can do quality work.
Enjoy yourself, and don’t be afraid to experiment. The world is full of wonderful colors!
