Favorite Paint Colors

Natural

2013-05-17T11:03:00.000-07:00

Natural by Valspar

City Farmhouse

Silvermist

2013-05-16T07:51:00.001-07:00

Silvermist by Shewin-Williams

Sophia's

Castle Path and Garden Wall

2013-05-15T07:29:00.002-07:00

Castle Path by Behr (lighter color) and Garden Wall by Behr (darker color)

Life on Virginia Street

Deep Caviar

2013-05-09T06:24:00.000-07:00

Deep Caviar by Benjamin Moore

View Along the Way

Scotch Mist

2013-05-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

Scotch Mist by PPG (Pittsburgh Paints)

aka design

Gold Buttercup

2013-05-03T06:32:00.000-07:00

Gold Buttercup by Behr

The Handmade Home

Glimmer

2013-05-02T07:01:00.000-07:00

Glimmer by Behr

Hazardous Design

Antique Tin

2013-04-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

Antique Tin by Behr Paint

Beach Brights

How to Pick Out the Perfect Paint Color {Paint Tips}

2013-04-26T05:54:00.000-07:00

One of my most asked questions I get is about picking out paint colors. This is a revised article that I wrote that was published in a local magazine.

Paint color can transform a house into a home.

The problem is that there are thousands of colors to choose from, and the picking the perfect color can be the hardest part of the process. Do you go neutral or bold, dark or light, cool or warm? Here are a few tips for choosing the best color for you:

Where are we?

Ask yourself some questions. What is the purpose of the room you are painting? Is it a dining room that will entertain guests and gather your family in each evening for dinner? A master bedroom that you want to make your “sanctuary”, or a laundry room that you want to be bright and colorful to make the time you spend there more pleasant?

Waterscape by Sherwin-Williams

Katelyn James Photography

(Love how this paint color sets the mood for the whole room)

Gather your favorites.

Once you’ve decided your purpose and how you want yourself and others to feel in your room, pick a color palette. Look at your room. Are you picking a color that’s going to go with everything in your room (more of a neutral), or are you picking the color first and then working around that? Are you going to add color to your room by accessorizing (curtains, painted furniture, décor, etc.) or do you want the paint to be the main accessory?

Start small and inexpensive: Go to your favorite paint store, pick a few colors you like and have sample sizes mixed. Most paint stores sell them for around $3. This is the best way to find the right color without having a whole gallon of paint mixed up and then deciding when you get it home that you hate the color.

Seeing is believing: Paint the colors you’re considering onto white poster boards. Put it next to your cabinets, trim, carpet or furniture. Paint can look a totally different color in various lighting, so make sure you look at it for a good 24 hours. Move your poster boards to different places in the room. Look for any color undertones it might have during bright daylight hours, rainy days and at night in artificial lighting.

Go for it! If you love the way the color you’ve chosen looks in all conditions, then go for the kill. You have just completed the hardest part of the process.

Do you want professional advice? Some paint stores have color consultants on hand that will come to your home when you buy a $75 giftcard, that you can then use to buy paint. I know our local Sherwin-Williams partcipates, but make sure to call and ask first. Happy painting!

Sticks and Stones

2013-04-24T05:47:00.000-07:00

Sticks and Stones by Sherwin Williams

Back Porch Musings

Chochise

2013-04-23T05:57:00.000-07:00

Chochise by Dunn Edwards

A Thoughtful Place

Great Barrington Green and White Dove

2013-04-18T06:26:00.000-07:00

Great Barrington Green by Benjamin Moore and White Dove by Benjamin Moore

It's a Wannabe Decorator's Life

Monroe Bisque {before and after}

2013-04-17T06:31:00.000-07:00

Monroe Bisque by Benjamin Moore

Naptime Notebook

Also, Sherwin-Williams is having 40% off all of their paints and stains starting this Friday. This is their best sale of the year and remember they can color match for you. More info here. (Also on my facebook page)Thanks, Taryn!

National Painting Week

2013-04-16T06:21:00.000-07:00

National painting week by Sherwin-Williams is back! They are celebrating once again with inspiring projects, tips for adding a touch of style to any space in your home, and color suggestions and tools. Each day they are featuring a different color with inspiration from other bloggers. Love this infographic with suggestions on where to begin when painting your home.

I had the chance to interview Jackie Jordan last year, one of Sherwin-Williams’ top color experts. I am going to have that opportunity again and would love to ask her some of your burning paint questions. If you have anything you would love to know from the professionals leave me a comment and I will be sure to include it in my interview. It could be anything – paint tips to color combinations.
Head on over to Sherwin-Williams for more tips and ideas and be sure to check out some of FPC’s favorite Sherwin-Williams colors for more inspiration. Happy Painting!