Paints
Choosing the right color and the right paint is very important. Here are a few guidelines and links that may help with your decision: http://www.sherwin-williams.com, http://www.benjaminmoore.com
Exterior:
Choosing Colors:
To make your house appear larger, use a lighter color trim.
Darker color trim will downsize your house.
Light to medium colors will last longer than dark colors.
Use accent (3rd color) for front door or other architectural trim.
Consider parts of the house that aren't painted – roof, brickwork, rock work, concrete.
Consider neighboring homes. Design yours to be compatible as well as distinctive.
Look at other homes that you like, take pictures.
Look through magazines and books.
Don't be afraid to express your own good taste with a distinctive color scheme.
Experiment with colors. Cut out your color chips and rearrange them in different ways.
Go for it!
Choosing Paints:
The five main choices are
Flat exterior acrylic latex - covers well, looks good on most wood and masonry surfaces.
Satin exterior acrylic latex - covers well, looks good, dirt doesn't adhere as easily. This is especially good for light colors on trim.
Eggshell exterior/interior acrylic has a higher sheen than satin, lower than semi-gloss. Great choice for trim.
Semi-gloss exterior acrylic latex is usually used on trim such as doors and windows. This is very washable.
Gloss exterior acrylic enamel is usually used only on very smooth surfaces. The higher the sheen, the more imperfections are shown. This is the most expensive paint to apply, because it requires more time and effort to do the job perfectly.
Interior:
Choosing Colors:
Most interior painting is done with shades of whites.
Body color with lighter trim tends to lighten up a room and make it appear larger.
Body color with darker trim tends to define a room and give it a more cozy feeling.
Body color with matching trim ends to simplify a room and open it up.
Painting your ceiling DARKER than the walls will bring the ceiling height down and create a more intimate or cozy space (great for high and vaulted ceilings).
Most people paint the walls and ceilings the same. This creates a clean, open look and saves on labor and materials.
Painting your ceiling LIGHTER will visually increase the height of the room.
Choosing Paints:
The five main choices are
Flat interior latex - available in regular grade and washable. This covers well and looks good.
Satin interior latex. This is very washable , covers well, and is a good choice for kids' rooms.
Eggshell interior latex or oil. This is very washable, covers well, looks good and is becoming very popular. Can be used for walls, ceilings and trim as well.
Semi-gloss interior latex or oil is usually used in kitchens, baths and on trim. It is very washable.
Gloss interior latex enamel is usually used only on very smooth surfaces. The higher the sheen, the more imperfections are shown. This is the most expensive paint to apply, because it requires more time and effort to apply perfectly. It is not used much today.
