Choosing Interior Color Schemes

Answer these five essential questions to help you pick the perfect color palette.

Are you unhappy with your home's interior design? If so, you may be the victim of a bad color scheme. It's no secret that color can either make or break a design, but luckily, neither is finding out how to choose the perfect color palette for you.

When the color's right, it can:
• Enhance feelings of health and wellbeing
• Modify perceived temperature — make your space feel warmer or cooler
• Transform perceived space — make your space feel larger, or more cozy and intimate
• Illuminate dark areas
• Create mystery and romance in dull areas
• Energize static areas

But it has to be the right color for you. Color, and the psychology of color, is a big design trend says Barbara Jacobs, principal of Barbara Jacobs Color & Design. "But generalizations — green is relaxing, blue is soothing, red is energizing — only apply when certain hues are used," she says. "A sharp, electric green definitely would not be relaxing; a deep blue-green might feel cold instead of soothing. The wrong red used in an entire room might create the sensation of entrapment rather than energy."

Before planning color in your personal environment, make a mini-questionnaire and poll yourself and your family. Your answers are 50 percent of the project because your color choices depend on them for direction, Jacobs says. She gives her clients a very long questionnaire with hundreds of questions, but you can start with these five. The answers will lead you to your new color scheme.
1. Where is the room?
2. How many windows are there and which direction do they face?
3. Is there landscaping outside that will have an effect on the colors in the room?
4. Who will use the room, and what will they do there? Is it private or community space?
5. Will it be a sociable and active place, or a peaceful place? How do I want it to feel?

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/choosing-interior-color-schemes/index.html?ic1=obinsite

Color Trends 2014

The "New" Neutral Palette

This palette is a reaction to all the color cues that we have noticed popping up in the home furnishing industry... textiles, carpets, wallpapers, tabletops and pottery, as well as color schemes that emerge in landscape design, the auto industry, fashion, and graphics.

As color rarely exists in isolation, we have designed a palette of 23 colors that work well together. There is harmony among the colors. There is an art to sequencing color from one room to another—hallways are the arteries of the house, rooms radiate off the hallways and this palette helps the transition because the colors flow seamlessly.

We've detected a 'lighter touch', hints, whispers, tints of color. Shifts to pastels without looking too 'candy', too 'Easter egg' which is an exciting message for us, a color company. We've begun to see a shift away from gray to tints of blues, greens, lavenders and pinks. Pastels, softened and filtered, to lift the spirit but not shout too loud... colors that can make a room happy, flatter your possessions and your art. We call these the new neutrals.

These colors have proven to be flexible; pair Breathe of Fresh Air 806 with Van Deusen Blue HC-156, you punch up a strong blue story. Pair it with Flint AF-560 and it transitions to a more sophisticated statement, more understated.

Personal expression is the best expression. We are here to make the selection easier. You want to pick a color that is enduring, resonates and is signature to your personal style. This is What Matters.

This introduction is the beginning of our color conversation for 2014. I invite you to explore the full Color Trends 2014 Palette and our Color of the Year Breath of Fresh Air.

 

 

Ellen O'Neill, Creative Director
Benjamin Moore & Co.

 

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/color-trends-2014

 

 

Why You Should Hire a Lead-Safe Certified Firm to Paint Your Mid-Century Home?

Although lead paint has been banned since 1978, the CDC estimates that it’s still in the walls of an estimated 24 million houses. There are plenty of older buildings in Alexandria area, and many homeowners have become lax about controlling lead poisoning during painting or renovation projects. However, it’s worthwhile to shop around for a professional painter if you’re thinking about renovations, because:

 

It’s the Law.

The EPA issued a ruling in 2010 requiring homeowners to use a Lead-Safe Certified Contractor for any painting or renovations. Contractors must pass a specialized course in order to obtain this certification, ensuring they have the knowledge and resources to limit lead exposure and prevent the release of lead particles.

 

Lead Has Significant Health Risks.

One of the biggest hazards of lead exposure is that it’s so difficult to spot. The short-term symptoms of lead exposure can easily be confused with the flu, but its long-term effects include neurological damage, kidney damage, impaired muscle coordination, and behavioral problems. Children who are exposed to lead can develop lifelong disabilities and learning impairments. Health effects can occur with as little as 10 micrograms per deciliter—the equivalent of about 1/100,000^th of a sugar cube in a half-cup of water.

 

Uncertified and DIY Techniques Don’t Cut It.

Traditional drywall repair and paint removal techniques not only fail to control lead exposure, they actively increase lead particle levels. Sanding in commonly used to score the surface paint and provide better adhesion for a new coat, and many professional; painters use torches to remove old paint—the flames are hot enough to evaporate the lead, which turns back into a fine dust as it cools.

 

These are just a few of the reasons you should stick with a certified professional painter. Williams Professional Painting is a licensed, bonded, and insured painting contractor based in Alexandria, VA. Visit us online to learn more about our residential painting services and call (703) 768-8143 today to receive an estimate.

 

Another Reinvented Trend Is Back!

The trends of stencil designs have started again. Whether its with stencil designs on your walls, floors, or ceilings. Here is a brief step-by-step on how to paint a stencil design. If it seems like an added feature you would like to put in your house, but you don't think its a task for you, then hire Williams Professional Painting.

Step by Step video on stenciling

Paint Finish Profiles: Gloss and Semi Gloss

Gloss and semi-gloss paint may seem similar, but there are some important differences between the two that can influence the appearance of your home.

Gloss and semi-gloss refer to the paint’s reflectivity, or sheen, when it’s dry. Gloss paint has a shiny appearance that can also add space and warmth to living areas, and it is generally easier to clean since its surface does not readily absorb stains; it is commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens, and entranceways. Semi-gloss paint is still shinier compared to flat or satin paints, but it does absorb some light and can draw less attention to minor imperfections in the walls. Remember that the quality is a better indicator of its longevity than the sheen.

Consult with a professional painter about your options for revitalizing your home and contact Williams Professional Painting to receive a quote. We’ve been serving the Alexandria area for more than 34 years, and we’ve established our reputation as a trusted professional painter through professionalism and high-quality results. Call (703) 768-8143 today for more information.