Classic Paint Colors Ideal for Wilmington NC

Historic Wilmington NC HomeOne of the greatest things about Wilmington is its colorful landscape – from the sandy browns and cool blues of the beach to the soft pinks and lush greens of downtown’s historic homes, Wilmington is a vibrant place with a great mix of color. If you’re thinking about giving your own home a classic Wilmington-inspired look, here are a few color ideas to consider:

Historic Colors
Some ideas: Confederate Grey, Honeysuckle Yellow, Soft Sky Blue, Candlewick Beige, Soft Rose

Locals and visitors alike are drawn to the beauty and charm of the Wilmington Historic District. The century-old buildings and old-fashioned homes make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, to the antebellum days of horse-drawn carriages and brick-paved streets. One of the coolest things about historic downtown is the abundance of beautifully restored homes. These homes are perfect examples of historic color. A quick stroll down any of the streets in the historic district, and you’ll see a variety of traditionally historic colors. From soft yellows to cool blues to hazy greys, Historic Wilmington’s color palette evokes the ambiance of the Old South while preserving the look of today.

Coastal Colors
Some ideas: Sea Foam Green, Sand Castle Beige, Driftwood Brown, Sea Glass Green

Coastal colors are typically soft, muted shades of green, blue and brown, but fortunately, you don’t have to be restricted too much when it comes to choosing a color that’s reminiscent of Coastal North Carolina. When you think about the colors of Wrightsville Beach, for example, you might also think about the brightly colored kayaks you’ve seen going through the channel or the bright blue roof of Bluewater Grill. You could even have the best of both worlds by choosing a lighter, more neutral color for your home’s exterior and complement it with some bolder, brighter color for the doors and shutters. Maybe a sandy beige exterior with turquoise shutters would help your coastal home “fit in.”

Bold Colors
Some ideas: Azalea Pink, Tomato Red, Wilmington Hammerheads Blue

Want to give your home a Wilmington-inspired color that will really catch people’s eye? Why not go bold? As most of you may know, Azaleas are a common sight here in Wilmington and are sort of a trademark for the area. The bright pink and vibrant purples of these shrubs’ flowers can evoke feelings of cheer, warmth and energy. (Just make sure your home owner’s association will approve such a dramatic color choice!) Likewise, bright reds are becoming a popular choice for homes, particularly for interior rooms and exterior accents like doors and window shutters. Choose a bright, hearty red – one that reminds you of a fresh summer tomato or bell pepper (common sights in many Wilmington residents’ gardens). If pinks and reds aren’t your favorites, why not go for the opposite end of the color wheel and pick out a bright, bold blue. A bright aqua blue would not only be pleasing to the eye, it would be a great nod to the local soccer team, the Wilmington Hammerheads!

Want more ideas for your home’s color makeover? Contact Colour Solutions today for a free consultation and project quote: (910) 686-3067.

Exterior House Painting – Add Accents with Windows and Doors

Home Exterior Accent Colors

Home Exterior accent paint colors can help you achieve the look you desire, whether that be a more formal, casual or whimsical appearance.

As with interior design and fashion, choosing paint colors for your home’s exterior takes a little know-how. Highlighting a home’s front door in a contrasting color is a great way for a homeowner to express their creativity and boost curb appeal. In times past, the preferred color choices were black, green, and red. Today’s homeowners are faced with so many exterior paint choices that making a decision can be tough. In a recent article from This Old House magazine, architectural color consultant, Amy Wax, offered a few suggestions.

Before you zip out to the paint store, take a moment to consider these points:

  • the architectural style of your home
  • what the exterior is constructed of and its color or colors
  • the door’s trim
  • the exterior entryway leading to the front door-is it wood, stone, brick?

Wax explained that for homes with solid colored, neutral exteriors, the paint pick for the front door should serve to compliment and enhance. Siding that is pale, such as white, gray, or beige; practically begs for a pop of color. Formal, stodgy entrances take on a new attitude with an unexpected choice that is both bright and bold. Casual residences can look more sophisticated when the front door is painted a glossy, deep shade of a primary color such as blue or yellow. For a touch of whimsy, consider using ice cream colors or shades inspired from the Caribbean: turquoise, coral, and sea foam green.

Doors that incorporate glass are able to handle strong shades because the glass tends to soften the overall effect. Residences with darker exteriors benefit dramatically when the front door color is incorporated artfully. Wax suggests repeating a shade that is already present and playing it up. For example, is the perfect choice lurking in shade variations within the brick or stonework? The answer could also be discovered in the home’s surrounding foliage or foundation plantings.

If you are on the cautious side, don’t worry. Paint stores provide samples so you can try a color or two out before committing to an entire gallon. For inspiration, here is the link to the article and photos from the This Old House article: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20567862,00.html

If you want help choosing colors or for us to give you a quote for painting services, you can request a quote online or call us directly at 910-686-3067.

Get Ready for Fall Cleanup

Are you ready for fall? How about your home? To get you house in shape for autumn, check out these tips to make your fall cleanup go smoothly.

Transition garden -Â If you have a flower, veggie or herb garden, now is the time to get it ready for the next season. Remove any dead plants and weeds and till the soil. Start planting your fall/winter flowers/produce.

Rake leaves -Â Set aside an afternoon or morning to clear your yard of as many leaves and yard debris as possible. (In southeastern NC, you may be raking more pine needles than leaves! If that’s the case, you may be able to reuse the pine straw for landscaping).

Check your home for areas that need caulking -Â Caulk helps prevent moisture and mildew by creating a seal. Bathrooms, kitchens and around doors and windows are common places that need caulk. It’s a good idea to check these areas at least twice a year.

Check your home’s paint. Is it time for a fresh coat? -Â A fresh coat of paint can make your home more attractive. It can also act as a protective layer between your home and the elements.

Contact Colour Solutions to hear about our interior and exterior painting services: 910-686-3067

Commercial Building Paint Colors

Colour Solutions is a leading source for commercial painting. From interiors to exteriors to cabinet painting and more, we offer high quality paint products and excellent service. Whether your business needs a whole new look or it’s just time for a fresh coat of paint, Colour Solutions can help you find the right commercial building paint color at an affordable price.

Determining the best commercial paint color can be a challenge. If you want to incorporate a specific color or shade (like one that matches your business’ logo colors), we can help you find the best match. If you’re not sure what color to choose, we will happily offer suggestions based on your particular needs.

A few things that will determine the type/color of your commercial paint product:

Type of business – Studies have shown that certain colors evoke certain emotions in people. “Warm” colors like reds and oranges have been thought to provoke excitement or even hostility, while “cool” colors are sometimes thought to inspire calmness or indifference. While these idea are purely theories, we do believe that when it comes to your business, you want your clients or customers to feel welcome and comfortable in your facility, so choosing an appropriate color is important. (For example, you probably don’t want to use bright pink for a men’s health facility).

Type of material – Certain types of paint work best with certain types of material. Wood, concrete and brick, for example, all have different compositions and therefore may need paints with special properties to look great and last long.

Zoning regulations – Depending on the area your business is in, there may be restrictions on certain colors. Bright or garish shades may be prohibited in your zone, so it’s best to let us help you double check.

If you’re ready to hear more about commercial painting services from Colour Solutions, give us a call at 910-686-3067.

Pressure Washing Your Deck in NC

Pressure Washing Wilmington NCDid you know that in addition to interior and exterior painting, Colour Solutions also offers pressure washing?

Summer is a great time to give your outdoor space a good, thorough cleaning and pressure washing is a great way to get rid of tough mildew and ugly debris that has been accumulating over winter and spring.

Pressure washing is a service we offer using special equipment that sprays a mixture of water and cleaning solution at a concentrated pressure onto your deck or your home’s exterior. The method is relatively fast and inexpensive and can greatly improve your home’s appearance.

A few reasons to pressure wash your deck or home:

Removes mildew and debris, which can cause damage and make your home look older than it is.

Gives your deck a fresh, clean look. (A great way to get your deck ready for entertaining this summer!)

Makes your deck/home more attractive to potential buyers. (If you’re putting your home on the market, pressure washing is highly recommended).

Extends the life of your exterior paint or stain.

Removes visible mold and algae as well as the spores they release, making it a proactive way to keep your deck/home clean.

Over time, exposure to the elements and extreme weather can make your deck deteriorate. By regularly power washing your deck, you can help extend its life. Since we live in the South, where heat and humidity are part of everyday life, it is recommended that you power wash your deck or home exterior once every 2 years.

Contact Colour Solutions today to schedule an estimate for pressure washing your deck! 910-686-3067