Brighten Up Any Room with Vibrant Paint Colors

January 25, 2013 By
Brighten Up Any Room with Vibrant Paint Colors

Brighten Up Any Room with Vibrant Paint Colors

Introducing new colors into your decorating scheme is one of the most cost-effective means of revamping, updating, and upgrading your home. Although painting is an easy and economical choice, the tough part is choosing colors we can live with. If you are hesitant to make a decision and worried that your paint pick will lack staying power, the folks at This Old House have some suggestions. After reviewing hundreds of new options, they have narrowed it down to 15 shades that they predict will, “go beyond trends to perform beautifully in real rooms.”

Oranges – These edged out reds as a new way to add depth and drama. Pumpkin, copper, clay, and exotic curry, are a few to look for. The color consulting firm, Pantone, which selects their paint picks twice a year, have named “tangerine-orange” as one to watch.

Blues – Cool and peaceful, shades of blue never go out of style. They can impart tranquility or create a breezy, endless summer feel. Some new choices to track down are those with hints of gray, turquoise, and aqua.

Greens – Because it is a secondary color that relies on blue and yellow, green can go in several appealing directions. This Old House has chosen three new greens that bounce from apple to a true green right from the crayon box to tinted shades that are reminiscent of sea glass.

Grays – More interesting than stark white, selections in gray provide a great neutral backdrop. They are unobtrusive and can serve as a blank canvas for practically any accent shade that is deep, dark, rich, or bold, to generate instant drama! The This Old House article also noted that, “gray compliments Carrera marble, stainless steel, and nickel”, all popular in kitchens and baths. The ranges of tints for gray can make shades that are warm, soft, or stark.

Yellows – Here are the go-to feel good choices for sure. Sunny shades of yellow are at home virtually anywhere. Pale buttercreams are perfect in traditional settings, while brighter, deeper, lemony picks add oomph to more contemporary homes. From true sunny shades to more subdued, creamier yellows, these cheery hues are sure to brighten up any space!

Remember that painting trim, ceilings or pieces of furniture are several other excellent ways to introduce some fresh color into your home. For a little more information and some inspiration, here is a link to the entire article, complete with pictures of color choices.

For more ideas for brightening up your home, contact Colour Solutions for a free estimate. 910-686-3067

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Interior Paint Colors can make a Room Seem Larger or Smaller

January 18, 2013 By
Lighter colors can make a room look larger.

Lighter colors can make a room look larger.

Whether you live in a small starter house or a three story luxury home, using space effectively is an important part of interior design. But did you know that the paint colors you choose can also have an effect on a room’s space? Well, truth be told, the color doesn’t actually add or take away from a room’s physical space, but depending on your color choices, a room can LOOK larger or smaller than it actually is.
The general rule of thumb is, the smaller the room, the lighter the color. Deep, dark paint colors are generally avoided in smaller rooms without much natural light. Of course, this guideline isn’t set in stone. Sometimes a dark color can add a dramatic effect to a small room, such as a guest bathroom or laundry room. Likewise, a house with several open rooms that connect to one another may be overwhelmed if a darker color is selected.

The best thing to do is decide what your goals are for your room (or rooms) and take into account the following factors:

Light – How much natural/artificial light does the room get? Remember that paint colors can look very different when exposed to different types of lighting.

Architectural components – Do you have crown molding you want to show off? What about baseboards or window frames? Will you choose to repaint these as well, or do you want to just find a color that complements the existing structures?

Flooring – What color is your floor? What type of floor do you have? Do you want to highlight your prized hardwood floors?

If you have questions, or just aren’t sure where to begin, give Colour Solutions a call. Dial 910-686-3067 today for a free estimate!

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Why Paint A Cement Floor

October 5, 2012 By

Cement floors are typically found in garages, workshops and patios. While it’s not always necessary to paint these surfaces, doing so can be beneficial to your home or place of business.

In addition to creating a more aesthetically pleasing space, painting a concrete floor can add resale value to your home. Cleanliness is always a big selling point for homes, and while garage and patio floors will inevitably get dirty, if the surface is painted, it can be kept clean much more easily.

Concrete is porous, which means there are millions of tiny holes within the material. These tiny holes allow dirt, oil, grease and other contaminants to seep into the concrete itself, making it extremely difficult to clean. If you’ve ever wondered why the stains on your garage floor are impossible to remove, even after pressure washing, this is why.

Adding a coat of epoxy concrete paint will create a protective barrier between the concrete and all the nasty stuff that will fall on it. You can choose just about any color you want for your concrete surface, but most homeowners choose a neutral color. You can even choose a solid color look or add loose flakes for a terrazo or granite effect.

To learn more about concrete painting, talk to the experts at Colour Solutions. Call today for a free estimate! 910-686-3067

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Faux Finishes – When and Where to Use them

September 28, 2012 By

Faux finishing is a great way to personalize your home by going a step or two beyond a simple coat of paint by creating rich textures and patterns for your wall, cabinets or other home fixtures. Faux finishes can also be useful in covering small surface flaws and imperfections.

Knowing when and where to apply faux finishes is important, as they don’t always work with every surface. Here’s a look at some of the most popular faux finishes and where they work best:

Venetian Plaster – Gives the surface a marble-like appearance by creating depth and leaves a smooth but slightly textured feel. This finish is silky and cleans easily so it would be best suited for kitchens and baths.

Crackling -This gives a weathered appearance, as if the surface has been exposed to the elements for an extended period of time. Because this is a less subtle finish, it would work best for small spaces, cabinets, tables and other furniture. Not recommended for large surfaces such as living room walls.

Sponging – This is a faux painting technique that can be dramatic or subtle, depending on the colors chosen. Typically, two similar colors are used to create the effect. This finish is versatile and could work on a variety of surfaces.

Ragging – This faux painting technique imitates look and texture of aged leather or fabric. This is a great option for anyone looking for a dramatic look that isn’t too over-the-top. Works well for smaller, intimate spaces such as studies or bedrooms.

For more ideas on faux finishes, contact Colour Solutions for a free estimate. 910-686-3067

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Ideas for Painted Cabinets

September 21, 2012 By

Giving your kitchen cabinets a fresh coat of paint can improve their look and give your room a completely different appearance.

With just about any color you can imagine to choose from, Colour Solutions can help you find the perfect shade for your home’s cabinets. Choose classic white for a bright, clean look. Or go with something darker, such as deep forest green, to complement wood or copper elements and create a natural feel.

If you’re thinking of doing something a little different, don’t be afraid to experiment with bright colors or maybe even metallic finishes. Stainless steel appliances can look great when complemented by light counter tops and metallic-pained cabinets and compact spaces generally look much larger and more open when bright, light-reflecting colors are used.

Another unique idea is to use two different paint colors to create a two-tone effect in your home. Picture your upper kitchen cabinets in a light color such as white or cream, and the lower cabinets in a darker shade to match the color scheme of your home. This effect draws the eyes upward, making the ceiling appear higher and the room appear larger.

For more ideas for painting your home cabinets, contact Colour Solutions for a free estimate. 910-686-3067

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