Selecting the Perfect Paint

In addition to client projects, I always seem to be in the midst of some redo/rework/change/update in my own home too. I'm in the process of selecting the paint for what I call the "backbone" of my home - the main living areas that are open to each other. In my home, this includes the entryway which opens into the family room and eventually to the informal eating area and kitchen.

It's important that areas that are open to each other relate in some fashion either through color or style of furnishings. I'm a fan of using more neutral colors in large open areas and introducing color through upholstery, draperies and accessories. Having said that though, wall color does have its place!

I'm leaning toward a really warm, taupey tan. My dilemma is the same as my clients'...getting the shade/tone/tint just right. I don't want anything too pink, too yellow, too green, or too blue! Painting small sample areas with some of your choices and viewing them at different times of the day can be invaluable when making a paint selection.

I did an internet search on the color I'm leaning toward, Sherwin Williams 7536Bittersweet Stem, to see how other homeowners have used the color. Great bath pic below....


The Sherwin Williams website provides great tools to assist homeowners with their color selection. They define some of the commonly used terms relating to color as follows:

• Tint. Put simply, a tint is a lighter variation of a color. Tints are created by adding white to colors. For example, pink is a tint of red.
• Shade. A color made darker by adding black to it. Navy is a shade of blue.
• Tone. If gray is added to a color, a tone of that color is created. Tones are generally more muted versions of colors.
• Value. This term describes the lightness or darkness of a color. Colors with more white (tints) have higher value, and darker colors (shades) have lower value.
• Saturation. The purity or intensity of a color is called saturation. The most-saturated colors are vivid and strong, where less-saturated colors can appear washed out or muted.
  

These terms and tips may help you make the right paint color selection for your home. I'll share my results in an upcoming post.... as soon as I've sorted through the options!