Browns, grays and blues have been popular paint colors this year, according to Emelie Breaux, owner of South City Paint and Supply. (Brad Puckett / American Press)
Color your world: Paint tips for the home
Last Modified: Monday, July 23, 2012 11:45 AM
By Anne Robicheaux / American Press
Are you looking to spice up your home with a fresh splash of paint? Two local experts offered tips about this year’s color trends, as well as certain points to keep in mind when choosing the perfect hue.
Murphy Bros. Paint Co. is a local retailer and wholesaler with locations in Houston, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Beaumont and Lake Charles. The paint brands they carry include Pratt and Lambert, Donald Kaufman and Coronado. They also carry wood finishes, including the Chemcraft, MLCampbell and Trinity Coatings brands. Industrial finishes they offer include PPG Protective & Marine Coatings and BLP Mobile Paints.
South City Paint and Supply is a local store that has serviced the painting needs of Lake Charles residents since the store was incorporated in 1961. Among the brands of paint that the store stocks are Benjamin Moore, PPG, Coronado and Devoe.
Murphy Bros. Paint Co. has been in business in Lake Charles for six years, and before that it was Garrett’s Paints Plus, paint salesman Darin Guy said.
Guy said he has noticed a shift among customers to brighter colors, as opposed to the tans and beiges that were popular last year.
“I don’t think it’s seasonal,” Guy said. “I think it’s going to last for a little while.”
Emelie Breaux, owner of South City Paint and Supply, said popular colors for 2012 have been browns, grays and blues, especially Wythe Blue. Many homeowners opt for a neutral tone, she added.
Guy said he has noticed a trend in using shiny finishes for kitchens and bathrooms and flat or satin finishes for exteriors. He said shiny finishes are easier to clean.
In reference to color trends in exterior paints, Guy said, “Lately, I’ve been seeing a trend that people (are) picking their colors according to what type of house they own. The older homes are trying to duplicate the brighter colors that they had when they were built.
“The downtown area homes are getting lighter colors and pastels, and ... a lot of the other (homeowners) are just trying to match their brick.”
For beginning painters, Guy suggested the Pratt and Lambert brand, which he described as “user-friendly.” He also suggested using a water-based paint “for easy cleanup.”
Breaux said, “The water-based products are in right now. You very seldom sell any oil-based paints.” She said this is because of “the ease of application, the odor’s not real strong, and it’s more environmentally correct.”
For more advanced painters, Guy recommended Pratt and Lambert porcelain paint with microspheres.
“It may be a little bit more of a challenge to use, but it’s a lot stronger and more durable when it’s finished,” Guy said.
When considering what color to paint a room, there are a few things to take into account, Guy said:
• Windows. Windows will bring in more light and open up a room, so using brighter colors in a room with windows will further open it up, while using a darker color will generally not dramatically close up the room.
• Ceilings. If you paint your ceiling to match your walls, you may have to repaint your ceiling any time you change the color of your walls, which could prove cumbersome.
• Overlap. Keep in mind the color schemes of adjacent rooms, because from certain vantage points, both rooms will be visible, and too much color can be overwhelming to the viewer.
• Trimming. Keeping a constant color for ceilings and paint trim will help tie rooms together better.
When deciding what color to paint your home, Breaux suggested picking a color that works with furnishings you already have. “I would say the main thing would be to find a color that you’re comfortable with, that you’ve always liked, that way you won’t get tired of it,” she said.
In weighing whether to go with a lighter or darker shade of paint, Breaux said lighter colors tend to maximize room space but may show more defects, while darker colors tend to evoke a warmer feeling but may also minimize room space.
Get Social With Us!
+Share