PAINTING YOUR WALLS? PAINT FINISH CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE!
You’ve finally chosen a paint color, and now you have to decide one more thing! I know, after running back and forth to the paint store 50 times, and putting 20 patches of different paint colors on your walls it can be a frustrating and exhausting process! It doesn’t have to be. Hiring a professional interior designer for a paint consultation is a small investment compared to the large investment of painting your whole house. It’s definitely worth the time and money saved in the long run!
Once you decide on a paint color, there are many different types of paint finishes to choose from. This will make it easier for you to decide what type of paint finish application is best, depending on what wall in what area or room it is for.
1. FLAT / MATTE - Where to use: Best choice for walls with many imperfections. Use on ceilings and bedroom, dining room, and living room walls. Do not use in kitchen or bathrooms. Great for touch-ups, but hard to clean. Premium flat paint has better wash ability.
2. EGGSHELL - Where to use: This low-sheen finish is a great choice for living room or bedroom walls.Great for kitchens, bathrooms, and kids rooms for easy maintenance and wash ability. Do not use in high traffic areas, like hallways, because the delicate finish mars easily. Eggshell has a washable finish that can be easily touched up.
3. SATIN - Where to use: With a silky, pearl-like sheen, it’s a good choice for woodwork as well as walls in the family room, children’s rooms, laundry room, kitchen, and bathrooms. Satin has a warm finish that can be scrubbed, although it is more difficult to touch up because of any difference in sheen will be apparent.
4. SEMI GLOSS - Where to use: Semigloss is a popular choice for trim and moldings, and is also ideal for kitchen and bathroom walls because it is more resistant to humidity and withstands stains, chipping, and scuffing. It is durable and easy to clean, and the most scrubbable sheen for walls. However, semigloss is more difficult to touch up because the difference in sheen may show up more easily.
5. GLOSS - Where to use: Gloss is rarely used on walls because it shows imperfections like a mirror does. It is typically used on woodwork, trim, moldings, and works well only for surfaces that are truly smooth. Gloss is the most durable finish and the easiest to clean, yet is the most difficult to touch up because the difference in sheen may show up more easily.
REMEMBER, DON’T BE AFRAID OF COLOR! Your walls will love you for it, and it will enhance all of your furnishings. Make your house your haven, and surround yourself with the colors and things you love.
For more tips and to inquire about a design consultation, please contact me.
Happy Painting!
Audra Wrightson, CID, Allied ASID
Audra Interiors, Inc.www.audrainteriors.com
Audra Wrightson, Certified Interior Designer
Over the last two decades, Audra has become one of the most sought-after interior designers in Southern California. Named one of Orange County’s top 5 Interior Designers by CBS News and the recipient of many design awards, Audra has gained local recognition for her work, and enjoys being active in giving back to local charity organizations in Orange County, California.