Friday, August 29, 2014

Paint Finishes: What You Should Know

Interior house painting isn't just about what colors to pick.  It is also how you want to finish the paint job.
Interior and Exterior House Painting | (480) 232-5474
Interior and Exterior House Painting | (480) 232-5474

How to Pick the Right Paint Finish for a Room

Do you know how to pick the right paint finish for a room? There are four main paint finishes to choose from. There is flat, eggshell, semi gloss, and gloss Let's start with a flat finish. Flat or matte finish has a low shine level, and doesn't reflect light the way a gloss or semi gloss finish does. It is the best choice for walls that have flaws such as bumps or bubbles in the plaster or drywall. Flat finish works well on rougher surfaces such as textured walls, however, be aware that it should not be used on more high traffic areas such as a kitchen or bathroom because it's very hard to keep a flat finish clean.

Our next interior paint finish to cover is eggshell. Eggshell, or as it is sometimes known, satin finish, is very popular. Eggshell has a bit more luster than flat does, but it is more stain resistant and easily wiped with a wet rag. It is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and other high traffic areas such as the kids'rooms. but what about paint finishes that reflect more light such as semi-gloss and gloss?

Semi-Gloss and Gloss Paint Finishes

Semi-gloss is durable, doesn't show wear as bad and is very reflective.  However, be aware that if you have any flaws on your wall surface such as bumps or what have you, it will make them stand out as if someone turned on a floodlight.  Semi-gloss is often used for door trims, doors themselves, and in some cases for wooden furniture. While semi-gloss is good on door and window trims as well as furniture, gloss is a better choice.  Don't use gloss paint  on your walls however, unless they are perfectly smooth.  A good place to paint gloss paint is in a place with indirect light so it doesn't make your room overpowering.

Picking a hot paint color for this year is only part of your remodeling project.  You also want to make sure you get the right type of paint for your room, as well as the right finish.

So remember, your paint finish is determined based on a few main factors.  You want to consider how easy it is to clean up, how much shine it has, and where it is appropriate to put the finish.  When in doubt call a house painter in Gilbert or in your local area for help.

Ameripro of Gilbert
3038 East Des Moines St
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 232-5474
http://www.ipainthomes.com

Friday, August 22, 2014

Hot Paint Colors for 2014 Part 2: Mellow Yellows and Flower Power

Part two of our series on interior paint color schemes explores using the beauty of nature for inspiration when it is time to paint.
Flowers are great sources for Interior Paint Color Ideas | (480) 232-5474
Flowers are great sources for Interior Paint Color Ideas | (480) 232-5474

Flower Interior Paint Color Schemes

In our last article, we covered the use of sea colors, however, let's go inland for a while.  The rules for interior house painting have changed a lot.  It used to be that yellow was exiled to the kitchen.  However, it looks wonderful in the dining room as well as the living room.  And it is just one of the colors that you can use that are based on colors present in nature, particularly where flowers are concerned.  How about the purple red of a bleeding heart fuchsia, or the rich peach color of a teacup rose?
Vibrant colors can be used throughout the home, and there are a lot of painting tricks you can do where interior house painting is concerned.  Want that old time feel of wallpaper without the hassle?  Then your house painter can tape sections and paint them white with a vibrant color between.  Another trick is to take leaves or blossoms and imprint them in paint and then lightly touch them to the walls.  There is sponging too, of course, which gives your paint a nice textured look.  However, these are just some of the painting tricks you can use.

Interior House Paint Color Tricks

According to THISOLDHOUSE.COM: "Consider the ceiling the fifth wall of a room. Though sticking to "ceiling white" generally makes a space feel airy, a similar effect can be achieved by painting the ceiling a lighter shade of the wall color. Just take the paint sample card that has your wall color as the middle choice, then go one or two choices lighter for the ceiling color. The result will be a room that appears larger, because the contrast between wall color and ceiling color has been softened. In a small room, such as a bathroom, the ceiling can even be painted the same color as the walls to make it look bigger. Of course, sometimes lowering the ceiling visually creates a welcome feeling of enclosure. In his own 19th-century brownstone, Ken Charbonneau painted the dining room ceiling Pompeiian Red. "People love to ask if the red paint doesn't bring the ceiling down too much. But you're sitting the whole time you're in a dining room, and you want to create a warm, cozy, intimate feeling, so why not?" Of course, his ceilings are 11 feet high. In a house that has ceilings just 8 or 9 feet high, painting a bedroom ceiling a pale robin's egg blue, for instance, would be a way to create a similar, soothing effect." [READ SOURCE ARTICLE]

So as you see, there are lot of tricks you can use.  And your house painting pro knows them all and more.

Ameripro of Gilbert

3038 East Des Moines St
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 232-5474
Your House Painter in Gilbert

Friday, August 15, 2014

Part one of a series on hot paint colors for 2014 explores the colors and shades of the sea.
Sea colors are among the hot paint colors for 2014  (480) 232-5474
Sea colors are among the hot paint colors for 2014 (480) 232-5474

Interior Paint Color Schemes

We live in Arizona.  The nearest ocean is about 300 miles either to the south in Rocky Point, or to the sun drenched beaches of San Diego, Long Beach, or Los Angeles.  Spending time by the sea is peaceful and in our last article, we covered using a Southwestern motif.  However, what if you are tired of the desert, and would rather spend some time at the beach? Then you are in luck.  Sea colors are very big this year.  And like the Southwest, there is a wide range of colors available when you take your inspiration from the sea.
Some people are skeptical of this.  The sea is blue, the sand is white.  However, there are so many other colors that you can get from the sea, or the beach.  There is the weathered gray of a teak pier or dock.  There is the vibrant white of a boat or hydrofoil above the deep blue of the open sea.  And as for the sea itself, look at how many colors  you can call on for your interior paint color scheme.  There is the deep veridian or the pale aqua of the ocean as it is near the shore.  Look at the space of time between the wave and see the slight pale blue-green that is almost white.  Look at the rich amber of seaweed, or the pale salmon color of a sea shell.  It used to be that sea motifs were confined to the bathrooms, however, you can paint with sea colors in so many more areas.

Sea Color Motifs in The Living Room

If you have a sunny window, here is a fun decorating tip.  Paint your walls a medium teal color, have simple white curtains, and paint your ceiling beams an off beige or off white color.  You can spend every day at the beach, without the cost of a beachfront property.  Or maybe the open sea is more your thing.  How about a deep, rich marine blue color with pure white accents, and maybe a jute wall hanging?
The seaside is beautiful and a place of delight and peace.  Why not bring that to your home as well.  So get in touch with your house painting professional and see how you can bring the ocean home with you.
Ameripro of Gilbert
3038 East Des Moines St
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 232-5474
Contact Us 

Friday, August 8, 2014

Exterior Paint Colors: Know Your Palette Part 3

Part three of our series on exterior house painting explores using the Southwestern color palette correctly.
Use the Colors of the Southwest for your Exterior Paint Colors (480) 232-5474
Use the Colors of the Southwest for your Exterior Paint Colors (480) 232-5474

Exterior House Painting and The Colors of the West

It used to be that southwestern paint color schemes were gaudy, and gauche.  Look at the 80's for example.  Bright turquoise mixed with hot pink.  Maybe a super tacky touch like buying a cow skull, painting it pink and putting it in your front yard.  However, the west is full of colors.  Look at the deep red of a Navajo rug, or the pale blue of a desert sky.  The pale olive green of a yucca plant, and the vibrant orange of a summer sunset.  All of these can be used in exterior paint colors.  In fact one of the biggest trend in house painting is not confining your home to two colors, namely the paint and the trim, but to use three colors.
A southwestern casita can be painted with a center section a deep loam brown.  Each wing of the house can be painted an off-white with the one wing being painted beige, and the trim can be a coral pink.  Why such a wide range of colors?  It ties in perfectly with terra cotta roof tiles found in a lot of casita style homes. And tri-color paint schemes are extremely popular nowadays and are one of the hottest trends with exterior house painting.  However, there are even more color choices connected with the Southwest.

Southwestern Paint Colors

How about a rich amber brown color that calls to mind a jar of sun tea? Or maybe a vibrant saffron gold color that evokes images of California poppies? Or maybe you want a pale yellow color that looks like your home is originally from the Chiricahua mountains? Need some more inspiration?
The desert floor is pale pink or taupe. The foothills around Phoenix are olive mixed with a hint of brown. The superstitions are purple and blue. The cliffs of canyon lake are salmon, with vibrant shades of yellow lichen. Sedona has so many different colors that simply calling it red rock country isn't entirely true. All of these and so many more can be used in your color palette.
The most important thing you can do however, is get a professional's take on it.  You want to call in a decorator or a professional house painter to help you narrow down your choices.
For more information on exterior painting and colors, be sure to read part one and part two as well.

Ameripro of Gilbert
3038 East Des Moines St
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 232-5474 
See Our Work

Friday, August 1, 2014

Exterior Paint Colors: Know Your Palette

Part two of a series on exterior house painting focuses on color trends.
Olive is a popular exterior paint color nowadays | (480) 232-5474
Olive is a popular exterior paint color nowadays | (480) 232-5474

House Paint Color Trends

It used to be that exterior house paint colors were  limited to an incredibly narrow range of colors.  There used to be a family of white shades and different shades of tan and that was essentially it.  Interior paint colors were even more limited.  You usually had whites, tans, and pastel colors.  That was it.  Nowadays, however, there are literally millions of color choices to consider, as well as painting finishes that weren't available even a few years ago.  There are so many colors that paint companies have entire departments of people that come up with new names for them! The days of paint names such as Red #23 and Yellow-12 are fading.  Instead, we have colors such as Hawaiian Hibiscus and Saffron Gold.  And in some areas you are starting to see HOAs relaxing some of their limits on what colors can be used.
For example, why not paint your home a combination of colors.  If you have a southwestern style home, maybe paint the bulk of your home a pale gold color, with a brick red upper portion and an olive entryway.  Tri-color exterior house paint colors for homes are in style nowadays.  But it isn't just exterior walls that could do with a coat of paint.

A New Paint Job For Your Home Can Say Welcome

Painting your home is a great way to improve your home's look and style.  However, something as simple as painting your home's doors can radically change your home from drab to fab overnight.  The color that you pick for your door should be all about saying welcome.  Let's say you have a wooden panel door, no window in it.  Your home is white.  You've got a wide open palette of choices for your door color.   You could paint it a glossy black,or bright red and add some polished brass fittings to it for a clean British look.  Or you could paint your door an emerald green and give the illusion of a visit to Ireland.  Or maybe you want to go south.  Maybe you want to go with a brick red color to go with the Southwest and make your home a nice taupe color.
So, all you need is a few things.  You need to know your tastes, and what you can and can't paint with.  And most of all you need the advice, and the assistance of a professional house painter in Gilbert or wherever you call home.

For more information on exterior painting and colors, be sure to read part one and part three as well.
Ameripro of Gilbert
3038 East Des Moines St
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 232-5474 
See Our Work