Please call or email me. Please call or email me.

A 4th generation house painter & consultant,
specializing in
old-world painting techniques.

Color Makes the Difference

SwooshYou can learn to choose paint color like a pro.

I started learning about paint color in the early 60's, when my dad taught me how to paint. In those days, there was no such thing as a "color designer" ... painters just did it all.

I kept the tradition of being both a painter and a color designer, and have been helping people choose colors for over thirty years.

The most important thing I can say to you about paint color is that you shouldn't be afraid to use it. Color really does matter. It can make the difference between a room looking OK, and a room that exudes with personality and charm. 

So, the first thing I want you to know is that if you have any color phobia, get over it!

Color Is Your Friend!

Color Makes Things Come Alive!

Keep in mind that colors on your walls and ceilings bring out everything around them. They make your furniture, paintings and other details come alive. They create the mood you want ... whether warm and cozy or vibrant and active.

Don't be afraid to use color. Color can make the difference between a room that looks ok, to a room that looks fantastic. Remember, color is your friend!

Test Before You Decide:

Picking colors can be a tricky thing. That's why I always tell people to pick out a few colors that they like, and paint samples of them on the wall before making a final decision. 

Believe me, taking the extra time to test your colors first will save you time, money, and aggravation. There's no substitute for testing before you decide.

  • NEVER just show up at the paint store and pick enough paint for your entire project before testing a few colors first.
  • ALWAYS bring some color samples with you to the paint store when you go.
  • ALWAYS get small cans of several colors that you think you might like, and test them before you make a final decision about color.

Cardinal Rules of Choosing Color

Paint a Large Sample:

As I said above, always paint a sample of the colors you're considering before you make a final decision.

  • ALWAYS paint a large area.
  • NEVER paint just a small square or strip in the middle of the wall. 
  • ALWAYS paint an entire wall from corner to corner. I do it, and you should too!

Paint Two Coats:

You will only get the full effect of the color if you paint two coats.  So be sure to bring some patience with you, and allow the time to do it right.

Test Under Different Lighting:

The colors you choose will look different throughout the day as the light changes. For instance ...

  • A warm green could look great in the morning when the sun is flooding into your room, but could look drab when the sun goes down.
    • Color chartsLikewise, the green you use in the living area, could look all wrong in the adjoining hall where the light might be dim.  Consider picking a lighter shade of the same color for the hall, depending on what it looks like when you get it on your particular walls.
Texturizing Toolkit

Ways to Get Inspired

Let the Outside In:

A natural way to pick your paint colors is to bring the outdoors in. See what colors are outside your windows, and use those. I find that this is a great way to not only pick colors, but to make your space seem to flow better and feel more expansive.

Use Furniture:

If your room doesn't lend itself to letting the outdoors in or if you already have furniture, then pick colors that relate in some way to those furniture items.

Consider Your Flooring:

Colors in your flooring can also serve as inspiration for your wall colors. Think about pulling out the color in your floor that works well with some of the other items in your room, and use some variation of that color ... either a lighter shade of it or a darker shade.

Let Art Lead the Way:

In areas where artwork is important, consider making your walls an extension of the canvas.  Pick wall colors that complement the artwork in some way, and watch your artwork spring to life!

See It In a Book:

Looking in magazines and books can be a great way to get inspired about color. But be sure to compare the pictures you're looking at with items that may already be in your room.

Consider the Mood:

Your wall colors will definitely help to create the mood of the room. Imagine for instance, what would happen if you had a sofa with blues, grays, browns and pink...

  • Do you want to keep that sofa and at the same time create a lively room?  Then try working with the blue in the sofa. 
  • Would you rather achieve more of a warm, earthy feel?  Then try instead to work with the browns.
Hydranga serving as color inspiration