Selecting a paint colour, tone and finish could be considered as one of the most important parts of the design process. If you don’t get your paint colour selection right the first time, the results could be far less than desirable, which can end up being a costly mistake. For me, as an Interior Designer, this task is something I take really seriously, considering a couple of things, of which I will share with you below:
How I make paint selections for my clients and get it right
1. Consider the flow of the entire home, from outside to inside:
A paint colour or texture selection for a room or area should not be made in isolation. The colour will work best when it seamlessly works in with its surroundings, inside and out. The finishes and soft furnishings in the interiors and the colour and texture of the exterior should relate to the style of the house and to the interior style and finishes. It should all flow and make sense when brought together.
Photographed by Simon Kenny
2. Use one colour palette for the entire home
An overall colour palette seems to give the home continuity and somehow just works as opposed to a few different colours. I work with one colour for all interior walls and then a lighter or similar tone and colour for the woodwork.
Designed by Marylou Sobel, Photographed by Maree Homer
3. Set the mood and work with the space you have
For the interior walls, lighter tones can really make the room feel more spacious, giving it a sense of height and light. I always use a lighter tone on the ceilings, this is an effective way of making the room feel larger than it is.
For a room that is suitable, such as a powder room, study or library, or a man cave, I tend to work with darker paint colours as they can really make a bold impact and set a mood. In these areas, I would also have the ceilings painted in the darker colour, which has a great effect.
Feature wall/s work well in darker colours and tones and also create an intimacy that can’t be achieved with a light colour. The feature wall can be the first wall you see when you walk into the room or it can be the anchor wall behind a bed.
Designed by Marylou Sobel, Photographed by Simon Kenny
4. Don’t emphasise what isn’t aesthetically pleasing
For something that isn’t desirable to look at, like a round column, I will paint the column a dark charcoal, making it disappear. Dark colours like a charcoal are very effective for blending the said column or unattractive wall into the background. In the garden, walls that don’t appeal to the eye can also be painted a dark colour, which will help your greenery and plants really pop.
Here, the round column has been painted dark to detract from the rest of the room and the fabulous view.
Designed by Marylou Sobel, Photographed by Maree Homer
5. There can be more to painting than just a flat finish
There are plenty of amazing paint finishes and effects on the market, which can really make a wall pop and create texture and depth in your living space, or exterior. Some of my favourites are a French wash, or Stucco, to name two, both giving the illusion of texture and in some cases, they are used to give an aged effect.
In the kitchen above, a Stucco finish has been applied to the kitchen walls, whilst on the cabinetry, we used a French painted finish.
Designed by Marylou Sobel, Photographed by Maree Homer.
6. Hire a professional painter
Last, but not least, the painting application should be done by an experienced professional painter. Painting a home is a considerable investment, so it is best left to a professional, to ensure that they prepare the walls for a great outcome and longevity of the finish.
Can I help you with your colour selections?
I can help by turning this daunting task into a simpler, more enjoyable one, sure to deliver wonderful and pleasing results.
Visit my Interior Design page for information, or get in touch with me by clicking here.
I would love to hear from you.
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