Paint is the least expensive way to decorate. Just don't go cheap on the paint!

When I go to a color consultation, the first thing that comes to mind is giving my client the best quality paint.  They are calling me into the job for my expertise right?
   It seems these days that people are always looking to save a buck, but are you actually saving money when you but a less expensive paint? The answer is no! Here are the things that people should consider before they start painting their home.
   One of the main reasons that people choose to paint over perhaps buying new furniture, or redesigning an entire space is because it is the least expensive way to decorate.  When you are having a painter come in your house you are going to pay for the labor regardless.  The difference between good paint and cheap chalky paint is only about $15 per gallon.  So if you are going to be using 30 gallons of paint that would be about $450 difference.  Over the average lifetime of a paint job (approx 6-7 years) thats a minimal amount of money. Would you spend more for a nicer quality piece of clothing that may only last you one year? Absolutely! So why go cheap on paint?
   One of the main reasons that I have been so comfortable with specifying the Muralo Ultra which is the paint used for the "Michelle Winick Color Collection" is because I know it is top quality paint.  It is one of the best selling points to the color collection.  The painters that I have introduced to it say that it is now their product of choice.  It covers great, and it looks amazing on the walls!
   You want your paint job to last for years to come.  When your children or pets touch the walls, you want to know that you have a durable paint on the walls.  The cheap paint does not hold up as well, and then in a year you need to repaint the entire wall.
  Colors also looks better when it is made in a higher quality paint.  You do not achieve the depth of color as nicely in a cheaper line of paint.  It tends to look hazy, which in turn makes the walls look not as clean.
  I constantly run into painters and homeowners that are trying to cut corners and go with the cheap stuff.  While it looks good at first, I promise that it will begin to show its age very quickly.
   The last piece of advice I have is for a homeowner who is getting a painting estimate.  Look into what kind of paint is being purchased if the contractor is including the paint in the price of the job. Even though they may say that they are using a Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams for example, there are different lines within the brand that are not good quality.  They are contractor grade which are not made to withstand everyday traffic.  This is something that homeowners do not realize until its too late.
   Do your research and always know what you are getting before you begin painting your home...

What is the "Michelle Winick Color Collection"? Who is Michelle Winick?

Hello Everyone,
   I am new to blogging, so here it goes.  I am an interior designer and color consultant in the NJ/NYC area that has partnered up with the Muralo Paint Company to create the "Michelle Winick Color Collection".  This color collection available through various paint dealers in North Jersey. It premiered in Eagle Paint and Wallpaper in Englewood NJ, and is in Ricciardi Brothers in Paterson and Morristown NJ.  It is also available in the Ricciardi Brothers store in Parsippany and Harding NJ, but you will not see a display in the store at the moment.  You can also look at the colors on my website www.michellewinickdesign.com and click on the color collection tab.
   Before I go into what this is, I want to explain to you who I am, and why I have created this color collection.  I am an interior designer that was always looking for ways to make my clients lives easier when it comes to making decisions, especially when it comes to choosing color. My clients are smart, sophisticated people that are looking for practical and functional design.  They are also people that are coming to me because they may know exactly what they want, but do not know how to execute what they are looking for.  I have spent my time in consultations over the years not only looking at spaces, but listening.  I have walked into some of the most luxurious homes in Bergen County NJ, and I have seen just about everything. I have listened intently to what people have to say about color, and I have learned that people are looking for simplicity, and clean fresh color.  Generally speaking, my client is not someone that is looking to paint their kitchen hot pink or lime green.  They are looking for livable color, but also accents that make a statement.
   I have always been a designer that wants to make a statement with color, but in a subtle way.  I go for the wow factor, but I do not want the "wow, what were you thinking?".  I listen to what they want, because it is their home, not mine.  I do walk into every job and treat it as important as if it were my home, but I take into account that they are living there, not me (although some of those homes I wish I was living in : ).  I take lifestyle into consideration, as well as what may be existing in their home already to help guide me into what type of palette they will be wanting.
   A few months ago, I began the process into creating this color system.  I see it working every day in the field.  I wanted to be able to share my energy, and passion for paint color with people, and I knew the only way to do this was to create this palette of colors.  I am a firm believer in three things.  One: paint is the cheapest way to decorate, and it is the best bang for your buck.  Two: the ceiling should be considered the "fifth wall" in a space.  Three: Paint color can make or break a space.  The wrong color makes the whole design concept collapse.
   What has made this venture so interesting is creating this color system from the ground up.  I have created a system of colors that I know to be the "go to" colors that people are looking for.  I designed the color display rack that is in the paint dealers showrooms.   I micromanaged every single color to perfection.  I spent countless hours by the paint tinter tinting these colors to make each formulation for every color.  I created a fan deck, and cut the fan decks, and labeled the fan decks.  I wanted to truly know this color collection, and it became a part of me.  This may all sound a little crazy, but this is who I am.  I am a perfectionist, and I knew that the only way to make this color collection successful was to be involved in every detail and aspect of it.  Every swatch that is made (on display and in the fan decks) is hand crafted.  (That I must thank Mel for doing.  He is amazing for making these color cards, but that is top secret on how those are made!)  I know that the product and colors that I have put out are top quality, and that was the most important aspect of this.  Top quality paint, and top quality color.  Muralo Ultra Paint is one of the best paints on the market, and I am not kidding when I say that it is magical when it is on your walls.  The colors are well balanced, and then just melt into your environment.
   Many designers have told me that they have colors that they know work, and for good reason.  These colors match popular stones on the market, marbles, travertines, etc. to name a few.  They are also colors that allow for people to add decor into their home without the paint color dictating what they choose.  These colors make sense as livable color to put into a home, and have a sophisticated essence to them.  Simply put "these colors really work in an environment".
   I am not claiming to have reinvented the color wheel, I have just renovated it.  People walk into a paint store and are barraged by color swatches, and color samples, and they usually walk out of the paint store with something completely different from what they had hoped to find.  The color chips in my color collection are a generous size (9x12), and what makes them unique is that they are made with real paint!! This may not sound important, but believe me, it is.  Evaluating color is done best when you are looking at the real paint. The color cards that you get for free in the paint store are representations of the color (and are made with ink).  When you look at the real paint, you can see how the color reacts to the light, and see the true color.  There are also coordinating trim and ceiling colors that work with every color.
  As I go on with my posts on this blog, I will go into why this color collection will work for your home (I am not saying that you will find every color in this collection, but if you are looking for clean, fresh color, you will find it here).  I will also explain why using quality paint is an absolute must! Cheap paint will cost you more in the long run, believe me! I have seen even multi million dollar homes painted with cheap paint, and then need to be repainted a year later.  It isn't worth it.
  If you follow my blog, you will begin to see my passion for paint and color.  I love every phone call I get from a client after the paint job is done.  I have heard terms like "magical", "color perfection", and "simply beautiful" to name a few.  I live, eat and breathe color.  It is who I am, and what I do, and I want to share this with all of you.  Embrace the world of design and color, and allow my color collection to bring color and beauty to your home.