Question of the day..."Which paint is right for me?"

"What kind of paint should I be looking for?"
 When I ask a homeowner what kind of paint is going in their home, they just tell me the brand, but do not know what line it is within the brand.  This question then this leads to this discussion...
     I often consider myself an advocate for homeowners when it comes time to make this investment into their home.  I always explain what is on the market, and just because a good brand name is behind the products, it does not mean that it is right product for you and your home.  Just when you thought choosing the color was the hardest thing, choosing the product can be just as tricky!
   How do you know what is right for your home and lifestyle?  Terms like-low VOC, zero VOC, eco-friendly, Green Guard, natural, earth friendly, high durability, scrubbable, etc. are some of the many things you hear, and the list goes on and on!  Every company has their different grades and lines of paint, and your job is to figure out which one is right for you.  You want to consider the quality and durability of the product on the top of your list.
   With all that is changing in this growing industry, how is one to keep up on this information and know what they really want and need?  I am going to give you a short guide to choosing what is right for your home when you are getting painting done.  Keep in mind that when doing the painting in your home that it is your house, and you want to know what is going in it. Do your research because you are the one that is paying for it, and living with it for years to come!

1. First have an idea of the colors that you are looking to use for the walls, ceiling and trim.  The "Michelle Winick Color Collection" gives you the guide to many of today's color trends and color combinations.

2. Once you know the tone of the color (light, medium, dark), you can then choose the sheen you prefer-flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss or high gloss.  Keep in mind that the higher the sheen, the more imperfections will show up when the painting is complete, and the higher the sheen, the more durability the paint has.  Darker colors on the walls also hold up better when a matte or eggshell is used vs a flat paint.
  2a) Typically Flat, Matte or Eggshell are the best for walls, Flat or Matte is best for the Ceiling, and Satin or Semi-gloss is best for trim.

3. Now that you have color and sheen, you want to determine what type of paint is best for you.  Some things to take into consideration are "do you have children or pets?",  "are these spaces high traffic?", "do you have allergies?".

4. For spaces that have children, pets or traffic to contend with, you want to make sure you use high quality paint for those areas with some sheen to them (Matte or Eggshell for the walls would be best!).  Believe me when I say that you will thank me later when you splurged the extra $20 for the gallon so that in 5 years your room still looks like the day you painted it!  The Muralo Ultra line from my color collection is the winner if you answered yes to any of these questions.  It is what I call the "creme dela creme" of all the paints on the market today.  It is Green Guard certified which is a bonus with this product, and it is self priming when going over a clean, previously painted surface.  I have rooms in my home painted with it, and it is fantastic!

5.  If allergies are something that are of serious concern to you, you will want to look into the Muralo BreatheSafe line.  This is a zero VOC product that has been created, and the quality is also great.

6. Next, make sure that you make a clear list of everything you want when you or the painting contractor go to the paint store.  You want to make sure you list the color, brand, line and sheen. (ex: MW-1 Ivory Stone, Muralo Ultra Matte).

7. Keep good records on what you purchase so that if touch ups are needed, you can always refer back to your list.

Happy Painting!

A question about decorating a Master Bedroom with a gray

Q. I am decorating my new master bedroom. I want a room that is very sophisticated with clean lines, but still feels warm. I have dark furniture-black/brown wood, and I would love to incorporate a gray in the room either on the walls or accents.  I am looking for ideas on wall color, blankets and sheets, decor, rugs, etc.

A. My suggestion is to work with the gray as the wall color, and then bring in accent colors with the bedding, window treatments, rugs, etc.  Gray is the type of color that needs to work with everything in the space or it can feel a bit industrial.  When I created the grays in my color collection I made sure that they have a browner undertone so that they would work well with accent colors, and not come off looking too pink, blue or green.  For the walls I would recommend the MW-16 Rain Drop, and the trim and ceiling I would recommend MW-41 Glowing White.  For accent colors, I would consider bringing in eggplant purple and a rust tones as one option, or for a more serene type of feel bringing in blues and chocolate browns.  Also work with texture in the space, and consider bringing in vases or artwork that gives you small pops of color.  Sometimes less is more when bringing in accent colors! Good luck and Happy Painting and Decorating!

In these times, support the local paint stores!

Eagle Paint and Wallpaper, Englewood NJ

I am writing this blog because I found myself in awe when I went to a home center "box store" over the weekend and watched people purchasing paint.  I started to listen intently to what type of advice was being given to the "do-it-yourselfers" and I was a bit taken back.
   I will start off by saying that there will probably be some disappointed people that will be coming back complaining after they brought home their paint.  There was one women who caught my attention because it looked as though she was making a substantial investment in these products and she was trying to educate herself on how to apply this paint.  What struck me as odd was that she had sample boards that she was matching that she had painted herself.  (The one thing I can say in this industry that needs to be changed is the notion that you will always get an exact match when color sampling.  It is not always true, and I believe that this is a perfect example as to why it can be a bad idea.  That is for another blog entry...)
   I watched the employee take her painted board to put on the computer to read the color, and he did not even check the formulation.  Then the next question was, "Do you plan on doing one coat or two?" This is not a question that a seasoned professional in this industry should every ask! Her response was "I did not know I could do just one coat, but you would know better than I do".  Then he said "Well, you will use less paint with one coat, and since it is a lighter color, this paint should do the trick". The paint he tinted was a lesser quality gallon of paint-I will not mention brands because I do not want to offend anyone.   This woman probably thought she was getting a deal which is why she went to the box store in the first place, but now she will need more paint because there is no way it will ever cover in one coat, and in a year it will probably need to be repainted because that paint will never hold up on the wall.
    When the man took the gallon out of the shaker he did not even test the color.  He just handed it off and said "next in line...".
    This women spent her valuable time making this sample, and then trusted that it would come out exactly the same when switching brands.  Why would she not trust this? They are the professionals, right?
  Not only did she take the time to make a sample board to approve her color, but she also asked about the procedure as well as took the time to try the paint out before using it on her wall.  Now she does not know what color she got, and the product is not even the same as she tested out.
   I wanted to take her aside and send her to the local "town paint store", but the damage was done.  This is probably something that is happening every minute in this industry, and it is a shame.  People do not know what they are purchasing, and this is not like a shirt that will be worn a few times, and then sit in the closet.  It is a material that will be in their homes for years to come.  It is the overall appearance of the walls when you see your space every day.  I hope for her sake that the color matched, but something tells me that it did not, and she will end up repainting this space, wasting time and money, because of the careless procedure of the box store.  Not to mention that she will be back to purchase more paint for sure and probably end up spending more money.
    The moral of the story is this.  Shop local paint stores, and support small business. The type of service and products you get will be worth every penny, and the advice that you receive should be worth everything when your space looks fantastic in the end. Good luck and Happy painting!

Answers to your paint color questions...

Hello Everyone,
   I am always getting questions about paint and color, so I am starting to answer the questions in my blog for everyone to see.  If you have a question, send me an e-mail at mwcolordesign@gmail.com.  You can view all of the colors in the "Michelle Winick Color Collection" on my website http://www.michellewinickdesign.com/index.php/color-collection/color-collection/
Happy painting everyone!


     Q. I am looking for the perfect living room color that will fit my mood for all seasons. Our sofa is ivory white.  There is lots of light in the room and the trim, built-in bookshelf and the fireplace across from the sofa is white. We will be using a natural colored jute rug on the floor so our options are pretty endless.  Also fyi, the one color I would not like is a green.  Any suggestions for a soothing, livable color would be great! 


       A. You have so many options for this space because of the neutral tones that you have with the furnishings and the rug.  My suggestion is to bring in a paint color that compliments the spaces elements, and makes the neutral pieces stand out against the walls. I would recommend bringing in a blue-gray into the space.  This type of color will work great with the natural color of the jute rug.  It will pop against the white built in, and still work great with ivory sofa.  Since you are incorporating a white and an ivory, you need a color on the walls that will work with both.  Take a look at the MW-14 Ocean Rain for the walls, and the coordinating trim and ceiling color MW-41 Glowing White.  This is a combination that will give you timeless color, and will work on a winter day or a summer evening! Good luck and happy painting!

Paint colors can change your life!

 


A paint color in a room can change the way you feel every time you walk in that space. People are effected by the design all around them, and the color surrounding you will change your mood whether you realize it or not.  The way you feel physically and emotionally has much to do with the color. If you are happy in a room in your home, then it will make you feel better when you are there.  
   When I work with clients, I try to convey the message that your home should be your oasis.  Everyone will have an opinion of how they want your space to look, but YOU are the one that needs to love the space you have.  While we may all have things that we want to change about our home, we all deserve the right to love the space we live in.  We can all use paint in some capacity to change a space, and create a space that we can call "home".
  This is why I love what I do every day.  I get to bring something into peoples lives that can make them happier.  How many people can truly say that about their jobs?  In this economic climate, we are not all privileged enough to make costly improvements in our homes, but most of us can still afford paint.  You may be reading this article right now sitting on a sofa that you wish you could replace, or a kitchen that you want to rip out, and that will cost thousands of dollars.  We all sit and wonder, "What if I had the money to change this room in my house?".  The answer is that you can do that with just a few gallons of paint.
   In traveling throughout the East coast meeting paint dealers that are taking in my color collection, I have been able to get feedback from all different markets.  Some areas are considered to be areas where certain brands of paint dominate the shoppers that walk into a store.   They sell a great illusion with the pictures they put on their displays, or the advertising they do saying they are the best, but did they create something that is meant for a homeowner that is not a designer and does not have all the knowledge that they do about color?  The educated consumer is willing to look beyond brand name labels and see an innovative product that is not only selling a different kind of color appeal, but a brand that stands behind quality above anything else.  At its core, that is what the "Michelle Winick Color Collection" is all about.
  I was inspired to write this particular blog because I got a phone call from a person who listened to me speak passionately about paint and color a few months back.  This was a person who came to my seminar as a way of getting some information, and left with something invaluable.  He left with the opportunity to make his house his "home".  I explained to my crowd of about 25 people that day that I have not only created "paint colors" but something that has the power to change an environment.  I went into my seminar looking to educate the people that came to listen to me speak about color, and left with an experience that has changed the way I look at this palette of colors that I have created.  I have learned that this goes way beyond just a gallon of paint that someone puts on their walls.  It is a lifestyle, a feeling, a mood, an emotion that changes how one looks at their space.  The fact that a paint color can do that is remarkable.
   I urge everyone that is looking to repaint a room or a whole house to "think outside the box" and look at a palette of colors that has been created to make your space "color perfection".  A harmonious palette of luxury has been created for you, and only you.  YOU are the one who determines the feeling you want to come home to every day, and you now have the opportunity to do this will just a few gallons of paint.
   The "Michelle Winick Color Collection" is something that came from the need for usable, livable color in the paint industry. The collection has now developed an amazingly loyal following by the people that have experienced it in their homes.  I never thought when creating this palette that I would be told "if your color collection did not exist, I would be in therapy trying to put this entire house of colors together myself".  While we all know this is an exaggeration, we can all appreciate that our time is valuable, and when your get stuck in details of a project that become too hard to finalize, we could all use a coach in that field as a way to allow us to feel confident that we are not making a mistake.
   I leave this blog with this quote.  "There is no better feeling than loving your home, and paint can help you to achieve this goal.  Let your walls glisten, and your home sparkle."

Is Gray the New Beige?

   Gray at one time may have been considered to be cold or boring, but it is becoming the "go to" color in todays design trends.  Gray is officially the new beige...
    Gray is a color that is being incorporated into today's paint color trends in a very big way.  I am seeing clients request grays almost on a daily basis. Gray is a color though, if not chosen correctly for a space, can really fall apart when it gets on the walls.  Grays flip around more so than any colors, and it can have many different undertones in it.  I have seen grays look blue, green, or purple, to name a few. There are a couple of ways of avoiding this situation.  It is one of those colors that look so beautiful when done correctly, but can be a disaster if one of these undertones sneak through.
   When gray is viewed alone, is can look flat or dull.  In order to give it its flare, it must be paired with the right ceiling and trim color.  It is a must that a clean white is used with a gray on the ceiling and trim.  If you pair a gray with a warmer white that has a yellow undertone, it can turn the gray into a blue/violet.  If you pair the gray with a redder white, it can turn the gray into a greener gray. The gray and white combination is a classic, clean sophisticated look.
   When I formulated the colors in the "Michelle Winick Color Collection", I did quite a bit of research on the gray family.  I was mainly concerned with the tones of gray that people were bringing into their spaces.  I was seeing quite a bit of white carrara marble being brought in, and other marbles that had gray veins in them.  It became apparent when I saw 4 houses in one week putting all of the same white carrara marble in bathrooms, and that made me realize that this gray trend was here to stay.
  One of the ways I found the "perfect gray" was by studying these stones.  I wanted to see what tones I could pull from them to give me the most natural feeling gray.  What I came up with was MW-15 Morning Fog, MW-16 Rain Drop, and MW-21 Stone Mountain.  These 3 grays I considered to be my "gray perfection".  The key to these three grays was MW-41 Glowing White and MW-25 Crystal White.  Both clean whites that worked beautifully with these grays on ceiling and trim.  Putting these combinations of gray and white together is absolutely awesome.  I have seeing the spaces painted and they are magnificent.
   I also figured out a way to incorporate a beige tone (that will never go out of style) with the grays that coordinates beautifully.  MW-6 Fine Silk became the perfect transition neutral beige tone to the grays in my collection.
   Following these color trends has allowed for me to put out colors that you can trust.  These color combinations have been proven to work time and time again...
 

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...