What sort of prep work do you have to do to walls before you paint them?
It’s always important to ensure whatever surface you may be painting is properly prepared before that first coat of colour goes on! This not only makes painting itself easier and ensures that your paint job lasts for years to come but also makes sure that your chosen colour appears as beautiful and vivid as expected. Firstly, remove any fixtures or hooks attached to the area being painted and protect your surroundings by placing drop sheets on the floors or any furniture remaining within the space. The last thing you want is for your beautiful, fresh ceiling paint to make a fresh feature on your dining table. Next up the surface area should be washed and then rinsed to remove any dust or soap residue. If there is any flaking or damage to the current paint it is always a good idea to scrape off the loose paint and gently sand back the area to create a smooth base for the new paint to be applied. Likewise, any dents or holes should also be filled and sanded to assist in this. Finally, either spot prime, or apply a primer to the entire surface and voila! You’re now ready to start painting with the satisfaction and peace of mind of knowing your paint job will be looking the best that it can be!
What is the difference between the paint you use on the ceiling and the wall and between exterior and interior paints?
It is easy to become overwhelmed by the variety of paint types on the market and start to wonder “why can’t I use my exterior paint inside?” “Does the paint I use on my ceiling really need to be different to my walls?” and so on. Luckily, we are here to make life easier for you! The main difference between exterior and interior paints lies in the durability and weather-resistance of exterior paints while interior paints are developed to be more resistant to scrapes and bumps, ensure washability and also adhere to certain regulations concerning VOCS (volatile organic compounds). Ceiling paints are specially formulated to not reflect the light and have a ‘flat’ finish, disguising any imperfections that may exist. They are also thicker and only require one coat. On the other hand, wall paint is made to be more durable and comes in a variety of finishes that you can choose depending on the look you’re after or practical elements of the room.
Image via. Pinterest
How do I choose a finish? What’s the difference between matte, gloss, semi-gloss and satin finishes?
When it comes to picking the finish of your paint, the first thing you need to think about is both the type of space and the use of this space. The finish you select can have a big effect on the overall look, texture, wear ability and maintenance of the surface, whether that’s wall, ceiling, skirting or door. A matte, or ‘flat’ finish is great for lower traffic areas as it is slightly harder to clean in comparison to other more hard wearing finishes like satin or semi-gloss. A matte paint creates a beautiful soft smooth look to the surface as the light reflection is minimal, we often utilize this finish on our ceilings and ceiling moldings. Our ‘go to’ finish is always satin due to its longevity, low maintenance and colour luster. We always opt for satin, using it across the walls and 2pac cabinetry of almost all of our projects! We don’t tend to use gloss or semi-gloss paint on large surfaces very often, as the finish is highly reflective causing an overall shine and emphasis to any imperfections. However, gloss paint finishes are popular for floor and window moldings, doors and stair railings.
Image via. Pinterest
How does lighting affect how the paint colour appears?
The lighting in your space definitely will have an effect on how your paint appears, both the colour pay off and the overall finish. Day light verse artificial light will always make the colouring of your surfaces vary. So it is always best to view a sample of your paint choice in open day light prior to deciding as this is the truest appearance of any colour and finish. Sometimes painting a sample patch of the paint on the area of choice can be a great way to see it in situ under different lighting conditions through out both the day and night.
How can paint colour affect the feel of the room I’m trying to achieve?
Colour is always going to have a massive impact on the atmosphere of any room, whether its your new bedding, your flooring or your wall colour. Selecting a colour which is timeless and enhances the mood in which you are aiming to create in the room is really important. If you want your space to feel cosy and moody then perhaps a deeper richer hue will suit, or if you want more of a fresh and airy feel then a light white might be your best option. Its all about combining your visual aims with colours that you love!
What should I do with my leftover paint?
We always suggest that you hang onto and store your leftover paint. Whether you need to apply some touch ups to your paint job down the track or have a little side project you’d like to use some paint for, you’ll always be glad that you haven’t had to try and match the exact paint colour and chase up extra paint. We also like the idea of using up what you already have for future projects rather than constantly throwing out leftover paint just to go and buy more. Waste not, want not right?
What are our favourite paints at Darren James Interiors?
We will be featuring some of our favourite paint choices over on our instagram tonight! So keep an eye on our socials for our go to colours @darrenjamesinteriors