(NAPSA)—When it comes to transforming your home with design andpaint projects, selecting paint color is easier than you think; and with a few expert tips and simple steps, you'll gain the confidence needed to transform your home with colors that reflect both your personality andlifestyle. 1.Setting the Stage: Before heading to the paint aisle, consider the mood and functionality of the room you are looking to transform. Are you seekinga restful and calming haven in the bedroom? Do you prefer a sociable and stimulating environment in the dining area? Maybeit’s a combination of both in the living room? Understanding the purpose of the room—both in the mood it conveys and the function it serves—will help you hone in on colors that are best suited for it. If you aren’t sure, you can start by looking for a favorite item in the room—apiece of furniture, a rug or beloved artwork—to use as the centerpiece to build around. This item provides a potential starting point to help determine the color palette or hues to work with. And don’t forget to take a step back and look at the other paint colors in your home. A balanced color scheme that seamlessly connects one space to the next creates a sense of continuity and harmony throughout the home. Choose between three andfive favorite colors and then alternate between rooms. Perhapsthe ceiling color in one room becomes an accent wall in another. 2.Selecting the Color: Color expert Sue Wadden explains that color selection is a very personal choice but there is also a method to picking the color that fits best with the mood, tone and function of a room. Hereis her take on the most popular paint color groups: *Redis viewed as an exciting, vibrant color with a passionatefeel. The deepest reds, such as burgundy and maroon, give a feeling of richness—excellent for bringing out the competitive spirit in a game room. * Orangeradiates cheerfulness and boldness but can still be subdued and calming. A vibrant orangefills a space, such as a dining room, with energy and a sunny disposition while a softer ~ — and airiness to create a haven of relaxation and calm. 3.Test-Drive Your Color Choice: Once you have chosen your preferred colors, Wadden recommends sampling the colors at homein variousstages of light. Lighting is one of the most essential factors when selecting paint color. Natural daylight showsthe truest hue, while incan- Design an create a room that’s truly “you”with paint color. orange brings a feeling of warmth and coziness to a living room. * Yellow is a warm andinviting color that brings a sense of optimism and joy to the space it inhabits. Softer yellow tones convey happiness while giving the room a sophisticated and timeless look. Brighter shades have the ability to fill virtually any room in the house with a feelingofbliss. *Cool earthen tones of green add a splash of nature to the room, giving it a sense of comfort and harmony. When looking to create an atmosphere that is both soothing and sunny, try incorporating several shades of green. Lighter shades of blue evoke feelings of serenity and comfort when used in the bedroom. These calming tones makefor a relaxing wayto end the day and a great way to encourage a restful night’s sleep. Brighter hues bring warmth and a sunny temperamentto the room. Purple is a versatile color that anchors a space but also compliments the use of neutrals and patterns. It conveys a feeling of luxury and refinement while still giving the room fresh, soft look. Similar to green, brown is associated with nature. This relaxed neutral is a great color to incorporate into spaces in the homethat are for both living and working. Darker hues look sophisticated and stylish while lighter shades give the space a warm and modernvibe. *Gray is an elegant neutral that provides depth when paired with subtle accent colors. It evokes feelings of sophistication descent lighting brings out warm tones and yellows and fluorescent lighting casts cooler, bluer tones. The easiest way to test how light affects color is to simply tape the color chip on a wall that sees both natural andartificial light. Or for a more effective analysis, get small paint samplesof each color, such as Dutch Boy Platinum Interior Color Samples or Dutch Boy Twist & Try, and apply large swatches directly on the wall. Watch the color over the course of several days. Fluctuations in natural light can vary from sunny skies to cloudy days. Timeof day is really important as well— color that looks bright and cheery in the morning can appear duller at nighttime. 4.Gauging Number of Gallons: Once you are confident in your color choice, the next step is to find out how much paint youl need to paint the room. DutchBoy.com has an easy-to-follow paint calculator for both interior and exterior paint projects. Simply enter the dimensions of your room along with the number of windows and doors andthe calculator will tell you how much paint is needed to complete this project. Consider the number of coats needed for each job and factor that in as well. Be sure to reference the paint label for square foot coverage. No matter what you are looking for, Dutch Boy has a great number of color choices that run the spectrum. And with a new website that features everything from inspiration to color advice and painting tips, possibilities of designing and creating a room that’s truly “you” are limitless. Check out the store locator on DutchBoy.com to find a nearbyretailer. Learn More For additional painting tips, color advice and project ideas, visit www.dutchboy.com.
