Spruce Up With Paint

Bring a "Breath of Fresh Air" into your home.

w/Linda McAndrews

 It’s my favorite time of year on the Island. The long gray winter is behind us, the daffodils are in full bloom and the roses are budding up. It’s time to open the windows and let the outside in! I realized that while outside was feeling fresh and new, inside could use a little sprucing up. A total make over was beyond my budget, but I knew just the thing that would make a big impact for a little effort. It was time to go see Jason Metcalf, our expert in the paint department at Marine Home Center.

      I wandered through the paint displays checking out the colors and trying to decide; Benjamin Moore, Fine Paints of Europe or Farrow & Ball? All excellent products but so many colors! How to choose? Jason saw the glazed look in my eyes as I stood before the thousands of color chips in front of me. He suggested I first think about the mood or theme that I’d like to achieve in the space. Do I want a restful feel in a bedroom, or an energizing feel to the family room?

      I told him I wanted a fresh color to bring the outside in. He pointed out Benjamin Moore’s “New” Neutrals color palette for 2014. The collection seems inspired by our Island mood; the colors of pastel beach glass, driftwood, sandy beaches and the most perfect sky blue, appropriately called “Breath of Fresh Air”, named their 2014 color of the year. The name alone had me hooked. On Jason’s suggestion, I took home a small amount of paint to try out on the walls before making my final decision. He told me to paint a 12”- 48″ square on a board or directly on the wall. He also pointed out that the color would look different depending on the light so I should look at it during the day, morning, evening, and night. How does it look with the room’s flooring, wall coverings, and fabric choices? If it isn’t right, get another pint and try again. You can even test three colors at once to save time.

      I also discovered all the online tools and apps available, like the Benjamin Moore online Personal Color Viewer that allows you to see how any of Benjamin Moore’s thousands of colors will look in a room. You can either upload your own photos to see how colors will look in your own space or choose from a multitude of images available online. Or, get the Benjamin Moore Color Capture App for your smart phone. Find color inspiration everywhere! Use this digital app to snap a picture of anything that catches your eye and instantly find its match from their collection of more 3,500 paint colors.
Besides finding the color you want there all kinds of finishes available. Our experts at Marine Home Center will help you find the right one for your application.

      As I left the store, I could already picture transforming my home into a calm oasis, surrounded by the color of the sky on a beautiful Island day.