| The earliest appearance of paint was approximately | | | | variations are still the same hue. |
| thirty thousand years ago. There are still some caves | | | | • Value - The lightness or darkness of a color. |
| today where graphics and pictures can be found that | | | | • Shades - Colors with values closet to black, the |
| were drawn using paint. Color has fascinated cultures | | | | darker reds and so forth. |
| throughout history. Some cultures used colors for | | | | • Tints - Colors with values closet to white, the |
| healing purposes. | | | | lighter blues and so forth. |
| Paint is made up of a pigment, a binder to hold it | | | | • Tone - A color’s intensity brightness or |
| together and with thinners it makes paint easy to | | | | dullness. |
| apply. We use paint to help preserve, decorate and | | | | • Flat Paint - Is the standard paint for walls and has |
| add function by covering a surface with a protective | | | | the lowest sheen available. |
| coating. | | | | • Satin Paint - Has a slight sheen and is easier to |
| Before the nineteenth century, the word paint only | | | | clean then flat paint. |
| applied to oil bound types. Those that were bond by | | | | • Semi-Gloss Paint - Is highly durable and easy to |
| glue were called distemper. The first synthetic dye | | | | clean. Great for kitchens, bathrooms and children’s |
| was discovered in eighteen fifty-six and was | | | | rooms. |
| produced inexpensively. It was during this time frame | | | | • Gloss Paint - Has a high sheen and is used in |
| that linseed oil began being mass produced. By | | | | areas that are susceptible to getting dirty. |
| eighteen eighty, Sherwin Williams produced and | | | | This is great for doors and door frames. |
| marketed paints in tins in a wide range of colors. With | | | | Paint can also be mixed with a glaze to create various |
| their success, the paint was exported all over the | | | | textures and patterns. This process is referred to as |
| world. | | | | faux finish and is quite popular with home owners and |
| Americans have been practicing the green revolution | | | | interior designers. Washes are simply latex paint that |
| for a long time. They started having concerns around | | | | has been thinned with water to produce color that is |
| nineteen fifty regarding what chemicals and solvents | | | | more delicate then that of a glaze. Washes also show |
| were being put in paint. In nineteen seventy lead and | | | | brush marks which add depth and texture to your |
| mercury was outlawed and could not be used in the | | | | surface. There are other techniques that create unique |
| manufacturing of paint. A major difference in modern | | | | charm and characteristics such as sponging, stippling, |
| wall paints is the change from linseed oil to alkyd oil | | | | rag-rolling and color blocking. |
| which is generally derived from soybeans. The use of | | | | Your first step before actually painting should be to |
| synthetic resins such as acrylics and epoxies have | | | | take measurements of the area and calculate the |
| become prevalent in the last thirty years. | | | | amount of paint you will need. Then prepare your walls |
| Wall paints are the easiest and least expensive way | | | | for painting. Patch all holes and allow spackling to |
| to change the entire look and feel of a room. Your | | | | completely dry. You must also remove any loose paint |
| stark cold walls can be transformed into a | | | | and sand uneven edges. Please don’t forget to |
| sophisticated ambience of color and texture. It seems | | | | cover the furniture and floor and remove light switch |
| to breathe new life into the room with harmony and | | | | and outlet covers. A primer may be needed if your |
| design. | | | | walls are new or show a lot of damage. You should |
| Scientists have proclaimed that color affects us | | | | also seek assistance from your home improvement |
| psychologically and certain paint colors provide either a | | | | store. They deal with this daily and can offer valuable |
| cooling effect while other colors give us a sense of | | | | advice. |
| warmth. Some warm colors are orange, red and pink, | | | | It is best to take small steps and before too long you |
| while blues, greens and violets are thought to be cool | | | | will feel like a professional and show off your |
| colors. | | | | technique on every wall in your home. At the end of |
| Choosing just the right color and finish can be | | | | the day as you look around you will be amazed at |
| confusing and challenging. Here is a color and finish | | | | how a little color, texture and pattern will change your |
| vocabulary to help you figure it out: | | | | world. |
| • Hue - The base of a color. Lighter or darker | | | | |