Jack's Paint & Hardware

For most, colour selection for the home is based primarily on personal colour preferences.  Though acceptable and widely acknowledged to some degree, such an approach falls short of harnessing the functional aspects of colour that could benefit the end user.

One should always understand the space and intended function of the environment that one wants to paint.  One may presume that a lounge is a mere entertainment area of the home, but what if it serves more functions than mere socialisation zones? Perhaps there is a dedicated area where the children play, or there may be an area that one uses as a work-station for study and work related purposes.  Certain lounges in open-plan architectural designs join up to the kitchen and dining areas.  Such a basic understanding of the definement of a given space allows one to know what colours and colour intensities to apply within the space, better still, which sections to accent as feature walls.  Using the example above, one would not want to create a bold colour accent on the very wall that the inhabitant ends up facing in a "lounge" with the dual functionality of a work space now would they?

Understand that apart from a decorative function of colour within a given space, the main function of the element is that mood creation.  Ask yourself whether or not the colour you are inclined towards using within your pre-specified environment is suitable for the mood you intend to arouse within the given space.

The size of the room and the type of natural and/or artificial lighting play a pivotal role in the colour selection process.  It is well known that small spaces suffering from inadequate lighting would not benefit from the use of dark and intense colours, as these have the ability to create a "caving-in effect" which makes a small room look even smaller than it actually is.  Understand the type of lighting your home has too, bearing in mind that the colour choices for one's home are often viewed under in-store lighting, which is not necessarily the same as that found in the home environment.  It is for this very reason that a brush out sample of a selected colour is always recommended before one purchases the full quantity of paint for use in a designated space.

The architectural style of the room under question should be considered.  Ask yourself whether or not there are any architectural features of interest such as pillars, columns, antique fireplaces etc. worthy of accentuating in an accent colour. Only attractive features deserve highlighting.  However, do ensure that the accent colour always compliments and is in harmony with rest of the space.

The overall success of the aesthetical appeal of any design space being decorated lies in how well the colours harmonise within the scheme.  It is essential to look at the colours of existing fixed fittings and furnishings within the room.  These include, but are not limited to, the colours of the flooring material, cabinets, built-in cupboards, natural stone finishes, curtaining etc.  Ensure that your paint colour/s blend in well with these elements and look attractive when viewed in ensemble.

For walls that have been formerly painted in dark, bold and intense colours that need a light colour make-over, ensure that priming is undertaken in a white to light-grey undercoat.  This ensures that the new top coats of the colour applied are as close as possible to the original colour/s selected for the room being painted.

Finally, ensure that the surfaces are well prepared before applying the chosen colour. Uneven, cracked and defective walls cast shadow effects and will consequently affect the chosen colour's appearance.  A professional applicator is always preferable bearing in mind that painting is a specialised skill requiring exceptional workmanship abilities.  Panache's Paint Contractors are available to supply this service at your discretion for a hustle free and professional paint finish.

The Panache Colour studio displays stands boasts of a large selection of colours to choose from for your home's paint and colour make over.  The display stand together with a wide array of Panache's paint products is available exclusively at all Jacks Paint and Hardware stores nationwide.

 Information  supplied by Helen Gurura - Colour Design Consultant for Panache/ Jacks

& Toni Stella - Training Director for Panache Paint Academy