By: Carrie Oesmann | www.bailiwickdesign.com

In this time of “sheltering-in-place” more and more people are attempting those long overdue paint projects! According to one local paint retailer this is his best month for paint sales in a long time. Before you dip that brush into your next gallon, take a moment to consider these tips on how to choose the right paint and finish.

What Type of Paint Should I Select?

Paint comes in a variety of sheens as well as in either oil or latex. Latex paint is the most commonly and preferred paint type to use because of its ease of clean up and long lasting durability. It also tends to be more fade resistant and breathes better than oil, resulting in less blistering of the paint.

Another reason latex is usually preferred to oil base paints is because of the smell and Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) which off-gas during the drying period. Most major paint manufacturers have addressed this problem by providing LOW-VOC or NO-VOC Latex paints, but they have not solved this problem as readily with oil bases paints.

However, there are times when oil based paint is the right choice; for instance it’s great for priming real wood moldings and trim as it tends to seal stains and knots from the wood better than a latex paint wood. Also, I often specify oil based paints if I am suggesting a client paint a hand rail or newel post as the finish is extremely durable. (It does take longer to dry than a latex paint though, so plan for more drying time.)

Which Sheen Should I Select?

The old rule of thumb for paint finishes was the glossier the paint – the easier it is to clean marks off.  But, nowadays my favorite paint finish is a washable matte finish. I prefer this minimal sheen because my years of experience has shown me that the less sheen to a wall surface the less reflected light which will change the appearance of a paint color.

These washable matte finishes really offer the best of both worlds in that you can wash off smudges and scuff marks and get stable color. But if you have small children and the room you are painting has high traffic, like in a playroom, or a stairwell, opt for an eggshell or satin sheen as you can easily wipe the wall down with a damp sponge.

The other important qualifier of which paint finish to select is how good your wall surfaces are as the higher the gloss the more likely you will see blemishes and nail pops in your wall surfaces because the light reflects off these imperfections. So for older homes, like mine that have plaster walls, the washable matte finish is a great option!

 

CARRIE OESMANN, ASID, AKBD, CLIPP has spent the past 20 years developing her skills and expertise in the real world of interior design. She’s created an ONLINE INTERIOR DESIGN PLATFORM so people can stay inspired and in love with their homes even in these stressful times. Check in out at www.bailiwickinteriordesign.com.

With her new blog site, “My Bailiwick”, Carrie shares her valuable insights on her experience as an influencer in global community of interior design professionals.

Carrie addresses all the aspects of interior design; working with clients, partnering with contractors and developing designs that really work within her clients’ budgets, personal taste and lifestyle. Carries insights bring the design process into focus as she explains how decisions are really made and why. And how each of those decisions impacts the big picture.

Carrie’s active lifestyle proves her mantra “A body in motion stays in motion!” So outside of her thriving design business Carrie pursues life with a passion. Whether she is teaching Pilates, training for a triathlon, traveling the world, or simply enjoying a round of golf and taking her golden-doodle Bailey to a local nursing home for a visit, Carrie is constantly on the go.