Category: Blog

From the paintings on early caves, to the use of red dye by the Aztec Indians, people have always sought to enhance their surroundings with the use of vibrant colours.  Where the early cave people recorded their lives with paint on the walls of their caves, paint manufacturers used it to beautify, protect and extend the life of their goods.

The Egyptians, the Chinese and the Aztec Indians all practised colour healing, and the Greeks and Romans developed coloured varnishes.

From the 16th until the 19th centuries in America, milk paint was used to paint furniture. Milk paint recipes were closely guarded, but milk and lime were mixed with pigment to make a smooth and durable water-based formula.  Milk paint allowed houses and furniture to be painted in soft velvety and rich colours.

The problem that existed with using this paint is that it could not be commercially manufactured because of the milk content.  In 1868, at the end of the American civil war, the first patent for a metal paint tin with tightly fitting lid was issued.  Now, paint could be manufactured in huge quantities, and distributed to towns and cities everywhere.

This invention heralded the beginning of the commercial use of oil-based paints.  The problem with oil-based paints however, was that they contained lead, mildewcides, and other poisonous additives.

In 1935, a new water-based casein paint was developed.  Known as Kem-Tone and made from synthetic rubber and styrene’s, it was the first latex paint. Although it was made from synthetic latex and styrene’s, it didn’t contain lead, and it met with huge commercial success.

There has been a concerted effort to sand and repaint furniture which had previously been painted with lead paint.  Cots which had been painted with lead paint were of particular concern because babies often chewed on cot bars.

Paint has some obvious, and some much less obvious uses.  It is used to paint cars, to protect houses from the elements; even to paint the inside of food containers.
Throughout the ages, paint has enabled people to vividly capture the beauty and essence of their lives, and to record their surroundings as in the famous paintings of the first world war.  Now, paint is used not only to protect houses from harsh weather conditions, but also to transform houses from dour to modern and vibrant.

Getting started

There are typically just six finishes to choose from within every paint manufacturers’ line. And while each brand refers to their finishes differently, the distinguishing factors are essentially the same — lustre and washability.

In general, paint finishes range from completely “flat” or matte to shiny or “high-gloss.” Glossier finishes contain higher levels of resin and lower levels of pigmentation, whereas less shiny ones contain more pigment than resin.

Pro-tip: Preparation is half the battle

Prepping your surfaces immaculately will be the difference between a smooth paint job and a bumpy one. Depending on the surface you’re painting, you may even need to use a primer and/or an undercoat before you are able to even apply the paint.

The Big Finish

Flat

At one end of the spectrum you’ll find the chalky finish known as “flat,” which features a matte sheen that absorbs light and helps hide surface imperfections. Flat paint is ideal for ceilings and areas with surface irregularities as they’ll hide these imperfections better than any other paint finish.

Pro-tip: Not all flat paints are created equal. The kind made specifically for ceilings is designed to roll on with minimal spatter and resist yellowing over time. These paints will be marked differently in the store.

Eggshell

Eggshell enamel offers superior scrubability to completely flat finishes. With a bit more luster than flat paint, it has soft a sheen, like an egg. This paint finish works well for walls but not on trims around doors or windows. You can wash eggshell paints without harming the surface.

Semigloss

These paints reflect light for a bright, shiny appearance that will most benefit rooms with a strong light source. Use it on areas that are cleaned frequently such as kitchens, bathrooms, closet doors and trim. It is generally accepted that the glossier the surface the more durable and easy to clean it will be.

Satin

Low-sheen (satin finish) paint combines the soft finish of flat paint with the washability of semi-gloss. It is ideal for walls in high-traffic areas that need to be wiped clean regularly – think young children’s’ hand prints along hallways. Satin paints are similar to eggshell and semigloss except that they have a warm, pearl-like finish.

These paints are also excellent at resisting mildew, dirt and stains (they can better withstand cleaning and light scrubbing) making them more suitable for frequently used spaces than their eggshell counterparts. Satin has an added benefit; it won’t glare like high-gloss and semi-gloss paints.

High-gloss

One key benefit that high-sheen colors have over flat sheens is their depth of color. The higher the sheen, the more vivid and rich your color will appear. Deep, jewel-toned colors such as reds and navy blues benefit from this paint type. Consider this finish for wood surfaces, such as door and window trims, cabinets and doors, but only when blemishes are minimal. The shinier the surface the more those tiny flaws will be evident.

Masonry, metal and more

Latex or oil-based paints, in any of the above finishes, suit harder-to-paint surfaces such as metal and masonry. The key, again, is preparation. Applying the right primer before you start will guarantee the ultimate finish. But be careful with floors. These require paint specifically designed to stand up to abrasion, traffic and heavy scrubbing.

There are four psychological primary colours which each have different effects.

1. Red –  Body
2. Blue – Mind
3. Yellow – Emotions, ego & self confidence
4. Green – Balance between mind, body and emotions.

If you were to combine two colours, for example blue and yellow, you would get a colour that effects both your emotions and mind.  Blue is often considered the colour to choose if productivity is important. However, consider what type of productivity you are trying to achieve. If your job involves using your mind, for example an accountant, then blue is the way to go. Blue is also ideal for open plan offices as it often promotes trust and communication, which makes it good for brainstorming too. Interestingly blue has been known to help reduce blood pressure, pulse and respiration.

If productivity to you means designing or creating new things or products, then perhaps yellow would be a better option as it stimulates your spirit, ego and optimism.  Yellow is perfect for high-paced environments as it energizes and mixed with a bit of red to make orange can spark enthusiasm. Avoid yellow in conference rooms, too much optimism or stimulation can increase anxiety levels, making it more likely for people to lose their tempers.

For those who need to be physically productive then red is a good choice. Red stimulates people physically, so great for labourers, sportsmen and the like.  Red is also good for those people that work during the night or who have detail-oriented tasks as it increases brain wave activity. To the contrary of blue, red stimulates the pulse and increases blood pressure. If you are painting the office red, make sure you have plenty of snacks on hand, red induces hunger!

Green is great when balance and trust are required for productivity, for exampling signing agreements and exchanging money. An awesome colour for harmonizing and it can also boost creativity and innovation too. Green is also known to reduces anxiety levels and eye strain.

Even though grey is psychologically neutral, the colour lacks energy, it is the colour of concrete and warships after all. So, to keep moral up, avoid it. The over use of grey can reduce confidence levels and even cause depression. In small amounts, grey can be useful to offset bright colours but use it carefully.

The shade of the colour is important too. A highly-saturated hue will stimulate you when compared to a lowly-saturated hue which is more likely to soothe you. Consider using accent colours as this help to create balance.  Try not to have a rainbow of colours, instead stick to a couple of accents.  Red is a perfect accent for the negotiator or anybody that needs to be heard. Paint comes in gloss, matt and in a range of textures too, it is known that glossy paint elicits high energy, so consider this if your work place is high paced. It can be easy to fall into the trap of painting your office the same colour as your home, after all you know you like that colour. It is important to differentiate between home and work, so always go for a different colour, this includes the home office.

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Preparation

Wallpaper

The process of applying wallpaper to walls is more time consuming than painting. However, wallpaper can last up to 15 years and beyond, which makes it cost-effective in the long run. It is generally accepted that properly hung wallpaper will last 3 times as long as paint. Wallpaper adheres easily and smoothly to walls, hiding many surface imperfections. It can also add warmth, depth and style to a room that monotone paint simply cannot achieve. Chic designs, intriguing textures and beautiful prints have an impactful effect on the décor of a room. Wallpaper can be used to create a designer look in any space, and can also be applied to just one wall as a feature wall.

But:

Removing existing wallpaper can be a tedious task that requires patience and the right tools to be effective.  Stripping wallpaper can be done with chemicals or stripping tools, but care must be taken or damage can result to the wall.

Paint

It’s generally easier to prepare a surface for painting especially if you’re using non- reflective paint which is great for concealing flaws. Furthermore, it’s easier to just paint over existing paint, especially if it’s still in good condition.

Pro tip: Painting over wallpaper isn’t a good idea regardless of its condition as the seams are visible even when using matte paint. Besides, it’s tough to remove wallpaper that’s been painted over.

Despite these benefits, consider that paint, especially the oil-based variety, takes a longer time to dry. Because of this, it takes a bit of waiting to apply any additional coats.If the paint is applied too thickly on a vertical surface, it tends to trickle or sag (although there are several other reasons for this also). If this happens, when the coat dries, what remains is an uneven surface with dired drips. People that use wallpaper don’t have to deal with this particular problem.

Durability

Wallpaper

On average, wallpaper can last from 10 to 15 years. Paint, on the other hand, needs to be retouched every two to three years.However, under humid conditions, the glue in the wallpaper may come loose and cause the covering to peel off the wall. This is a key downside of wallpaper:

Despite being able to last for longer periods than paint, wallpaper is easily damaged and holds dirt that can simply be wiped off of a painted surface. Also be aware that your wallpaper may eventually become difficult to find as tastes change, meaning it will become close to impossible to find an exact match if you to repair certain sections in the future. When you install your wallpaper you will need to purchase more than you need in case of necessary repairs down the road. Just take note that the installed wallpaper may fade over time and end up not matching with your spare rolls.

Paint

Paint, particularly the oil-based kind is not very heat resistant.  Over time, paint on a surface can become brittle and peel or melt from the foundation. Consider specifically manufactured heat resistant paint when making your decision to give your paintwork some added longevity.

Expense

Wallpaper

Each new installation of wallpaper is generally more expensive than applying paint. Wallpapers may last longer, but you will have higher initial costs.

Paint

It is considered generally cheaper to use paint than wallpaper in the beginning. Paint also needs fewer supplies overall. That being said, both provide a wide variety of options with regards to cost, so it’s still possible to spend more depending if you use high-end paint.

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As you can see, there are pros and cons for boths sides, the decision will lie with which factors are more important to you. Whichever you choose, there is no doubt that your walls will benefit from the addition of either. Just keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to pick one or the other. Many well designed spaces utilise both paint and wallpaper in their designs. Some people may favour one over the other, but ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. If you are still undecided, engage the services of a professional painting service and weigh up your options with their guidance.

50 shades of white

When considering white, be aware that there are many different shades. Each variation can have a striking effect on your decor, so it’s important that you choose the best shade to suit your interior design. Even if you want a white-on-white room — with white trim and millwork — contrast is still a must. Paint the trim and millwork a brighter white than the wall color.

Pro tip:When choosing your shade, remember that the actual colour you’ll see in your home is determined by many different factors, such as the surface you are painting on and the available light in the room. Colours are closest to their truest appearance in full outside daylight or in the light from a window that doesn’t face the sun.

Neutrals add timeless class

With tones as varied as Creamy Latte to Manuka Honey, neutrals are anything but boring. Grey isn’t just grey — it comes in a wide variety of intensities and shades, with subtle nuances that add a designer approach to any decor. Warm greys can add a cosy feel while cooler ash tones leave room for light.

If you like to change up your decor often, a beautiful neutral paint color can set the stage for decorating success. Combine silvers, charcoal greys, and white with misty mauve for understated elegance, or rev up that same neutral combo with navy blue and yellow. Neutrals give you the freedom to play around with different homewares to mix up your interiors for every season.

Much like your morning latte, coffee tones are rich and energising. Finding the right tone is a personal as your favourite hot beverage choice. Consider using a Colour Helper such as that offered by Resene.This tool can quickly and efficiently match your desired hue to a corresponding Resene paint. The device can be placed on the target colour, pressed to ‘read’ the tone three times and it will let you know the three Resene colours that most closely match your sample!. It will also show you complementary colours. ColourHelper units can be used free of charge at all Resene ColorShops and Resellers, The unit uses a tiny digital camera built into the device, taking a small picture of the colour. It then uses an embedded microprocessor to analyse the image.

Pro tip: One creative way to use this device is to match a paint colour with your favourite item of clothing or fabric covering. It will save you hours trawling through catalogues and paint stores looking for the perfect shade.

Choose bold colours with care

Take the plunge with a dark wall color, but avoid getting in over your head. Dark walls can create a warm cocoon-like effect, but they can also turn a room into a cave. The trick is to include a respite in your design with planes of white and a variety of surface finishes. In this bedroom, bold pops of color also keep the look fun.

Bright colours for the kids’ rooms are fun and lively but every color has different effects on the human body and mind. It’s important to take these into consideration, especially when decorating the nursery room. A recent study demonstrated that children with autism thrive in calm and relaxing settings with muted and soothing colours. The same principles can be applied to any nursery. Neutrals are a cosy solution that can be carried through the home.

Experiment before you commit

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Try and try again. Finding the right style to suit your home can take time. Consider colour psychology to create the right mood and feel for your home. Try a few test pots on a large piece of A2 card. Leave a border around the edge and then move from wall to wall at different times of the day and night to see what works best. Get samples of the paint color you think you want, plus samples of lighter, darker, more saturated, and less saturated shades. The range of samples will help refine your choice in different conditions.
Your paint choices are the foundation of the home you are creating, so most importantly, have fun!

However, get it wrong and you can run into numerous problems:

• Poor colour uniformity
• Film Cracking
• Inadequate stain resistance
• Slow drying time
• Water spotting
• A touch up coat may look lighter in colour than the base coat

Things to consider when winter painting

1. Weather: Northland is renowned for being the “winterless north” and temperatures range from a low of 7°C to a high of 20°C in the winter months. On a rain-free day these are very acceptable temperatures for painting. Plan ahead, watch the forecast and remember that paint continues to try long after you finish painting. You will need 2-3 rain-free days after you finish painting.
2. Daylight Hours:  Winter days can often be clear and sunny, but do remember that the days and hours of daylight are much shorter than the summer months. Get started earlier on in the day, but not too early that the dew is still present. Stop painting early afternoon to allow the paint to having maximum drying time before the temperature drops.
3. Plan ahead: In anticipation for a fine day, have all the preparation work done in advance. Purchase your paint, brushes, rollers, ladders etc. This way when the weather allows, you can get straight to work.
4. Winter Paint:  Low temperatures can cause havoc on paintwork, causing it to crack or dry into a powder. By purchasing paints that perform in low temperatures you can overcome these challenges, so be sure to read to manufactures instructions and confirm specific performance temperatures.  Resene Wintergrade products will all dry in temperatures right down to a cool 2°C, ideal for winter painting. Don’t forget to use a primer.
5. Check the surface temperature:  The air temperature may be above the paint manufactures minimum temperature requirement but the actual wall may not be. Use an infrared thermometer to double check the wall temperature.
6. Humidity: While not as common in the winter, occasionally this can pose a problem. Humidity is small particles of moisture present in the air, the higher the humidity, the wetter the air. High humidity keeps the paint wet and prevents the paint from properly bonding to the wall.   Deal with any humidity problems before beginning a painting project.
7. Heating: For internal painting, turn on the heater and get the space warm. For external painting, set up scaffolding, wrap and then heat area if possible. Keep the heaters running for a few hours after painting. These preparations will help the paint dry faster, just don’t turn the heat up too high – you don’t want to suffocate the painters!

If you consider all these things, then winter painting is definitely worth a shot, just remember to follow the paint manufacturer’s recommendations.  Better yet, get a professional in to get the job done right, first time. Northland Painters have been Northland’s painting specialists since 1992 and can carry out on-site inspections before starting painting projects. Workmanship is of the highest standard and Resene or Dulux products are always used to the manufacturers guidelines.

Tips

• Before you start looking at colours, consider your budget and rule out any paint colours or roofing materials that are out of your budget range.
• Go for a drive around your neighbourhood and look at your neighbour’s roofs to help you figure out what you do and don’t like.
• If you have chosen a couple of colours, ask your roofer or roof painter to provide you some addresses of houses he or she have painted in those colours. This way you can see what the colour looks like once applied and in different lights.
• If you have decided on a couple of colours. Go to Bunnings or Mitre10 and get a 1.5m by 1.5m piece of cheap wood (or if you’re building a house, see if you builder has some spare lying around) and paint each side with the potential colours. Now go and put it up next to the exterior wall colour and see how they look together.
• There are some great apps on the market to help to take some of the guess work out of choosing a colour. Resene’s EzyPaint virtual software allows you to “see the finish before you start”. Its compatible with PC and Mac and is easy to use, even for those that are so technologically savvy. The software allows you to load am image of your house, path and then paint it. You can try different colour schemes and decided if colours looks right together and has 600 colour schemes within the software, so even if you are not super confident on matching colours this wonderful piece of software can help you.

Remember

• If you have a brick house, then the colour of these bricks is not going to change. Make sure you the colour you choose doesn’t clash with the bricks. Look very closely at the colour of your bricks. Identify the main colour first and then try find hints of other colours that you could use as your roof colour. Just a small hint of a colour from your bricks can tie the two nicely together.
• Don’t try and match the colour of the roof and walls perfectly. You will wind up with a combo that is boring and monotone. Try and complement your colours instead.
• If the exterior wall colour or material is busy, such as multi-coloured bricks or stone, then choose a block colour and something that in a bit more toned down. Too many patterns or colours will just leave your poor neighbours eyes overwhelmed.
• If you are painting both your exterior walls and your roof, then choose your roof colour first. There is always a bigger selection of wall colours the roof colours. Once you have got the roof colour sorted, then you can find the perfect wall colour.
• Consider the style of your home and what colours suit its style. If you have a Spanish style house, then it is unlikely that a bright blue room is going to a good match.
• Gutters and downpipes are almost always never a stylistic feature of the house, most people will agree that matching gutter and roof colours is the best approach. The fascias on the other hand could do with a contrasting colour and white is almost always a safe option.

Good luck!

Apps that let you try before you buy

The size of the space, lighting and furniture can really affect how a colour looks in your home. A colour that looks great in your friend’s house, could look terrible in your own. With the use of paint colour apps you can try before you buy! Here are some of our favourites:

• Dulux Colour App: Simply take a snap of what you are hoping to paint, choose from over 900 different colours and see your ideas come to life. Not quite happy with that colour? Simply pick another one! Save the ones you love for later.
• ColorCote, Roof Viewer: This app lets you try different roof colours on your own house. First you take a photo of the exterior of your house. The tap the 4 corners to indicate the roof section of your house, the slider lets you indicate the roof profile. You now can try on different colours and email yourself your top picks.
• Mark on Call: With this app, you might as well ditch your designer. This clever app will let you superimpose pictures of fabrics, rugs, flooring and finishes onto virtual floor plans. It’s like having your personal showroom in your pocket.
• Freedom Furniture: Take a photo of the space your wish to fill, browse their furniture catalogues, pick an item and fill the space. It’s a great way to see what furniture will suit your home.
• Magic Plan: This clever app allows you to create floor plans and work estimates by simply taking a photo. Take a photo of the space you are wanting to work with, and the app will measure the space and let you add objects , photos and comments so you can see what works well.

Colour Match Paint

See a colour you love? Or have an existing colour you can’t remember the name of? Or simply unsure how to describe it? These apps take the guess work out of colour matching.

• Resene ColourMatch: This app couldn’t get more simple. Take a photo of a colour from any smartphone – it could be a flower, a building, an anything! It will use the photo to instantly match the colour in the pictures and match it to the nearest Resene colour. Once you have found your colour, use the app to find complamentry colours for a complete colour scheme.
• MyPanatone: Similar to the Resene app, MyPanatone is convenient and allows you to accurately identify colour by taking a picture. It will also general expert complementary palettes based on colours in your picture.

Other little gems

Here are a couple of other apps that we have found very useful.

• iHandy Carpenter: 5 tools in one and better yet on your phone. This app works as a plumb bob to verify the verticality of lines or walls, a service level to level any flat surface, a bubble bar, steel protractor and a steel ruler that can measure things much longer than your phone.
• LikeThat Décor: Ever been out and about and discovered a piece of furniture that you just must have? Take a picture of the piece with this app and it will instantly find you a similar item available for purchase.
• Pinterest: You can’t bet Pinterest as an easy, straight forward way to create mood or inspiration boards. Bookmark an endless supply of colours, furniture, décor and small touch ideas.

The arrival of a new baby or children growing out of their once loved bright pink walls often prompts families to get out their paint brushes and give walls, ceilings and skirting boards a fresh lick of paint. There is no doubt that fresh paint makes your home look more attractive, protects your walls against wear and tear and protects from the effects of on the go children. If you have ever painted, you will know that the fumes from paint can be rather potent and even cause us adults to become dizzy headed. Some ingredients included in paint products can be harmful to humans and the environment and it doesn’t take too much of and imagination to be able to imagine the effects that some paint products will have on young children and pets.
The New Zealand Asthma and Respiratory Foundation reports that around 1 in 9 adults have asthma and paint fumes are a known trigger for it. One Swedish study found that the risk of developing asthma in pre-school aged children increased with exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds. When painting indoors it is important to minimise paint fumes and dissipate any paint fumes quickly.

Choose Low VOC Paints

To protect the health of your little ones, pets and the environment, where possible try and select product suppliers that use endorsed environmental management systems and who are making an effort to reduce health and environmental impacts of their products. Look for products that are environmentally endorsed and include information of toxicity, emissions and air quality. The Environmental Choice New Zealand website lists a range of environmentally friendly products available in New Zealand.
Resene’s mainstream paints are generally low fume, however they have developed some extra low odour products. With over 160 low fume products, a couple of note are Resene Zylone Sheen, Resene Ceiling Paint and VOC free Resene Zylone Sheen. These paints are sure to help your family breathe easier. The lack of solvent fumes means they are more pleasant to use and your newly painted areas are put back in use quickly.
Dulux also have a range of paints that have moved away from solvent-based products and is now using water-based paints. By using water-based paints, there is less solvent evaporated into the air as water-based paints emit mainly harmless water vapour.

When it is time to paint:

• Make sure your walls are mould free BEFORE painting, don’t just paint over the mould as it is likely that the mould will just rear its ugly head through the paint and cause your new paint to peel off.
• If you can send your children to the grandparents for the day while you paint, do it! Children are naturally inquisitive and are often keen to get their sticky fingers into paint and “help” you out.
• If children are around, beware of equipment such as ladders as these can pose as a hazard.
• Animals don’t understand the concept of wet paint – so it’s best to give them a day outside while the paint is drying, the last thing you want it paw printed carpet!
• Even if the best thing you can get hold of is a small fan, use it. Even a small amount of circulation will help you to ventilate the area you are working in.

When the job is done:

• Store your preparation products, paints and harsh cleaning products securely and out of reach of children. Don’t forget, climbing is in a child’s repertoire early on.

Nuances

The off-whites that were once fashionable are now having earthy tones added to help soften them. Off-whites now maybe cream, chalk, greige or beige with colours becoming deeper, more complex and layered with subtle undertones. Tonal palettes help to create an understated luxury and pairing subtle grey nuances or other neutral colours with textures creates luxurious, architectural palettes. Painting with earthy hues or dusky tones will see you right on trend. Dusky pinks are being carried through from 2016 but we’ll also more dusky blues and greens are being seen.

Feel

The use of colour is more than just visual. We use colour to create a sensory experience, we often touch and feel our interiors and want them to warm our souls and awaken our senses. Warm browns make us think of a roughened tree bark and burnt oranges take us to a beautiful sunset. Painted textured wallpaper is currently on trend and anaglypta wallpaper is also making a comeback. Textured wallpaper enables us to imagine texture without having to actually touch anything. The use of metallic hues such as cooper brings a colour to life, adding mystery and depth.

Recycle

Today’s interiors are not about perfection and we can see a distinctly modern yet familiar style emerging. Rescue that piece of ‘flawed’ furniture and all the memories it holds, pair it with geometric shapes and unexpected colour to see how an eclectic collection of furniture creates a quirky space. See how your old treasures create endless possibilities and the uniqueness they bring to a room. Washed blues and dusky nudes create easy to live with nostalgia and bold saturated colours such as melon, peach and teal create a highly chromatic space. These colours can bring richness and warmth and many colours are being influenced by global cultures and landscapes, linking tradition and modernity in our homes.

Nature

Through the decades, the influence of nature has always been present and is now more so than ever on trend. With more and more time spent indoors (thanks to technology) many are choosing to bring the outdoors in and it can be seen in our surfaces, finishes, colours and accessorising. Nordic landscapes bring icy colours and the natural woods of the Scandinavian look will continue to be a favourite for 2017. Natural woods and clean finishes allow the piece’s natural beauty to shine though. Paired with greens, blues and colours from the flower garden to bring a beautiful natural palette into the home.

Don’t play it safe

Don’t be afraid to break the rules. It is easy to stick with the safe option, what others have done, and what people tell us right. Indulge your creativeness and let ideas flow freely across borders and space. Life doesn’t always have to be serious, ditch your world of boring white and let some colour take its place. Whether it be an entire room, feature wall or bold coloured table legs, let pops of colour show your creativity and personality. Each year’s latest fashion colour doesn’t require you to repaint your entire house, rather use it to inspire new touches to freshen your home.