Category: Blog

They say first impressions are everything, and in many senses they are right. How many times have you walked past a house and thought it looked shabby, only to look a little closer and realise that with a fresh lick of paint it could actually look like a very nice home?

Having some or all of the exterior of your house repainted is a relatively inexpensive way in which you can instantly improve your home’s curb appeal and leave a lasting impression on visitors, passersby, and potential buyers if you are looking to sell. Experts say exterior enhancements like this can generate a return of up to 5% in your profit margins in a house sale, so for such a low investment it really is a no brainer.

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Many buyers are looking for a property they feel they can move straight into without having to spend time and money creating their dream home, after the exhausting and expensive house purchase process. So sprucing up the exterior of your property is one of the best ways you can tick the buyer’s ‘dream home’ box and leave them with the satisfaction of moving into a home that feels finished.

Where to start

If you are a dab hand with a ladder and a paintbrush, you could consider taking on the project yourself. However, a lot of people decide that this is one job best left for the professionals, as given its high visibility profile as far as home improvements go, it is not one you can afford to make a mistake with.

Skilled house painting specialists like Northland Painters will not only paint your exterior to an excellent standard in quality materials and workmanship, but also ensure that the cladding is expertly prepared beforehand in order to ensure a weatherproof and long-lasting finish.

Here are some points you might want to consider before embarking on the mission:

How much to paint?

While a full exterior paint makeover will have the most dramatic impact upon the appearance of your home, it is not the only option you have for improving your house’s curb appeal. Don’t underestimate the difference a freshly painted front door, porch, window sashes or soffits can have on your home’s image if you are looking to minimise costs.

Consider colour

Your favourite colour might well be pea green, but this does not necessarily make it the best choice for your house’s exterior. First take into account the other visible materials and colours around the property and ensure the main colour you are selecting is a complementary shade. Also consider how much you want to stand out from or blend in with any visible neighbouring houses nearby.

Next, decide whether you want to opt for a light, medium or dark main shade, taking into account the effect you are trying to pull off. Are you trying to boost the appearance of size? If so selecting a lighter shade is best for this, while a darker shade would be recommended if you are trying to make a large property seem less overbearing in a small section.

Once you have your main colour decided, a good approach is to then select another two shades from the same colour strip for your details and accents. They should be far apart enough on the strip to be visibly different, in order to create an eye-catching contrast.

Given the brain’s involvement in your perception of colour, it is perhaps not a surprise to hear that the colours around you can have a dramatic impact on your state of mind. How many of us have had the experience of sitting in a room surrounded by walls painted in a colour we consider intrusive, and felt like it was slowly inducing a headache?

Most of us are fortunately able to control the colours we surround ourselves with the most, by painting the walls of our home in shades that bring us pleasure. But how do we work out what colours are best?

It’s a personal thing

Everybody has individual tastes when it comes to colour, and what is pleasing to one person’s eye may be a big turn off for someone else. It’s all well and good to say that blue is a relaxing colour, for example, but if it isn’t to your personal taste then you probably won’t feel very relaxed waking up in a blue bedroom! So while colour psychology is worth considering, don’t forget to take your own sense of style into account.

What paint colours work best together?

Have you ever looked at two colours together – even if they are both colours you really like – and think, “That just looks so wrong”? It can be very uncomfortable to look at mismatched colours, especially if they are a permanent feature, so when selecting your paint colour scheme it is important to consider which colours will complement one another.

The best way to do this is by looking at the colour wheel. This is a circle based on the three primary colours – that is red, yellow and blue – with a graduation of hues that fade into one another. The most complementary colours are opposite one another on the colour wheel, for example yellow-green and violet, indigo and light orange or red and blue are all complementary combinations. These combinations are used in Colour Therapy, as the balance of cool and warm colours is said to improve our physical and emotional wellbeing.

If high contrast combinations are not your thing, you might want to consider basing your colour scheme on analogous colours. These are any three colours that sit side by side on the colour wheel, often with one colour dominating. Other popular idea is basing your colour scheme on combinations found in nature, which is another way of bringing colour harmony into your home.

The psychology of colour

The use of colour to promote healing and wellbeing has roots stretching far back into history, and to this day many people and cultures believe certain colours possess specific qualities that can have positive or negative impacts upon our lives.

Although modern psychologists are largely sceptical about the significance of colour in therapy, there are some effects of colour that are universally accepted. Reds, pinks, oranges and yellows are warm colours, and can evoke emotions ranging from passion to anger. On the other side of the spectrum are the cool colours, ranging from indigo to yellow-green, which are said to be calming but can leave a person feeling cold.

In a busy room or a part of the home you spend a lot of time, you might want to consider choosing a colour scheme consisting of greens or blues, which are considered to possess relaxation-inducing qualities.

On the other hand, purples are said to be best for creativity, due to the balance of stimulating reds and peaceful blues, so these colours are ideal in the study, office or perhaps an artist’s workshop.

Be careful when it comes to colours like orange and yellow. These are hardest on the eyes and can tire out your retinas, leading to feelings of frustration and irritation, so perhaps not the ones to paint your living room in from ceiling to floor. As an accent colour, however, yellow is considered one of the most cheerful and uplifting, so there’s no need to avoid that yellow lampshade you’ve got your heart set on just yet!

The dangers of exposure to lead

Those most at risk from exposure to lead are children under the age of six, and pregnant women and their developing foetuses. However, lead poisoning can still lead to brain damage and death even in healthy adults.

Children exposed to even low levels of lead are at risk of associated developmental problems, low IQ, stunted growth, anaemia and hearing problems. For a developing foetus it can mean intrauterine growth restriction and premature labour, meanwhile the expectant mother can herself become extremely unwell.

In anybody, lead exposure can cause cardiovascular problems, kidney problems and reproductive problems.

Testing for lead based paint

The best way to test for traces of lead based paint is by using 5% sodium sulphide solution. This is most commonly sold in paint shops and some pharmacies. To perform the test, you will need to cut into and expose the deepest layer of paint and apply a drop of the sodium sulphide. If the solution turns a brown or black colour, it means that lead is present.

If you do not want to carry out the test yourself, you can alternatively get in touch with a health protection officer at your local public health unit, who should be able to carry out the test free of charge.

What to do if your home tests positive for lead based paint

If you discover lead based paint is present in your home, you have two options:

1. If the paint is in good condition – that is it has not visibly deteriorated and is not flaking away at all – it may be appropriate to apply an overcoat of a non-hazardous surface coating. This is not a permanent solution to the problem, but would be safer than an improperly carried out removal job. This is not a safe solution in areas where the paint is liable to be chewed or damaged, eg. by a child or pet.
2. If the lead based paint is showing any signs of deterioration at all, it is essential that the paintwork is safely removed in full, to prevent any risk of the dust or flakes from being ingested by humans or animals. This is the only way to completely eliminate the hazards of having lead based paint in your home, even if it is currently in good condition.

The steps to removing lead paint safely

The removal of lead based paint in itself is a risky process, both for the person removing it and for anybody else in the vicinity. The primary way lead enters the body is through inhalation of the dust and fumes from lead paint, so an improperly carried out removal job can be extremely dangerous.

The most reliable way to safeguard yourself and your family against the risks associated with this job is to hire the services of a professional who specialises in the safe removal of lead based paint, such as those offered by Northland Painters. Let us do all of the hard work for you.  However, if you wish to carry out the task yourself, make sure you take the following precautions:

1. Protect yourself

The main risk in the removal of lead based paint is in the potential to ingest lead-contaminated dust. It is therefore essential to perform the task whilst wearing a high quality, correctly fitted toxic dust respirator. If you are using the disposable type, this must have a double headstrap. Check the respirator you are using meets the New Zealand/Australian Standard NZS/AS 1716:2012 (Respiratory Protective Devices).

The accumulation of dust on your clothes and especially in your hair poses another threat to safety. It is highly recommended that you carry out the task wearing protective overalls and a hat or something else to cover your hair. Change out of contaminated clothing as soon as you have finished or take a break, and always wash contaminated clothes separately to the rest of your washing.

Do not smoke or eat whilst carrying out the job as you may transfer particles of contaminated dust into your mouth. Make sure you carefully wash and dry your hands and face before eating, smoking or coming into contact with children.

2. Prepare your surroundings

Firstly make sure that anybody who is not essential to the removal process has vacated the premises in order to eliminate the risk to others. This is especially applicable to children and animals.

If the paint removal work is inside your house, remove all curtains and furniture from the room and completely cover the carpets and any other fixtures and fittings with drop sheets. If you are burning the paint off the walls, remember to ensure that these sheets are fireproof. Disposable polythene sheets are recommended rather than reusable dust sheets, as the risk presented by improperly cleaned reusable sheets is too high.

It is essential to ensure that the sheets form a completely tight fit around all edges, corners and surfaces in the room to avoid any risk of contaminating your house. Far greater care should be applied to this precaution than you would exercise in a typical home decoration task.

If you are removing paint from outside your house, ensure all doors and windows to the property are securely closed to avoid any risk of contaminating indoors. If you have neighbouring houses nearby, inform them of the work you are carrying out and advise them to take similar precautions. Avoid carrying out the task in windy weather, to prevent contaminated dust from being spread. Similarly, if carrying out the work indoors, ensure there are no draughts in the vicinity that may spread the toxic residue.

All debris should be collected on a large groundsheet which can be wrapped up and packaged away at the end of the job. If working on scaffolding you should attach a groundsheet underneath to catch the paint debris.

3. The methods of removing lead paint

There are various methods of lead paint removal, all with varying degrees of safety and work required. The safest method of removal, and the one most advisable for DIY lead paint removers, is by wet sanding the area in full. This involves spraying the affected surfaces with water and slowly removing all traces of paint using either wet and dry sandpaper, or sharp scrapers. This techniques creates the lowest levels of toxic dust residue, but it is among the most labour intensive methods of carrying out the job.

Other methods include power sanding, which produces great quantities of lead contaminated dust unless the device is fitted with a dust collection system or a high efficiency filter and is carried out by somebody who is skilled in using the tool, or burning away the paint with the use of an open flame, however this method releases toxic lead fumes and poses a serious hazard to the remover. Neither method is particularly advisable in a DIY scenario.

Small surfaces may be able to be treated with the use of certain chemicals to remove the lead paint if appropriate safety measures are taken, such as the wearing of safety goggles and gloves and strict adherence to packaging instructions.

If the work you are carrying out is outdoors, you can water blast the affected area to remove the paint in a less labour intensive manner than wet sanding, as long as a thorough cleanup operation is carried out, and measures are taken to prevent the spread of contaminated flakes or dust to yours and neighbouring properties.

4. The clean-up operation

When you have finished, you will need to completely remove the contaminated dust from the surrounding environment. Using a high grade commercial vacuum cleaner fitted with a high efficiency dust filter, vacuum the entire area around the groundsheet. Next, wet wipe all surrounding surfaces, and vacuum to remove any further traces. You will need to safely dispose of the contents of the vacuum cleaner immediately.

Ensure all paint debris is securely disposed of in appropriate closed containers, such as sturdy plastic bags. Small amounts of debris can be disposed of in the household refuse collection or at the local rubbish tip. If you are unsure, contact your local authority about approved disposal sites. Never burn the debris from lead paint removal.

What to do if you think you have been exposed to lead paint

Even exposure to low levels of lead can be very dangerous. Symptoms of lead poisoning might start with reduced appetite, fatigue, loss of sleep, constipation and stomach ache. Sometimes there may be no symptoms at all. But if left untreated, lead poisoning can be fatal.

Some people find that the first member of their household to begin showing signs of exposure to lead is one of their pets. If this is the case for you, it is important to get everybody else checked out too.

If you are worried that you or your children may have been exposed to lead paint, seek medical attention and request a blood test to check your lead levels.

Fashion eventually grew tired of wallpaper, and thus it spent the end of the century living in societal exile, considered a passé symptom of an outdated and unstylish home.

However, after the turn of the millennium, this old decor favourite enjoyed something of a domestic rebirth. To everybody’s surprise, wallpaper became cool again. With a fresh twist on an old tradition, we began to see colourful feature walls and bold patterns re-emerging throughout modern homes.

So commonplace it is, now, to be greeted in somebody’s living room by a bright floral mantle piece or retro geometric alcoves, that you would be forgiven for wanting to find something a little more unique to stamp your individuality on your home interiors.

Here is the good news. With modern printing technology and high quality wallpaper products it is now possible to bring your personalised designs right into your own home. Perhaps you are a budding artist with a yearning for a supersized canvas, or you might have an old swatch of your aunt’s vintage 1960s wallpaper that you would love to recreate. Have you ever looked at one of your stunning holiday snaps and thought how awesome it would look blown up over an entire wall? Well now, your options are virtually unlimited.

Through companies such as Resene, WallTorque or Colour Plus, you can simply upload a high quality image file onto their website, and they will do the rest of the work. Many even offer free online design software to help you create your own masterpiece there and then. Your design can be printed onto the same kind of wallpaper you would buy in rolls at the home furnishings store that is applied with wallpaper paste, such as that offered by Resene. Alternatively, some companies offer types of self-adhesive removable and sometimes even reusable wall sheets.

When you upload your image onto your chosen company’s software, it should be auto checked for any pixilation or quality issues. If you are given a low resolution warning, you will need to find a bigger image file (normally a minimum 3-5mb file size is recommended) or select a different image. Otherwise, there is little that can’t be done, however no company will print copyrighted images for your walls. In other words, the image file must either be selected from their gallery (some of which contain millions of templates) or owned by you. So if you were hoping to deck out your walls with images of your favourite cartoons, you will unfortunately need to go back to the drawing board!

A good wallpaper printing company will have steps online which allow you to view your image on a digital ‘wall’ and insert any obstructions you have in the wall in your home. So if you have a door, fireplace or window on the wall in question, you can mark these out ahead of time and ensure they will not interfere too much with the design you want to print.

Designing your own wallpaper is a sure way to give your home that real wow factor and make it stand out from the crowd. Imagine hosting your next dinner party surrounded by – well – just about anything you could possibly desire! Don’t be bound by the constraints of high street design trends; let your imagination run away…

When your wallpaper is ready let us hang it professionally for you

Times when you may want to revamp your pool:

• Your pool is new and needs to be prepared for painting (see below).
• Your pool has faded but there are no other problems. You just want to give it a new lease of life.
• Water is getting behind the paint to form bubbles. This is often caused by poor preparation of the surface.
• Your old paint is flaking. This is natural but if you have long cracks in your paint you might have bigger problems with subsidence and cracking in the concrete. You will need to make sure that there is no movement in the ground or any water table problems before it can be painted.
• Your pool is chalky. Painted surfaces degrade after some time. If you can rub your fingers over a dry surface and they come away dusty, the paint is nearing the end of its lifespan.

There is a considerable amount of work involved in just preparing a pool for painting:

Northland Painters are one of only a few NZ companies that will guarantee the paint work that they complete in swimming pools for five years. The secret is in the preparation! If the surface of the pool is prepared properly, it will last for years.

Preparing your new pool for painting

• The concrete must be left to cure for at least a month.
• The surface then needs to be cleaned of any residual chemicals, dust and grease so that the paint will adhere to the concrete.
• The paint also won’t adhere properly if the surface is too smooth. Lightly blasting or grinding will help improve adhesion.

Preparing your old pool for painting

• Fully drain the pool and remove any debris.
• Remove all loose paint with a high pressure water blaster. Don’t use the electric ones in a pool!
• Remove any loose concrete. You will need to dig out any cracks to at least 5mm and then caulk cracks and holes with hydraulic cement.
• Wearing protective clothing and a suitable mask you will need to scrub the entire pool with an acid wash. Then rinse.
• Now you will need to clean the entire pool with trisodium-phosphate or suitable alternative. This is a detergent that will neutralize the acid and remove any glaze from any remaining paint. Rinse again with fresh water.

What paint should you use to paint your pool?

Northland Painters only use quality Altex epoxy paint as this is the best in New Zealand for pools. They come in a large range of colours, so you are bound to find one to suit you.

Painting the Pool:

Northland Painters paint all surfaces with the correct Dulux and Resene paint system; following the manufacturer’s specification.

Resene’s would like to see the following steps followed when building and coating a swimming pool:

1. Damp proof membrane to be laid before the floor is poured and also to be applied to any of the exterior wall surfaces which may be underground.
2. Leave pools to dry for a minimum of four weeks before (re) coating.
3. All new or used concrete pools should be acid etched, rinsed and dried before coating.
4. All sealant-filled joints should be masked off and left unpainted.
5. The pool should be coated with three coats of chlorinated rubber, allowing a minimum of 12 hours between coats.
6. The finished coating should be allowed to cure one week before filling.

Do you have the time and the energy to do all of the above?

First you will need a lot of free time on your hands.  Second, preparing and painting a pool can be back breaking, unless of course you call in the professionals.

Northland Painters carry out on-site inspections before starting pool painting projects, so why not contact them now?

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It is worth noting that Northland Painters are one of only a few NZ companies that will guarantee the paint work that they complete in swimming pools for five years.

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!