Paints (Part 1)

I was surfing the Internet for sample paints available in the market weeks ago. I chanced upon this ICI Dulux Paints website and went in to have a look. They do give free brochures and all you need to do is fill in your particulars at their website. I was surprised to received their mail a few days later as I didn't expect to have such fast response. Enclosed are the ICI Dulux Colour Inspirations 2006 and ICI Dulux Colour Concept Book. They apologized that they have ran out of Home Painting Guide and Duette Special Effects catalogues. Eventhough they sent in the 2006 copy, it is sufficient for me as reference for the time being. There are a few tips on painting that I learned from the booklet they sent to me. Here are some that I would like to share in my blog.

Visual Effect With Colours

1) How to Heighten Low Ceilings

Use light colours
White paint on a ciling is widely used to add height to a room, although any light colour wull work well. Contrast with a dark, advancing wall colour on the walls.
Extend the wall colour
Create the illusion of height by continuing the wall colour onto the cornice and skirting. Complement the effect with a ceiling in a light tone.
Camouflage details
Architectural features such as dao rails can shorten a room's proportions. Hide the problem by painting them the same colour as the wall.

2) How to Deal with Awkward Rooms

Try a one-colour scheme
With sloping ceilings, it is often difficult to decide where the wall ends and the ceiling starts. Solve this problem by treating the whole room with one colour.
Alter the shape of a room
Emphasize walss with strong advancing colour to alter the room's proportions. Make an L-shaped room feel squarer, for example, by linking opposite walls together with colour.

3) How to deal with uninteresting rooms

Highlights any features
Create visual interest by picking out details such as skirting or window frames in a contrasting colour.
Paint one wall
Alternatively, throw the proportions out of balance. Paint one wall in a different colour

4) How to add light and space to a small room

Choose Light tones
White is not the only colour to bring light and space to as a small dark room- cool light tones have a similar effect.
Paint the wall facing the window
Choose a light tone colour. A light tone colour will allow light to reflect more effectively to create a bright and airy room.
Make a flat seem larger
Small flats can appear more spacious with a single wall colour throughout. Use soft sheen finish to reflect the light and create space.