Painting Your Walls

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SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
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The landlord paid for a most of the build-out, so I’m sure that the contractors used the cheapest paint they could find. It was an eggshell burgundy. It was a little too bright for showing paintings, and if you looked at the paint funny, you would leave a mark. I repainted three times. It took me two days, and a half a dozen trips to the paint store to get the color right. I think I was starting to go blind.

Well, I finally got a deep burgundy eggshell color that I am happy with, and the quality is much better. It occurred to me that what kind of paint you use and how important the wall color is in your shop might make a good subject to discuss. Do you like eggshell or flat’s and why? I am using the eggshell for it’s durability, but I have fluorescent light fixtures, which reflect some blue light I don’t like. I not going to repaint anytime soon, but I am curious if flat paint would look better?

My gallery’s colors are cream with burgundy accent walls and carpet.
 
Less, the eggshell will give you easier upkeep, and has better washability, but, especially in the deeper colors, the flat gives more depth to the color, or that's what they taught me in architecture school. The light colors you wanted some shine so that the light bounced off of it. Dark colors look better flat, as it gives them more of a "velvet" type look, and doesn't bounce the light back at you or give any shine to it. Hence a richer, deeper color effect.
 
This is sort of off the topic, but really cool when it comes to paint. I did a wall in my house with a Ralph Lauren suede paint. It's a sage color and looks FANTASTIC!!!! It would make an incredible accent wall in a gallery/shop and looks very rich! It's not too hard to do (just read the instructions) and everyone who sees it loves it.

Just a thought slightly off kilter, kinda like me.
 
I just have to ask, what is eggshell burgundy? It sounds like two very different colors to me.
 
Use flat paints anywhere where you desire non-glossy ceilings or walls. Flats tend to hide imperfections in walls better than other paints. Note, however, that flat paints take more effort to keep clean than other paints.

Satin and Eggshell paints have more of a luster than flat paint but not as much as semi-gloss. Low luster paints, as they are called, are suitable for areas that require more cleaning. Children's rooms, family rooms, and hallways are good areas to use low luster paints.

Semi-gloss paints tend to hi-light imperfections in walls and ceilings. They are better suited for areas subject to high moisture content and where regular or vigorous cleaning is required. Consider using semi-gloss in bathrooms and kitchens.

Gloss paints make excellent trim paints. Banisters, railings, jambs and window trim are great areas to use gloss paints.

From - http://www.repair-home.com/info/paint_guide.htm
 
One noteworthy, non-aesthetic aspect of wall paint is the possibility of its UV absorbtion.
Paints that absorb uv will not reflect it. One
component that one can look for is titanium
dioxide (titanium white) which does absorb UV
and may be used in lighter paint formulae. An
absorber will also protect the polymers in the
paint, itself.

Hugh
 
After years of dealing with nailholes, scuffs, dirt and hating to paint, I carpeted the walls of my store when I moved in four years ago. There is onlty about 6" above the carpeting, one addition, and an area in the front where the windows are that will need to be painted, if I ever decide to paint again. Corner samples stick to it, so I can put samples anywhere I want, which is just about everywhere.
 
I painted my walls very vibrant colors. It really sets the tone for the style of my shop. But, both colors are very hard to work with art. I have a deep purple in flat finish on two walls. Just like Less said, you just look at it and it leaves a mark. Then I chose a bright limey green for the other two walls. That color hides scuffs etc. but, boy is it hard to show artwork on it. In fact I have a sample I bought from LJ last year of Washington crossing the Delaware that got moved to that wall last month just to fill a vancancy. I am looking at it right now and I can't tell you how awful it looks with the lime green behind it. So, I have to orchestrate whatever art I hang up with the colors of the walls. Neutral would have been better, but on the other hand part of the look of my store is the vibrant color.
 
We also went with the "Ralph Lauren" sued type faux finish look. In our case its a blue color with grit in the paint. We feathered it in X patterns with a paintbrush to get the desired look. The key was to tint the PRIMER to the same shade. (I did the same thing at the house a year earlier and it took NINE COATS before it looked good. This one is great with 1 coat of primer and 1 of the paint).

There have been several compliments on the paint, and 2 people asked if we would be willing to do it in their homes. Andy sent them off to Home Depot, which is where we found it.

Mike
 
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