Using Whites

There is no colour more universally used for interiors than white. It is still the most popular shade of paint but also one of the trickiest to get right. White helps to lighten sun starved spaces and can make small rooms magically appear large.

This month we will show you how to decide on the right white shade for your room and things to consider when using whites. Trends expert and Interior Designer Marylou Paino from trendjournal (www.trendjournal.com.au) will give us her expert advice on how to make whites work in your space.

Expert Tips

Marylou Paino, one of Australia’s leading trend forecasters and interiors experts, shares her tips on how to get whites right.

"White is one of the most versatile colours in our colour palette. You can use an all white palette in your room and add a subtle mix of textures to it such as matte walls, glossy tiles and surface materials to create a visually appealing space. White works well against the texture of timber floors and metallic accessories. White can also be used as the feature colour in a darker palette. When you are choosing which paint shade of off white to use, you need to view all of your options together. The true nature of whites can only be seen when you look at them side by side."

Using Cool Whites

Cool whites are those tinted with cooler colours such as green, blue and black. Cool white colour schemes give an air of elegance to all white rooms. They are extremely popular at the moment.

Cool whites work well in modern spaces filled with an abundance of natural light. Always ensure that if you are using a cool white - that the room has plenty of sunlight and warmth. Cool whites look wonderful contrasted against glossy surfaces and man made materials such as stainless steel, metallic paints and glass. They work well with bright, pure colours such as violet, fuschia and bright blue.

Always make sure that your white has a tint of colour in it. Pure white is difficult to live with and can make a room feel stark and harsh. A touch of black or blue will make the colour much easier to live with. Cool whites look great contrasted with warm chocolate coloured timbers, grey colours and blue tones

Using Warm Whites

Warm whites are those tinted with colours such as red and yellow. They warm up rooms that do not receive much natural light and can inject a feeling of warmth and intimacy into a bland room.

Warm whites work best in older style homes and with all tones of timber. Warm whites are easy on the eye and make for relaxing and restful adult retreats and quiet areas. Warm whites work best with earthy oranges and reds, chocolate browns and beige, neutral tones.

If you can’t quite face tackling your paint job, Paint Place can help arrange for professional painters to come out to your home and quote on doing the hard work for you.

Products

Shimmery Features

New Look Metallic Shimmer is a wonderful product to use to contrast white colour schemes.

It adds a different dimension through a subtle pearl effect. Metallic Shimmer has a wonderful lustre with silvery highlights that appear as the light catches the surface. It is easy to use, with the effect created through each brushstroke. Try dragging it for a soft, brushed silk effect, or use a cross weave for a more dramatic effect. It is available in 28 colours. Just ask the experts at your local Paint Place for a Decorative Effects Colour Card to take home. New Look is manufactured by Wattyl exclusively for Paint Place.

	Colour of the Month *A daring red colour like New Look Flight can add drama to an entrance hall or feature area when combined with a crisp white.* Mix white with a pop colour such as New Look Amoroso in small doses. Alternatively try New Look Liverpool or Debonnaire for a refined and traditional scheme with washed white timbers and crisp white bed linen.

Offer

Don't just give your interiors a makeover; take care of your outdoor area too: your deck! Cabot's Aquadeck will give your deck a beautiful natural finish that will last twice as long as traditional decking oils.

It can be recoated in 3 hours and once the job is done you can wash up in water. Easy!

The easiest way to clean and restore new or weathered timber before coating is with Cabot's Deck Clean. It will ensure your deck is totally free of dust, dirt, wax, grease, tannins or oil before applying your top coat, which will guarantee you get the best finish you can enjoy for years.

Print out and present this coupon at your nearest Paint Place store and you’ll get 1 litre of Cabot’s Deck Clean (valued at approximately $14) free when you buy 4 litres of Cabot's Aquadeck.*

Click here for an easy to follow step-by-step guide to coating your deck with Cabots.

News

New Look All White Collection Colour Card

Paint Place introduces a collection of the latest shades of whites.

With 20 colours to choose from ranging from crisp whites to grey based whites and creams, this collection will be your essential decorating tool.

For a copy of the New Look Interior & Exterior All White Collection colour card, pop into your closest Paint Place store.