Latex Paint
DIY, Inside In-faux, Loose Change October 30th, 2008I’ve been thinking a lot about latex paint lately. (You know, I think that first sentence really shows what a paint nerd I am. Wish I could say “I’ve been thinking about my upcoming world tour lately”…but nooooooo. Latex paint for this chick.) Here’s the deets.
1) Normally, we use acrylic colors or universal tints to color our glazes — but rarely regular paint. I find that it gives a “muddier” look and when a bit off, I used to have to buy a whole other quart and hope that the new color was a winner. (That was before I learned how to tint. Color Theory classes are invaluable and I highly recommend them to anyone who hasn’t taken one. It saves money and there is a certain joy at being able to create custom colors at will.) Saying that, I have found and used a color regularly throughout the years and it’s a winner. The name is Steady Brown and it is Sherwin-Williams 6110 — we used it again recently and it really nice. A close Benjamin Moore color is Valley Forge Brown (HC-74) but I haven’t tested that one out yet. Here’s an older sample board using the Steady Brown as a light overglaze (at a 1:5 ratio).
2) I love Benjamin Moore colors but since I have a Sherwin-Williams super close, I usually use their colors as base paints. They have this cool thing called Color To Go and it’s a satin quart used to allow everyone to test their color choices. The best thing? $4.99/quart. It’s not meant to be used to base a wall professionally but for color testing and sample-making? Fantastic — especially when a regular quart can set you back $10 - $12! You can see my growing collection…
3) I purchased a book recently and with it came a coupon for a free year of Better Homes & Gardens. Not my first choice for a shelter magazine, but free is free. My first issue was in September and I found myself enjoying it. After the second issue, I think I’ve narrowed down my fave bit to the All About Color monthly column, dedicated to recommending gorgeous paint shades. I rather like their layouts (…and hmmm…that gray looks familiar).
There you have it — my latest thoughts on latex paint. I hope you can handle this much excitement, LOL!
October 30th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I get excited by paints and tints! Nice SW collection, and impressively orderly.
October 30th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
I knew we were kindred spirits. I have a color to go collection that almost rivals your own. I too discovered that not using latex paint in glaze is better. Too bad it only took me forever to figure that out! I have my own go to color similar to yours but I’m gonna try your color because I’m bored with mine. For the steady brown, do you just use it as a sample to work from or do you put the latex version into the glaze?
October 31st, 2008 at 8:52 am
Lucinda: We try to keep them orderly, emphasis on “try”, LOL!
Gipson: It took me a while, too.
For the Steady Brown glaze, I do use the latex version since I worry that the Color to Go may not be strong enough for durability on the wall, even with a quality glaze. I pretty much use the Color to Go-s for sample base painting only. BTW, what was your color? I’d love to test another tried-and-true one!
October 31st, 2008 at 11:36 am
It’s actually a teak on a Lasting Impressions color called Topaz. I love there line of glazes but they are extremely thin which is usually a good thing, but for a richer effect I used that color and amped it up a little with my tint kit and sherwin williams made a batch based on that color with their glaze. They keep it on file for me. It’s one of those, when all else fails I know they’ll love this color type of things and the price point on the glaze can’t be beat. I wish I had a better answer. Sorry! I call it Liquid Gold because it’s money in a can!