Embrace the Matte: Paint Sheen Makes ALL the Difference!
This is a Before | After shot from one of our listings in Regis. Check out that ceiling in the before! The “before” paint is a taupe eggshell paint with green undertones, and our “after” is a bright, matte white. All the imperfections melt away and you look at the space, not the drywall seams or orange peel texture.
Let's talk about one of my home design pet peeves — shiny paint on walls. A glossy finish may seem like a good idea, but let's reconsider. The shinier the paint, the more imperfections it shows. Every dent, mark, or uneven texture is under a microscope. Unless you have truly smooth, perfect walls, flat or matte paint will serve you better! I know dads love eggshell, but let’s save it for the bathroom and not sacrifice style. Sorry, dads.
Matte Magic for Walls:
Flat or Matte for everyday elegance: It's forgiving when it comes to hiding those inevitable bumps and marks and lets the eye travel to design choices vs imperfections. Especially in older homes, flat and matte paints will hide the sins of a thousand misplaced nails holes. Even with newer homes, shiny paint will accentuate your orange peel, and, let’s face it, that’s not a feature.
Bathroom Wisdom:
Eggshell in the bathroom: If your bathroom lacks proper ventilation, eggshell is acceptable. It’s durable with just a subtle sheen, handling moisture without sacrificing style.
Trim and Unusual Paint Adventures:
Satin or Semi-Gloss for trim: When it comes to trim, satin or semi-gloss is an extra-polished (pardon the pun) way to go. It adds importance to trim, moldings, and carpentry and makes architectural details feel elevated.
High Gloss for the bold: Feeling audacious? In specific circumstances, a high-gloss finish can be undeniably cool. Embrace it selectively for a statement moment, but never use it unless you’re certain the details are perfect — otherwise you’ll be showcasing those flaws.
The Touch-Up Dilemma:
While shiny walls may seem easier to clean, flat or matte paint is generally more forgiving to touch up.
Happy Decorating! For more tips on giving your home a fresh look, reach out. And to check out more Before | After transformations, click here!
