September 2021 - Flowers Painting

Green With Envy: Your Guide to Interior Green Paint

Green has come a long way from the basic primary color we learned about in school. Even our Crayola box taught us that green is not simply just green, there are infinite hues from yellow-green, blue-green, teal, brownish-greens and gray-greens ranging from cool tones to warm tones and with the power to evoke a different mood and emotion.

Green paint, particularly for interior projects, brings the verdant tones of nature inside. Earthy and lighter green hues have a soothing, calming effect while deep, darker shades provide a sense of elegance and have almost a regal effect on a space. No matter which end of the spectrum, green is one of this year’s go-to paint trends. With so much versatility, and endless shades–there’s mint, lime, kelly, hunter, juniper, emerald, spring, moss, olive, and countless others to choose from–green is the perfect paint for walls, accents, trim, furniture, and more.

So how to choose a shade, and use green in a way that will make your guests go green with envy? This simple guide will show you how to use green paint and designers’ favorite green hues of 2021.

Why You Should Go Green

Our virid friend Kermit the frog once said, ‘it’s not easy being green,’ but we beg to differ. The fact of the matter is, green hues are incredibly versatile. Whether you want the softness of mint or sage, or the bold richness of emerald or jade, green brings refreshing energy to a room. Viridescent hues are lifted straight from the earth and can be used to brighten kitchens, living areas, and bedrooms or breathe new life into old furniture. Shades of green pair exceptionally well with bright, crisp whites, off-whites, and creamy neutrals for a striking look, but can also pack a punch when paired with other vibrant colors such as pinks, blues, and more.

Green is almost universally interpreted as being positive and uplifting, inspiring feelings of nature, energy, youth, freshness, and spring.

The Rules: How to Use Green Paint in 2022

The rules to using green paint? There are virtually no rules, the sky’s the limit (move over blue). While it does pair better with some colors and decor than others, green is one of those colors that can be used virtually anywhere and anytime. Green paint doesn’t have to be on the walls (although it works really well there), in fact, the latest trends show green used as an accent on everything from trim and cabinets, to interior doors, and even furniture. Choosing and styling green paint can be overwhelming so here are a few expert tips:

Dark Green-Deep forest, rich olives, hunter green, and more. Dark green makes a bold impact on walls, giving a room a cozy, soothing feeling. For this reason, use dark green in spaces where you seek comfort such as a living area or bedroom. However, the adventurous, bold depth of character of a deep green is versatile enough to be used across the home and provides a wonderful alternative to navy.
Green Gray-A modern and uplifting twist on a neutral. Gray greens mimic calming gardens and natural stone offering a restful space with a stylish freshness that goes beyond gray and white paints. These rich, earthy colors work well in well-lit spaces, bringing the outdoors inside. These almost meditative hues can be used in any space, but work particularly well for bedrooms, baths, or as an accent on interior doors, cabinetry, or trim.
Mint Green- Trendy, somewhat retro, and completely livable, mint greens are soothing and work in many different combinations. Mint is a vibrant, happy color that works best in a room that gets a lot of sunlight.
Yellow- Green- These hues offer a more lively effect than their sage and mint counterparts which tend to be a bit more subdued. Vibrant and springlike, even the most subtle shade has a happy, energetic kick to it. A bright green such as this will add a bright, cheerful feeling to the space. Use it as an accent wall, on flooring, or to bring new life to furniture. These pair well with crisp whites, pinks, and blues to really bring the feelings of spring inside.

Green works well layered with different shades within the same family to give depth and interest to a project.

Fifty Shades of Green and Beyond

With so many combinations and shades, and endless possibilities, we have compiled a list of favorite green paint shades trending in 2021:

Farrow & Ball (No. 47) Green Smoke- a medium-dark smokey green, Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball is one of the most popular green paints this year. This versatile, calming shade works well in numerous spaces and with a variety of decors.
Benjamin Moore Aegean Teal- The 2021 Benjamin Moore color of the year, this elegant shade of teal creates balance and natural harmony in any room.
Sherwin Williams Sea Salt- A lighter green, and more of a neutral, this shade will work well in rooms with varying amounts of light.
Sherwin Williams Rainwashed- A medium-light green tone with a slight bluish base may appear slightly more teal in certain lighting. A subtle, but powerful green vibe becomes striking against crisp white, or calming and subdued with creamy ivory.
Sherwin Williams Dried Thyme- A medium-dark olive, this shade is a great accent color for cabinets, doors, or accent walls. It looks vibrant paired with whites for a clean, crisp look. However, it also stands strong with more subtle neutrals, beiges, grays, and stone for a relaxing aesthetic.
Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay- This neutral green works well everywhere. This “almost gray” shows its true color best against stark whites for a strong, but not overwhelming pop of green.
PPG Paints All About Olive- A darker olive paint color with a viney undertone. An ideal choice as an accent for the exterior of your home or front door. As an interior paint, this shade pairs well with rich jewel tones.

Choosing the Green for You

Of course, there are many, many other options of green paint to choose from, the possibilities are truly endless. When choosing what green to use, first, decide on the mood and tone you want to project in your space. How do you want the green to appear? Is it the focal point or an accent? Where is green being used?

Exterior- Greens are a great way to connect and manage spaces between buildings and the environment. Play with tonality to bridge the gap between building walls and their surroundings.
Bedroom- Choose a hue that you’re drawn to. Soothing shades work well in this setting, especially more pastel colors that can be motivating and help encourage restfulness and reduce anxiety. Avoid bold, dark colors that make the room feel confined.
Kitchen- Springlike yellow-greens work well in the kitchen. Paired with crisp, clean white or complementary blues a vibrant yellow-green can bring freshness and energy to your kitchen. Sea glass, teal, mint, and neutral greens such as sage are also great options for a kitchen aesthetic.
Living Room- Green paint can bring a lively energy to your living space. Choose a tone based on the feelings you want to bring out in this space. For a more calm, relaxing setting choose more subtle, subdued greens, gray-greens, or neutral tones. To inspire energy or richness head for deep olives, dark green, and jewel tones.

Tools like Sherwin Williams ColorSnap® can help narrow the search further, preview the finished space using the room visualizer tool to help you decide on the perfect shade. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few selections, bring samples home to test on the actual walls or cabinets to make sure the undertones work well with your natural lighting and fit well with your existing furniture and decor.

Next, buy your paint. Visit a trusted paint retailer to discuss your project. A consultation with the professionals can help you determine the right sheen, product, and how much you’ll need to complete the job. If you’re not the do-it-yourself type, a professional residential painting service, like Flowers Painting can work with you to provide professional painting services. Book your free consultation with Flowers Painting or use any of our online tools to begin your journey with green paint.

About Flowers Painting

Flowers Painting is a full-service interior painting company that services the entire Charlotte metro area including Mooresville, Huntersville, Davidson, Concord, Rock Hill, and more. We recently added our second location in Winston-Salem, NC, and service the entire Winston-Salem area, including Kernersville, High Point, Clemmons, Rural Hall, Tabaccoville and more. Flowers Painting provides full painting services including color consulting, interior painting, faux finishing, textured walls, cabinet refinishing, interior stairs, handrails, and more. To see pictures of our finished work be sure to visit our website gallery.

September 22, 2021/by Jeremy Flowers

Ways to Use Chalkboard Paint at Home and at Work

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Chalkboard paint gives a creative license to transform and personalize your home in an inexpensive way. The possibilities are endless for using chalkboard paint, not to be confused with chalky finish paint, a color coat paint with a soft, matte-like finish often used to repurpose furniture for a modern antiqued look. Chalkboard paint on the other hand turns any surface into a writing slate for a unique and modern decor idea.

Shopping for Chalkboard Paint

Chalkboard paint is available in a dry powder or premixed form. Premixed chalkboard paint is relatively inexpensive and easy to use. It will not leave as smooth a surface as actual slate or slate-substitute chalkboards, so make sure you check the texture of the wall or surface you plan to paint first to avoid a bumpy chalkboard. Be prepared that chalkboard paint will not be as deep black as an actual chalkboard, so plan to buy enough paint for at least two coats and know that over time, you’ll occasionally need to revive with a fresh coat of paint.

Does it have to be black? No way! Benjamin Moore has chalkboard paint in thousands of colors and Rust-Oleum offers a clear chalkboard finish topcoat that can be applied over top of any paint to give it a chalkboard finish! Or if you prefer to make your own, you can choose from any of your favorite paint brands and colors using a few household ingredients, acrylic paint, and grout.

Chalkboard finish paint is available at most retailers where paint is sold and is very affordable at around $10 for a 30oz. can.

Using Chalkboard Paint for Adult Spaces

Usually, when you think of anything to do with a chalkboard, the feeling is very reminiscent of a child’s classroom, and kids’ spaces and furniture immediately come to mind. While we love the idea of a chalkboard finish for a child’s dresser drawers, or desktop there are plenty of creative and sophisticated ways to use chalkboard paint for adult spaces.

Create a Gallery Wall in a Home Office

Chalkboard paint makes small spaces look bigger. Using chalkboard paint to transform a small nook in a home office space into a unique workspace.

Create a Custom Kitchen Backsplash or Menu Wall

What’s for dinner? Choose an accent wall in the kitchen to display tonight’s feature. Adorn with colored drawings of the main dish, or simply let the family know what’s cooking. Get creative with a chic cooking space with a modern, customizable backsplash using chalkboard paint. This convenient writing slate offers a great place to leave fun notes, or jot down your grocery list.

Create Freestanding or Hanging Chalkboards-

There is no rule saying you have to paint an entire wall. Chalkboard paint is a great way to repurpose an old ornate mirror or picture frame into a unique and fun piece of decor for any room.

Create an Inviting, Custom Entryway-

Wow your guests as they enter your home with changeable artwork that goes with the seasons. Or use chalkboard paint in the mudroom to label where everyone’s belongings should be put away. Leave notes for the kids as they head off to school every day, or keep a list of the day’s activities.

Create Creative Cabinet Doors-

From pantry doors, to kitchen cabinets, under the bathroom sink transform any cabinet door into a space to create art, or label the contents. For pantry doors use the chalkboard as a running grocery store list, or an itemized menu of the contents behind the doors. Conceal the refrigerator with modern, chic cabinets ordained with chalkboard paint.

Create a Modern Wet Bar Chalkboard Wall-

Display the house cocktail or the drink of the day with a chalkboard accent complete with shelves to display your libations and drinkware. Create a coffee bar using the same idea.

The possibilities are truly endless with a little creativity and inspiration.

Painting with Chalkboard Paint: The Do’s and Don’ts

Chalkboard paint can be used on a variety of surfaces from walls, doors, and cabinets, to flower pots, mirrors, picture frames, furniture, wine bottles and glassware, plates, and more. All materials from drywall to wood, glass, metal, and ceramic can be painted with a chalkboard finish. To effectively create a chalkboard piece or wall, first thoroughly clean the surface. Remove any existing paint, smooth the surface by sanding, and rinse with water allowing the surface to fully dry before painting.

For best results, do not apply chalkboard paint to any surface that has cracks or imperfections. Chalkboard paint is not as thick as latex interior paint, therefore, will not fill in any surface flaws. To avoid an uneven finish, repair with wood filler, or putty and then sand with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. For particularly rough or porous surfaces, prime first before applying the chalkboard paint.

Now to paint.

Bring the chalkboard paint to room temperature
Shake or stir the paint until well mixed
Pour a small amount of paint into a paint tray and let any air bubbles settle
Use a roller to apply the paint in an even layer to your wall or on the surface you’re working with
Repeat for at least two coats
Allow each layer to dry for no less than 24 hours

Lastly, condition the chalkboard. After the chalkboard paint dries completely, use the edge of a piece of chalk and rub lightly, then rub the chalk into the surface with a clean cloth. This creates an off-black, gray look.

Wipe clean and you’re ready to write, draw, and get creative! So go ahead, write on the walls–we won’t stop you.