Paint,Paint,Paint!

Paint, Paint and Paint!

I have spent the last few weeks looking at houses with my family and was reminded of one of the carnal sins of many sellers when listing a home.

Before you do anything major, first remove all traces of your personal choices in paint. I know, we love our yellows, blues, pinks and greens. Once your home goes on the market to be sold, it is no longer yours, and it is a house not a home.

You must allow the buyer coming in to your house to imagine the possibilities, a clean slate. Color has a tendency to bombard the mind; they will look at your colors and will think of nothing else. They will not see your great moldings they will see your pheasant patterned wallpaper (price range always plays a role; middle of the market buyers will appreciate neutral walls).

I urge everyone planning to sell a home this year in a market this tough,  to paint, it freshens everything and gives your home a magical lift.

Please stick to neutrals. If there is an emergency and you need to sell your home quickly without doing much, having neutral walls will put you and your family in good stead. Think about the future when making choices.

We have used many different paint brands over the years. Designers and homeowners agree that the best brands are:

Benjamin Moore

Farrow and Ball

Pratt and Lambert

Benjamin Moore offers many color combinations of white, beige, tan and gray.

Benjamin Moore

Test the paint samples on the wall a few days before making a commitment.

Ensure that your furniture will coordinate with picks; any neutral should work with most furniture.

Do not forget the color is more intense on the wall versus in the can.

Here are some of the best picks for neutrals and whites

For Walls

1. Oxford White #869- Benjamin Moore
2. Glacier White #AC-40 – Benjamin Moore
3. Decorators White – Benjamin Moore.
4. White Dove by Benjamin Moore- A favorite white of my husband, he even uses the gloss for trim and moldings. A true white.
5. White Tie #oc-17 Farrow and Ball

For Walls

Neutrals (tans, plus)

1. Manchester Tan #HC-81 - Benjamin Moore
2. String (taupe) #8- Farrow and Ball
3. Horizon (gray) - Benjamin Moore
4. Bunny Gray #2124-50 Benjamin Moore
5. Ocean Air (Light Blue) #2123-50 Benjamin Moore
6. November Rain #2142-60(putty) - Benjamin Moore
7. Lookout Home (khaki green and pale blue) Lookout Point # 1646- Benjamin Moore.

Invest in good paint brushes, ask your local Benjamin Moore store for top brands.

Happy Painting!