I hope everyone had a great 4th. Today I’m sharing my latest design guide focusing on paint finishes.

When it comes to painting any room in your home, picking a paint color is just half the battle. The bigger challenge for many people is what paint finish to use.

The first consideration when contemplating finishes is how the room will be used by you and your family. And then deciding what type of look you want the room to have.

Just like design trends, paint finishes are also susceptible to trends. High gloss finishes are a popular look right now but classic finishes like satin and eggshell remain the most widely used paint finish in home décor.

Here’s what you need to know to pick the right finishes for your home.

Design Guide To Selecting The Right Paint Finish

Flat & Matte Finish

Flat paint finishes are available only in latex paint have a low-sheen, non-reflective surface which is great for low traffic areas, ceiling and some interior walls. This finish will provide the lowest level of sheen and is ideal for rooms that don’t require frequent washing or cleaning. Use flat finishes on older wall surfaces that may have minor flaws because the finish will not bring attention to those areas. If you ever have to wash or scrub a flat paint finish, you’ll probably remove some of the paint requiring a paint touch-up.

Flat and matte finishes are an ideal choice for the dining room, living room, powder room, guest bedroom and closets.

the image above uses a flat fnish on the walls and satin trim

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Satin and Eggshell Finish

The velvety, pearl-like appearance of satin and eggshell finishes are easier to maintain than a flat finish and perfect for high-traffic are like hallways, living rooms and bathrooms. A satin and eggshell finish is your best choice fo kitchen and bathrooms where there is some exposure to moisture. It is easy to clean a painted surface with a satin finish without fear of removing paint and destroying the wall surface.

Semi-Gloss Finish

A semi-gloss paint finish is sleek and radiant along with being highly durable, easy to wash and scrubbable. Semi-gloss finishes are ideal for high-moisture areas, trim, windows, woodwork and cabinetry. This is the paint finish I recommend for built-in bookcase wall units as well.

Gloss Finish

A few other things to keep in mind when selecting paint for your home:

always get a mildew-resistant paint formula to use in bathrooms and laundry rooms
the higher the sheen, the darker and more intense the color will be
high-gloss finishes reflect light and make imperfections more noticeable
if you desire a lacquered look, go with a high-gloss finish or buy paint specifically formulated with a lacquered finish
tone-on-tone striped wall designs are achieved by alternating between gloss and flat finishes
most finishes are available in latex and oil-based paints but latex is easier to apply than oil-based
buy supplies that are made to work with the finish you select. Oil-based and gloss finishes typically require specific brushes, rollers and tools

image source:

flat and matte–Postcards from Paris

satin–John K. Anderson Design, Simply Grove, Benjamin Moore, Benjamin Moore

semi-gloss–Benjamin Moore, World House Painting

gloss–Remodelholic, Huffington Post, Carla Aston, Domaine Home

MAGNOLIA HOME

Are you a fan of the show Fixer Upper and/or Chip and Joanna Gaines? I sure am. It’s been fun to see how Chip and Joanna Gaines have grown their business and brand over the last few years and I’m excited about Joanna’s newest product introductions, Magnolia Home Paint and Magnolia Home Furniture.

First let me talk about the paint line…

Working with KILZ, Joanna has developed an interior paint collection that include 25 signature colors available in three finishes–Matte, Eggshell and Satin. In addition to interior wall paint, there is also a Cabinetry and Furniture paint available in 2 colors in a Semi-Glass sheen. Although not inexpensive ($40-$50 per gallon), the collection includes a great range of classic colors including lots of neutrals which is definitely the trend in interior colors these days.

One of the things I like about the paint collection is that Joanna kept the line true to her brand and developed colors that are timeless and easy to decorate around. And you just had to know that there would be a color called Ship Lap in the line. My favorite colors in the collection are Wedding Band, Rainy Days and Carter Creme.

All of the colors are reminiscent of colors that have been used on Fixer Upper so it will be easy to ‘get the look’ if it fits your style.

One of my favorite homes from this season was the Carriage House. The house was designed in a neutral color palette with pops of color to keep the design interesting, warm and inviting.

Always a winning combination….Neutral walls with accent colors used on architectural details and statement furniture pieces.

I will never get tired of a white and grey kitchen. The grey adds just the right amount of warmth and depth, and keeps the entire space from feeling stark.

And gray walls in a bedroom can feel causal and elegant at the same time.

Even the design of the paint cans is representative of the Magnolia Brand and I must say it’s pretty cool.

The interior paint collection is available in a 8 oz sample cans and also in a one-gallon size. The cabinetry and furniture collection is available in a quart and one-gallon size.

If you’re interested in trying the Magnolia Paint line, the only place you can currently buy it is through the Magnolia Market shop.

Interior Paint Collection

Cabinetry and Furniture Paint Collection

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Another exciting launch for Magnolia Home happened last week with the introduction of the Magnolia Home Furniture Collection at the High Point Furniture Market. The furniture line in made up of 6 different collections, each with a distinct look. And each collection includes a range of items from bedroom furniture to living and dining room pieces.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces from the line:

This is the Traditional Double Pedestal Table and I just love the design and detail of the base.

I’m sure this Manor Straight Back Iron Canopy Bed will be a top seller for them.

And I love furniture that offers stylish storage like this Primitive Hardware Shop Dresser.

The furniture line began arriving in stores across the country last month so check your area to see it in person. Or you can view the full line here.

It’s evident from my visit to Magnolia Market last month in Waco and the new product launches from Chip and Joanna, the Magnolia Brand is here to stay. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Chip and Joanna and I’m already looking forward to the next season of Fixer Upper.