How to Apply the Hot Color of 2010 in Your Home

Professor Paint offers pointers for painting and decorating with green

By: Jeff Hester

In the paint world, green is both hot as a color and a move towards earth friendly products. With the public consciousness at fever pitch about the earth, it’s not surprising that the design experts are touting green as the hot color for home design in 2010. For homeowners who care about the environment and want to stay in sync with fashion, here are some tips for incorporating green into your home in the New Year:

• Use color in a warm way. Muted greens with a soft overglaze can create an atmosphere every bit as cozy as a warm palette can. Explore finishes such as Venetian plaster that convey depth and old-world richness.

• Mix and match shades. Unlike reds and oranges, which tend to compete when used together, green is versatile and works nicely with other greens. Try combining a deep hunter green with a pale celery. The effect is harmonious.

• Stay simple and economical. You don’t have to paint your entire home, or even an entire room. Find a fresh green you like, and apply it to just one wall for a result that is eye-catching and easy on the budget.

• Ring in the new but keep the old. Green is hot for 2010, but no need to phase out the colors of 2009; golden ambers and sunny yellows are still popular and bright – especially in kitchens, kids’ bedrooms and play areas. Natural colors tend to mesh nicely together in a room with other natural colors. Try a splash of burnt sunset orange or daffodil yellow with a grassy meadow green.

Whether doing the painting themselves or hiring a painting company or contractor, homeowners should look for low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints. Low VOC paints release fewer particles into the air and produce less odor than paints with high VOC content. While some states have outlawed further production of paint with high VOC content due to its negative impact on the environment, others still allow the sale of high VOC paint, so make sure to read the labels.

When painting with the color of the New Year, make sure that your green is truly as green as possible.

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