When selecting an interior paint most likely you wonder about which type and brand to purchase. Once you have gotten over the hurdle of choosing a color, there are some important facts to consider in selecting your paint type. You may take your color swatches to any retailer and purchase whichever brand you prefer. With the computer color matching systems available today your color swatch is all that is needed. (The retailers all steal each others color codes.) You really just need a one inch square for the paint to be matched. Today, you can even bring a piece of fabric to be color matched! Just expect to wait a little while for your mix to be completed.

When dealing with interior paint it is not the brand that matters so much as the sheen.

Flat Paint
No Sheen/Difficult to Wash
Hides any wall imperfections
Always use on ceilings ~Not a good choice for walls especially if there are children in the home.

Eggshell
Slight sheen/Washes Well
Hides most wall imperfections
Great for high traffic areas
My sheen of choice

Satin
Fairly High Sheen/Extremely Washable
Wall imperfections will show
Only recommend for very high traffic areas
Typically used in baths and kitchens

Semi-Gloss
High Sheen/Extremely Durable
Not a good choice for wall surfaces
Every wall imperfection will show!
Often recommended for baths and kitchens. (Not necessary)
Great choice for painting furniture pieces

Gloss
Extremely High Sheen
Never use this sheen on your walls
Great choice for doors and trim
Perfect for furniture pieces

Julie Rieman is an accomplished instructor in the arts of faux painting and interior redesign.. She offers two and four day classroom or online interior redesign training. If you live in the Twin Cities area, you can invite Julie into your home for a personalized consultation. For more information about any of her decorating services and training opportunities please visit http://www.allaboutredesign.com and http://www.allaboutwalls.net