Changes to decor for different area of the country

lessonlearned

If you can, try and visit one of the large diy sheds. Dulux now have a section where they have three different kinds of light bulb set up. you can place a colour swatch underneath and see the different effect that each light bulb produces. The different effects are very marked.

Light affects colour as does a rooms orientation and yes light does differ across the Uk, which is why artists flock to places like St Ives and Newlyn in Cornwall. Coastal light has always been beloved by artists.

A house that is near water will usually appear to have more light than one in a built up city or in the depths of a forest.

One paint that might interest you is the Dulux light and space range. the blurb has it that the paint contains light reflecting particles. I have used it and it worked very well in a small bedroom. The colour palette is limited but you might find something you like.

Meanwhile there are lots of ways you can create the illusion of more light, for example a mirror placed at right angles to a window. Also chose pale floor coverings and if possible furniture, worktops with light reflecting surfaces rather than dense materials and colours which soak up light. Think shiny shiny.

However I wouldn't advise shiny walls and ceilings such as silk finsih emulsion. Silk finsih emulsion shows every lump and bump and imperfection in your plaster work.

Blinds might be a better option than curtains. If you prefer curtains then extend the curtain pole at least six Inches beyond the window frame so that you can draw the curtains back to reveal the full expanse of window.

sgun

Crown "mimosa" looks quite white but comes out warm and is less creamy coloured than magnolia, much brighter. It goes well with warm reds and greens as well as natural wood.

For rooms with more light coming in, south facing, I can get away with Jasmine White (Dulux) but that does work better with bolder colours.

Lord_Baltimore

Magnolia. I love it. There's a reason developers use it so much.

seven-day-weekend

We have painted our bungalow white (In fact my husband spray-painted it when it was empty, just to get some paint on the walls). As we have moved the furniture in the white looks great, it look light and airy. It is more or less N-S facing (the living room south, the kitchen north, one bedroom facing each direction), but never appears dark or cold. I think this may be because it has large windows and glazed doors in the lounge and kitchen so that the light can get all the way through. As we brighten it up with pictures and other accessories it looks really good.


The quality of light does change as you go north, we are in the Midlands so do get some warm light.

moneyistooshorttomention

Well...you are the second person to comment that the light is actually different in different parts of the country.

I really thought I must be imagining it or its just the fact the skies are grey more often than I'm used to (all that extra rain here...as someone said to me once "I've never heard of Welsh Water doing a hosepipe ban yet...."). That doesn't surprise me:rotfl:

lessonlearned

Sorry to hijack the thread, Money

SDW. I'm interested in the spray painting..

I'm thinking of getting one for our next project.

Just a quick question....did you use it on new bare plaster. How was it.

Is it very messy, do you have to cover windows, remove doors etc I'm guessing because it's a fine mist the particles get into the air - a bit like dust? And leaves a fine film everywhere?

moneyistooshorttomention

Its okay LL - I'll let ya...:rotfl:

The thought that crossed my mind first on spray painting was to wonder whether there was a safe way to do that from a persons pov (ie wearing mask across nose etc) and hope it wouldn't be a hazardous thing to do.

bouicca21

How different we are. The first thing that crossed my mind was how much skill it required not to make a mess ...

seven-day-weekend

lessonlearned wrote: »

Sorry to hijack the thread, Money

SDW. I'm interested in the spray painting..

I'm thinking of getting one for our next project.

Just a quick question....did you use it on new bare plaster. How was it.

Is it very messy, do you have to cover windows, remove doors etc I'm guessing because it's a fine mist the particles get into the air - a bit like dust? And leaves a fine film everywhere?

I believe the short answer to everything you have said is 'yes'.


I'll speak to my husband for a longer answer and get back to you.

seven-day-weekend

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I believe the short answer to everything you have said is 'yes'.


I'll speak to my husband for a longer answer and get back to you.

Right. He had a COMPLETELY empty house. Doors off, no kitchen units in. Anything that is in, that you don't want painted white, you have to cover, sealing the edges of the covering to the wall with strong tape otherwise the paint will get in.


He did it straight onto new plaster, but diluted the first coat of paint. He did a two bedroom bungalow, all walls and ceilings, with three coats, in two days.


He wore the appropriate mask and in fact worn disposable overalls with a hood so that he didn't get himself sprayed white

A faff, but very quick and looks terrific .


Hope this helps.