Neutral Colors

According to the color experts at Sherwin-Williams, “It’s not always warm or cool. Sometimes color falls in the middle for a hue that’s a perfect blend of both. Neutrals can take on the meaning of the colors they’re paired with or they can stand on their own. Either way, these transitional hues are tried and true thanks to their timeless appeal and versatility.”

An air of mystery surrounds this bold hue that’s commonly associated with power, elegance and an ability to coordinate with any design style. While this color is most often used as an accent, we’re starting to see it take center stage in newer design trends. Dark shades are working their way into our homes more and more to create a space that’s rich, dramatic and full of dimension. Create a contemporary look by pairing black with rich jewel tones or play up its softer side with natural wood tones and neutral furnishings.
It’s technically the absence of color, but when it comes to white, there’s more than meets the eye. Known for its light and innocence, this hue can often be viewed as simple, but a variety of tints and tones proves there’s more complexity than you’d think. Bright whites can help design a space that feels larger and spacious, while softer whites create a sense of warmth and coziness. No matter which way it’s used, this neutral provides a backdrop for endless options.
The conservative nature of this balanced shade infuses spaces with the mystery of black and the lightness of white. Lighter shades of gray can be used to achieve bright modern looks, whereas darker shades can be used to create a bolder space that’s more dramatic, but gray’s versatility doesn’t stop there. It comes in a variety of shades with undertones ranging from red to blue and everything in between.
Rounding out the warm end of the neutral spectrum is a nurturing hue that comes in a variety of tints and tones. Like its gray counterpart, beige is a great transitional color that can take on warm or cool depending on what’s surrounding it. Its natural warmth derives from brown undertones that capture the comfort and calmness that we all seek in a home.

Whatever your color choice, we can apply with all of the expert care and preparation a long-lasting paint job requires. Call the Paint Doctor 541-497-3804

Prepping for Interior Paint

To the casual observer, painting an interior room is simply a matter of dipping a brush or roller in paint and brushing/rolling it on. The reality is that a quality paint job involves a lot of preparation. If you are thinking about doing your own interior paint project, here are some of the steps involved:

1. Clear the Area

Furniture: Move all furniture out of the rooms to be painted. If moving them out isn’t possible, push them to the center of the room and cover them with plastic sheets or drop cloths. Wall Hangings: Take down pictures, mirrors, and other wall decorations. Store them safely in a different room.

2. Clean the Walls

Dust and Dirt: Wipe down the walls to remove dust and dirt. A clean surface helps the paint adhere better. Grease and Stains: Use a mild detergent to clean any greasy or stained areas, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.

3. Protect Fixtures and Floors

Outlet Covers and Light Switches: Remove cover plates from outlets and switches. Cover the exposed outlets with painter’s tape for protection. Floors: Lay down drop cloths or plastic sheets to protect floors from paint drips and spills. Secure them with painter’s tape to prevent them from shifting.

4. Address Repairs

Nail Holes and Cracks: Fill any nail holes, cracks, or dents with spackle or putty. Allow it to dry completely, then sand it smooth. Loose Wallpaper or Peeling Paint: Remove any loose wallpaper or peeling paint. Smooth the edges and sand the area to ensure a uniform surface.

5. Gather Supplies

Tools and Materials: Gather any tools or supplies you might need, such as ladders, tape, brushes, and rollers. Organize them in a convenient location. Lighting: Ensure the room has adequate lighting. If the room is dark, consider adding temporary lights so you can see your work clearly.

6. Confirm Paint Details

Confirm paint colors, coordinating colors and finish types.

7. Safety Considerations

Pets and Children: Keep pets and children out of the work area for their safety and to avoid interruptions. Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation in the rooms being painted. Open windows or use fans to help with airflow and reduce paint fumes. Ladders: Falling is a serious hazard associated with ladder work and can result in injury or death.

Alternatively, you can call the Paint Doctor and we will take care of most of the steps listed above as normal part of our scope of work, 541-497-3804

Max Monochrome

Check out this approach to interior color. Using one color for the entire room, “brings harmony and creates the impression of open space,” according to Sherwin-Williams. Notice the extent to which this concept was taken. Walls, ceiling, book case, window seat, casing and desk all in the same color. The color is Mount Etna SW 7625. We can do this. Call Mike 541-497-3804.

Photo credit: @our_edith_house via Sherwin-Williams.

Mike Nading the Paint Doctor

The very best nicknames are earned and bestowed on a person by their peers. This is definitely the case with the Paint Doctor aka Mike Nading of Albany, Oregon. Mike has worked in the paint industry for over 40 years and has earned a reputation with customers and fellow painters as the go-to guy for answers and advice about painting done right.

Much of Mike’s career in painting has been in the retail business. His paint stores in Roseburg and Albany were always fun places where homeowners felt welcome and where professional painters loved to stop by for supplies and grab a donut and a cup of coffee on the way to the job site.

Now for many years as a painting contractor, Mike has taken his trademark friendly customer service and vast knowledge of paint products, surface preparation and proper application to the places where they are needed most: the job sites and the homes of his customers.

Mike is more than willing to tackle even the toughest jobs, but there is one thing he tries to avoid at all costs: call-backs, which is why his motto “Do it right the first time” is quickly learned by everyone on his crew.

Give Mike Nading, the Paint Doctor, a call about your painting project today! 541-497-3804