Date:  May 26, 2015  |   Photography: Courtesy of Designers  |   Producer: Ashley Gill  |  

JILL’S TOP PAINT POINTERS

Vary your paint texture accordingly. I like to use a latex eggshell finish for the wall color, semi-gloss oil for the trim and cabinetry, and a latex flat finish for the ceiling.

Add drama in small doses. Be daring with paint colors in small rooms, such as powder baths, foyers, or studies. These are rooms you’re in for limited amounts of time, so you can “turn up the volume” with color and pattern and not tire of it too quickly.

Use muted tones for longevity. True reds, yellows, blues, and greens should be avoided for walls and used only in accents, such as art, furniture, pillows, and upholstery. Wall colors that stand the test of time are muted—not too pure.

Know your goal. In spaces that are more modern, I usually paint the walls, ceiling, and trim the same color to create a clean feeling. In more classic rooms, I will paint the trim a lighter tone than the walls. I rarely paint the trim darker than the walls. This is not a design no-no—some people love it—but it’s just a look that I typically do not prefer.

Jill Lawrence, J. Lawrence Design, Little Rock, (501) 804-2391, jlawrencedesign.com

JILL’S TOP PAINT POINTERS

Keep it neutral. My favorite wall color is white. I think a neutral palette allows furnishings and accessories to be highlighted. It also creates a clean, easy, minimal, and ethereal aesthetic.

Choose your wall color LAST! Never start designing a room from a paint chip. Your starting point should be something you love—art, a rug, a pillow, or tile. Select your paint color to complement your décor.

Buy samples. A sample can of paint costs less than $10. Try out the color you’re considering by painting a large square on the wall of the room and look at it at different times of day—morning, noon, and night—with different light sources.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Unlike so many other elements of your home’s interior, paint is an inexpensive way to make a change, especially when compared with something like a custom-upholstered sofa. Feel free to get creative!

Jill White, Jill White Designs, Little Rock, (501) 282-9856

STACY’S TOP PAINT POINTERS

Keep your color palette consistent throughout your home. I don’t mind several paint choices, but it’s important that they flow.

Consider your space FIRST. The size of a room, the amount of natural light, and ceiling height are all very important factors in determining how a color will impact the design of a space.

Compare paint samples with existing fabrics. Take a look at the paint alongside your upholstered pieces and drapes—a paint color can change the look drastically. Looking at everything in the space together can save you a lot of wasted time, money, and hand-wringing.

FURNITURE: TO PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT?

Yes! Paint! Growing up in Arkansas, especially in a furniture store, it seemed like a sin to paint a piece of honey-hued oak. But it’s a great way to get a new look out of an outdated piece.