Choosing the right paint is more than just the color. I try to keep things simple by going to Sherwin Williams every time. Why? They have great service, a huge variety of colors, can match any paint color and have the best product for the tropics (in my opinion).

Sherwin Williams Emerald is my go-to paint for island living. It’s a bit more expensive per gallon but you may not need as much as other products as includes the primer.

Here’s why I love it:

• Inhibits growth of mold and mildew with anti-microbial agents

• Paint and primer in one so usually just one coat

• WASHABLE! (even flat finish)

• Low VOC (<50 g/L VOC)

• Available in Flat, Satin, Gloss

Sherwin Williams also just came out with a new product called SuperPaint® which I haven’t had a chance to try yet. They have two versions. The one with “Santizing Technology” is an EPA registered paint that kills 99.9% of Staph, E. coli, MRSA, and other bacteria. Seems like a great choice for vacation condos or rooms like kitchens, bathrooms and nurseries. The one with “Air Purifying Technology” is ZERO VOC and has a technology that reduces ongoing odors and VOC from other surfaces like carpeting, furniture and cabinets. Might be a great idea for anyone with allergies or in rooms with cooking odors, smoking or pets.

All paint brands have lots of options these days, so if your contractor prefers one brand that’s fine, just make sure to consider a paint/primer in one and an anti-microbial to prevent mold/mildew. It will save you money and extend the time between painting. Oh, and one more thing - avoid oil-based paints. If you have existing oil-based paint (often used on basedboards or doors), they can be painted over with the proper primer. Oil-based paints have higher VOC and turn yellow over time.

WHAT COLOR?

Some people love this process, other people hate it. In school, we spent months learning all the nuances of color theory - which is a lot so I won’t go into here. Here’s some simple do’s and don’ts.

• DON’T just leave the decision with your contractor unless you are just trying to match what is already there.

• DON’T try to decide color from online photos. They are great for helping you figure out the look you are going for and general color scheme. But online photos are designed for your phone, PC or TV. Paint colors in real-life will look different. Each space makes the paint look different depending on how much natural vs. artificial light you have, what time of day it is and the other materials in the room.

• DON’T decide at the paint store. Nothing about it resembles your home (I hope!) and the paint chips will look completely different elsewhere.

My best advice is to get samples of the colors you like and paint small sections on the walls in different locations in the room and see what you think at different times of the day. Or you can try this cool product Sherwin Williams Paint Samples (samplize.com) which provides large peel and stick samples - a great option if you want to avoid actually painting your wall. Some considerations:

• DO assess your color scheme. Do you have mostly warm colors (yellows, reds, browns) or is it more cool colors (greys, blues). Most designers and realtors will tell you that people prefer homes that have continuity of a common color scheme throughout.

• DO consider the other colors in the rooms you are going to paint. Your floors and wall tile need to harmonize with your paint color. So have a look at the other surfaces (floors, cabinets, carpeting, wall tile). Are they mostly warm colors (more yellow or red in them) or cool colors (more blue/gray in them). For example, acacia/koa/oak flooring/cabinets are warm. Most travertine is warm but sometimes is more grey and reads cool. Since your flooring is the other largest surface - make sure that the color works with the flooring. Try different swatches next to the flooring at different times of day - do they harmonize, are they too pink, too yellow, too blue? I’ve seen a warm creamy white paint color make a beautiful tile floor look perpetually dirty.

• DO choose neutrals. Neutrals create a backdrop for the rest of your furnishings and finishes. Save colors for specific rooms like nurseries, kids rooms and powder rooms. If you love color (yay!) - save it for your furnishings and artwork. Color is a very personal statement and can be overwhelming on walls. Also, if you are planning on selling your home, your realtor will advise painting in neutrals. Neutrals create a calmer more upscale look to any setting.

• DO choose lighter rather than darker. Lighter tones will make your space feel larger.

• DO consider current trends as your paint should last 5 years. For example, accent walls, textured paint and chair rail are considered dated. Always on trend are neutral walls - shades of white, beige, greige, grey - never go out of style with the right furnishings.

ONE LAST THING - What Finish to Use?

It used to be that eg-shell (egg-shell) or satin was the go to finish because it was easier to clean and durable in high-traffic areas. Today, matte or flat is preferred as it doesn’t have a reflective sheen. However, you must make sure it’s one of the new formulations that is washable such as Emerald® from Sherwin Williams. Your painter may still recommend eg-shell or satin, but have a look at flat again before you decide. Flat hides imperfections better and is a more current look. You can still use satin or eg-shell in your kitchen or bathroom, but I prefer flat for all other living spaces. Satin works well for trims with flat/matte walls.