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" The ultimate dramatic quick-fix, paint is also the most affordable tool in a designer&amp;#039;s bag of tricks and the easiest for homeowners to tackle on their own. However, venturing into any paint or home-improvement store and navigating through jam-packed aisles of paint products can be overwhelming, driving even the most hue-hearty back to an all-neutral safety zone. The thing to do is plan ahead and stay focused. &amp;quot;You have to be prepared when you walk into a paint store. If you aren&amp;#039;t, it can turn out to be like when you&amp;#039;re hungry and go grocery shopping,&amp;quot; advises Gretchen Schauffler, artist and founder of Devine Color, an Oregon paint manufacturer. Here&amp;#039;s what you need know to find the perfect paint products that will make it easy to take a fearless dive into the technicolor deep-end. How To Be a Smart Shopper Finding the Right Paint Store \u2022 Go to a store where color and paint experts are available to channel your vision. \u2022 Make the retailer earn your business. If they aren&amp;#039;t being attentive or offering informed suggestions, move on to the next store. Before You Shop \u2022 Have a color in mind and a plan for where to put it. \u2022 Find pictures, fabrics or ideas that represent the color you&amp;#039;re after to bring to the store.  Selecting a Brand \u2022 Explore many different brands that offer your color range. If you&amp;#039;re captivated by an unexpected color, entertain it only after you&amp;#039;ve explored the choices that meet the plan. \u2022 Once you find a color, stay with that color&amp;#039;s brand; you might not get the exact same tint or finish elsewhere. \u2022 Ask for samples and make sure the paint chips are made from real paint. You may not get the color you want from samples without actual paint. Take advantage of oversized poster paint chips or the 16- ounce samplers that retailers can provide. Choosing a Paint Type  There&amp;#039;s more to paint than just picking a color. Matching type and finish to the selected surface ensures that the paint job will stand the test of time. Basically, there are two types of paint from which to choose: latex (water-based) or oil-based.  Latex paints are ideal for most interiors, especially large surfaces like walls and ceilings, because they&amp;#039;re low-odor and cleanup is easy with soap and water. Latex paints also resist fading even when exposed to bright sun so they stay looking fresh longer. They go on smoothly and evenly; and usually dry in one- six hours so multiple coats can be done within a short timespan. Oil-based paints contain alkyd, a resin that dries harder than latex, so they&amp;#039;re smart picks for surfaces that take a beating like trims and doors because they&amp;#039;re quite durable and usually cover in a single coat. Oil-based paints may fade in bright sun and can tend to chalk. They can be bit tricky to apply because they go on heavier and may drag slightly; but they provide better one-coat coverage and hiding than latexes tend to do. Oil-based paints are higher odor so ventilation is a must. Because they&amp;#039;re solvent-based, paint thinner or turpentine is required for cleanup. Oil-based paints typically take eight to 24 hours to dry. Deciphering Finishes   Finish or &amp;quot;sheen&amp;quot; refers to the paint gloss level. The higher the gloss, the shinier it looks and the more scrubbing it can take. Flat This matte coating covers minor surface blemishes and works well in low-traffic areas like dining rooms and guest bedrooms. Eggshell Ideal for medium-traffic rooms like a bedroom, home office, family room or hall; this smooth, slightly glossy finish can handle light scrubbing. Satin Suitable for nearly any room, this subtle gloss delivers a washability that&amp;#039;s a step above eggshell. Semi-Gloss More durable than satin, and somewhat moisture resistant, this finish is often used in kids&amp;#039; rooms and on trim. High-Gloss Extremely durable, this shiny finish is perfect for trim, cabinetry and decorative moldings. Ceiling Flat Designed specifically for use on ceilings, this finish is more spatter-resistant that other sheens. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/color/a1703/paint-101-a-50015/>