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ISTOCK F A L L 2 0 1 4 | G O I N G P L A C E S 45 HOME SWEET HOME Prime Yourself Before Painting A fresh coat of paint is an easy, economical way to spruce up your space. But choosing the right type of paint is as important as deciding on a beautiful colour. Before comparing "Lavender Meadow" with "Black Raspberry," boost your painting know-how with advice from Dulux Paints' technical services advisor Steven Whyte. Now that you're primed, go pick out the right can of paint! CAA members save 25% at Dulux Paints. MYTH Dark colours should never be used in small rooms. FACT While light colours will make a room appear larger, Whyte offers a great way to incorporate dark colours in a small room: paint one wall a dark accent colour and go lighter on the remaining walls. As the lighter walls appear to recede, this creates the illusion of space and the perception of a larger room. FROM START TO FINISH Flat, eggshell, pearl, semi-gloss, gloss . . . it's enough to make you want to hang up your paint- ing smock before you even start. We consider the options: Bedrooms, living room and dining room: at or eggshell e lack of sheen in at paint provides a smooth, even appear- ance that hides dings and cracks and is easy to touch up. Worried about ngerprints? An eggshell nish is a tad easier to clean. Bathrooms and kitchen: eggshell, pearl or semi-gloss High tra c rooms call for something more durable, less likely to stain and easy to clean. Due to the higher humidity levels in these spaces, it's worth buying a paint formulated for kitchens and bathrooms. ese paints are more water-repellent and mildew resistant. Doors, windows, trim and baseboards: semi-gloss ese areas are exposed to con- stant use, so a water-based alkyd or premium 100 per cent acrylic, such as the Dulux Diamond Line, is a great choice, says Whyte. ey dry harder and are more resistant to dents and scratches. Ceilings: at Avoid paints with a gloss or sheen; these nishes will re ect the light and show up any imperfections when the sun shines in. A at nish will dissi- pate the light. GP THE UPAND COMER Not too long ago, oil-based paint was the preferred choice for many DIYers. at changed in 2009 when the Government of Canada introduced environ- mental regulations to limit the levels of volatile organic com- pounds (VOCs) in paint, e ec- tively excluding oil-based paint for residential applications. e result of this legislation was the creation of a new type of paint – water-based alkyds. Available since 2011, it o ers the same durability as oil-based paint. Plus, new technology ensures the paint goes on smoothly while delivering a tough, hard nish. THE BATTLE OF THE PAINTS Most of the paint sold in Canada is either latex or water-based acrylic. While the formulations are di erent, they share some characteristics: there's little to no odour, cleanup is easy (just use soap and water) and they dry quickly. e di erence lies in qual- ity, which of course means a di erence in price. e acrylic resins found in 100 per cent acrylic water-based paint are more expensive, but, as Whyte explains, you get a higher pre- mium grade for the extra dollars. is means a nal prod- uct that adheres better and is more exible and washable. by Lea Currie