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you're trying to achieve. There is a very good write up on this on the ICI web page, click on the "Be Inspired" tab... very useful starting point if you are at a loss when choosing a color scheme for your room.

Alternatively, you can do a google for the color scheme that you have in mind and you will get a whole range of suggestions with pictures which you could show your partner, that way, both of you are "looking" at the same picture during your discussions

Tip 3 Tried and tested?
More often than not, we will be collecting a few copies of the same catalogs. Like tiles, one can always test the finish to see if it is what you want for your home. If the paints claims to be washable, try washing the particular sample to see if it is really that washable.

Tip 4 Lighting plays a part
Cut the catalog up to create color strips of your own, and put it up on the wall the color is intended upon to view them... it will be different from just staring at it when it is laid on the table.

Look at it during the day, morning, evening, and night. Due to the different finishes of the paints, viewing them in the day under natural light, and under the fluorescent light in the night is also very different. So you have to view them under the various conditions to see if that is the color that you really like... thus the need for Tip 1!

Tip 5 Expect variation in the tones
Colors in the catalogs are just a small sample. The white you see on the catalog is not always the same white you see when painted on the walls. Beiges and off-whites have subtle color, so compare the paint samples to your laminates and floor tiles to determine if a warmer pinkish or yellow-toned white or a cooler, bluer white is best suited for your room.

Light colors tend to look one shade darker when painted on the walls, and dark and bold colors tend to look one shade lighter. So keep this in mind when selecting your colors.

Tip 6 Why? What? Where? How?
You can never ask enough questions when it comes to selecting materials for your home. One can always go to the nearest store for helpful paint advice. Alternatively, you can online and and do a search or post a query on the forums for additional advise as well. Ask about the different paint finishes, sometimes you can even ask about the differences between the different brands. Ask which paint products they recommend, and why they recommend them as such. Get information on specialty paints such as low-odor, stain-killing primers, chalkboard paint, washable paint, and many more.

Visit a few more stores, and ask the same questions again, and you will soon be able to make a better informed choice for the colors in your room.

Tip 7 Color consultation
If after all the above, you are still not able to make a decision, get a color consultant to help.
You can engage a ICI or Nippon's color consultant... They will go to your unit, take pictures and use Photoshop to give you a simulation of how the selected colors would turn out.

I have a few samples of the pictures that was taken off by the consultant which you can refer to if you are interested. They can be viewed at http://gnmrenovation.blogspot. com/2006/08/paints-what-to-cho ose-how-to-choose.html

Learn more about this author, Ben Wee.
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