A note for May from Hiltingbury Interiors
Hello,
After the soggiest of April's, it has been nice to see glimpses of the big orange ball in the sky, giving us hope for more to come! We're now into a new month with two long bank holiday weekends... It’s not everyone’s thing but DIY is likely to feature for many, be it inside or in the garden. I know that I'll be painting and wallpapering, and Rachel is continuing to get stuck into her house renovation. Bex is heading off for a few days exploring Utrecht, which sounds far more exciting than home improvements! We can't wait to hear all about it on her return.
Something that's involved in literally every project, is paint. So we thought we’d take some time to discuss the subject… what to use, where to use it, which finish to opt for, and of course, what colour to choose?!
Brushstrokes of Inspiration
There are so many paint brands available these days, so you can choose one to suit your taste and of course your budget. We use a variety of paints at Hiltingbury Interiors but our preferred brands are Little Greene and Paint and Paper Library. Their paints are child-safe and environmentally friendly whilst retaining their depth; most importantly they are a pleasure to use and have a beautiful and durable finish. They are water based, hard-wearing and washable which is key in a family home (this is not an advert, I promise!)
There's a wide array of finishes suitable for different locations. Below, we’ve compiled a mini-guide addressing the most common FAQ's we receive. (Note: Different brands have their own terminology for finishes; here, we'll refer to the finishes offered by Little Greene.)
Skirting, doors & architraves
In the past, gloss was the go-to choice, but times have changed. Now, we tend to favour satinwood or eggshell finishes, and white isn't the sole option anymore! Opt for a neutral hue that harmonises with your entire home rather than sticking to white. Additionally, contemplate colour drenching in specific rooms by painting the woodwork to match the walls... and for those feeling adventurous, even the ceiling!
Cabinetry
Our recommendation is to use intelligent eggshell or satinwood, along with a colour-matched primer. Each paint type has its own slight variation in sheen levels; for instance, LG eggshell provides about 15% sheen, while satinwood ranges between 30-35%. Simply choose the sheen that aligns with your preference.
Walls
In busy, high-traffic zones like kitchens, hallways, stairways, playrooms, and children's bedrooms - places prone to grubby fingerprints on walls - we advise opting for intelligent emulsion. Its durable and easy-to-clean properties make it an ideal choice for these areas. In other rooms the walls should be fine with in a matt emulsion.
Bathrooms
Here, decorators hold differing opinions... Personally, I favour matt over intelligent emulsion. Intelligent emulsion tends to show streaks and water marks when steam condenses, especially noticeable with darker colours. However, this is largely influenced by the room's extraction and ventilation. We actually recommend against opening windows to clear steam. When cold air and steam meet, condensation occurs, leading to water running down the walls and potentially leaving streaks if the paint isn't breathable. This effect is less pronounced with matt emulsion, as it's more porous and permeable.
Considerations
- Who will be using the room?
- What is the function of the room; to relax, study, socialise?
- What direction of sun does the room face - where and when will you get natural light?
- Consider how you wish to feel in the room... cosy, cocooned, relaxed, energised?
Top tips
Buy paint samples, paint them onto large pieces of paper (lining paper is great for this!) Ensure you move them around the room, to see it in all forms of light/shadow within the space (include different times of the day/night) - also fold the paper into corners so the colour reflects off itself.
Think about the colour scheme of your home as a whole, ensuring it hangs together to flow from room to room. Turning the volume of colour up and down in different spaces, creating varying impact harmoniously.
Go bold and brave in smaller spaces... allow your confidence to grow from there.
Don’t follow every colour trend, but don’t resort to being 'safe' and too 'beige'!
Trust your instincts or ask us for help if you need a second opinion before committing.
In the Community
As a small business, we take pride in supporting our local community. One way we contribute is by nurturing our children’s passions; after all, providing for our families is the main driving force behind our hard work! That’s why we’re excited to announce our continued sponsorship with Intergr8 of their Beauty & the Beast production at the Theatre Royal this late May. Both my daughter and Rachel’s are deeply passionate about dance and are currently immersed in rehearsals. We're eagerly anticipating seeing them shine on stage! If you're seeking activities for the upcoming half term, click here for tickets and join us in celebrating our local dance talent.
Ask Us
As you may have seen on our social media earlier this week, we're embarking on a series of videos discussing various interior topics - answers to questions frequently posed to us. For those who haven't yet followed us, you can find us as 'Hiltingbury Interiors' on Instagram and Facebook. If you have any burning questions you'd like us to address, simply reply to this email, and we'll do our best to answer them soon.
As usual, I've ended up writing more than intended! Hopefully, some of this proves useful to you. This month, we've begun collaborating with lovely new clients at varying project stages. I must emphasise, it's never too early to have an initial discussion about your project! If you think that might be you, feel free to reach out.
With love
Becci x