An Insider's Insight: Benjamin Moore's Andrea Magno

There are few people who know color better than today’s Insider, Benjamin Moore’s Director of Color Marketing & Development, Andrea Magno.

Magno leads a team that is focused on the myriad aspects of color, and we’ve asked her to share her thoughts on everything from color trends to selecting the right finish.

Tell Us more about Benjamin Moore’s 2021 color of the year.

Each year, we bring together influencers from a wide array of industries and experiences to see where there are commonalities.

We share thousands of images to see which colors stand out from the rest. After lots of editing and finessing, we establish a palette that captures the color sensibility for the coming year. The one stand-out color becomes our Color of the Year.

For 2021, the Color of the Year is Aegean Teal 2136-40, a soothing blend of blue and green with a nice touch of gray.

What colors are people gravitating to right now?

With neutrals dominating color palettes for several years, people are now craving color. It can be a small ‘color moment’ or the main event in a room. Warmer colors that are comforting and welcoming have seen an uptick in interest.

People are using color as a means to find happiness in the home. We always encourage people to think about the colors that resonate with them to create their ideal spaces.

Which palettes are most exciting To you at the moment?

Because the colors that stood out to the team for 2021 have a rooted, organic quality, they are warmer than we’ve seen the past several years. There is a wonderful, sunbaked quality to the colors in our Color Trends 2021 palette.

For me, I was really intrigued by natural dyes and materials. There is an authenticity in appearance that is not perfect, yet we can celebrate the beauty of this imperfection. Overall, there is a lived-in softness about these colors that feels right for 2021.

The most important step to build into a color selection process is sampling the color to better understand how it will look in the space.

Understanding the role of light and other elements in the room is crucial to selecting the perfect color.

The color that looks great in a friend’s home may not look the same in your own, so taking a bit of extra time for sampling is super important to make a confident color selection.

Any tips on making the right color choices?

We suggest using a piece of foam core so that a large sample can be painted out and moved around the room, as color is apt to look different in areas with bright natural light versus shadowed areas.

By painting a separate material, the sampled color won’t compete with the existing color on the wall which can alter color perceptions. The other option is to consider our 4×8” paper swatches that are available on BenjaminMoore.com.

In either case, it’s best to look at a color at different times of the day since color can look different in morning and evening light. If possible, seeing a color on a sunny versus a cloudy day can be helpful when painting exteriors.

Tell us about finish options. What should consumers think about when choosing a finish?

Generally speaking, eggshell finishes are a great choice for rooms that have a lot of use and traffic. There is a very low level of sheen and the finish is easy to clean.

Matte finishes are also very pretty for their depth of color and velvety look. This finish is formulated to withstand cleaning, and we even offer a matte finish with Aura Bath & Spa, which is designed for bathrooms and areas where humidity and moisture are a concern.

As for trim, doors and millwork/cabinetry, a higher sheen is preferable as it will wipe away fingerprints with ease. Go-to finishes for these applications are satin and semi-gloss.

Can you talk a bit about lacquered walls? When are they practical?

Walls finished with higher gloss levels such as a high-gloss can be dramatic and quite beautiful, but it is important to remember that a higher gloss will be less forgiving of imperfections so careful prep-work is paramount.

Let’s discuss white paints. What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a shade of white?

It’s funny, some people think of white as a default or unimaginative color, but the reality is that selecting the right white paint is trickier than one might assume.

We have a vast array of white paint colors that vary in undertone. It is always helpful to consider the other fabrics or materials being used in a room when selecting the perfect white color.

If the general tone of the room is warmer, typically a warmer white will be a good route to take. The sample applies for a space with cooler elements. Again, sampling is a great step ensure the color meets design goals and expectations.

I hope you have enjoyed these color and paint tips from Magno. I loved that she mentions how colors can vary depending on the light so be sure to sample them in your space.

It’s important to add that how a paint color looks in a photo is not necessarily how it will look on a paint chip or in person. Many times paint colors in a photograph are altered from their original form.

Thank you, Andrea, for sharing your expertise and knowledge with all of us.

Dana

Recently we had a few readers share some design questions and ideas they would like to see us address on our blog.

One popular topic mentioned was how to select an exterior paint color. Considering I just painted the exterior of my house, I had to answer this one first.

My house was a combination of taupe brick and a darker trim. While there was nothing wrong with it, after seven years, I was ready for a change.

What color scheme did I choose? A cream on cream that has very little yellow to it. A clean, crisp combination.

exterior2 — Paint transformation in progress with the primer….

Choosing exterior colors for your house can be daunting, but it’s well worth the hassle.

Here are a few tips you should take into account when choosing your exterior paint color.

Do your research. Before you begin painting, drive around or look through magazines, Pinterest, etc…to see what color schemes appeal to you. Try to choose a color palette that will blend in with your surroundings but that’s special in its own way. With well-placed color choices, your home will stand out in a tasteful manner.

Plan around the elements that are hardest to change. Unless you’re doing a complete renovation, surfaces such as roof shingles, stonework, pathways and driveways will remain in place. Use these elements as color resources because there are numerous shades and hues in building materials. Are they warm or cool? Look for paint colors that will tie these fixed elements together in a harmonious way.

exterior3 — The side of my home after it is primed

Examine color samples outdoors, at various angles, and at different times of the day. Consider buying small quantities of desired colors and paint a section of the house where the body, trim and accent colors can be viewed together. Study it at various times of day and under different weather conditions. How do the colors change with the light? Do you see blue or yellow undertones?

exterior1 — Choosing a color for the brick…..

Obviously my house is a work in progress (this is the primer coat) but I am already enjoying the transformation.

Don’t let the wide array of color choices give you a case of chromophobia, a fear of colors. Plan ahead, try colors on your house first, and be confident in your color choices. You’ll be thrilled when your house has a fresh, exciting new look!

Who said watching paint dry is no fun? I certainly have enjoyed watching it dry on mine, and I look forward to sharing the final “after” pics with you soon.

We would love to hear from you. Please comment below and share some topics that you would like to see us address.

Have a good one,

Dana

Like what you see? Follow us…..

Facebook- Dana Wolter Interiors

Twitter- DWolterinterior

Instagram- DANAWOLTER

Tag: paint tips

Living Well