Green, The Color of Earth and Money, Expected to make a Strong Showing in 2010 Paint Color Trends

Online, September 3, 2010 (Newswire.com) - SKOKIE, Ill. (September 3, 2010) - After last year's "it" colors of golden ambers, sunny yellows and burnt oranges, color experts say the trend is coming back down to earth in the shades of green. The design team at Benjamin Moore has selected Cedar Green as its color of the year for 2010.

While green has always been symbolic of renewal and youth, Sonu Matthew, senior interior designer at Benjamin Moore, credited the sustainability movement for bringing the color green into American consciousness, and onto the walls of American homes in 2010.
Liz McEnaney of E. Claire Design, an interior design firm based in Northfield, Ill., attributed part of green's popularity to its versatility.

"Color is so important," said McEnaney. "The good thing about green is you can mix different shades of it without having them fight with one another for attention. You can't do that with red, orange or blue categories."
Jeff Hester, vice president of Hester Painting & Decorating, also known as "Professor Paint," recommended muted greens with a soft modeled over-glaze to create warmth for a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, or a Venetian plaster in green tones for comfort and style in a space. Hester said that bright yellows, burnt oranges and gold tones still remain "really hot" nowadays-making a particularly strong showing in kitchens, bedrooms and play areas.

With experience in staging homes for real estate agents, McEnaney also attested to the importance of color when it comes to making a sale. She said a fresh coat of paint makes all the difference in a room-especially if the homeowner is looking to sell. "Undoubtedly, homeowners, buyers and sellers want to save money in this tough economy. So green is 'in," said Hester. "Customers want to do good for their wallets while they create a pleasant living space."
Matthew suggested doing a small project with a big impact, "Give a single wall a new coat of color. "It's one of the simplest, most economic and effective makeovers."
The color trend of green in American homes mirrors the growing trend of environmentally friendly practices and products in the country. And the expert painters and Chicago faux finishers at Hester Painting & Decorating are pleased that this year's popular color may help raise awareness about "green," eco-friendly products.
"Our company has expressed its dedication to working with low VOC paints and our customers have been right on board with us," said Hester. "It's no wonder an optimistic green is the color to have this year.
In July 2009, the state of Illinois outlawed the production of paints with high VOC, or volatile organic compounds, due to the negative impact of VOCs on the environment. Low VOC paints release fewer particles into the air and produce less odor when drying-making the paint perfect for those with breathing sensitivities, or homeowners with small children or elderly in the residence. Jeff Hester encourages customers with breathing conditions like asthma to ask painters for the MSDS (material safety data sheet) and consult their doctor before beginning decorating projects.
Founded more than forty years ago, Hester Painting & Decorating provides homes and high-profile commercial establishments with high-end decorating services. Widely regarded as a leader in the fields of painting, faux finishing, and exterior and interior maintenance, Hester Painting & Decorating utilizes an enormous repertoire of finishes and wall covering techniques to create unique environments for its clients.

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Hester Painting & Decorating utilizes an enormous repertoire of finishes and wall covering techniques to create unique environments for its clients. More information about Hester Painting & Decorating is available Interior painting companies Chicago