ONLINE EXTERIOR COLOR CONSULTATION SERVICES: U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PAINT BRANDS:
For U.S. clients I work with Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Farrow & Ball and Dunne Edwards.
I will supply you with colors from the same brand of paint as is being used on your project.
For International clients, we will decide before our consultation what brand will be used.

ADDITIONAL COSTS:
Should you request any changes to the color scheme or additional colors, this work will be billed at a rate of USD $100 per hour.

COLOR MATCHING ACROSS PAINT BRANDS:
I do not recommend color matching across paint brands, this is why I want to know what brand will be used, in this way I can work from the same color palette.
Any color matching across paint brands is 100% the responsibility of your paint contractor, company or person purchasing the paint.

GOOD FAITH:
All information given to you is in good faith. Please be aware that paint color is affected by lighting conditions, sheen, surface texture, application and conditions that may be beyond my control.
It is strongly recommended to have your painter provide you with painted samples prior to making a full commitment.
I am offering you professional guidance, however the decision to move ahead with my proposed colors is ultimately your choice.

PAINTING SAMPLES ON THE SURFACE:
While painting samples directly onto the surface is a great way to see how the colours will be affected by surface texture, there is a right and a wrong way to do this. Most people, even painting professionals, do this the wrong way.
Be sure to isolate the color samples at the edge of a wall, do not paint samples in the middle of a wall completely surrounded by the current color. This is because color is affected by color. You want to be able to visually isolate the new colours.

BE CERTAIN THE CORRECT SHEEN IS BEING USED.
The “tester pots” that many paint manufacturers sell usually come in one sheen level only, this is typically a satin finish.
Color is affected by sheen, if you are not using a satin finish on that particular surface, you are not getting an exact representation of the colour. A satin or pearl finish tends to intensify the color and make it appear a bit darker. This finish is not typically used for any type of siding material but is used for trim elements.

THIRD PARTY SAMPLES.
I have no personal experience of using samples from any third party companies such as Samplize. However, anecdotal reports from both clients and other color consultants make it clear that they are not always accurate. This only makes sense to me. While it is good that they are “painted” samples, a lack of quality control, time spent in storage and age of paint are all important factors that could influence the color and render the sample unreliable.
Your two best options are; printed samples from the paint manufacturer that you can pick up at your local paint store. These samples go through rigorous testing to ensure accuracy.
Purchasing a quart of the color in the same sheen as will be used on the surface.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS.
Regardless of the surface, painting is an act of creativity. In my experience, any creative act has one firm rule; at a certain point the process takes on a life of its own. My best advice is to embrace that rule and allow each creative thing to blossom in its own unique way. Over attachment to knowing exactly how it will look when finished tends to lead to frustration and indecision.
At a certain point you must make that leap of faith.
It is my sincere hope that this will be made easier by the faith and trust that you have placed in me and my decades of experience.