Paint Finishes: Pairing Matte and Glossy Finishes Add Drama and Texture

Mixing up your paint finishes is a great way to add drama and texture to your room

All you need is the confidence to experiment a little by using matte and glossy finishes in unexpected places! I love the visual interest and reflectiveness of light that can be created on walls, trim and ceilings just by the right combination of matte and glossy paints in both bold and subtle colors.

Using the right combination of paint finishes on your walls, ceilings and trim can make a bold statement. Many designers and novices like to play it safe, typically choosing an eggshell finish(low-gloss, satin, velvet) with low to medium reflection when dry because eggshell is relatively easy to clean. Eggshell walls are often paired with some shade of white in a semi-gloss finish (medium gloss, pearl) on trim because the higher the gloss, the easier to wipe down and trim tends to get touched and banged. And of course, ceilings are most often covered in a flat (matte) decorator white, with no reflection when it dries.

But as a designer, I love using either a washable matte or a high gloss on walls because of the unexpectedness and the drama that these finishes can create. For a more uniform look and fewer breaks in the walls, I try to use the same color in a washable matte finish on walls with its high gloss counterpart on the trim for the shine and durability that it adds. And to create even more excitement, a high gloss ceiling or hue can add a whole lot of punch. Coupled with the right lighting, the reflectiveness of high gloss is bold and sexy.

Depending on the color, high gloss trim can have a variety of beautiful effects on a project. Whites and soft colors look mirrorlike and opalescent while deep tones and black add high drama and a luxurious feel. Bright tones, including purples and reds, create an instant impact when painted with a high shine so its really about picking the perfect color to suit the environment you are trying to create.

The latest technology breakthroughs have made high gloss paint extremely durable. Sherwin Williams has developed Emerald Interior/Exterior Urethane Enamel paints that deliver the smooth uniform finish of an oil based enamel with the convenience of a water based urethane formula. It delivers excellent hardness, adhesion and a silk smooth uniform finish and comes in a variety of colors. Benjamin Moore’s Impervex High Gloss Enamel is another option along with its line of Advance paints.

If you don’t have the confidence to experiment with paint finishes or want to be sure that you have that designer touch, please feel free to contact me at 914-391-3697 for a pairing consultation.