TREND SETTERS
The public's preference for certain exterior house paint colors is far less changeable than it is for interior colors.
In the Northwest we see a preference for earthtone tans, browns and beiges, overall white or off white are most popular in the United States. Interestingly, these are the same exterior colors that have been popular for over 200 years.

On the other hand, preference for interior paint colors is quite changeable -- as often as twice a year. The "hot" colors are first born in the fashion industry. Then they emerge in home furnishings and decoration and next, on automobiles. From the Millennium color system any Parker Paint or participating Fred Meyer store can provide you with the "hottest" colors and th latest techniques.

CHOOSING COLORS
One of the most exciting things about color is that it can be used to alter the size, shape and style of the outside of a building as well as the mood and the temperature of the rooms inside. Color can make a house look in better proportion to its lot size; a room look more airy or more cozy. Painting the exterior a light or bright color can make it look larger than it really is and cause it to stand out from its surroundings. A dark paint color will make it look smaller.

Painting the exterior a light color can also lower the temperature of the inside of the home -- and help save on energy bills. In a warm climate, painting the outside a light or pastel color will keep it cooler inside. Conversely, in colder climates, a dark-colored paint on the exterior will absorb the heat of the sun and keep the inside warmer. (The effectiveness of these ideas will also depend on the amount of insulation inside your home.)

On the inside, a light color will make a room seem bigger -- a dark color smaller and cozier. You can even "raise" ceilings by painting them a lighter color than the walls.

To "lengthen" a square room, paint one wall a contrasting color (either darker or lighter). To add width to a long, narrow room, paint the two end walls a deep color and the longer walls a light color.To make a room feel warmer, use reds, oranges and yellows. Blue and green will "cool" a room.

TESTING YOUR COLOR CHOICE
It can be difficult to look at a small paint chip and determine how a color will appear when it's applied to a whole wall. Here are some ways to help make sure that you will be happy with your color choice:

When evaluating your options, conceal all the colors on the color card except for the one you are considering. This will give a truer picture of that color.

Examine the color under both artificial light and natural light. This is especially important when selecting an interior paint.

Before painting an entire room or exterior, apply the color to various 3'x3' test areas. Check the appearance of exterior and interior colors at different times of day; see how they look in daylight hours (morning, noon, evening) and at night. Some colors take on a different appearance under different lighting conditions.

Be aware that the color will be more intense on a large area than it seems on the color card. It's always safe to choose a neutral color. If you're choosing a bold color, choose one shade lighter than the one you like on the card. Its intensity will change when applied to the larger area.

COLOR DURABILITY
All paints, interior and exterior, will eventually begin to degrade due to exposure to sunlight, UV radiation, water, moisture, and temperature changes. (Of course, some of these factors affect only exterior paints.)

Some paint colors are more vulnerable than others -- especially bright organic reds and yellows. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for color use.