As spring approaches, homeowners often look to spruce up their exteriors with fresh paint. However, many contractors tend to fill up their schedules once the weather warms, making it difficult to find a time for your project.
But what if there was a way to get your exterior painting done much earlier in the season? The answer lies in choosing the right paint—one that can be applied in winter conditions.

The Perfect Solution: Element Guard® Exterior Paint
If you’re eager to get ahead of the spring rush, consider using Element Guard® Exterior Paint from Benjamin Moore. This innovative paint is specially formulated to perform exceptionally well in challenging weather conditions, including high moisture and colder temperatures. Unlike traditional paints that can only be applied in optimal temperatures and low humidity, Element Guard® allows you to have more flexibility when you paint.

Why Act Now?
Winter is a great opportunity to rethink and refresh your home’s exterior. By using Element Guard®, you can ensure that the weather won’t hinder your paint job and jumpstart your project before the inevitable spring rush begins.
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As soon as the temperatures rise and the flowers begin to bloom, many homeowners will be searching for contractors to refresh their exteriors. By painting now, you can avoid the long wait times that come with a crowded calendar.
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Benefits of Early Planning

1. Availability. Many contractors will already be booked once the season is in full swing. By scheduling your project during the winter, you’ll have a wider selection of contractors to choose from.

1. Quicker completion. Beat the rush and complete your painting project earlier in the season, allowing more time for you to enjoy your refreshed home.

1. Superior finish. Element Guard® Exterior Paint not only ensures durability but also a smooth, even finish that will stand the test of time.
2. Market-ready. If you plan on selling your home during the busy spring and summer real estate seasons, painting now ensures you can get your home on the market as soon as you’re ready without contractor delays.

Tips to Ensure a Successful Painting Project
Before you dive into your project, be sure to:

• Plan your colors. Take some time to choose a color scheme that will elevate your home’s exterior curb appeal and protect its value.

• Hire the right contractor. Do your research and find a contractor who has experience working with cold-weather paints and conducting necessary repairs before painting to bring your vision to life.
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Find Your Paint at Color Wheel
Why wait for brighter days when you can schedule your project today? If you’re ready to take the plunge and give your home a fresh look, contact Color Wheel to discuss your painting project. Let us help you ensure your home is ready to shine when spring finally arrives!

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to spread joy and cheer than by decorating your home for the festivities?

With a few simple steps and some thoughtful planning, you can create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your family and friends.

From accent fabrics and accessories to Christmas pillows, let's explore some ideas for preparing your home for a memorable celebration—and how Color Wheel can help!

Consider Doing a Theme
Setting a theme for your holiday decorations can help create a cohesive look throughout your home. Whether you prefer a traditional, rustic, or modern aesthetic, choosing a theme will make your decorating decisions easier.
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Consider incorporating seasonal colors, symbols, and motifs that align with your chosen theme.

Add Layers of Comfort
As the weather gets cooler, create a cozy and inviting atmosphere by adding plush pillows and soft blankets to your living spaces. Consider incorporating decorative pillows with Christmas themes to instantly bring the holiday spirit to your seating areas.

Choose fabrics with seasonal patterns, such as reindeer, snowflakes, or elves, to add a touch of whimsy and warmth to your home. Decorative and cozy items like this are easy to swap out from season to season.

Enhance With Holiday Accessories
Small decorative accents can make a big impact during the holiday season. Sprinkle your home with accessories like candles, wreaths, and centerpieces that reflect the spirit of Christmas.

You can even incorporate natural elements such as pinecones, pine branches, dried oranges, rosemary, or acorns to infuse a rustic charm into your decorations.

Set the Mood with Lighting
Proper lighting can transform any space and add a magical touch to your holiday decor. Consider using string lights, candles, or flameless LED candles to create a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Hang twinkling lights around doorframes, wrap them around banisters, or drape them over windows to create a festive ambiance that will enchant your guests and highlight your tasteful décor.

Utilize Decorative Rugs
Don't overlook the impact that rugs can have on your overall holiday decor. Look for area rugs that complement your chosen theme.  Choose colors that go with your décor color palette. Adding these decorative elements to your floors allows you to tie your entire room together and create an inviting space for your family and friends.

Get Your Home Ready for the Holidays With Color Wheel
Color Wheel provides in-home custom decorating services, but we also offer professional advice if you'd rather tackle your own project. Either way, our goal is to help you create a home that reflects your personal style for the holidays. We bring your vision to life with our design services and décor, which include:

• Area Rugs
• Custom Window Treatments
• Furniture
• Lighting
• Paint
• Wallpaper

Customer service always remains our focus. It can be overwhelming to make so many decisions about designing and decorating your home, especially this time of year! We help you make sense of all your options, stay within your budget, and have a result you'll be proud to show family and friends.

With the right design and décor, you can create a warm and inviting ambiance that will make the holiday season even more magical. Start planning and embrace the joy of the upcoming festivities with a beautifully decorated home that will leave lasting memories for years to come.

Contact Color Wheel to start your professional design consultation today!

Fall is here! Say hello to pleasant temperatures, mild weather, and stunning foliage. But did you know that fall is also a great time to tackle exterior painting projects?

While many homeowners think spring and summer are better for outdoor painting, fall offers unique benefits that make it the perfect season to refresh and protect the exterior of your home.

Let’s talk about why fall is the right time to paint outside and review helpful tips for a successful fall painting project.

Mild Temperatures
One of the main advantages of fall painting is the mild temperatures. Unlike the hot summer months or the freezing winter, fall offers a comfortable environment for painting.

High temperatures can cause paint to dry too quickly, causing uneven finishes and bubbling or cracking. On the other hand, cold temperatures can hinder paint from drying properly.
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In fall, the moderate temperatures allow for optimal paint application and drying, resulting in a smooth and long-lasting finish.

Stable Weather Conditions​
Fall typically brings more stable weather compared to other seasons. With less humidity, rain, and fluctuating temperatures, you can have more consistent conditions for painting.

More consistency in the weather allows you to tackle larger painting projects that may take several days. It also allows paint to adhere well to surfaces and dry evenly, preventing the need for touch-ups or repainting due to weather-related issues.

Paint requires sufficient time to dry and cure properly for maximum durability and longevity. During fall, the lower humidity levels allow for faster drying times compared to the more humid summer months. Lower humidity ensures that paint has ample opportunity to bind to surfaces and create a strong, protective barrier against the elements.

Preparing for Winter
Painting your home’s exterior in the fall serves as a proactive step to protect it from harsh winter weather.

As temperatures drop, ice, snow, and freezing temperatures can take a toll on the exterior surfaces of your home. Applying a fresh coat of paint before winter creates a protective layer that seals and shields the underlying materials, helping to prevent moisture infiltration, wood rot, and other damage caused by winter weather conditions.

Depending on where you live and the temperatures this season, it’s generally a good time to paint your home from early to mid-autumn.

Tips for Successful Fall Painting
How can you prepare for your next painting project? We have some helpful tips for successful fall painting here!

• Check the forecast. Choose a week with consistent mild temperatures and no rain to prevent interruptions and ensure proper paint adhesion.
• Prep the surfaces. Thoroughly clean and prepare the surfaces to ensure optimal paint adhesion. This includes repairing any damaged wood or siding on your home.
• Get the right paint. Select high-quality exterior paint in your color and finish of choice to ensure your home will look great for years to come.
• Take safety precautions. Use appropriate safety equipment, such as goggles and masks, if working with chemical cleaners or sanding surfaces.
• Work during daylight hours. With the shorter days in fall, make the most of daylight hours for painting and allow sufficient drying time.

Get Your Fall Painting Supplies at Color Wheel
Fall provides the perfect opportunity to embark on outdoor painting projects. By scheduling your project in the fall and following the above tips, you can enjoy a refreshed and protected home for the upcoming seasons. Are you ready to grab a paintbrush and make the most of this ideal time to paint outside? Stop by Color Wheel to get all your fall painting supplies!

Spring is here, and it’s time to get your patio, deck, or porch ready to enjoy beautiful weather.

Painting is a popular way to refresh exterior furniture and planters for a mini home makeover that can dramatically increase your home’s curb appeal—not to mention impress friends and family when they visit!

But when getting started with painting exterior furniture and planters, where do you begin?
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Color Wheel has the tips you need for a successful painting project so your outdoor spaces will look more beautiful and refreshed than ever this spring.

Properly Prep Your Furniture, Planters, and Painting Area
A successful paint job depends on the right preparation. You’ll need to properly prep your furniture, planters, and painting area to ensure a successful project.
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First, determine what material your furniture or planter is. It may be plastic, metal, wood, or, in the case of furniture, wicker. For all these materials, you will need to:

1. Clean the furniture or planter
2. Remove any loose paint
3. Sand down or remove any rust
4. Remove hardware and stickers

If the surface of your furniture or planter is shiny, you will need to use sandpaper to rough up the surface a bit so the paint will stick to it. Don’t forget to wipe it down again after using the sandpaper. If you use a damp cloth to wipe the surface, remember it must be completely dry before painting.

You’ll also need to prepare your painting area using protective material with drop cloths and move other items you don’t intend to paint out of the way, especially if you use spray paint.

Choose the Right Paint and Follow the Instructions

Choosing the right paint is important because it will make all the difference in how your furniture and planters turn out.

For example, spray paint is a popular choice for outdoor furniture and planters, but you must choose the right kind for your material. Some spray paint is designed for use on wood or metal, not plastic. If you want to use spray paint on plastic, choose a paint that specifically says it can be used on plastic.
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You’ll also need to choose the finish you want. You may want a matte or glossy finish. Keep in mind that glossy finishes won’t need a sealer, while matte finishes will. You may also need to look for rust-resistant paint if you are painting metal or UV-resistant paint if you are painting plastic.

Don’t Forget the Sealer (If Needed)
Unless you are using exterior-grade paint—which is the best choice for exterior furniture and planters—you will likely need a sealer. If you paint planters with interior paint, it’s essential to use a sealer if you will be using them outside.

A sealer will help protect the paint from sun and water damage. It’s necessary for matte finishes, but if you are using spray paint that has a glossy finish, you won’t need one.

Sealers are also necessary for distressed wood furniture to preserve the look. Generally, a few coats of sealer are needed to protect the paint and keep your furniture and planters looking great for many seasons to come.

Find Your Perfect Paint at Color Wheel
We have all the painting supplies and exterior-grade paints you need to refresh your planters and outdoor furniture at Color Wheel. Choose the perfect paint by stopping by our locations in McLean or Fairfax today!

Popular paint supplier Farrow & Ball has introduced a new line of paint called Dead Flat®, which is now available at Color Wheel’s location in McLean, Virginia.

This paint is an ultra-matte paint that can be used for a variety of surfaces, including wood and metal, and is exceptionally durable. If you are looking for a paint that provides the most matte finish available, this line is an excellent choice.
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Here we explore the features and benefits of Farrow & Ball’s new paint line and whether it could be the right choice for your next painting project.

What Makes Dead Flat® Different?
Dead Flat’s matte finish creates richer colors for walls or surfaces, even in different lighting. In addition, its matte finish gives it exceptional, durable coverage and makes it low splatter, allowing for a quicker and cleaner painting project.
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The best part is that when your walls are done, Dead Flat is scuff-resistant, meaning you won’t have to deal with unsightly scuff marks over time that can require frequent cleanings or repaintings or make your home look dated or dirty.

Dead Flat can also be scrubbed without removing pigment, which makes it the perfect choice for high-traffic spaces that require heavier cleanings, such as kitchens, mudrooms, laundry rooms, bathrooms, or the kids’ playroom.
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All of Farrow & Ball’s paints are either minimal VOC or low VOC. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are toxic substances that can give paint its unpleasant smell, but all Farrow & Ball’s pigments have minimal VOCs for a low odor and a safer paint for your home without compromising on gorgeous color and durability.

Find Your Perfect Shade With Us​
Farrow & Ball’s Dead Flat paint is available in dozens of signature shades, so whether you’re looking for a soft white, a tasteful beige, or that perfect blue, red, green, pink, or plum, find your ideal color with Color Wheel—we can tint all colors in store. Visit our McLean location to browse our selection of Farrow & Ball pigments and see Dead Flat’s finish in person.

You have lots of options when it’s time to redecorate your home (or decorate your new home for the first time). One of the biggest decisions you have to make is whether to paint the walls your favorite hues or get creative with wallpaper.

Both options have a lot to offer and can completely transform the look and feel of your interior spaces. But which one is the right option for you? While you don’t necessarily have to choose between them, we’ve put together this guide to help you decide between wallpaper vs. paint.

Types of Rooms and What They’re Used for​
While you can use wallpaper in any room in the house, there are certain rooms where wallpaper may be more suited than paint.

For example, a powder room is the perfect place to use wallpaper, as it can make a bold statement while not affecting the rest of your home’s décor or feel. The laundry room and mudroom are also excellent places to experiment with wallpaper, as they can make a visual impact without dominating large rooms or spaces.
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Other rooms that can be good to use wallpaper in include the dining room, nursery, or a home office. Get creative with colors, patterns, and textures you are most attracted to.

How Long You Plan to Stay in Your Home​
Paint is one of the easiest ways to refresh your home and provide a better return on your investment. So if you are only planning to stay in your home a couple years, paint may be the better choice.

Wallpaper is a more long-term investment, so if you plan to own your home for a decade or longer, you can get as creative as you’d like with different styles without worrying it will affect the resale value of your home.

Keep in mind too that wallpaper can be more resilient than paint and last longer. Whereas paint may need to be updated every few years, wallpaper can look good for over a decade with the proper care.

If You Want to Incorporate Texture
Wallpaper is a great way to bring extra dimension to a space, especially when you choose paper with texture or metallics. For walls or spaces that look like they would benefit from a bit more texture, wallpaper is the perfect way to bring your vision to life.

Ceiling vs. Wall Trade-Off​
If you decide to wallpaper the walls, consider painting the ceiling a coordinating color. And if you choose to paint the walls, you can always add a wow factor to your ceiling with wallpaper. In the case of wallpaper, a painted ceiling tends to be more attractive, but the opposite is not always true for paint!

Let’s Discuss Your Options​
Don’t let all your options overwhelm you--contact Color Wheel to learn more about your wallpaper and paint choices based on your home decorating project. Our friendly and experienced professionals are here to help make your next decorating task fun, simple, and stress-free!

* All the images are Farrow & Ball Paint and Wallpaper and available through Color Wheel in McLean VA.

It’s finally happened—the kids have moved out! Your job as a parent is never quite done, but now you have the house to yourself. Being an empty nester brings a lot of life changes, including extra space you can now redecorate.

Consider this a chance to transform your home based on what fits your life now, not what would suit your kids. You can take this opportunity to convert kids’ rooms into guest rooms, a home office, theater, library, exercise room, or craft room.

The following tips will help you revitalize your spaces and redecorate your kids’ rooms so you can start the next chapter of your life in style.

Declutter and Donate Kids’ Items
The first step in revitalizing any space, especially for empty nesters, is decluttering. The trick here is to keep any sentimental items you don’t want to part with but get rid of things you won’t use or need anymore.

If you love something but not enough to have it take up space in your home, you can always take a picture before donating or tossing it. A photo takes up less space and will last forever.

Once you declutter your kids’ rooms and donate or toss items, you can organize the things you want to keep and find a permanent place for them, even if it is in storage. And if your kids want to keep anything, have them take their stuff to their own place so it doesn’t take up space in yours.

Invest in Quality Furniture
Now the fun begins. If you’ve gotten rid of furniture you and your kids no longer use, or your kids have taken their furniture with them, you have a blank slate, and the first place to start is with quality furniture.

Keep in mind that while your decorations and paint color may change over time, furniture tends to stay the same. Therefore, it’s important to choose comfortable yet high-quality items with a timeless design that suits your taste.

You can even look for multipurpose items to maximize your investment, including a sofa bed, an ottoman that functions as a chair, and benches and tables with built-in storage.

Have well-made furniture that you love, but your taste has changed? Consider getting it refinished or reupholstered for a complete makeover that will help it fit in seamlessly with your new spaces.

Splurge for Decorations​
You can really get creative with the décor you choose for your space as an empty nester once you’ve decluttered and gotten some beautiful furniture you love. In fact, you can use furniture and flooring to create a color scheme for things such as:

• Art. Choose art you feel inspired by and will love seeing every day.
• Lighting. Lighting can completely change a space, so be selective when investing in lighting.
• New bedding. New sheets, blankets, and pillows can refresh a room more than you think.
• Paint. A fresh coat of well-chosen paint can quickly change the look and feel of a room.
• Wallpaper. Sophisticated wallpaper can revitalize your kids’ rooms with a dramatic visual effect.
• Window treatments. New window treatments, including blinds, shutters, or curtains, can make your kids’ old rooms feel luxurious.

Go shopping to get ideas and see what items, colors, or patterns most draw your attention for the décor in your new spaces.

Get More Ideas at Color Wheel
Need ideas for redecorating and revitalizing your kids’ rooms as an empty nester? Please contact our design specialists by phone 703-356-8477 or send us a message through our Contact page. We can help you find paint, wallpaper, window treatments, carpet and more to change the look and feel of your new nest.

Wallpaper is certainly in the spotlight with dramatic patterns, tasteful hues, and easy application. However, what happens when you have old wallpaper in your home that you want to remove, whether you want to paint or apply new wallpaper?

Although removing old wallpaper can seem like a headache you’d rather avoid, we have some tips and tools here for you to safely and effectively remove wallpaper without damaging your walls or your sanity. Some painting and wallpaper contractors will provide this service, but you can do this yourself!

There are several types of wallpapers out there.  Here is a list of the most common:

• Wallpaper with or without a vinyl coating
• Solid Vinyl with a synthetic or fabric backing
• Solid Vinyl with a paper backing
• Wallpaper with a strippable backing

Find Out If Your Wallpaper Is Removeable​
Before you get started with removing wallpaper, find out if your wallpaper is peelable or strippable. These are generally wallpapers manufactured in the last 10 years that easily peel off, leaving a paper backing on the wall or strip off completely without water or chemicals.  If your wallpaper is older, it’s best to assume you’ll need extra tools and supplies. Bring a piece of your wallpaper by Color Wheel so we can help determine what’s needed.

Determining if your walls were prepared before the wallpaper was hung is critical.  Wallpaper primer prevents the adhesive from soaking into the drywall or plaster behind it, which allows for easy removal. Unfortunately, this step is often skipped.

Plan Accordingly with Time and Tools
Proper planning will make your wallpaper removal job that much easier. If your wallpaper was not applied with primer or is not peelable, chances are it will take you the better part of a day to remove wallpaper in just one room.

Removing non-peelable wallpaper can be messy and takes time. Remember, the longer the wallpaper has been there, the harder it may be to remove. Therefore, it’s essential to plan and prep your space before getting started.
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Tools and supplies you may need:

• Wallpaper Stripper Concentrate and a bucket
• Scoring Tool to break the surface and allow remover to dissolve the adhesive
• Wallpaper Shaver and extra blades
• Drop cloths
• Painter’s tape
• Towels

The drop cloths, towels, and painter’s tape will help you protect floors, trim, outlets, and vents, although it’s still wise to turn off the electricity in that room and move furniture before getting started.

Let’s get started​
Use the Scoring tool, punch small and shallow holes in the surface of the wallpaper.  You can do the entire room ahead of time or work in smaller sections.  It’s kind of fun but your arm may get tired. Older children may enjoy doing this so put them to work.

Mix the wallpaper stripper concentrate according to the instructions on the container.  Mix smaller batches if you’re not planning to remove the entire room at one time.  There’s no rush.

Apply the solution, working in a small area, to the surface of the wallpaper and wait the recommended amount of time in the instructions.  If you hurry, the stripper will not have time to do its job.  Working in a small area first, will allow you to see how it’s working and when to start shaving.  Try a 3’ x 3’ square.

The wallpaper may be able to be removed in full sheets depending on the prior wall prep and the type of paper.  Pull gently in a diagonal direction, SLOWLY!  Never pull fast as you may tear off the surface of the drywall underneath. If this works, skip the next step and do a little happy dance.
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If you’re not dancing, we recommend using a wallpaper shaver which protect the wall surface from gouges and to more easily scrape the wallpaper off.  Putty knives are too thick and narrow to do this efficiently. It’s important to change the blades regularly. As you’re working, if it seems like an area is harder to remove, you probably need to change the blade.

Using a sprayer for the stripper can also help you properly saturate the wallpaper—often, a rag or spray bottle won’t do the job. Remember to do one section at a time, as the sections should not dry out before you can attempt to remove them.

Don’t Forget to Clean Your Walls
Your job isn’t done once the wallpaper is removed. You’ll still need to clean your walls, as paste or glue may be left over on the drywall or plaster. A sponge and stripper help remove any most of adhesive on drywall or plaster. You may need to patch a few areas before sanding and priming for new paint or wallpaper.  Apply a coat of a quality primer before painting, we recommend Benjamin Moore’s Fresh Start in most cases.

Contact Us for Wallpaper Help
Color Wheel can help you pick the perfect new paint or wallpaper for your space, as well as assist you with choosing the right tools for your next wallpaper removal job. Contact Color Wheel today or stop by and see us and we will be happy to assist you!

Painting is one of the best ways to improve the interior of your home before putting it on the market. A fresh coat of paint can cover minor imperfections such as scuffs and faded walls. Paint can also make the interior of your home look newer and net a better price for your property.

Whether you went a bit overboard with feature walls or bold colors in your home or simply want to refresh the interior, it’s worth it to consider painting before putting your house on the market.

But with so many paint colors to choose from, where do you start? We’ve narrowed down the most popular paint colors to make your selection process easier.

White, White, White
Choosing a white paint is the easiest way to improve the appearance of your home before selling. White paint allows buyers to imagine their items or décor in a space, but it also enables them to visualize different colors on the walls.

White paint can also make a home look bigger, cleaner, and brighter from the inside.

You can go with an off-white, but be selective, as not all white paint colors are created equal. For example, some white paints have tints that can make them appear more dingy or have an undertone of blue, white, or pink. If these aren’t the looks you’re going for, stick to a more true white.

We recommend: Benjamin Moore’s Mascarpone (AF-20) because it’s a soft, warm off-white that helps warm up interior spaces without being too yellow. We also recommend Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White (#239), another soft, warm white with hints of yellow.

Cool and Warm Grays​
It’s hard to argue with the popularity of gray paint. However, gray paint has a timeless feature that extends beyond modern charm. Grays are flattering in natural and artificial lighting and go with practically any décor or home style.

Grays can be cool or warm and can be used for everything from traditional to modern homes. There is even a popular tone called “greige”, which is gray paint with hints of beige or a beige undertone.

Choosing gray paint allows the new homeowners to have a blank canvas to personalize the house. It can even help improve the versatility of certain rooms, as gray works well for an office, bedroom, or even a playroom. Warm grays are staying in fashion, so consider a warmer hue with green or even purple undertones.

We recommend: Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl (2137-60) as it’s a light gray yet still has enough pigment to give your rooms a little color.

Timeless and Versatile Neutrals
All the colors we’ve discussed so far are considered neutrals. However, if you’re not keen on white or gray, or feel these colors wouldn’t flatter your particular home’s style, you have other options.

Timeless and versatile neutrals can flatter virtually any space. These include colors such as beige and some pastels, such as light blue or green. When choosing neutral colors, be sure to stick to a consistent color palette. The rooms should all feel like they are part of the same home.

Other neutral options include soft pinks, tans, and champagne tones that you can use in almost any room.
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We recommend: Benjamin Moore’s Muslin (OC-12), a lovely soft neutral beige that looks great in large spaces and doesn’t come across as dingy as some other beiges can do. We also recommend Farrow & Ball’s Skimming Stone (#241)—this paint may look gray in some lighting, but it has a warm beige undertone to help warm up the walls and make a space feel cozy.

Choose the Perfect Paint Color to Sell Your Home Fast
You may be surprised just how much your home’s paint color can impact its time on the market and its selling price. When painting your home before selling, let Color Wheel help you choose the best paint colors for your interior spaces. Contact us to get started today at (703) 356-8477 for an appointment, or stop by to see our amazing color selections from Benjamin Moore Paint and Farrow & Ball Paint.