You Asked, We Answered

We scoured #swcolorlove to see what sorts of color questions you had, then submitted them to our color expert, Sue Wadden. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: I’m turning one of my rooms into a guest bedroom. What color should I paint it? - Katie, MD

A: Since you never know who might be stopping by for a weekend, it’s good to keep the guest bedroom basic. A neutral color palette will make anyone feel at home. I’d recommend a light color, such as white or pastel blue, which will make the room feel airy and large, giving the guest plenty of space for his or her stay. Check out this issue's feature article for more guest bedroom inspiration ideas.

Q: I just bought a new house with an ugly brick fireplace, and I’d like to paint it. What tools do you recommend for the job? - Lauren, CT

A: Painting brick can be a great way to invigorate an otherwise dull fixture – especially a fireplace. I recommend a roller for the brick faces, and a sash brush for the edges and mortar between each brick. If you have highly-textured bricks, use a roller with at least a ½-inch nap that can reach into each brick’s individual crevices. And if your bricks have a shiny, glazed face, prime the surface first to help your paint stick.

Q: I seem to have a lingering smoke smell in my kitchen. Is there anything you'd recommend to help with common house odors? - Bill, CA

A: As a matter of fact, Sherwin-Williams Harmony^® interior acrylic latex paint helps reduce indoor odors such as pet, cooking and smoke to help rooms stay fresher, longer. In addition to giving your walls a washable, durable finish, Harmony contains formaldehyde reducing technology* that helps improve indoor air quality by reducing VOC (volatile organic compounds) from sources such as carpet, cabinets and fabrics.

*The length of time Harmony actively reduces odors and formaldehyde depends on the concentration, the frequency of exposure and the amount of painted surface area.