The Painter's Corner: Paint 101, part 2

In addition to the mainstream paint companies out there, there are many smaller paint manufacturers marketing their products for more specialized niche markets. Here are just some of them.

Premiere Interior Paints
Many of these high end paints used to only be available to decorators, or were only found in Europe, but thanks to an increase in demand by consumers, they are available to the general public. They are expensive, but many swear by their quality, and the type of coverage and colors they carry. Farrow and Ball paints, for instance, can have chalky, muted tones in colors not available anywhere else, for that classic Old English look. Where else could one find colors named Churlish Green and Dead Salmon? Benjamin Moore taps into this market with their new, color saturated Aura paint line, and Ralph Lauren Paints, listed yesterday, have always been marketed for an upscale market.
Donald Kaufman Paint
Farrow and Ball
Fine Paints of Europe

Specialty Paints and Wall Coverings
These companies emerged to meet the needs of specialty and faux painters. Many of these paints were not available to the general public ten years ago. Metallic paints, patina paints, glazes and other specialty paints used to be the private domain of decorative painters. Now Benjamin Moore, Ralph Lauren, Home Depot’s Behr, and Lowe’s Valspar all carry their own lines. In addition, the popularity of surface treatments such as Venetian Plaster and other plaster and clay surface treatments have spurred the creation of new companies, as well as specialist companies with products not available at your home warehouse. I love the look of Portola Paints, out of California.
Faux Center
Faux Effects
Modern Masters
Portola Paints
Texston Finishing Plasters

Eco Friendly Paints
Low VOC, or volatile organic compounds, paint is now widely available. This really is a good thing for people with asthma, allergies, respiratory ailments, as well as babies, children, and pets. Also popular now are eco-friendly companies using other ingredients that are recyclable or from renewable and organic resources. All of the big paint companies have a low VOC line, and here are some other resources. Milk paint has been around for centuries, while Anna Sova paint looks good enough to drink.

American Clay
Anna Sova Paint
Green Planet Paints
Milk Paint Company
The Real Milk Paint Company
Yolo Colorhouse

Photo: Anna Sova Luxury Organics