Color Blind-Friendly Home Paint Guide

Color Blind-Friendly Home Paint Guide

An estimated 300 million people experience some form of color vision deficiency, otherwise known as color blindness. For those who are not color blind, it can feel nearly impossible to comprehend how those who fall on the color blind spectrum perceive color. Understanding the different forms of color vision deficiencies is the first step to confidently determine what colors will best work in a color blind home.

This color spectrum chart shows how three different types of color blindness impact color perception

NOT QUITE BLACK & WHITE

The biggest misconception about people who are color blind is that they see all colors in black and white. The truth is that over 99% of color blind people can see colors, they just interpret colors differently. True black and white color blindness, scientifically referred to as monochromacy or achromatopsia, is incredibly rare and impacts less than 1% of the color blind community. Let’s look at three specific forms of color blindness and their impact on color perception.

Left: How Billiard Green appears to someone with normal color vision
Right: How Billiard Green appears to someone with deuteranomaly

DEUTERANOMALY

Deuteranomaly is the most common form of color blindness and is often referred to as “red-green color blind.” Deuteranomaly accounts for 62.5% of all color blindness. Individuals who experience this form of color blindness have reduced sensitivity to green light, meaning that while shades of green can still be seen, they are interpreted differently. Those impacted by deuteranomaly typically have a tough time differentiating the following colors:

  • Greens from reds
  • Light greens from yellows
  • Pinks from light grays

Left: How Fireweed appears to someone with normal color vision
Right: How Fireweed appears to someone with protanomaly

PROTANOMALY

Protanomaly is a rarer form of red-green color blindness, with those experiencing it making up 12.5% of the color blind community. Individuals with protanomaly have reduced sensitivity to red light. Those impacted by protanomaly typically have a tough time differentiating the following colors:

  • Mid-reds from mid-greens
  • Dark oranges and dark red
  • Orange from mid-green
  • Purples from blue

Left: How Naval appears to someone with normal color vision
Right: How Naval appears to someone with tritanomaly

TRITANOMALY

Tritanomaly is commonly referred to as “blue-yellow” color blind, but it is anything but common, making up only around 1% of the color blind community. Those with tritanomaly have reduced sensitivity to blue light and may struggle interpreting all shades of blue and nearby colors on the color spectrum, including yellow, green and purple. Those impacted by tritanomaly typically find it nearly impossible to perceive any colors aside from red.

COLOR BLIND COLOR COLLECTIONS

Now that we have identified the potential problem colors for these three types of color blindness, let’s take a look at some curated colors that can be enjoyed in a color blind home.

DEUTERANOMALY-FRIENDLY COLORS

This color collection is a great for households that include someone who experiences deuteranomaly. Neutral colors like Extra White and Tricorn Black are great foundational colors that can be used either as the primary color or an accent, without any risk that they could be misinterpreted. For those who want to introduce some warm undertones, Alabaster and Navajo White can bring a cozy feel by leaning more yellow. Drift of Mist and Homburg Gray are cooler neutrals that stay away from any green undertones.

Yellow and blue tones are also great options for those with deuteranomaly, as long as you stay away from colors with green tints and undertones. Georgian Bay, Aleutian and Sleepy Blue provide a full scope of relaxing and calming blues. If you desire a warm and energetic space, Bakelite Gold, Dakota Wheat and Napery offer an abundance of cheerful charm.

PROTANOMALY-FRIENDLY COLORS

For the protanomaly color collection, these colors lean a tad cooler to stay away from warmer tones with reddish undertones. Cool whites and neutrals like Snowbound, Morning Fog and Iron Ore offer a variety of popular color options that work as a primary color or as an accent. If these colors feel too cool, Greek Villa has warm undertones and pairs beautifully with the other colors in the collection but is subtle enough that it won’t be confused with another color.

Naval, Calypso and Silvermist are excellent blue options that feature green undertones. The green undertones in these shades help stay far away from the red colors and shades that protanomaly struggle with. Green is also a great color, as long as you stay away from light and bright greens that may get confused with yellow. Dark greens and neutral greens such as Billiard Green and Evergreen Fog make for great options. Alexandrite is a vibrant shade of the green that pairs nicely with the blues featured in this collection and Greek Villa.

TRITANOMALY-FRIENDLY COLORS

For those with Tritanomaly, most colors are impacted due to the reduced sensitivity to seeing blue. This can drastically impact how a person perceives the blue and yellow undertones featured in many white and neutrals paints. Because of the absence of any undertones, Extra White and Tricorn Black make great options.

The color that is least impacted by tritanomaly is red. Consider one of Sherwin-Williams many vibrant reds, including Positive Red – the perfect color that falls right in the middle of the color spectrum. While red orange colors tend to lose their vibrancy, pink typically retains its color accuracy. This makes the dark, rich Blackberry and the vibrant Cheery good options.

BRING COLOR SAMPLES HOME

An important step in any color journey is to try colors in your home before you commit to a complete makeover. Colors can appear differently throughout the day due to ever-changing light conditions. For a color blind individual, this might not just cause a slight shift in tone, but a completely different interpretation of color. Make sure the entire household has honest conversations on what colors look like to them and what colors they like. Someone with deuteranomaly might love a shade of green even though they can’t fully interpret the color. Don’t forget, this is YOUR color journey, and the hue you choose is the one that’s perfect for you.

from TINTED – A Blog by Sherwin-Williams

AUGUST 2023 COLOR OF THE MONTH SILVERMIST

Just like the surf that inspired it, Silvermist’s cool tone can look both blue and green. You’ll be ready to embrace both as you drift away on the coastal vibes of this gentle hue that’s so serene, you’ll be dreaming of breezy ocean air.

 

SEASIDE STYLE

The August palette brings the ocean home with just the right balance of delicate hues for creating a relaxed modern coastal space. At the center, you’ll find Silvermist. Its soft, misty blend of blue-green and slate gray undertones gives this hue an effortless versatility that makes it the perfect base color for evoking the casual, calming atmosphere of this look.

Get the Look: Nautical Details, Wicker Furnishings, Greenery

LAID-BACK LIVING

 

Kick back and soak up the easy vibe of a seaside style that’s meant to feel relaxed, refreshing and full of endless possibility – just like the California coast. The beachy feel of this palette really starts to roll in as you begin to play with the lighter coordinate hues that echo Silvermist’s delicate undertones. Layer the soft gray of Drift of Mist with an iconic surf spray-inspired color like Sea Salt for a light and airy feel as breezy and bright as a summer day at the beach.

Get the Look: Ocean Photography, Simplicity, Clean Lines

 

INVITING SHADES

Pay homage to classic coastal Nantucket navy with Big Dipper, a captivating coordinate color that’s just as much at home in Florida as it is in Maine. This alluring hue’s dark blue inkiness makes the perfect moody backdrop reminiscent of the depths of the sea. Embrace the enveloping, cozy feel it creates by pairing with warm wood tones and natural materials, and, to bring a note of harmony, carry Silvermist’s calming tone into the space through accents.

Get the Look: Driftwood, Weathered Wood, Striped Pattern

from TINTED – A Blog by Sherwin-Williams

JULY 2023 COLOR OF THE MONTH KALE GREEN

Walk on the wild side with a dose of jungle-inspired color.

Kale Green’s lush tone feels like it was picked straight from the tropics and placed into a maximalist oasis where no rules are the rules.

ALIVE WITH COLOR

Make room for more of what you love with a style and color that brings the fun in an eclectic but elevated way. Kale Green’s lush shade adds just the right amount of drama for a maximalist look that rides on tropical boho vibes. Whether you use a lot or a little of this hue, it makes a vibrant statement that sets the mood for your space. In a style that invites you to go for it, be sure to bring it with color!

Get the Look: Global Patterns, Rattan Furnishings, Tropical Greenery

LUSHLY LAYERED

Bold color transforms spaces. A dark neutral like Black Magic has the power to transport. Anchor your maximalist-influenced bathroom in this hue’s dark tone and watch as the brighter shades in the palette combine to create the carefree feel of a tropical escape. Alabaster provides a clean backdrop to heighten the pleasing sense of contrast and acts as a blank canvas. Just a bit of Kale Green amplifies the botanical tone of the foliage and artwork, while a tiny dose of Peppery’s fiery shade pops as an accent. Bringing these tropical pairings together brings an elevated but attainable feel.

Get the Look: Tropical Foliage, Bold Color, Gold Accents

 

INVITING SHADES

When you’re working with such a gorgeous green, why not use it to greet your guests? Kale Green’s dialed-up energy sets the stage for your maximalist story to unfold inside and brings your front porch space alive with a little inspiration from the wild outdoors. Along with just a touch of Peppery, these bolder colors pop against the bright surrounding shade of Alabaster, and create a seamless and harmonious flow to what awaits.

Get the Look: Rattan Furnishings, Global Patterns, Greenery

from TINTED – A Blog by Sherwin-Williams

Best Bedroom Blues

Best Bedroom Blues

Our bedrooms should be a space for sanctuary. Neutral and versatile, blue paint can act as a bold accent, or provide the perfect backdrop to give you a sleepy, sweet sanctuary. We’re highlighting three blue bedrooms from you that give us all the inspiration.

THE BOLD & BEAUTIFUL

Naval may be a dark paint color, but pair it with bright decor and accents to create a balancing contrast. Create a focal point for your bed by using Naval on a geometric accent wall. The dimensional lines will naturally draw the eye toward the center of your bed.

BORING BEDROOM NO MORE

Say goodbye to boring bedroom walls with a splash of bold color. Try combining bright hues like Lagoon with natural textures and white accent colors to give your space an uplifting look that feels carefree and coastal.

SAIL AWAY TO SLEEP

Try a nautical-inspired hue to bring the calming vibes of the beach to your space. Deep Sea Dive is a jewel tone that can be balanced with warm-colored accents. A backdrop this bold is the perfect way to highlight your most beloved belongings.

Blue bedroom bookcase with gold bed.

from TINTED – A Blog by Sherwin-Williams

3 Ways to Create a Picture-Perfect Porch

There’s nothing more welcoming than a front porch. Whether you’re seated outside with a morning cup of coffee or taking a “porchtrait” with your family, this outdoor haven gets a lot of attention. Give your porch a colorful update with these three ideas.

REFRESH YOUR DOOR

Creating a warm and welcoming look starts with giving your front door a fresh coat of paint or stain. Whether you go bold with color or keep it neutral, this simple DIY takes less than a day to complete and gives your porch an instant facelift.

ACCENT THE CEILING

Adding a pop of color to your porch’s ceiling is an easy way to add a little bit of personality. Pull color inspiration from your shutters to create a seamless look or stick with light and airy hues to create a space that feels open and inviting.

ACCESSORIZE

Ready to add the final touches? It’s all in the details. Creating a lived-in look is the secret to DIYing a picture-perfect front porch. Whether it’s rattan seating or a potted fiddle leaf tree, accessorizing allows you to create a space you’ll enjoy using day after day.

Feeling inspired to freshen up your front porch? Let’s make your inspiration a reality.

 

from TINTED – A Blog by Sherwin-Williams

My Best Painters Are Creative

Here is a recent Podcast of Hands On Painters owner, Jonathan Zawacki talking with Ryan and Nate about living life on your own terms.

 

MARCH 2023 – 5 Colors That Highlight Your Houseplants

5 Colors That Highlight Your Houseplants

Adding houseplants to your home is an easy way to breathe life, style and texture into your space. Grow the extra mile by pairing them up with the perfect coordinating colors that help your green goddesses stand out. Use our plant and color formulas to find plant design combinations that will have your houseguests green with envy. Plus, finesse your flora with our style tips to keep your plant babies looking super fresh.

MONSTERA + JOVIAL = BOHEMIAN BEAUTY

The ever-popular monstera is an absolute staple in many houseplant collections. With their vibrant green color and huge leaves that have swiss-cheese like holes, monsteras add funky flair to just about any room. Try a smaller plant on a bright kitchen table or go big with a statement-making floor plant. Complement your monstera’s carefree vibrancy with an equally bright pink hue such as Jovial for an all-eyes-on-me moment.

Style Tip: Go Boho. Complete your ode to an oasis by potting your monstera in a woven straw or wicker planter for adorable bohemian style. 

POTHOS + CHARTREUSE = PLAYFUL PARADISE

Your creativity knows no bounds, so match your imaginative spirit to your space with a bright punch of yellow-green Chartreuse. Reinforce the playfulness with a double hit of green found in the whimsical vining pothos. This hearty plant has mid-green heart-shaped leaves that come in dozens of variegated varieties that display striations of white, cream, yellow or pale green. Pothos look just as good cascading down a tall shelf as they do dangling freely from a hand-made macramé hanger.

Style Tip: Climb away! While pothos can’t naturally climb like ivy, you can train your plant to trail in any direction by carefully securing the vines to surfaces such as windowsills or walls with inexpensive adhesive clips. 

AIR PLANT + SHOJI WHITE = MINIMALIST MINDSET

Breathe in. Breathe out. Take a cue or two from the effortlessness exuded by the air plant. These peaceful plants are known as epiphytes, which means they obtain nutrients from their surroundings such as (you guessed it) air and rain. Air plants come in a wide range of greens, with many of them falling into a tranquil eucalyptus shade. Contrast their cool green with a timeless warm neutral such as Shoji White and get in touch with your inner cozy calm.

Style Tip: Keep it natural. Mimic the air plant’s in-the-wild environment by styling them on a found wooden platter or small artisan bowl.

FIDDLE LEAF FIG + NAVAL = ULTIMATE OPULENCE

The deep, sophisticated blue found in Naval deserves only the most sumptuous of accompaniments. That’s why the shiny, deep green violin-shaped leaves of the fiddle leaf fig make the perfect pairing.  These houseplants have been wildly popular for the last several years, and for good reason. Fiddle leaf figs add a flourish of luxury as the focal point of your living room or bedroom by grounding the space and connecting it back to nature.

Style Tip: Go retro. A gold metallic planter screams sophistication and offers contrast against the deep blue and glossy greens that would make even Gatsby jealous.

SNAKE PLANT + BLACKBERRY = MOODY MASTERPIECE

Do you suffer from a black thumb? Luckily, the snake plant’s easy-to-care-for vibe makes it a great choice for even the most novice of plant parents. The forest green, sword-like leaves of smaller varieties make a sharp statement sitting on your study desk, while a larger plant can add dramatic height to an otherwise empty corner. Pair your snake plant’s deep green color with an equally rich purple such as Blackberry for an enigmatic, scholarly aesthetic.

Style Tip: Dare to be dark. A moody aesthetic such as dark academia borrows materials from gothic architecture. Try potting your snake plant in textured, unglazed stoneware.

FEBRUARY 2023 COLOR OF THE MONTH HOMBURG GRAY

The finer things only get better with time.

Embrace the timeless elegance of a color that brings sophisticated style to traditional spaces.

 

GRACEFUL GREETINGS

Greet guests with an inviting hint of cozy and a touch of classic elegance in a welcoming space saturated in this gorgeous gray green color. Homburg Gray is an alluring neutral hue with a little mystery, shifting its look and mood with the light. Bright, open spaces filled with natural light pull its earthy green undertones. And in darker settings, it reveals its deeper blue green character as the more refined side of its personality emerges. Its easy adaptability and versatile style give it a place throughout the home.

Get the Look: Warm Wood Tones, Oversized Bookcase, Plants

A WELL-CRAFTED KITCHEN

Stunning and refined with a timeless appeal, Homburg Gray sets the tone for a traditional kitchen space with a distinctly elevated look. The luxurious richness of this hue against the rustic, artisan feel of dark wood island cabinets provides a thoughtful moment of poignant contrast – a moment that gains deeper impression from additional natural elements like marble and greenery, as well as the enveloping feeling of an Homburg Gray ceiling. The overall effect gives vibes of effortless elegance and good taste.

Get the Look: Wood Grain, Natural Stone, Cut Branches

 

LAUNDRY ROOM STYLE

Whether playing a more considered, supporting role, or making a statement covering a wall as a featured color, this moody hue’s rich appeal always makes an impact. Carry its sophisticated charm into a laundry room space in smaller measure, giving Toile Red’s muted tone the focus against a warm Greek Villa backdrop. With a color as stunning as Homburg Gray, you find reasons (big and small) to use it wherever and however you can.

Get the Look: Minimal Elements, Natural Light, Warm Wood Tones

 

Reposted: A Blog by SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

Color of the Month January 2023: Redend Point

There’s a simple beauty to everyday life – sometimes all you need is a little reminder.

 

Welcome the new year in a meaningful way with the help of Redend Point’s humble hue and nourishing spirit.

SEE HOW WE BROUGHT REDEND POINT TO LIFE IN THREE DIFFERENT ROOMS.

 

SUNBAKED SANCTUARY

A minimalist look where everything has its place creates calm and implies care and attention – qualities you find in a serene bedroom retreat. This is where the soft, nourishing hue of Redend Point shines as a beautiful, blushing backdrop. A wide-open space that embraces a ‘less is more’ aesthetic allows for simple but impactful focal points. A natural wicker pendant light takes center-attention, enhancing the earthy vibe and helping to harmonize the space by creating cohesiveness. Use the deep, wine-red shade of Carnelian in thoughtful accents to lend richness and draw the eye, while coordinating neutrals help keep it all balanced.

Get the Look: Layered Textiles, Minimal Elements, Textured Rug

HAPPY HARMONIES

Whether we’re spinning records or relaxing in conversation, our simple gathering spaces invite us to slow down and savor the things that matter most. The soulful note of Redend Point hangs as a hint in the background, peeking through with its humble reminder of warmth and connection – something that’s echoed in harmonizing accents throughout the space. A soothing Elephant Ear backdrop grounds the space and adds to the coziness with a subtle note of cool comfort.

Get the Look: Natural Textiles, Warm Accents, Room-to-Room Harmony

SPARE SOPHISTICATION

With its easy versatility, this color can go just about anywhere, but a hue that nourishes the soul is right at home in a space where we break bread. Make Redend Point the guest-of-honor in a dining room that balances its spare simplicity with this hue’s subtle sophistication and inviting charm. Layered notes of warmth from the wood flooring and Cool Beige trim build on the relaxed vibe, while thoughtfully chosen accent pieces tie it all together and support room-to-room harmony.

Get the Look: Minimal Elements, Natural Light, Warm Wood Tones

 

Reposted : A Blog by SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

3 Easy Ways to Get Your Home Ready for the Holidays

The holidays are knocking at the door with guests not far behind. It’s a joyful but busy season of hosting and gathering. We’ve pulled together three simple DIYs to help you freshen up your home yet leave you ready to relax and enjoy all the moments that matter most.

Work Some Magic in the Dining Room

During the holidays, the dining room can become a cramped and crowded hub for hosting. For a more spacious feel, create the illusion of depth with color. A dark hue like Iron Ore can achieve this while also bringing an elevated look to the space. Paint just an accent wall or cover walls and trim with the same color to soften angles and evoke the impression of expansiveness.

A Little Love for the Trim

Refreshing trim is a simple and often-overlooked way to make an impact with little input of time or cost. To heighten the drama, go for a monochrome look using a moody shade like Mount Etna. Blending the trim, walls, and ceiling brings harmony and creates the impression of open space. Or, to keep things more simple, you could choose a darker contrasting color and paint just the trim to define borders with sharp, bold lines. Make the project even easier and simply touch up the existing color for a fresh, clean look.

Freshen Up the Fireplace

Gather round and nestle in to the cozy vibes with a quick and easy fireplace refresh. This festive focal point provides the perfect backdrop for your holiday gatherings. With a bold neutral like Pewter Green, this DIY can make a big impression year-round. It’s an easy, statement-making update that will grab the notice of family and friends.

 

Reposted A Blog by SHERWIN-WILLIAMS