Color looks different in Ann Arbor's gray winter light than it does on a store chip. We help you choose colors and sheens with samples on your own walls or siding, and we can supply samples for an HOA application.
Choosing colors is the part of a paint job people worry about most. Our color consulting helps you settle on colors and sheens before any paint is bought. We look at the rooms or the outside of the house with you, talk about how each space is used and bring samples. You see the colors on your own walls, in your own light, before you decide. It works for a single room or for a whole house.
Light in Ann Arbor changes a great deal through the year. Winter days are short and gray, which cools colors and makes some whites look flat or bluish. Summer brings strong sun and green light reflected from trees. Many older houses here also have dark stained woodwork that pulls wall colors warmer. We test samples on more than one wall and suggest you look at them morning and evening. A color can read quite differently at each hour.
Outside, the fixed parts of the house lead the choice: the roof, brick or stone, and the window frames. Older homes on the Old West Side or in Burns Park often suit a body color, a trim color and one accent. If you live in an HOA or condominium, we can supply samples for your application. Painting unpainted brick in a city historic district is discouraged by the city's guidelines, so we raise that early.
Color consulting in Ann Arbor: common questions
How do I test a paint color properly?
Use a large sample, not a small chip. Put it on two walls that get different light and look at it in the morning, at midday and under your lamps at night.
Why does my white look yellow or blue?
Whites carry an undertone. Cool north light and gray Michigan winter days bring out blue. Warm bulbs and creamy trim bring out yellow. Comparing several whites side by side shows the difference.
Do I need approval for exterior colors in Ann Arbor?
The city rarely regulates paint color, even in its historic districts. HOAs and condominium associations often do. Check your documents and get approval in writing before work starts.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.