<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">Choosing Kitchen Paint Colors</font></h2><p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt">Trends in paint colors change with the seasons just like fashions, and this year is no different, especially when it comes to kitchen paint colors. The style this year is to choose colors that will spice up the kitchen and make it stand out from other rooms in the home.</span></p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Market surveys for 2010 have found that people are looking for kitchen colors that will last a long time without becoming boring. This means that energetic shades of red, yellow and purple, accented with gray and blue, were at the top of consumers’ lists. Beyond color, the other two main concerns with kitchen paint are texture and type of paint.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Today’s stainless steel and black appliances are giving some people a desire to make like the Iron Chef with an industrial kitchen. That means kitchen paint in various shades of gray. It may not sound appetizing at first, but apparently the combination of gray with black accents is making a very stylish, contemporary kitchen color scheme.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/2a.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/2a.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">At the other end of the color spectrum, kitchen paint in vibrant shades of yellow, purple and blue are popping up everywhere. Although nutritionists tell us that the color blue doesn’t do much for people’s appetites, blue in the kitchen apparently has cooks dreaming of blueberry pie. Yellow and purple is a color combination straight out of Latin America, with all the warmth and appeal of those luscious sun-kissed countries.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">And then we come to red. As a kitchen color, red has amazing staying power. Think of red-and-white-checked tablecloths, bowls of fresh strawberries or crisp red apples, and fresh green salads bursting with red cherry tomatoes. Red isn’t just a color that spurs people to action; it’s one of the colors in nature that can actually make people start salivating. The traditional red-and-white kitchen is an all-time favorite, and one that can fit into any decor, from Cottage/Country to sleek Contemporary.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Choosing the right colors for the kitchen also means taking into account the kind of paint to be used. The trick is to find paint that’s not only in the desired colors, but also in the right finish for the job. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Thankfully, paint manufacturers are now making paint specifically for use in the kitchen, where all is hot, greasy and steamy. Kitchen paint is made to resist water, heat and stains; the Big Three as far as damaging a kitchen decor is concerned. This typically means a paint finish that’s either semi-gloss or gloss, so that it’s easy to clean.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">How do you finally choose paint for the kitchen? Remember those three things mentioned earlier: color, type and texture of paint.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">For example, a formal or Traditional style kitchen with lots of dark wood and brass cabinet hardware would look jarring with a bright, shiny finish, more muted colors in a flat texture would work well. Just don’t pick colors that are too dark and saturated.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">On the other hand, a kitchen with light-wood Cottage or Country style cabinets, or a French Provincial design, would look best in bright colors. Here’s where a high-shine washable latex paint – or even a glossy paint — in spring shades of yellow, blue, green or lilac would be cheerful and welcoming. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">If, even after all your efforts, you decide you don’t like your kitchen paint colors, don’t fret. Paint is one of the easiest and most inexpensive changes to make in home decor. So if those kitchen colors don’t thoroughly delight you and your family, just paint some new colors!</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><strong>About the author</strong>  <p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt">Expert contributing author Scarlett offers a wealth of creative tips on kitchen home decorating. She writes for House Of Area Rugs, the place to go for the latest trends in <a href="http://www.houseofarearugs.com/Red-Rugs-p-1-c-37.html" target="_blank">red rugs</a> and <a href="http://www.houseofarearugs.com/Black-Rugs-p-1-c-30.html" target="_blank">black rugs</a>.</span></p></span>