Tips for Creating a Relaxing Room for Lovers of the Shore

A trip to the seashore can end with you returning home with a desire to surround yourself with a calm serenity; the same emotions your experienced sitting in the sand listening to the waves crash to shore. Color can help you create emotion in a room.

When choosing paint colors, remember that the ceiling of your room is a canvas as well. While leaving the ceiling white is always an option, you should consider adding color to the ceiling as well.

By adding a small amount of color to a can of white paint, you create a color that is a soft reflection of the wall color. This color will make the transition from wall to ceiling less blunt. This is a great idea for any room and any color. Painting the ceiling with the softened color will leave the room feeling less like a box and actually make the ceilings feel higher. The starkness of the colored walls ending at a white ceiling, draw attention to the top of the walls making them appear shorter.

When tackling any paint job, the first step is preparation. Now is the time to fill any holes or correct any imperfections on the surface to be painted. You can purchase a small container of Spackling Compound at any building supply center, such as Ace Hardware, Home Depot or Lowe's Home Improvement for a reasonable price. Simple to use, all you do is smooth the compound over the area, blending the edges smoothly with the surrounding wall. Once the Spackle is dry, sand it lightly, blending all into the wall. Once your wall is prepared, you can begin your painting.

A great color that captures the feeling of water is Salem Blue by Olympic Paints. Olympic paints are sold at Lowe's for less than $20 per gallon. Developed by PPG, Olympic Paints are available in over 1200 colors. If Olympic Paint's Salem Blue would not be your choice, you will find a great selection of blues that will please any water lover.

For a great seaside feel, paint your walls Salem Blue, saving about 2 cups for adding to the flat white ceiling paint. Add the blue a small amount at a time until your reach a shade that pleases you. I always record how much I added so that I can replicate the color if I wish. I find a small inconspicuous area on a closet or cabinet wall and record all of the paint information in pencil. This information easily covers with the new paint when the color has been changed, making a place for the new information. This way the information is always in the room with the colors and is always easy to find. Do not use pen as this will bleed through the color.

Paint all trim in the room a bright white. The white against the blue have been long time nautilus favorites. Use all white decorations. I suggest adding large seashell ornaments in light colors. For a nice pop, add a large conch shell, white with dark chocolate brown accents.

I have gathered weathered wood and wicker, painted white for room accents as well. Scatter baskets around the room for magazines or catch-alls. Remember you are trying to evoke a lighthearted, relaxed feel, so stay away from dark or heavy items.