Green Paint Trends   
     Going Green is a movement that has affected all facets of our lives, according to Ruthanne Hanlon, design manager for PPG Porter Paints.  

     Environmentally-friendly paint is all the rage. Green is good for obvious reasons. Non-gassing paint protects the planet's deteriorating ozone layer and makes homes healthier, especially for children and anyone with allergies.

     Today’s eco-paints do tend to cost a bit more than traditional paints, and some designers say eco paint coverage may be slightly less consistent in coverage and durability than its conventional counterparts, although the gap is fast closing.

     “‘Green’ paint has been developed as a reaction to environmental toxins that cause so many chronic health issues,” says Anna Aycock of Designs by Anna Aycock. “I personally am allergic to the glycol ethers found in traditional paints and have spent the past four years detoxing the harmful paint ingredient from my system.”

     To keep indoor air clean and cut down on landfill pollutants, many consumers are using paints that don’t contain toxic volatile organic components (VOCs). While paint is drying, VOC levels can be up to 1,000 times outdoor levels and VOCs will continue to off-gass at much lower levels after dry.

     When shopping for “green” paint, look for one that contains VOC levels of 150 grams per liter or lower.  Where Mythic and a handful of other brands were the first to offer eco-paints, today these paints come in a variety of colors and finishes and are offered by mainstream paint companies, from Sherwin Williams to PPG Porter Paint.

     Homeowners are looking for paints and paint colors that are safe for the environment and that can make their homes feel soothing and relaxed for themselves as well as guests.

     Interior paint colors are leaning towards colors that make a homeowner feel happy, relaxed, and soothed—everything from yellow to pink, as well as many earth tones such as greens, tans, and even black.

      The movement toward green paints has impacted our choices, says Hanlon. “Various shades of the color green have been widely used in recent years due to its connection to nature and its instant statement of representing ‘green,’,” she says. 

     Greens in muted shades like moss, or grey-greens are just as popular this year as the trend for "being green." Hanlon says, “The new green gray is warm and organic—it’s the color you get when you mix all the pigments together, it represents authentic, natural, raw materials that so many of us are drawn to.”

     Sherwin Williams classifies 2010 paint trends by the feelings they evoke. Groupings include Simplified, Treasured, Rooted, and Refreshed. Their names say a lot about the color schemes suggested.  For example, the "simplified" look is sophisticated, translucent, and tailored. The "treasured" look evokes an artisan or natural aging feel, highlighting subtle shades of sage green, creamy yellow, smoky blue, and toned down coral. "Rooted" hints of tribal and Native American influences with stronger tones of turquoise, bright corals, amber and colors of the desert. And "refreshed" has a cheery, tropical, and nature inspired color palette.

     Hanlon reports that homeowners typically utilize green products in all spaces of their home to create an environment that’s friendly and responsible throughout.

     “Today’s homeowners are much more educated and aware than ever before, so most are familiar with the many facets of painting  
‘green,’“ she says. “The point I like to stress is that you’re not sacrificing durability or quality when choosing a ‘green’ paint and it’s not excessively priced.

     “While PPG’s Pure Performance contains zero VOC’s its price point hits in the middle of our road in our product lineup,” Hanlon reports. “PPG Pure Performance has been in the marketplace for over 10 years, but with the heightened awareness of the environmental concerns its popularity has surged in recent years.

     Painting “green” is a great way to not only positively impact the environment; it’s a quick and inexpensive way to update the look and feel of your home with a fresh new color.

There are a number of sources for eco-friendly paint products including:

All Seasons Gardening
Nashville
615/ 214-5465

Change Magic
Nashville
615/ 275-9514

Designs by Anna Aycock
Brentwood
615/ 794-7561

(n)habit
Nashville
615/ 891-2349

PPG/Porter Paint
Nashille
www.ppgporterpaints.com

Scarlet Designs
Nashville
615/ 944-6704

Trends & Traditions
Nashville
615/ 399-0661

V2K Window Decor & More
Gallatin
615/ 452-5800

VerdeGoh!
Franklin
615/ 567-6951