Choosing paint color is mostly about light. The same color looks different in north and south rooms, in daylight and lamplight, and in matte versus satin, so a good consultation narrows choices on the wall itself, with large samples viewed at different times of day, before a gallon is bought.
A consultation looks at the room's light, fixed elements such as flooring, countertops, brick and roofing, and how rooms connect. A short list of colors is then tested as large samples on the actual walls, viewed in the morning, afternoon and evening. Portola's lime wash data sheet makes the same point for its own finish: colors appear different in each space because of light, reflection, flooring and furniture, so sampling in the space is essential.
Light Reflectance Value, or LRV, describes how much light a color reflects: higher numbers are lighter. It matters practically outside: Benjamin Moore's Aura exterior data sheet says not to paint vinyl siding with any color darker than the original or with an LRV below 57 unless the color is on its approved vinyl palette, because dark colors absorb heat and can warp the siding.
The same color reads slightly darker and richer in higher sheens and softer in matte, because sheen changes how light reflects off the surface. Regal Select, for example, is made in matte, eggshell, satin/pearl and semi-gloss. Testing samples in the sheen that will be used avoids surprises.
Deep and bright colors often cover less per coat. Benjamin Moore notes that certain custom colors require a deep base primer tinted to a special formula, and recommends tinting primer toward the finish color when a significant color change is planned. Choosing a dramatic color can add a primer coat to the job.
Beyond vinyl siding limits, some neighborhoods review exterior changes. The City of Easton requires a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior alterations visible from a public way in its Local Historic District, and the City of Bethlehem's historic review boards review exterior changes in its historic districts. Checking before choosing saves a repaint.
Whites, grays and beiges all lean toward a hue, warm toward yellow or red, cool toward blue or green. Next to cabinets, countertops, flooring and brick, a color's undertone either harmonizes or clashes. Placing large samples beside those fixed materials, rather than judging chips alone, is the most reliable way to see undertones before committing.
Joseph Assise III Painting is based in Easton and serves towns across eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey, centered on the Lehigh Valley. Town pages:
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Local guides with housing-age and climate data: Lafayette College, Easton | St. Luke's Easton Campus | Lehigh University, Bethlehem | SteelStacks, Bethlehem | Wind Creek, Bethlehem | Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest | Dorney Park, South Whitehall.
Two to four finalists is usually enough. Paint large samples, at least a couple of feet square, on the walls where the color will go, including a wall that gets direct light and one in shadow, and look at them in the morning, afternoon and evening. Small chips under store lighting rarely predict how a color looks across a whole room.
Lighting, surroundings and sheen. North light is cooler and flatter, south light warmer and brighter, and lamps add their own color. Flooring, furniture and wall size also reflect onto the paint. Portola's lime wash data sheet notes colors appear different in each space due to light, reflection, flooring and furniture, which is true of all paint.
Only within the manufacturer's limits. Benjamin Moore says not to paint vinyl with a color darker than the original or with a Light Reflective Value below 57 unless it is on its approved vinyl palette, because dark colors absorb heat and can warp siding. Sherwin-Williams offers a limited VinylSafe palette for darker colors on vinyl.
Only in certain areas. Easton's Local Historic District requires a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior alterations visible from a public way, and Bethlehem's historic review boards review exterior changes in its historic districts. Homeowners associations may also have color rules. Check with the municipality or HOA before choosing.
Sources: Benjamin Moore Aura Waterborne Exterior Soft Gloss (N632) technical data sheet; Benjamin Moore Regal Select Interior Eggshell (N549) technical data sheet; Benjamin Moore Advance Waterborne Interior Alkyd Satin (792) technical data sheet; Portola Paints Lime Wash technical data sheet (rev. 02.28.25); Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior product page and customer information sheet; City of Easton, Local Historic District; City of Bethlehem, Historic and Conservation Districts. Figures checked October 2026.
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