colorstore

Choosing the Best Fence Stain Colors

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:39:41 GMT

Your fence does more work than you might realize. Fencing defines your property, frames your yard, and contributes significantly to your home's curb appeal. Fences are an extension to your home, and the color and finish you choose for it matter.

Whether you're working with a weathered cedar privacy fence, a newer pine picket, or a sprawling split-rail in need of a refresh, choosing the right fence stain color sets the tone for your entire exterior.

How to Choose the Right Fence Stain Color

The best fence stain color works with the materials and colors already present in your exterior — your home's siding, trim, roof, and hardscape. A warm-toned home pairs naturally with browns, cedars, and amber stains. A cooler-toned exterior, with gray siding or stone accents, can handle a driftwood gray or a cooler walnut brown without clashing.

Also, consider the condition of your wood. Semi-transparent stains reward newer, cleaner wood where grain and texture are worth highlighting. Older, more weathered fencing with uneven coloring generally benefits from a solid or semi-solid formula that provides more consistent coverage and a more uniform appearance.

Why Stain Rather Than Paint?

Before choosing a color, it's worth understanding why stain is typically the better choice for wood fences. Unlike paint, which sits on top of the wood surface and is prone to peeling and cracking as the wood expands and contracts seasonally, stain penetrates the wood fibers and moves with the material. The result is a finish that holds up better over time, requires less maintenance, and lets the natural character of the wood shine through.

Not sure whether stain or paint is the right call for your specific project? Check out our blog on the difference between paint and stain for a full breakdown.

Benjamin Moore Woodluxe® Exterior Wood Stain

Benjamin Moore's Woodluxe® Exterior Wood Stain line is one of the most comprehensive options available for fence staining projects. It's available in multiple opacity levels — from semi-transparent, which lets the wood grain show through while adding color, to solid, which provides more complete coverage for older or more weathered wood.

One of the standout features of the Woodluxe® line of exterior stains from Benjamin Moore is that for projects requiring full opacity, you're not limited to the standard stain palette. Woodluxe® solid stain can be tinted to virtually any color in the Benjamin Moore collection, giving you complete freedom to match your fence to your home's exact exterior color scheme. If you want your fence to match your trim, echo your front door, or coordinate with your shutters, this option makes that possible.

Understanding Woodluxe® Fence Stain Colors

The Woodluxe® color collection includes a wide range of classic exterior tones that complement most home styles.

Natural Cedartone ES-45 is a warm, amber-toned option that enhances the look of new cedar and pine, while Cordovan Brown ES-62 is grounded against green landscaping. Mission Brown ES-56 balances between warmth and depth.

For more on how these products perform on different wood types, read our simple guide to wood stain .

Get Your Fence Stain at Color Store near Des Moines, IA

At Color Store, we carry the complete Benjamin Moore Woodluxe® exterior stain line across all three of our locations in Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska. Our team can help you choose the right opacity, the right color, and the right prep products to get a result that holds up for years.

Browse the full range of Woodluxe® colors and formulas on our exterior stain page , or stop into the Color Store, Inc. in Des Moines, Waukee, or Omaha and let our team help you find the right product and color for your fence project.

Learn more about Benjamin Moore's deck and fence stain options , or visit us in store to pick up samples and get started.

How to Prevent Paint Streaks

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:53:36 GMT

The excitement of finishing a home improvement project is hard to beat. You have spent hours choosing the perfect shade, prepping your walls and cabinets , and carefully applying that first coat. Then, a few hours later—maybe after a sudden Iowa cold front rolls through or a humid Nebraska evening sets in—your paint has turned sticky, glossy, and maybe even has brownish streaks running down the finish. These marks can make professional projects look unfinished.

If you've encountered this, then you've experienced "surfactant leaching." At Color Store, we want to help make sure that your interior paint project goes off without a hitch. Here are some steps you can take to avoid surfactant leaching and other paint stains that can tarnish your project:

What is surfactant leaching?

If you notice tan or clear spots that feel slightly oily to the touch, you are likely dealing with surfactant leaching. Surfactants are necessary ingredients in all water-based paints that help the liquid spread evenly and keep the pigments mixed. Under normal conditions, these ingredients evaporate or become part of the paint film as it dries. However, if the paint dries too slowly—something that happens often in our part of the Midwest, where summer humidity can spike above 80% and spring temperatures swing 30 degrees in a single day—these water-soluble components can rise to the surface instead of staying where they belong.

This often happens in areas where moisture is prominent, especially in bathrooms after a hot shower, in basements common in Iowa and Nebraska homes, or on an exterior surface after a dewy morning. While these streaks can be unattractive, they do not damage the integrity of your paint. You will often see them appearing as "weeping" marks on dark colors because deeper tints require more surfactants to hold the color together.

Steps to Prevent Paint Streaks

To prevent paint streaks from appearing, you must control the environment where you are working. Moisture is the primary culprit, so taking specific precautions helps you maintain a professional finish. You can achieve better results by following these straightforward steps:

Monitor the weather: Check the forecast before starting an exterior project. In Iowa and Nebraska, spring and early summer storms can pop up fast. You should avoid painting when rain or heavy dew is expected within 24 hours.
Control the temperature: Ensure the air temperature remains steady. Midwest nights can drop 20–30 degrees from afternoon highs, especially in spring and fall. If the temperature drops significantly overnight, it can slow the curing process and cause ingredients to rise to the surface.
Improve ventilation: When you are working in a bathroom or kitchen, keep exhaust fans running and windows open. Moving air helps the paint dry more efficiently.
Apply thin coats: Applying paint too thickly traps moisture in the bottom layer. You will get a smoother result by applying multiple thin, even coats rather than one heavy layer.
Allow for extra dry time: In humid conditions, you may need to wait up to 24 hours before applying a second coat. Giving the film enough time to form correctly ensures a durable, uniform look.

Controlling the environment as best as you can is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your hard work and make sure your walls stay beautiful and streak-free.

Choosing the Best Paint for a Great Finish

The quality of the materials you use impacts how well your walls resist moisture and streaks. Using a premium interior paint like the Aura® Interior or Exterior Paint from Benjamin Moore equips you with advanced Color Lock technology, which helps the pigments stay trapped within the paint film. This reduces the likelihood of ingredients rising to the surface, giving you a rich, everlasting color that stands up to daily life. When you use high-performance coatings, you spend less time fixing mistakes and more time enjoying your transformed space.

For those high-humidity areas like master baths or laundry rooms, Aura® Bath & Spa is specifically engineered to handle steam and moisture. It coats your walls in a matte finish that's withstands humidity, minimizing the risk of leaching from the start. Specialized formulas help you to achieve an on-trend, professional look with much less effort.

Prevent Streaks in Your Next Paint Project near Des Moines, IA

Ready to start your next interior paint project off on the right foot? At Color Store, we love helping our neighbors make their homes leave a lasting impression.

Schedule a free color consultation to get started today!

We're locally owned and operated, always happy to service Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas.

Get Benjamin Moore Paint Samples & Swatches at Color Store

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 07:46:55 GMT

Deciding on the right paint color for your home can feel like a massive undertaking. Colors come in an array of finishes and formulas that impact how they behave on your walls and respond to light.

That’s why a paint sample is hardly negotiable in 2026; but it doesn’t have to be a hassle!

At Color Store, Inc., we’ve been helping our neighbors across Iowa and Nebraska select and try out Benjamin Moore’s library of over 3,000 colors with Benjamin Moore paint samples for over 35 years. We know the value of getting a renovation started off on the right foot, and that’s why we’re breaking down how and why your next painting project should start off with a selection of paint samples.

Why a Physical Paint Sample Is Best

While scrolling through digital paint chips online from the comfort of your home is easiest, digital doesn’t always cut it. Unless you’re working with a high-end monitor at specific settings, the color profile on your screen most likely doesn’t match the true value of the color. Nuance is lost and depth can be difficult to discern when compared to how a color reacts to light in your space.

The last thing you want is for that eye-catching pricey paint color purchase to clash with your furniture and flooring. A physical paint swatch better accounts for lighting, the sheen of your walls, and even the existing undertones of your room compared to a physical or digital chip or sample card. These conditions can dramatically alter how a color appears.

How to Best Use Paint Swatches

Benjamin Moore paint samples are only as good as how they’re used. Here are our tried-and-true tips for getting the most out of your color swatch:

Start with Physical Paint Sample Cards or Chips: Physical swatch cards, chips, or gradients can be a great starting point for learning about different colors—but don’t stop there! Once you narrow down your closest options, then try moving on to tester size paint samples for swatching.
Apply to Large Areas: Don't just dab a tiny bit of paint to your surface. Apply a sample to a section of your wall in areas that receive light from different angles to get a more accurate representation of how the color with act in your space.
The More The Merrier: Sample multiple colors at once! You’re going to repaint soon, and this will allow you to test your top options at once for convenient comparison.
View at Different Times of Day: Lighting changes dramatically throughout the day. Observe your samples under natural light, artificial light, and during the evening.
Consider Your Existing Elements: Look at how the samples interact with your furniture, flooring, and trim.

Deciding on a Finish for Benjamin Moore Paint Samples

You likely already have some idea of the color palette you want to test on your walls, like a versatile greige or a trendy mauve hue . Walking into your local Benjamin Moore paint store with an idea of what sheen will work best in your home can also make the process easier from swatch to finish. Every paint comes in a variety of sheens or opacities . If you have a narrow selection of colors, choose multiple opacities so that you can get a hands-on understanding of the style of paint you’re interested in.

Matte : Provides a velvety, non-reflective surface. Perfect for hiding imperfections and creating a sophisticated, modern look.
Eggshell : Slightly more reflective than matte, offering a subtle sheen. Durable and good for high-traffic areas.
Satin : Offers a noticeable sheen that enhances the beauty of the wall and is more durable than eggshell. Excellent for living rooms and dining rooms.
 Semi-Gloss & Gloss : The most reflective finishes, ideal for trim, doors, and cabinets where durability and easy cleaning are paramount.

If you have any questions, our experienced color consultants can guide you in the right direction.

Get Started with Our Benjamin Moore Paint Stores near Des Moines, IA and Omaha & Waukee, NE

When you’re ready to go beyond a “digital dollop” and see your dream color in-person, Color Store is here to help. We’re locally owned and operated, happy to service Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas.

Schedule a free color consultation to get started, or visit one of our paint stores in Des Moines, Omaha, or Waukee.

Color Store Alternatives to Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:30:51 GMT

In 2026, neutrals will continue to reign supreme in more than just interior décor. In addition to the recently announced Benjamin Moore Color of the Year, Silhouette AF-655 , Pantone also announced its 2026 Color of the Year, 11-4201 Cloud Dancer. It’s a signal to designers everywhere that versatility and predictability are the name of the game. That’s why Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black speaks to so many Des Moines homeowners.

Tricorn Black is a chalkboard-like take on classic black. It’s a deep color that, when the light strikes it, adds depth that works beautifully with white trim and creamy furniture, hewing to the neutral palette that is leading 2026.

But, if you’re looking for some alternatives to this popular interior paint color, then we’ve got you covered with a few Benjamin Moore shades that are equally interesting, while giving you the flexibility to find the right tone and formula for your home paint project.

Black 2132-10

This is about as classic as it gets when it comes to a stunning black-painted interior. This black paint color absorbs light, creating a sturdy backdrop for bright furniture and airy window treatments. It’s a longtime best seller for a reason! Pair this deep, anchoring shade with a pop of color like Sultan’s Palace 2081-20 or a creamy taupe like Baby Fawn OC-15.

Jet Black 2120-10

This rich interior black offers cool undertones. It’s slightly lighter than Black and in the same undertone family as Tricorn Black. This shade works beautifully with the sunlit green shade, Pale Avocado 2146-40, as well as grays and whites. Play up the sleekness of this color with angles and metallics.

Black Satin 2131-10

This softened black sits between a true black and a very dark charcoal. This slightly warm, undertoned shade pairs well with cabinetry, interior doors, and built-ins, providing depth without being off-putting. In rooms with warm lighting, Black Satin feels rich rather than dramatic.

Black Ink 2127-20

This interior paint color is true to its name with cool blue undertones that mimic the nuanced color of spilled ink. It shifts with the light, making it a top alternative to Tricorn Black for homeowners with spaces that respond to light throughout the day, like living rooms and bedrooms. Pair with modern shades like Gull Wing Gray 2134-50 and Steam AF-15.

Find the Perfect Alternative to Tricorn Black near Des Moines, IA

Want to embrace the bold and deep appeal of black paint in your home’s interior? Whether you’re looking for an opportunity to color-drench a space or you want to revamp your cabinetry in a moody statement color, the design team at Color Store, Inc. is here to help ensure that your interior paint project goes off without a hitch and that you have the best paint colors for your perfect interior design.

Schedule a free color consultation today to get started on your design.

We are locally owned and operated, always happy to service Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding communities.

Choosing Mauve Color Paint For Your Space

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:30:07 GMT

Mauve has been a popular paint color for several years for a reason. It’s sophisticated but bright and bold, making it a great choice for adding some personality to a space without losing sight of what works in many modern interiors.

While mauve may not be a classic neutral color, it’s versatile and pairs well with several current design trends. It’s also, uniquely, a bridge between cool and warm tones. So, if you’re in the midst of revamping your space but don’t want to commit to one tone of the other, mauve can be a great transitional choice.

At Color Store, we’ve been helping our neighbors in Nebraska an Iowa find which paint options speaks to their design goals for over 35 years. Here’s a quick wrap-up of our current favorite Benjamin Moore mauve color shades that are sure to get your creative juices flowing ahead of your next interior paint project.

Top Benjamin Moore Mauve Paint Colors

Mauve can swing warm or cool depending on the light, so we built this palette to keep it easy: one mauve for the walls, one soft neutral, one crisp light, and one deep anchor for contrast.

Benjamin Moore Lost Locket CSP-410

Lost Locket CSP-410 is a warm mauve that leans pink-brown—a really approachable choice if you love a pop of color but still want your room to feel grounded and timeless.

Pair it with:

Trim: Opulence 879
Neutral: Stoneware CSP-245
Accent: Incense Stick 2115-20 (warm + cozy)
Optional lift: Almond Bisque 269

Benjamin Moore Mauve Mist 1264

Mauve Mist 1264 is the idea of classic mauve—dusty, soft, and pretty without being sugary. It works beautifully in bedrooms, dining rooms, and anywhere you want a little romance that still feels grown-up.

Pair it with:

Trim: Opulence 879
Neutral: Almond Bisque 269 (warm + inviting)
Accent: Silhouette AF-655 (for a sharper, modern contrast)
Tone-on-tone option: Mauve Blush 2115-40

Benjamin Moore Majestic Mauve 2115-60

Majestic Mauve 2115-60 is your light, subtle mauve—perfect if you want just a hint of color and a brighter overall feel. It’s an easy “yes” for hallways, low-light rooms, and open spaces.

Pair it with:

Trim: Opulence 879
Neutral: Stoneware CSP-245
Accent: Silhouette AF-655 (modern + clean-lined)
Warmer alternative: Incense Stick 2115-20

Benjamin Moore Central Mauve 1412

Central Mauve 1412 leans a touch cooler—more of a dusty lavender purple look. If you love that calm, airy, slightly editorial feel, this one is a great anchor color.

Pair it with:

Trim: Opulence 879
Neutral: Stoneware CSP-245 (keeps it soft and balanced)
Accent: Silhouette AF-655 (makes it feel modern)
Warm counterbalance: Almond Bisque 269

Find Your Perfect Mauve near Des Moines, Iowa

If you’re deciding between a warm mauve and a cooler mauve, we can help you narrow it down (and make sure it works with your flooring, furniture, and lighting). We love helping our neighbors find the right color that speaks to them. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or this is your first painting undertaking, we’re here to help you with the right guidance, tools, and paint to get the job done well.

Book a free in-home consultation or stop into Color Store in Des Moines & Waukee, IA or Omaha, NE to grab samples and build your palette with confidence.

Find Benjamin Moore Green Paint Colors at Color Store

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 13:47:56 GMT

Choosing the right paint colors for your home can feel like a challenge.

If you’ve ever stood in front of a wall of green paint chips and felt overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Green can be bold, subtle, warm, or cool depending on the light. Green is one of those colors that can completely transform your home's interior because plays with a variety of decor styles, from mid-century to boho to modern minimalism. Green is trending, versatile, timeless, and adaptable.

Whether you’re working with a sleek apartment or a cozy home surrounded by nature, the right shade of green paint can make your walls feel fresh, calming, or even dramatic.

At Color Store, we’re here to help you navigate Benjamin Moore’s expansive palette of over 650+ green paint colors so you can find a shade that feels just right. From bold hunter green to soft sage, let’s explore some of the most popular categories of green and how they might work in your home.

Hunter Green

If you love rich, moody interiors, Hunter Green 2041-10 is a classic. It’s bold enough to ground a dining room or study but still refined enough to feel timeless rather than trendy. We love pairing Hunter Green with copper and brass accents as well as creamy neutral fixtures. It’s an excellent option when you want a sophisticated backdrop for art, built-ins, or statement lighting.

Kelly Green

Kelly Green 2037-30 brings undeniable energy to a space. Kelly Green gives off a playful, modern aura that works well in kitchens, creative studios, or children’s playrooms. This color makes a statement on its own but complements bright white trim and rooms with lots of natural light. Use it when you want rich color that feels fun and upbeat without leaning too dark.

Olive Green

Looking for something down-to-earth? Olive greens like Louisburg Green HC-113 and Martini Olive CSP-890 are rooted in warmth and depth. We love these green paint colors for spaces where you want comfort and coziness like living rooms, bedrooms, and even dens. Olive tones work especially well with natural textures—trending in 2026 and perfect for everyday living.

Jade Green

Jade is a color that evokes prosperity and abundance. For fans of jewel tones, we recommend fresh greens like Crystalline AF-485 and Amazon Moss 2037-10. These shades are bold enough to stand out but still versatile enough to use in bedrooms or accent walls. Pairing jade with lighter wood finishes or modern wood furniture gives it a contemporary feel.

Sage Green

Calming and soft, sage greens like Saybrook Sage HC-114 or October Mist 1495 (Benjamin Moore’s 2022 Color of the Year) are fan favorites. These shades of green offer a muted quality that works beautifully in bedrooms, living rooms, or anywhere you want a touch of serenity. Sage green also plays well with natural light, shifting gently throughout the day for subtle depth and dimension.

Light Green

If your goal is to brighten up a space, light greens such as Soft Fern 2144-40 or Pale Avocado 2146-40 provide a breezy, airy feel. These hues are especially well-suited for smaller spaces or open-plan living where you want walls to feel light but still add personality. They can instantly refresh a room without overwhelming it.

Choosing the Right Green for Your Home

Green can be dramatic, playful, grounding, or calming depending on the shade and how you style it. The key is finding the tone that matches both your architecture and the mood you want to create.

At Color Store, our design experts can walk you through Benjamin Moore’s full collection of green paint colors, help you sample shades in your own space, and point you toward the best finishes and complementary palettes to bring your vision to life.

Whether you’re dreaming of bold hunter green walls, calming sage accents, or light green tones to open up your space, we’ve had over 35 years of experience helping homeowners like you find the perfect match.

Visit Color Store for Expert Help with Green Paint

Ready to find your ideal green? Schedule a free in-home consultation or or visit one of our showrooms in Waukee & Des Moines, IA or Omaha, NE to find the right green to complement your unique home and bring your interior to life!

We are locally owned and operated, proud to serve Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas.

Introducing Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:44:39 GMT

At Color Store, we are always keeping an eye on the latest color trends. Each year, Benjamin Moore makes a splash in the interior décor space by announcing their choice for Color of the Year. This color is an early taste of what design trends are on their way for 2026.

Earlier this month, Benjamin Moore announced Silhouette AF-655 as 2026 Color of the Year . This earthy and rich shade of gray is versatile enough to pair with an array of interior décor styles, but is unique and bold enough to make a statement.

Earthy elegance is in, and today we are sharing a few of our favorite ways to make the most of this newly unveiled color palette and how our team can help.

The Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2026, Silhouette AF-655

Benjamin Moore Silhouette AF-655 is a shade that effortlessly bridges contrast. It’s moody without being dark, grounded without feeling heavy, and sophisticated while still being livable. Its subtle warmth complements organic textures, while its depth helps lighter elements stand out, perfect for homeowners and designers looking to add subtle drama to their dining room or bedroom. Its subtle undertones make it the perfect choice for accent walls, cabinetry, or even trim details, especially when paired with lighter hues.

Using Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2026 Palette in Your Home

With the debut, Benjamin Moore also revealed the Color Trends 2026 Palette —eight thoughtfully chosen soft neutrals and cool mid-range shades that expand your interior paint possibilities. These colors are intentional and inspiring.

Raindance 1572: A serene, pale blue-green with a gentle gray undertone. Easygoing and timeless, it transitions seamlessly between rustic, coastal, or traditional interiors. Pair with: Swiss Coffee or light oak finishes.
First Crush CSP-310: A delicate blush tone that feels fresh and uplifting. This subtle pink brings warmth and lightness to bedrooms, baths, or entryways—spaces where serenity matters most. Pair with: Creamy whites or polished brass accents.
Swiss Coffee OC-45: The perennial favorite of designers everywhere. This creamy white balances warmth and sophistication, ideal for highlighting millwork, ceilings, or trim. Pair with: Any hue from the palette—it’s the ultimate versatile neutral.
Batik AF-610: A graceful blend of violet and rose with a hint of gray. Ethereal and sophisticated, Batik shifts subtly with lighting, lending depth to a minimalist or tailored setting. Pair with: Narragansett Green for a rich, unexpected contrast.
Narragansett Green HC-157: A powerful blackened teal rooted in Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection. Stately yet fresh, it works well with soft tones like Batik or Swiss Coffee. Pair with: Warm wood textures or creamy neutrals.
Southwest Pottery 048: A warm brown-red reminiscent of desert earth. This adaptable shade visual warmth, perfect for accent walls or dining spaces. Pair with: Yellows, organges, blues, and raw, natural wood.
Sherwood Tan 1054: A classic, earthy tan that functions as a grounding neutral. It creates a beautiful backdrop. Pair with: Swiss Coffee, Southwest Pottery, or Silhouette for layered depth.
Silhouette AF-655: The centerpiece of the collection—a deep, dramatic charcoal-brown with sophisticated versatility. Ideal for creating cozy corners, moody dining rooms, or luxurious cabinetry. Pair with: Swiss Coffee for high contrast.

How To Use Silhouette (Paint Color)?

1. Elevate Living and Dining Spaces

Silhouette’s rich undertones make it an excellent choice for dining rooms, living rooms, and gathering areas. Use it as an accent wall to create intimacy and warmth, pairing it with Swiss Coffee OC-45 or Raindance 1572 for a soft, tonal balance. Metallic accents, like brushed gold or bronze, elevate sophistication.

2. Bring Depth to Kitchens and Bedrooms

In spaces with wood fixtures, like kitchens and bathrooms, we love how Silhouette pairs wit natural wood and painted whites. In bedrooms, Silhouette makes white mouldings and wainscotting pop. Try pairing it with Sherwood Tan 1054 for a grounded, organic combination.

3. Accent Architectural Details

If you prefer subtlety, use Silhouette on trim, doors, or built-ins. Its rich tone helps highlight craftsmanship and brings contrast to lighter wall colors. The effect feels layered and interesting, and we think it’s perfect for transitional interiors.

Adding Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year to Your Des Moines Home

If you’re looking for some inspiration on how to use the latest color trends, we’re here to help. Ready to refresh your space? At Color Store, have 3 locations in Des Moines & Waukee IA and Omaha NE for all things related to premium interior and exterior paint.

Schedule a free color consultation today or stop by our showroom and discover Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year and much more!

We are proud to always be locally owned and operated, happy to service Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas.

Try Benjamin Moore Woodluxe® As Your Next Deck Stain

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:07:24 GMT

If you’re getting ready to update your deck or other exterior wood surfaces, choosing the right stain and sealer can make all the difference. At Color Store, Inc., we’re proud to carry Benjamin Moore Woodluxe® Exterior Wood Stain , a product line designed to elevate the beauty of wood while protecting it from the intense Des Moines sun and unpredictable mountain weather.

Right now, we’re big fans of the Woodluxe® line of oil- and water-based stains for homeowners, designers, and home improvement pros who want to stain and protect their wood decks, fences, siding, and more. Let’s break down what makes this product a standout choice.

Choosing Between Oil-Based and Water-Based Deck Stain

Both the oil-based and water-based versions of Woodluxe® deliver long-lasting protection and rich color, but they behave a little differently.

Woodluxe® Oil-Based Waterproofing Exterior Stain

If you’re going for a wood stain that enhances the natural grain and soaks deep into the surface, oil-based might be your best bet. It’s ideal for:

Older or weathered wood that’s demands moisture and coverage.
Softwoods like cedar or pine that need deeper penetration.
Translucent, semi-transparent, and semi-solid opacities.
A richer, traditional look with longer working time for even application.

Our team often recommends oil-based Woodluxe® for homeowners who want both deep tone and to retain the natural character in their wood. Just keep in mind that this type will take longer to dry and may require mineral spirits for cleanup.

Woodluxe® Water-Based Waterproofing Exterior Stain

For an innovative and unique approach, Woodluxe® water-based deck stain offers a variable level of opacity for jobs where you want to see natural grain or heavy-duty flat stain for completely refinished surfaces Benefits include:

Faster drying times.
Easy soap and water cleanup.
Great performance on newer wood and previously stained decks.
Translucent, semi-transparent, semi-solid, solid, and ultra flat opacities.
More environmentally sensitive and lower VOC.

If you're short on time or prefer low-odor applications, this is a strong choice, especially for homeowners who plan to recoat in the future.

Why Choose Woodluxe® for Your Deck?

Benjamin Moore has created Woodluxe® deck stain with performance and longevity in mind. Whether you choose oil-based or water-based , you’ll benefit from:

Superior adhesion and protection.
Mildew resistance.
Fade-resistant color.
Classic tones like Natural Cedartone (ES-45) to dramatic Cordovan Brown (ES-62).

The Woodluxe® line includes finishes for vertical siding and horizontal surfaces, so your entire outdoor space can enjoy the same uniform finish and protection.

Find the Perfect Dark Wood Stain for Your Home

We know decks in the Midwest can take a beating between the extreme heat and extreme cold. Our team at Color Store, Inc. is here to help you select the right formula, prep products, and finish color for your specific project. We’ve been your local go-to for paint and stain expertise for decades, and we’re proud to be a trusted Benjamin Moore dealer.

Need help deciding between finishes? Want tips on surface prep or application techniques? Our expert team is here to help first-time DIY-ers and paint professionals alike. Book an in-home consultation today or stop by one of our stores and let’s kick off your project on the right foot today.

We are locally owned with showroom locations in Des Moines & Waukee, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska.

Create an Earth Tone Color Palette with Benjamin Moore Paint

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 08:49:07 GMT

If you’re looking for some fresh color inspiration for your upcoming interior paint project, then you should definitely have your eyes on our current favorite: earth tones. This color palette is grounded, lush, and versatile. Earth tones pair well with neutrals and bring a comfortable and timeless appeal to any room in your home, from bathrooms to kitchens to bedrooms. At Color Store, we’re big fans of Benjamin Moore paint . Here are a few of the earth tones we’re loving right now, and you how can incorporate them into your next interior design project:

Warm Taupe: Ashley Gray HC-87

Ashley Gray HC-87, from Benjamin Moore’s Historical Color line, is a mid-toned taupe touched with brown and gray that sets a sophisticated mood in living and dining rooms. It’s easy to pair with wood furniture and tactile fabrics like linen or jute. For contrast, paint the trim a creamy white like Sand Dollar OC-71 , and invite in gold or bronze accents to play up Potomac’s welcoming undertones.

2025 Color of the Year: Cinnamon Slate 2113-40

The Benjamin Moore Color of the Year , Cinnamon Slate 2113-40, a blend of heathered plum and softened brown. This interior paint color is an understated, colorful earth tone that feels both familiar and refreshing. Try it on a bedroom or study accent wall to create a cozy retreat. Complement Cinnamon Slate with soft neutrals and materials like wool rugs or wood finishes to draw out its velvety texture. The gentle plum keeps things interesting without overpowering.

Rich Terracotta: Moroccan Spice AF-285

If you crave something livelier, Moroccan Spice AF-285 brings the energy of sun-warmed clay with a tinge of pinky coral. Use it as an accent in your dining area or entry, and see how it adds depth and warmth. For a nature-inspired look, pair with greens like Tate Olive or bring in woven and clay accents for vibes that are relaxed, welcoming, and full of character.

Deep Olive: Tate Olive HC-112

For spaces where you want to evoke a calm, subdued vibe, we love Tate Olive. This deep green grounds home offices and bathrooms while working effortlessly with wood or stone. Consider using this earth tone interior paint for for cabinets or a feature wall. A bit of brass or rattan will finish the space, adding that relaxed, timeless edge.

Deep & Moody Gray: Eclipse 2132-40

To ground your space with a deep tone that changes with your home’s unique lighting situations, we recommend a blue-tinged deep gray tone like Eclipse 2132-40. This moody and ambient charcoal color matches well with natural materials like wood and stone and is a great pairing for neutral colors, pinks, and light grays like Distant Gray OC-68 . Another great option for accent walls or cabinetry, this color can also shine on your ceiling—the room’s fifth wall—to make lofty ceilings feel a bit lower and more cozy while adding a dramatic flair perfect for bedrooms, powder rooms, or guest rooms.

Getting the Most from Earth Tones

Begin with a good primer like Benjamin Moore’s Fresh Start for a lasting result. To really play up the organic vibes, combine earth tones with organic textures like grasses, jutes, weaves, wool, leather, and ceramics. Try matte sheens on walls and glossier sheens on trim to add interest.

Transform Your Home with Benjamin Moore Paint Near Omaha and Des Moines

At Color Store, we welcome first-time DIYers and professional painters alike. Ready to embrace earth tones in your home? We’re your go-to Benjamin Moore paint store, with locations in Omaha, NE & Waukee and Des Moines, IA. Our team is ready to help you make any project simple and painless.

If you’re not sure exactly which earth tone speaks to you, we’ll work with you and your ideas to select the perfect palette and primer for your project. Stop by your nearest showroom or schedule a free in-home consultation today!

Try Greige In Your Cozy Home

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:41:45 GMT

If you are ready to refresh your home with a timeless and versatile paint color, greige might be exactly what you’re looking for. A beautiful blend of gray and beige, greige paint colors combine the sleek, modern feel of gray with the warm, inviting tones of beige.

It’s no wonder homeowners continue to embrace greige tones neutral enough for living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms alike. At Color Store, Inc., we love helping customers find their perfect Benjamin Moore greige paint to create spaces that feel calm and cozy. Here’s what we’re loving in the greige space right now:

Our Top Griege Recommendations

Looking for some color inspiration? Here are a few of our most popular picks for getting that greige feel just right:

Revere Pewter HC-172

Revere Pewter HC-172 strikes a perfect balance between warm and cool tones, making it an ideal backdrop for both traditional and modern décor. Revere Pewter pairs beautifully with crisp white trim and warm wood finishes, offering a soft classiness without feeling overwhelming.

Edgecomb Gray HC-173

Edgecomb Gray HC-173 leans a little warmer than Revere Pewter HC-172, making it an excellent choice if you want your home to feel light and inviting. This soft greige works especially well in rooms with limited natural light because it brightens up the space without feeling too stark. Complement both cool and warm accent colors.

Classic Gray OC-23

Classic Gray OC-13 is an ultra-light greige that straddles the line between gray and off-white, adapting to its surroundings with subtle taupe undertones. This crisp greige is light enough for small rooms and flexible for a whole-home flow and enclosed hallways where brightness is important.

Natural Cream OC-14

Richer than Classic Gray OC-23, Natural Cream OC-14 is a light greige balances warm and cool without overwhelming yellow undertones. It reads as a soft gray with delicate beige notes in high light. This option makes an excellent choice for walls, cabinetry, and trim.

Balboa Mist OC-27

Balboa Mist OC-27 is a taupey greige is deeper than Classic Gray OC-23 and less beige than Edgecomb Gray HC-173 with an interesting violet undertone for a little added warmth. This color works with mixed-metal and black fixtures and can accent a space.

Pashmina AF-100

Pashmina AF-100 is a rich mid-toned greige that balances warm and cool undertones. The richest greige in this collection, it’s perfect for trim, accent walls, and open-concept designs with high ceilings that need a cozy grounding element.

Why Choose Greige for Your Home?

Greige is a great choice if you’re looking for a color that feels warm, welcoming, and easy to work with. It’s not as cool as a pure gray and not as traditional as beige, which makes it feel fresh and contemporary.

Greige has earned a fanbase for the way it blends beautifully with almost any interior décor you can throw at it. It’s great for pairing with pops of color through pillows, rugs, and drapes, or for those who prefer a minimal look with soft neutrals and wood finishes. If you’re exploring ways to make your home feel more inviting without committing to bold colors, greige is a perfect place to start.

Paint Colors that Go with Griege

Maple Syrup CC-420 : A mid-tone beige with golden caramel undertones. Its ochre-brown base creates a luscious glow that adapts gracefully to light shift.
Chambourd AF-645 : A violet-infused mahogany brown blending burgundy and chocolate undertones. Its richness adds drama while retaining versatility.
White Dove OC-17 : Soft, creamy near-white that offsets warmth while maintaining cohesion. Ideal for moldings or ceilings.

Find Your Perfect Greige Near Des Moines, IA & Omaha, NE

If you are ready to find your perfect greige, stop by our three showroom locations in Des Moines and Waukee, IA and Omaha, NE. There, you can check out our collection of stunning Benjamin Moore paint palettes.

Our experienced team is here to answer your questions and to ensure that, no matter if you’re a professional or first-time-DIYer, that your home painting project is painless. Book a free in-home color consultation and see samples right where they will be put to the test.

We are locally owned and operated, proud to service Des Moines as well as Waukee, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas.

Choosing Benjamin Moore Paint Sheens Room-by-Room

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 11:38:23 GMT

When you stand in the paint aisle at the big box store, you’re faced with more than the seemingly endless color palettes from multiple brands that you can’t trust; you’re also met with several sheens to choose from. Even for seasoned DIY painting professionals, this can leave you stumped.

At Color Store , we’re your local paint specialists with locations in Des Moines and Waukee, IA and Omaha, NE and we’re here to demystify the process of painting your home, and today we’re doing that by taking a closer look at Benjamin Moore paint sheens and our favorite tool for this: the paint sheen chart.

What Is Paint Sheen?

Paint sheen refers to the amount of light a painted surface reflects once it’s dry and fully cured. It’s measured on a scale from flat (no shine) to high gloss (mirror-like reflection). Here’s why it matters:

Light Interaction : Sheen alters how bright or soft a room feels. Higher sheens bounce more light, making walls look sharper and colors more vibrant. Lower sheens absorb light, yielding a subtle, matte appearance.
Durability & Cleanability : Glossy finishes form a harder surface that withstands scrubbing—ideal for high-traffic areas while flatter finishes are more prone to scuffs but excel at hiding wall imperfections.
Aesthetic Impact : Matte paints lend a modern, understated look, whereas glossier sheens add polish and drama. Choosing the right level of sheen ensures your décor and architectural details shine through exactly as you envision.

Choosing a Paint Sheen Room-by-Room using the Paint Sheen Chart

Now that you know about the types of paint sheens and their benefits, let’s break down the benefits by room.

Ceilings & Low-Traffic Walls

Recommended Sheens: Flat / Matte

Ceilings and low-traffic walls benefit from very low gloss. A Flat or Matte finish virtually eliminates glare and masks small blemishes. This works well if your ceiling has seen better days or your guest room sees only occasional visitors.
Color Store Pick: Grab a gallon of REGAL® Select Flat for outstanding coverage and touch-up ease.

Living Rooms, Dining Rooms & Bedrooms

Recommended Sheens: Eggshell / Low Lustre

In areas where you socialize, relax, or sleep, you want a finish that’s both inviting and practical. Eggshell (10–25% reflectance) offers a soft glow that highlights your décor without broadcasting every scratch or scuff. Cleanup is a breeze, too, perfect for family movie nights or dinner parties at your Des Moines home.
Color Store Pick: AURA® Interior Eggshell combines rich, fade-resistant color with excellent washability.
Bonus Tip : Spill a glass of red wine on the wall? A damp cloth usually does the trick.

Kitchens & Bathrooms

Recommended Sheens: Satin / Pearl

High-humidity rooms demand a sheen that resists moisture, mildew, and daily splashes. Satin and Pearl finishes (25–35% reflectance) strike the balance between brightness and durability, making tile backsplashes pop and shaker-style cabinets gleam without trapping steam.
Color Store Picks : For bathrooms: AURA® Bath & Spa , formulated for bathrooms with built-in mildew resistance.
For bedrooms : ADVANCE® Interior Satin delivers a furniture-quality look on cabinets and trim.
Bonus Tip : Test samples on cabinet doors to see how light interacts with your hardware before committing to a full coat.

Trim, Doors & Architectural Details

Recommended Sheens: Semi-Gloss / High Gloss

For the crisp lines of baseboards, window casings, and door frames, you need a tougher finish. Semi-Gloss and High Gloss (35–90%+ reflectance) show off detailing while standing up to scuffs from vacuum hoses and impatient pets.
Color Store Pick : ADVANCE® Interior Semi-Gloss is a go-to for hallway trim in, and ADVANCE® High Gloss makes an unforgettable statement on front doors.
Why It Works : The harder surface cleans easily and keeps moldings looking sharp year after year.

Find Your Favorite Benjamin Moore Paint Sheens near Des Moines, Iowa!

Swing by your nearest Color Store location, whether you’re in Des Moines, Waukee, or Omaha, to view real-life finish samples and to put the paint sheen chart into action.

Grab paint swatches, pick up sample pots, and chat with our expert team (with 35 years of experience under their belts!) We’ll help you match Benjamin Moore’s lines to your home’s unique needs.

Make your next project beautiful and simple! Stop by one of our showrooms today or reach out to request a free consultation . We are proudly serve the areas surrounding Des Moines & Waukee, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska.

Color Drench Your Space in a Modern Coral Color

Tue, 20 May 2025 16:56:21 GMT

Have you ever loved a color so much that you wanted to use it on everything? If so, you’re already an expert on color drenching! Color drenching is the latest trend to take the home design world by storm. This bold style goes all-in on color and can work for various interior design styles.

So, what is color drenching?

Color drenching is a design trend in which homeowners use a single color, or similar shades of a color, throughout a room. Not to be confused with an accent color, a singular pop of color, color drenching involves walls, trim, doors, ceilings, and even furniture covered in the same hue.

The intensity of the color drenching trend may deter some from trying it in their own homes, but color drenching can be more approachable than you might think.

Try these tips using Benjamin Moore paint to make this style your own!

Eye-Catching Coral Pink s

Have you ever loved a color so much that you wanted to use it on everything? If so, you’re already an expert on color drenching! The warmer weather has us dreaming of days on the beach. Bring the tropics home with a coral color drenched space!

Some popular coral colors from Benjamin Moore include:

Coral Reef 012: This warm red-orange coral is a vibrant but grounded tone.
Raspberry Blush 2008-30: This 2023 Color of the Year is a deep, electric coral lit up by a touch of pink.
Coral Pink 2003-50: This energetic pink has a slight warm orange that places it firmly in the coral color family.
Hydrangea Flowers 2008-40: This lighter and pinker coral color has a polished, bubble gum flair.
Antique Coral 1198: This creamy orange coral is lit by a hint of warm pink.

Sizzling Stripes

Add coral and white stripes in a tone like Swiss Coffee OC-45 to your walls for a maximalist take on a nautical moment or go all out by painting the room in one exciting hue. Add coral, white, and gold accents for a coral pink design straight from a tropical resort.

Half Wall Hues

If painting the entire space sounds daunting, start with a half wall! After selecting your favorite coral paint color for the top portion of your wall, use painter’s tape to create a border about halfway up your wall. First, go over the tape with a primer to create a seal, ensuring a crisp line. Then, use rollers and brushes to paint the area below the tape. Finish the color-drenched room by painting the doors and trim in a complementary shade like Sherwood Green HC-118 . Want even more of a statement? Paint a shelf or cabinet as well to add some extra dimension.

Color Drenched Furniture

Do you live in a rental and aren’t allowed to paint your walls? Don’t stress: you can still have the color-drenched look! Instead of painting your space in the same shade, focus on sourcing furniture, artwork, and home accents in a particular color family. For example, in an coral bedroom, you might reach for:

A deep coral dresser
Deep wood bedframe and headboard
Whitewashed wood nightstands
A bedspread in a colorful pattern
Lamps with metallic gold touches
A grounding beige rug

Try painting pre-owned or thrift furniture pieces to customize them to your liking. You may have trouble finding a coral dresser, but you can always make one yourself. Even with neutral walls with pops of color, your friends will be green (or coral!) with envy over this luxurious bedroom!

Color Drenching with Color Store

The color experts at Color Store are excited to help you bring this summer’s hottest hues home. Shop in store to see our range of Benjamin Moore paints and painting tools.

We’re located in Des Moines & Waukee, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska, and we are proud to serve the surrounding areas.

What Is Benjamin Moore's Best Ceiling Paint?

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:46:11 GMT

Your ceiling isn't typically the first design element your guests notice when entering a room, but the right ceiling paint can completely change how a space looks and feels. The right ceiling can evoke feelings that are noticeable as soon as one steps in. A ceiling showcasing a streaky finish or visible imperfections detracts from even the best wall color. On the other hand, a well-painted ceiling creates the clean, polished effect all homeowners are looking for.

At The Color Store, we always recommend Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint for its ability to hide surface flaws, prevent lap marks, and deliver outstanding coverage. Readon to learn more about Benjamin Moore’s best ceiling paint.

An Ultra-Flat Finish to Hide Imperfections

Ceilings can be tricky. They may have uneven textures, minor dents, or past roller marks that refuse to go unnoticed. Unlike walls, which can hide small flaws behind the drywall, decor, or artwork, ceilings are fully exposed, making imperfections hard to ignore. This can be great for catching issues in the home, like moisture or mold, but you don’t want every bump or nick in the drywall or sheetrock to stand out.

That's where Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint comes in. Its ultra-flat finish absorbs light rather than reflecting it, softening surface irregularities that glossier paints would emphasize. Therefore, you'll enjoy fewer visible seams, less distraction from past paint jobs, and a ceiling that looks smooth and uniform from wall to wall, no matter the time of day or the direction of the light. As an added bonus, this paint has zero VOC and no odor, so you won't have to deal with harsh fumes when revamping the ceiling.

Great Coverage Without the Lap Marks

If you've ever taken on the job of painting a ceiling, you know how frustrating lap marks can be—those dreaded streaks where wet and dry sections overlap and create texture that you can see. It's common for ceilings to dry faster than walls because heat rises, which is why premium ceiling paint is a must. Benjamin Moore engineered Waterborne Ceiling Paint’s formula to dry quickly without leaving behind marks.

Pro tip: It also helps to keep a wet edge, which means overlapping each new roller pass with the previous one before it dries. This technique prevents visible streaks for a uniform finish across the entirety of the ceiling.

When Aura Bath & Spa Is a Better Choice

Benjamin Moore ceiling paint is impressive, but it's not always a top pick for humid rooms like bathrooms. That's because the bathroom ceiling faces constant exposure to steam from the shower, and regular ceiling paint can lead to peeling or mildew issues.

For these areas, try Benjamin Moore Aura® Bath & Spa Interior Paint . It has a matte finish that resists humidity while still providing excellent coverage. It's also a good idea to use this type of paint in kitchens, especially in small kitchens or busy households.

Upgrade Your Ceiling With Paint From Your Color Store

A well-painted ceiling has a way of refreshing the whole room, and choosing the right product makes all the difference.

Without a doubt, Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint or Aura® Bath & Spa is your most reliable choice for exceptional coverage and a flawless finish in every room. Visit the Color Store in Des Moines, Waukee, or Omaha for expert advice and the best selection of Benjamin Moore paints. Your ceiling deserves as much attention as your walls— contact us today , and let's make it look its best!

Make a Statement with Benjamin Moore Front Door Colors

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 06:13:12 GMT

Your front door is more than an entryway—it's a reflection of your home's personality, and the perfect paint color on your door sets the whole tone for how you welcome others into your home! A bold red exudes confidence, a beautiful blue signals sophistication, and a cheerful yellow sings a vibrant welcome. And classic black? Black combines old-world charm with a dash of intrigue.

With our selection of Benjamin Moore's rich, high-quality hues here at the Color Store, you're not just picking a paint color—you're painting a statement. So, why settle for boring when your front door can be unforgettable?

A Red Door Has Always Meant More

Red front doors have a rich history. In early America, a red door symbolized a warm welcome to weary travelers, while in Chinese culture, red doors represent luck, good health, and prosperity. Interestingly, red doors used to be a nod to rebellion in Ireland when Queen Victoria ordered doors to be painted black.

Today, red doors are a bold, vibrant focal point, and Benjamin Moore Caliente AF-290 takes red paint to the next level. This fiery hue elevates a classic colonial with confidence and energy. It provides just the right amount of contrast when it sits against muted earth tones or classic architectural detail.

The Blue Hues Bring the Tranquility

A blue front door has long been tied to tradition and meaning—symbolizing safety and serenity. Benjamin Moore Yarmouth Blue HC-150 especially embodies serenity beautifully, with its soft, weathered tone that gives the sense of being by the sea. True to its name, this muted blue looks perfect on a classic bungalow or Cape Cod-style house, where it plays off natural wood siding. It's a door color that goes beyond welcoming you inside; it soothes you like the rhythmic ebb and flow of the water (even smack dab in the Midwest)!

Sunshiny Yellow Makes for a Warm Welcome

Some colors have a way of lifting your spirits, and yellow is undoubtedly one of those colors. Benjamin Moore Sunny Days 172 —a classic medium yellow with a hint of marigold—brings instant warmth to a home's exterior. It's the perfect fit for a cozy cottage, where it pops against white trim and a charming garden path. Even on rainy days, this door color acts as a little reminder to stay on the bright side as it welcomes you home.

A Black Door Holds Timeless Allure

And last but not least, we have the very charming and slightly mysterious black door. Benjamin Moore Black HC-190 epitomizes classic sophistication. It's a natural fit for a historic brick home in older districts, where craftsmanship meets character. Picture it: a stately black door framed by flickering lamps that glow warmly against weathered brick and wrought-iron railings. This isn't just an entryway—it's a storied piece of the past.

Front Door Colors Galore at the Color Store

Whichever bold front door statement paint color you choose, you can't go wrong!

Our team here at the Color Store will provide expert guidance so that you can find the perfect shade to make your entryway unforgettable.

You can stop by one of our three convenient locations in Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska, or contact us today to schedule your color consultation. Your dream front door is just a brushstroke away—let's make it happen!

How to Remove Wallpaper for a Perfect Paint Job

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 10:24:07 GMT

While wallpaper has its moments, especially with textured options and bold patterns making a comeback, many folks find that a crisp coat of paint offers a fresh, flexible canvas for any decor.

At our Color Store locations in Des Moines & Waukee, IA and Omaha, NE, we've seen firsthand how a new paint job transforms a room. If your home has older wallpaper and you’re thinking about giving your space a fresh look and swap out that old wallpaper for a modern painted finish, then read on for a step-by-step guide and some tips for how to refresh your space.

How to Remove Wallpaper

Prep Like a Pro

We know you can't wait to start stripping away that outdated wallpaper. However, solid preparation for wallpaper removal now equals fewer headaches later. Gather your tools—your scraper, a scoring tool, sponge, and removal solution—and protect your floors and furniture with drop cloths. Also, use electrical tape to protect electrical outlets and light switches.

Score for Success

Scoring is a crucial step, although it may feel a bit like an arts and crafts project. Take your scoring tool and lightly perforate the wallpaper in crisscrossing lines. These tiny openings let the solution soak in to loosen the adhesive for easy removal. Insider knowledge: be careful not to press too hard when scoring the wallpaper—especially on drywall—or you’ll end up with holes in your walls—not the look you’re seeking.

Let the Stubborn Stuff Soak

Apply your wallpaper removal solution according to package directions, giving it time to seep in and loosen the glue's grip. Think of this step as softening up the old wallcovering so you can make way for the new paint. This step takes some patience—we recommend grabbing a coffee while you allow the solution to work its magic.

Peel Away the Past

With the adhesive softened, it's time to get peeling. Start at a seam or edge and gently pull the wallpaper away from the wall. Maybe you’ll get lucky and the wallpaper will come off in large pieces—otherwise, a scraper is your best friend during this step. You'll be amazed at how satisfying it is to watch that old wallpaper come off before your eyes.

Once the wallpaper is gone, you'll likely spot some leftover adhesive hanging around. Hot, soapy water and your handy sponge will do the trick here. Think of this as wiping the slate clean—literally!

Paint Your Masterpiece

Whether you’re interested in DIY or hiring a professional painter , now’s the time to create your ideal space. At your local Color Store, we can help you select the perfect paint and primer for your space.

After the walls dry, it's time to tape off your outlets and trim. Then, it’s primer time. Primer gives your walls a smooth, even surface that helps the color adhere and stand the test of time. Primer is the secret to making DIY paint jobs look truly professional.

Once your primer is dry, it's time to get those paint rollers or brushes out because it's finally the moment you've been waiting for: painting! Choose a color that feels like you, whether it's a bold statement color, a serene gray paint , or a neutral beige .

Apply your interior paint evenly and take your time with each coat.

After Wallpaper Removal, Visit Your Color Store for Paint and Primer

When your walls are ready for their fresh new look, consulting with the team here at the Color Store, Inc. is your first step. With over 35 years of experience, we offer everything you need to finish the job right—high-quality primers, an unbeatable selection of interior paint colors, and expert advice. Contact us today so we can help bring your latest painting vision to life and come visit your nearest Color Store in Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa or Omaha, Nebraska!

Create a New Look: Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 11:57:15 GMT

You know it's time for a kitchen refresh when you feel more tired than inspired when you spend time in the space—but did you know that you don't have to splurge on a full remodel to get a new look for your kitchen?

A fresh coat of paint on kitchen cabinets can make the entire space feel brand new. Paint is a quick, easy, and budget-friendly way to transform your space. Whether you go for a fresh coat of classic white, a trendy two-tone design, or color drench the room bold hues, your Color Store team is here to help you brush up on how to paint your kitchen cabinets in style to create a new look for the kitchen!

Brighten Up with a Fresh Coat of Classic White

Nothing says a kitchen refresh better than a coat of classic white paint to the cabinets! It is a foolproof way to breathe new life into your space. In a traditional home, imagine these cabinets complete with polished nickel hardware with a herringbone tile backsplash. The result? A crisp, bright kitchen that radiates charm, creating the perfect gathering spot for cozy family meals.

Start by removing the cabinet doors, cleaning them thoroughly, and lightly sanding the surface. Apply Benjamin Moore ADVANCE® Interior Paint in a classic white like White Dove OC-17 for a flawless finish. Use a brush for grooves and a roller for flat areas for the most even coverage.

Create Drama with Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets

Two-tone kitchen cabinets add a ton of depth and personality to kitchens! Typically, lighter shades like Simply White OC-117 are used for upper cabinets to make the space feel open and airy. Then, richer tones, such as Hale Navy HC-154, ground the lower cabinets.

In the contemporary home that emphasizes minimalism, the two-tone cabinet look offers just the right amount of contrast and interest without unnecessary embellishment. Consider the colors that go best with the appliances surrounding them, such as the white and navy example above, or other combinations, including light gray and black, cream and soft green, warm taupe and deep brown, or soft beige and rich green.

Go Bold with Deep, Moody Hues

If you're feeling more of a dramatic refresh when you paint kitchen cabinets, a coat of a single bold color creates your kitchen's striking new focal point. A few bold, moody hues to consider include:

Cinnamon Slate 2113-40: Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2025, a complex brown neutral with interesting purple untertones.
Dinner Party AF-300 : Bold and refined burgundy.
Newburg Green HC-158 : Deep teal with classic appeal.
Raccoon Fur 2126-20 : Sleek, sophisticated black-gray.
Van Deusen Blue HC-156 : Timeless blue with subtle gray undertones.

In a rustic farmhouse, or modern space, these moody cabinets look particularly stunning alongside butcher block countertops and hanging lantern light fixtures. Imagine an earthy, inviting kitchen with rich, jewel-toned cabinets as the centerpiece, bringing forth the tones of nature just outside.

A New Look for Your Kitchen Starts at the Color Store

Your new kitchen look is just a paint coat away! Our team at the Color Store is here to help you create the kitchen of your dreams with expert advice, unmatched service, and premium Benjamin Moore paints .

As your locally owned store servicing Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas for 35+ years, we take pride in offering a personalized experience you simply will not find at big chains.

Trim Painting 101: PVC Trim Painting Tips and Harsh Weather Hints

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 11:46:46 GMT

When it comes to painting exterior trim, the type of trim on your home, paired with the weather in your area, significantly impacts how the trim paint will look and how long it will last.

Trim painting deserves a bit of thought and a touch of expert guidance—the process is far more than putting on a coat and calling it done! Different trim materials, such as wood, fiber cement, and vinyl PVC, all have their own needs, and choosing the right paint is your first step. Our team at the Color Store would like to share some insider tips to help you with your next trim painting project:

Explore Some of the Various Types of Exterior Trim

Wood Trim: Wood trim is naturally beautiful and can undoubtedly increase the curb appeal of any home. However, wood is susceptible to moisture. For this reason, paint with a strong barrier and moisture resistance is key. Consider high-quality, 100% acrylic paint.
Fiber Cement Trim: This durable material is a go-to for homes and commercial spaces in areas that face harsh weather because it stands up to moisture, UV exposure, and even pests. Fiber cement does best with an acrylic latex paint, which is a blend of acrylic resins with other polymers.
Vinyl/PVC Trim: Vinyl and PVC trim has gained popularity for its resilience against moisture, rot, and insects. It's low maintenance, but because of its slick surface, not every paint adheres to it well. Vinyls like PVC require a high-performance paint like 100% acrylic designed to handle its unique surface.

Choose the Right Paint for Your PVC Trim

PVC trim requires the best exterior trim for harsh weather to adhere and last. Any Benjamin Moore exterior paint would work for your vinyl siding or trim.

Aura® Exterior Paint and Element Guard® Exterior Paint from Benjamin Moore come in as top contenders.

Aura® Exterior Paint: Known for its exceptional durability and fade resistance, Aura® Exterior Paint is an excellent choice for vinyl PVC siding or trim. This 100% acrylic formula is flexible, which helps it stay intact during Nebraska and Iowa temperature shifts. Further, its UV protection keeps houses that endure plenty of sun protected from the harmful rays. Think of it as SPF for your home!
Element Guard® Exterior Paint: This high-performance acrylic paint is made specifically for surfaces exposed to extreme conditions, like heavy rains and intense heat. Element Guard® Exterior Paint provides a durable finish that resists peeling and cracking, so your PVC trim will stay pristine year-round, even when Mother Nature throws blizzards or broiling summer heat curveballs our way!

Count on Expert Advice from the Color Store

Painting trim doesn't have to be complicated, especially when you have experts here at the Color Store to help. Armed with extensive knowledge, our team is here to help you choose the best products for a flawless trim finish.

Come rain, shine, or a plains blizzard, we have you covered. Homes across Iowa, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas have counted on the Color Store to up their home's curb appeal and create a durable, lasting finish. Contact us today or visit our showroom location in Des Moines and Waukee, IA or Omaha, NE to start your trim transformation!

Benjamin Moore Beige Color Options for Your Home

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 15:14:34 GMT

When many homeowners want to paint their interiors, they look for a neutral tone to act as a base for their furnishings and art. While white and gray are excellent color choices for some homeowners, paint offers a broad spectrum of shades, from soft, sandy tones to rich, deeper taupe hues.

Beige shades are great neutral alternatives, versatile and complementary to virtually any home decor without overpowering it. This color style of interior paint and exterior paint became popular for its flexible backdrop that allowed homeowners to style and re-style their rooms without changing the paint color. Beige shades have since continued to gain popularity over the decades for their ability to create a welcoming environment for both the traditional and modern home.

At The Color Store, we have so many Benjamin Moore beige paint color options that you may wonder where to start! Your first consideration is whether to go with cool or warm undertones. Then, you'll need to consider lighting, depth, and finish. Let's discuss the details:

An Alluring Cool Beige Hue for the Modern Home

Cool beige undertones have a bit of gray, blue, or green to create a calming and airy feel. For example, cool beige tones would look stunning in a modern farmhouse that has plenty of natural light. Cool shades offer a subtle depth that takes on a lighter tone in brighter spaces.

Benjamin Moore has beautiful cool beige colors, including Shoreline 1471. This pale beige with gray undertones brings a fresh, coastal vibe to a room, making it perfect for homeowners aiming for a tranquil atmosphere without an overly stark appearance. White trim and neutral furnishings, such as classic linen sofas, complement this color perfectly. Add some coastal accents, such as light blue throw pillows that feature anchors or seashells to complete the room.

A Backdrop of Cozy Warm Beige for the Traditional Interior

Warm beige undertones feature subtle yellow, red, or orange hues, making these beige colors the coziest ones. Warm beiges look beautiful in traditional homes. For instance, a warm beige works beautifully in a rustic-style kitchen. Picture this color exuding a gentle warmth throughout a kitchen featuring open shelving lined with pottery and woven baskets.

For example, Monroe Bisque HC-26 is a creamy beige with hints of yellow that elude a golden glow in the room. The warmness of its glow wraps the entire room and those in it in a comforting sense of peace. Further, the reddish-brown hues of copper accents, such as handles and fixtures on the beige wall backdrop, tie the rustic look together.

Further Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Benjamin Moore Beige

After you've chosen whether you want to go with cool or warm undertones, there are a few more considerations to mull over while shopping for your perfect beige option:

1. Consider the room's lighting: Will the room be primarily lit with natural or artificial lighting?

Pro Tip: Since many rooms utilize a combination of lamps and the sunlight streaming in, you should test samples during various parts of the day to gain a complete perspective of your lighting situation.

2. Choose the best depth: Do you want to open the room with light paint or create a cozy feel with a darker shade?

3. Test Different Finishes: Would you prefer a smooth, matte finish, or would you rather have a subtle sheen?

Find The Benjamin Moore Beige of Your Dreams at the Color Store

We hope this article has pointed you toward which shade of Benjamin Moore beige is right for your home. For further guidance, please visit one of our three locations at The Color Store! With over 35 years of experience, we have the expertise to help you find the perfect color. Find us in Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska. Contact us online to learn more!

Introducing the Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2025

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 10:59:45 GMT

Color can make a big impact! Choosing the right shade can alter your mood, reflect your design sensibilities, and add interest to areas that deserve a little more focus and intent. Whether you enjoy bold tones, muted hues, or relaxing neutrals, making the right choice is an empowering act that allows you to create your most authentic space.

Helping homeowners and businesses find the perfect paint color for their project is one of the best parts of our job. Every year, our team at The Color Store looks forward to sharing some of the upcoming trends in home decor. Today, we’re excited to share the announcement of Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year for 2025. We’ll break down what makes this color so interesting and show you the Color Trends for 2025 with some coordinating shades from Benjamin Moore!

Introducing Cinnamon Slate 2113-40, Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2025

Cinnamon Slate 2113-40 is a complex brown neutral with pink and purple undertones. This color is simple but confident and represents a trend away from beiges and grays, part of a portfolio of new neutrals that are growing in their popularity.

Cinnamon Slate 2113-40 is a great option for covering a variety of spaces: as a whole room interior paint , or when paired with deep-toned wainscotting or white trim. This shade is just as comfortable accenting a wall as it would be painting lower kitchen cabinets. It’s a deep, rich color and can take on the mood of any space. This paint reflects light—keeping spaces from feeling enclosed.

As we continue to explore new neutral shades with interesting undertones, Benjamin Moore Cinnamon Slate 2113-40 is an excellent look into 2025 and how styles and trends will continue to evolve. But it is only part of the Color Trends 2025 Palette. Let’s explore some shades curated to go with Cinnamon Slate 2113-40 .

Exploring the Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2025 Palette

Showcasing unique takes on understated shades, the Color Trends 2025 Palette is all about balance and nuance. The tans, browns, blues, greens, and pinks in this collection all feel like they could have been pulled from nature. This creates a relaxing effect—but with a depth of tone that feels elevated for a variety of uses. Each shade complements the other—plus, these shades can go well with neutral trim or wood tones, as they don’t trend entirely warm or cool and allow for experimentation.

Some ideas for using the Color Trends 2025 Palette include:

Use the light blush tones of Benjamin Moore Tissue Pink 1163 to paint the walls or upper cabinets of a kitchen, a nursery or kid’s room, or in a powder room or bathroom. Pair it with Ashwood Moss 1484 , a darker graphite green, to take advantage of the pleasing combination of an adult pink and grounding green or keep the space feeling light and airy with the creamy Glacier White OC-37 or Sea Salt CSP-95 —a light neutral that is somewhere between warm beige and crisp light gray.
Benjamin Moore Stained Glass CSP-685 is a serene teal tone. This color would be a great option to create a focal point as a paint choice for a kitchen island or cabinetry, as an accent wall, or a whole-room solution. Pair it with Paris Rain 1501 , a cool gray, or Glacier White OC-37 .
We mentioned our Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2025 Cinnamon Slate 2113-40 . This shade would go great with any color in the palette, but some of our favorite uses involve using it as a wall shade with lighter colors Glacier White OC-37 or Sea Salt CSP-95 as trim. This color takes on a new light when paired with a deeper color like Ashwood Moss 1484 , taking advantage of the interplay between its neutral plummy pink undertones and the deep green.
We think that Benjamin Moore Leather Saddle Brown 2100-20 is a natural pairing with Chowning's Tan CW-195 . Use the two together to create a cozy den or a warm bedroom space. For a unique twist, pair Chowning's Tan CW-195 with Tissue Pink 1163 .

Shop the Color Store for Cinnamon Slate 2113-40 and New 2025 Color Trends

While trends are fun to discuss and share because they are one way we can share what’s new and exciting in interior design, at The Color Store, we carry the entire collection of over 3500 Benjamin Moore shades. Any one of them could be a perfect option for your next painting project, so choose something that excites and interests you!

Our team is standing by to show you classic and trending tones to color your next project. Visit one of our locations in Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa and in Omaha, Nebraska, or contact our team at The Color Store to learn about how we can help you. Our experts will help you choose the perfect paint color for your next project!

How Does the Temperature Outside Affect My Exterior Paint Job?

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 08:43:51 GMT

If you're considering taking on a DIY exterior painting project, it's important to know how the temperature outside can affect your paint job. The experts here at the Color Store, Inc. recommend our customers paint when temperatures are in the sweet spot between 50°F and 85°F, for the best results. This range ensures optimal drying and curing conditions for a long-lasting finish!

When the Cold Sets In, Paint Fails to Cure

When temperatures drop below 50°F, paint can start to thicken; some paints may even require temperatures above 55°F or 60°F for optimal performance. A thickened paint is problematic since it becomes more challenging to apply evenly.

Additionally, cold weather prevents paint from curing properly. Paint curing is a chemical process where the solvents in the paint evaporate, allowing the paint to harden and form a durable layer that protects against weathering, moisture, UV damage, and general wear and tear. In cold weather, this evaporation slows down, and the paint stays soft. So, unfortunately, it won't develop its full strength and protective qualities.

If your exterior paint job needs to be completed during the winter, do it during the warmest part of the day. Also, hold off on exterior painting if the forecast predicts a significant drop in temperatures overnight.

When the Heat Turns Up, Paint Dries Too Fast

Extreme heat typically causes paint to dry very quickly, potentially preventing it from properly curing and adhering to the surface. Since paint dries faster in the heat, the time you have to spread it evenly is reduced. Poor adhesion can cut the lifespan of your paint job short. Peeling and cracking appear quickly on poorly cured surfaces, which means you may need an unexpected repainting project sooner than you'd like. If you plan on painting on a hot day, avoid painting in direct sunlight or during peak heat. Early mornings or late afternoons are your best bet. We recommend working quickly and diligently if the job goes into midday. Otherwise, it's best to wait until more temperate weather is on the horizon.

When Temperatures Swing, Paint Faces the Consequences

Aside from it being too hot or cold out, we don't recommend performing an exterior painting job when temperatures are forecasted to drastically fluctuate. Significant temperature fluctuations can cause paint to expand and contract, leading to issues over time. Moreover, rapid temperature changes are often associated with shifting weather patterns that can bring precipitation or humidity. Too much moisture in the air prevents the paint from drying properly, resulting in uneven coverage, bubbling, or poor adhesion.

Additionally, high humidity causes exterior stains to remain tacky, so there is a longer window for dirt to stick.

Discuss Your Project with Our Experts at the Color Store

The right weather is important for a quality exterior paint finish. In general, avoid painting in extreme temperatures. Save those DIY projects for the temperate seasons! And when you're ready to start planning your exterior painting project, come visit or contact our team at The Color Store in Des Moines, Waukee, or Omaha, NE. Our experts will help you choose the perfect products and discuss the best timing for your next project!

Check Out These Dupes for Agreeable Gray

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:40:00 GMT

Gray and off-white colors for paint have become increasingly popular since the early 2010s, slowly replacing stark whites and beiges as the new preferred neutral interior paint across the nation. Today, gray is a top choice for many rooms as it creates an elegant ambiance and blends seamlessly with virtually all interior design.

Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams is a popular choice among gray paints. However, here at The Color Store, we offer similar shades with subtle differences and the Benjamin Moore qualities and formulation you trust. Without a doubt, alternatives such as Benjamin Moore's London Fog 1541, Edgecomb Gray HC-173, Gray Owl 2137-60, and White Dove OC-17 by Benjamin Moore are worth exploring!

Find Your Fit with Benjamin Moore London Fog 1541

London Fog 1541 from Benjamin Moore is a soft, neutral gray with a beige undertone—a near dupe to Agreeable Gray. A little bit more on the beige side than the slightly darker Agreeable Gray, this color is perfectly suited for any space and can be used throughout the home—whether mixed with accent colors or with black or white trim for a monochromatic look.

Cozy up With Benjamin Moore Rodeo 1534

Rodeo 1534 is a light, neutral color showcasing a balanced mix of gray and beige, often called "greige." It's a little bit lighter when compared to Agreeable Gray from that other brand, suited for any room in the home. For example, it's an excellent option for living rooms with classic furnishings, soft textiles, and natural wood accents. Adding Rodeo 1534 to the walls will make curling up to watch a movie with the family even more comfy and cozy!

Relax With Benjamin Moore Gray Owl 2137-60

Gray Owl 2137-60 is a light gray hue with subtle crisp cool undertones. It falls under the category of cool grays, but its undertones give it a softness that other gray hues do not have. A lighter gray than Agreeable Gray, this color works beautifully in bedrooms because it creates a relaxing atmosphere by combining the calming effects of gray with the soothing, nature-inspired qualities of cool neutrals. The combination of these pigments together fosters a serene, peaceful environment conducive to rest and relaxation. Plus, this color goes great with both modern and traditional interior design. It pairs well with the sleek furniture and minimalist decor of modern design, and it looks just as fantastic paired with classic wood furniture and rich textures.

Brighten with Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

While much lighter than Agreeable Gray, Benjamin Moore White Dove is an off-white color with gray undertones to prevent it from appearing too stark or flat in different lighting conditions. It's a wonderful color for those who love grays but want to enhance the natural light of a room. For example, Agreeable Gray could make a hallway feel more enclosed, whereas White Dove will create a more spacious feel. If you choose a deeper gray like Benjamin Moore Rodeo 1534 for larger rooms and want to maintain consistent gray undertones throughout your home, this is the perfect paint pairing for you!

Find Your Best Shade of Gray or Off-White Colors at The Color Store

At The Color Store, we provide these stunning paint hues and hundreds more to our clients in Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa; Omaha, Nebraska; and the surrounding areas. Best of all, since we are an independently owned paint shop, we offer our clientele a level of service that far exceeds that of big-box stores. Our personalized attention, expert advice, and commitment to quality ensure that every customer finds the perfect paint solution for their needs.

But don't take our word on it—check out our reviews and see why our paint store is the top choice! Ready to book your color consultation? Contact us today!

These Summer Colors Will Refresh Your Home

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 08:05:12 GMT

Summer is here, and it's a great time to paint those walls with new and refreshing summer colors! Warming up the room with off-whites, cooling down with breezy blues, and unwinding with soft greens are all fabulous evocations of summer. Plus, these warm, long days are excellent for both the painting process and the quality of the final result. Let's talk about the summer colors that await you at the Color Store in Des Moines, Waukee, and Omaha so you can get painting ASAP!

Warm up With Off-Whites

Off-whites create a welcoming atmosphere and work beautifully with many design styles and color schemes where the warm undertones of off-white illuminate the bright feel of summer's sunshine seeping in. If warm whites are for you, check out Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee. It is a soft color with subtle undertones of yellow and beige. Its Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is 81.91, reflecting more light into the room rather than absorbing it. This color is especially perfect for rooms that aim to create an open and airy feel. Further, consider bringing the paint to the ceiling, as painting ceilings with high-LRV colors, such as Swiss Coffee, can make them seem higher.

Cool Down With Breezy Blues

Cool down in a room this summer painted with a breezy blue! Alongside their natural cooling effect, blue hues add tranquility and a peaceful ambiance to your summer refresh. Further, since blue is the color of the sky and the ocean, it brings the summer vibe straight inside. Consider Benjamin Moore November Skies if you're looking for a blue hue that transitions well into other seasons. Its muted gray undertones balance the blues and give it an elegant look that looks beautiful every season. It pairs well with various colors, including whites, grays, and natural wood tones. Additionally, November Skies has a moderate LRV, reflecting a good amount of light without overpowering.

Evoke Nature With Soft Greens

Soft green paint brings the feeling of your favorite summer walk inside the walls of your home. Green hues are a soothing reminder of lush summer foliage that brings your space a fresh, natural vibe. Its calming tones create a serene atmosphere perfect for kicking back and unwinding during lazy summer days. Undoubtedly, a fresh coat of soft green makes interiors feel cool, inviting, and connected to the vibrant beauty in bloom right outside your door. Consider Benjamin Moore Sherwood Green to fulfill this role in your home.

The Best Summer Refresh Hues Awaits You at the Color Store

We are the place to purchase Benjamin Moore interior paints for your next summer project! The interior paints we stock are durable, quick-drying, and provide excellent coverage to any surface. Additionally, our highly trained professionals will offer helpful tips and advice to ensure the success of your summer refresh. Our glowing reviews say it all!

We look forward to bringing you the specialized attention and help you won't find in larger chain stores. Ready to request your summer refresh color consultation? Contact us today—a team member will be in touch shortly!

The Advantages of Benjamin Moore Alkyd Paint

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 08:31:03 GMT

When it comes to painting your home, there are so many options on the market, and knowing which type of paint you need can make all the difference in the quality of your end result. Paints are mixed with a variety of different base formulas that combine pigment with binder and determine its overall performance, dry-down times, and flow.

When you stop by our showroom locations in Des Moines & Waukee, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska, our paint professionals at the Color Store can help you find the best option for your needs—including high quality alkyd paint from Benjamin Moore.

Understanding Alkyd Paint

Alkyd paint has a similar look to many oil paints, but it works and feels very different when applied to a surface. Made with a combination of alkyd resins, its enamel finish dries hard and cures to a finish that stands up over time and is easy to maintain.

This paint does the trick for both interior and exterior paint jobs. Its smooth finish is ideal for doors, trim, cabinets, and furniture. It's even great on metal surfaces like outdoor railings due to its protective qualities.

Benjamin Moore is a top brand for innovative alkyd paints with consistent, high-quality performance. Their lines of alkyd paints are durable, long-lasting, versatile, and hold up to moisture like no other.

Benjamin Moore Advance®: Unique Waterborne Alkyd Paint

Benjamin Moore Advance® is praised for its unique formulation. It combines the exceptional leveling and flow characteristics of traditional alkyd paints, but with the added benefit of easy cleanup with soap and water—a perk typically associated with latex paint. This aspect simplifies the painting process, making it more accessible to DIYers who might not have professional painting equipment or who wish to avoid the use of harsh chemicals for cleanup. It cures to a hard, furniture-quality finish, available in over 3,500 colors across multiple finishes.

With outstanding coverage and hide, this the number of coats you need to achieve a flawless finish, combining the finish and durability of an alkyd paint with the user-friendly aspects of waterborne paints.

Unmatched Durability in Tough Environments

Benjamin Moore alkyd paint is highly durable and protects surfaces against everyday wear and tear. Its oil-based formula resists chipping, scratching, and impacts.

For high-traffic areas that need even more durability, check out urethane alkyd, which offers the many benefits of traditional alkyd paint with extra resistance to chemicals and abrasion than standard alkyd paint. If you're seeking a glossy finish, urethane alkyd enamel is ideal. The blend of alkyd resin and urethane delivers a stunning, high-gloss surface that enhances the appearance of any project.

Shop Benjamin Moore Alkyd Paint and Alkyd Enamel at Color Store

If you'd like to try Benjamin Moore alkyd paint products for your next painting job, visit the Color Store at one of our three convenient locations in Des Moines, IA, Waukee, IA, and Omaha, NE.

We take pride in offering the personalized attention and expert assistance you won't find in larger chain stores. Our knowledgeable staff is ready to help you achieve professional, long-lasting results for any project. Contact us today to get started!

A Simple Guide to Wood Stain

Thu, 16 May 2024 08:38:54 GMT

Wood stain is essential for exterior wood projects to enhance the wood's appearance, preserve the integrity of the wood, protect against elemental damage, and achieve the desired aesthetic of your exterior wood surface. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or a professional woodworker, incorporating wood stains into your project ensures beautiful, long-lasting results.

In the world of wood stains, Wood Defender™ and Benjamin Moore stand out as two of the premier brands, offering a versatile range of options. Here at Color Store, Inc., we offer a wide selection of Wood Defender™ deck stains and Benjamin Moore exterior stains, and we'd like to break down what each has to offer:

Wood Defender™ Deck Stains: The Best Stain to Protect Your Deck

Staining a wood deck is crucial for preserving its appearance and enhancing its resistance to wear and tear, ultimately reducing the need for future costly repairs and maintenance. If you are staining a deck, Wood Defender™ deck stains offer advanced protection against UV rays, moisture, and foot traffic, helping to maintain the integrity of the deck wood.

Wood Defender™ stains are renowned for exceptional cleanability, making them a preferred choice for high-traffic areas like decks. Their advanced formulation creates a protective barrier for simply cleaning with mild soap and water without harsh chemicals or scrubbing.

Choose from the Wood Defender™ 200 Series Stain and Seal or Semi-Solid Latex Stain to create a layer of protection and colorfastness to your wood surfaces that resist water, mildew, and fungus and add protection to your decks and wood surfaces.

Benjamin Moorew Woodluxe® Exterior Stain: A Premium Stain to Enhance the Natural Beauty of Wood

Benjamin Moore Woodluxe® is a premium exterior stain designed to provide rich, long-lasting color and protection for wood surfaces exposed to the elements. It's the perfect choice for siding, fences, and outdoor furniture.

Woodluxe® enhances the natural beauty of the wood while providing superior protection against weathering and fading. It comes in both a water-based and oil-based stain and sealer. Water-based formulations offer fast drying times, low odor, and easy cleanup. On the other hand, oil-based formulations provide superior penetration, durability, and water resistance.

With seven translucent ready-mix colors, 75 semi-transparent stain colors, 75 semi-solid stain colors, and more than 3,500 solid and ultra flat solid stain colors, you can find the perfect solution to create the ultimate look for your horizontal or vertical surfaces when you shop with the Color Store. Our experts can help you choose which one is best for your project.

Shop Benjamin Moore Wood Stains and More at the Color Store, Inc.

Whether you're a homeowner embarking on a DIY project or a seasoned contractor immersed in daily staining tasks, our team of professionals is here to assist you in selecting the perfect stains for your project needs.

Our service area includes Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas.

Ready to request a color consultation and learn more? Contact us today!

Create a Natural Paint Palette with Benjamin Moore Paint Colors

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 02:44:42 GMT

With the arrival of spring comes a sense of renewal, making it the perfect time to elevate your home with a fresh paint palette that captures the season's vibrancy and brings the energy of natural tones indoors.

When designing a nature-inspired paint palette, first select a primary color that reflects the mood you'd like to create: earthy greens, soft blues, and inviting lavenders all epitomize the essence of the outdoors. Next, you'll complement the primary color with coordinating shades for trim and accents and determine the best finish. At the Color Store, we carry Benjamin Moore's premium quality paints in endless spring colors. Let's explore your potential spring paint palette further:

Choose Your Favorite Shades

The first step in creating the perfect springtime palette is selecting your favorite shades of premium Benjamin Moore paint . Earthy greens, soft blues, and inviting lavender hues capture the season's rejuvenating spirit and natural beauty. Which color best suits you? Start by browsing through design magazines and Pinterest boards, and consider these natural colors that are popular among our clients:

Benjamin Moore Creekside Green 2141-40 is a richly saturated shade reminiscent of a warm day spent strolling alongside a quiet creek bed.
Benjamin Moore Gentle Butterfly 2173-70 is a barely pink wash of color that reflects the sky during the spring sunrise.
Benjamin Moore Clearlake 738 is an intense shade of sky blue punctuated with bright green undertones that uplift rooms.
Benjamin Moore Spring Flowers 1430 features a touch of gray in the versatile pastel purple that evokes florals, water tones, and emanates serenity.

Complement Your New Hues

After choosing your primary paint colors, complement them with coordinating shades for trim and accents to achieve a cohesive look. For example, if you go with an earthy green hue, creamy ivory trim provides a beautiful backdrop and soft coral accents help bring vibrant energy into the room. The thoughtful selection of complementary trim and accent shades help your primary color as it evokes the essence of the world outside.

Select a Stylish Finish

Benjamin Moore paint has many finishes tailored to every taste and style preference—from ultra matter to super glossy. The right finish amplifies nature-inspired shades by affecting how light interacts with the painted surface, adding dimension and depth. For example, satin and semi-gloss finishes invite the sunlight of longer days to dance across walls. Conversely, matte finishes gently absorb light, creating a tranquil ambiance.

Shop the Color Store for Your Benjamin Moore Paint Colors

Our dedicated professionals are here to provide expert guidance and support for all your projects, including creating the perfect paint palette with Benjamin Moore's stunning color choices.

As a locally-owned establishment with 35 years of business, we bring back the personalized service you might have thought was a thing of the past. With multiple locations, our clientele extends from Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, to Omaha, Nebraska, and beyond into the surrounding regions. Contact us today to bring your interior design dreams to life!

Protect Your Surfaces With Rust-Resistant Coating

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 12:50:53 GMT

Rust-resistant enamels are a type of special coating used to protect metal surfaces from the corrosion that occurs on metal when iron and other materials react with oxygen and water. These enamels contains additives that are corrosion inhibitors to create a barrier between the metal substrate and any weathering elements, preventing rust formation. Further, some formulations also incorporate UV protection.

Reasons to Use A Rust Arrestor

As rust forms, it cracks the metal, making the surface weak and prone to failure. However, this unique coating helps prolong the lifespan of metal structures by preventing rust corrosion. This enamel is essential in the home, as well as the construction, marine, and manufacturing industries, where metal components are exposed to harsh conditions. Undoubtedly, rust-resistant enamels create safer and more reliable equipment and metal features.
Rust-resistant coatings upgrade the appearance of metal surfaces by providing a smooth finish that resists flaking, peeling, and chipping. The smooth finish also helps to maintain the value of machinery.
Using rust-resistant enamels reduces the maintenance costs of repairs to corroded metal features or parts. By using this coating, builders and companies increase the operational efficiency of their workers and machinery and reduce overall expenses.
Rust-resistant coatings extends the life of metal features and products, minimizing environmental waste and pollution. For this reason, using rust-resistant enamels contributes to sustainable practices to promote a cleaner, greener future for the next generations.

Top Rust-Resistant Formulas

Rust Arrestor Paint

Rust arrestor paint stops the progression of existing rust on metal surfaces. It usually contains an inhibitor like phosphoric acid or tannic acid, which reacts with the iron oxide in rust to form a stable compound known as iron phosphate or tannate. This compound creates a protective barrier over the metal surface to seal out moisture and oxygen, which are necessary for the corrosion process to continue. It is often used as a primer on metal surfaces, including iron and steel, to ensure a solid adhesion to a topcoat.

Coronado ^® Rust-A-Void™

As a replacement for the discontinued Rust Scat paint, Coronado ^® Rust-A-Void™ is an industrial-grade interior or exterior paint available from Benjamin Moore. Its formula protects metal surfaces from rust and corrosion. It is highly durable and excels in harsh conditions, such as extreme weather, exposure to harsh chemicals, or abrasion. Remarkably, it offers protection even over existing paint coatings. Coronado® Rust-A-Void™ Enamels consist of a hardy urethane-modified alkyd resin in gloss, semi-gloss, and satin finishes.

We Have the Best Rust-Resistant Coating for Your Next Project

When you need to protect metal surfaces from corrosion and rust, look no further than our premium collection of rust-resistant coatings.

The Color Store offers the best residential and industrial coatings, including rust arrestor like Coronado ^® Rust-A-Void™ to safeguard your metal surfaces against the damaging effects of moisture, oxygen, and environmental factors.

Our team of paint professionals are trained specialists whose expert advice will ensure the success of every project. We've helped our clients from our locations in Des Moines, Waukee, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, and serve the neighboring areas.

We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to extend our expertise to your project next! Ready to schedule your consultation? Contact us today!

The Steps for Painting Your Cabinets with Benjamin Moore® Cabinet Coat

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 13:26:08 GMT

A fresh coat of paint on your cabinets is a great way to breathe new life into any kitchen. Beyond refreshing the aesthetics, painting cabinets provide an opportunity to conceal damage and scratches, giving your room a whole new look with the same cabinets. Additionally, fresh paint adds a personalized touch, enabling you to tailor the color scheme to match your evolving home decor. Repainting cabinets offers a flexible, cost-effective way to refresh and revive your living spaces, and there is no better paint for this kind of project than Benjamin Moore® cabinet coat paint:

Select Your Benjamin Moore® Paint

Choosing the best Benjamin Moore® paint color for your cabinetry is an important process that will take some time and consideration. There are a lot of colors to choose from! Start by considering the design of your space, such as counters, flooring, and overall color scheme, as well as the size of the space. For smaller rooms, lighter cabinet colors can create the perception of spaciousness. However, deeper tones in larger rooms evoke a sense of coziness. Remember the undertones in the paint options since this will also influence how the color interacts with their surroundings. This initial step can seem overwhelming, but remember that our expert color consultants are here to help!

Prep the Cabinets for Painting

For a paint-ready surface, your first step is to clean the cabinets to eliminate any traces of grease, dirt, or debris. Then, once clean, sand the surfaces to remove old finishes or paint and create a fresh surface the new paint will be able to adhere to properly. We recommend removing cabinet hardware, doors, and drawers to make this process easier.

Prime and Paint for a Whole New Room

Before you paint, apply Benjamin Moore® Paint Primer to the sanded cabinet surfaces. Primer enhances paint adhesion and guarantees an even finish for the final paint job. Please note the primer must fully dry before moving on to painting. Once the primer is dry, it's time to paint! Choose a durable paint for cabinets, such as Benjamin Moore® INSL-X® Specialty Coatings in the color of your choosing. This paint revives cabinets with a smooth satin or semi-gloss finish and comes in a massive variety of beautiful colors. A high-quality brush or a paint sprayer aids in achieving that smooth and professional-looking finish and can speed up your project time.

Re-Assemble the Cabinets and Enjoy

Once the final coat of cabinet paint has thoroughly dried, it's time to reattach the hardware, doors, and drawers. Secure each element to bring the cabinets back to their fully functional state. Now it's time to enjoy your beautifully re-finished cabinetry!

Transform Your Cabinets with the Expert Help of The Color Store

Ready to renew your cabinets? Visit the Color Store for expert advice and a wide variety of paint and supplies. Your cabinets are more than storage; they're a canvas waiting to reflect your style. The glowing reviews from our satisfied customers in Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas are a testament to our unwavering expertise. Contact us today to schedule your color consultation!

Exploring The Benjamin Moore Color Stories® Collection | Color Store

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:15:35 GMT

At Color Store, we're dedicated to providing exceptional interior paints that define industry standards. Within our curated selection, we are proud to offer the captivating Benjamin Moore Color Stories® Collection: a series of striking hues crafted to change and evolve as the light does. Unlike traditional paint formulas that use 2-3 pigments, Color Stories® elevates depth and color with a rich blend of 5-7 unique pigments in each color. This collection will for sure add additional depth, richness, and a sense of individuality to any room.

The Color Store is excited to share these paints with you, and so we want to introduce some of our favorites to you.

Energize a Space With Saturation

If you want to liven up a room, a bold Color Stories® shade that responds beautifully to bright light is the perfect choice. For example, bright blue tones evoke a sense of energy that lights up any space and is an especially popular choice for bathrooms, playrooms, and accent walls. Additionally, shades of red, such as Ruby Red 2001-10, can enhance creativity, making it the ideal hue for home offices.

Mitigate Harsh Lighting With Gray

Gray paint is a versatile and popular option for interior spaces, presenting many benefits and design opportunities. It adds a touch of refinement to any room, curating a subtle and classy aesthetic. Moreover, gray tones from the Color Stories® collection can lessen harsh lighting conditions. These tones provide a balanced and calming visual experience in spaces with intense artificial lighting. Smoke & Mirrors CSP-105 is a mystically toned hue that reveals complex depths of hue. It will have you and your guests wondering, is it a trick of the eye or pure magic?

Call Forth Tranquility With Soft Pales

Soft colors are an excellent choice for living rooms because they create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. They reflect more natural light, enhancing a room's brightness and making it more open and peaceful. Further, these hues allow furniture, decor, and artwork to stand out. Color Stories® Early Sunset 2096-70 is a light-as-air hue that echoes the gentle pink cast of an approaching evening.

Connect With Your Premier Local Benjamin Moore Retailer

At Color Store, we carry the best interior paints in the industry, including the Benjamin Moore Color Stories® Collection and various popular Benjamin AURA® paint colors. However, choosing the right colors for your home can be the most challenging part of your interior design journey.

Have you ever found yourself squinting at six seemingly identical paint swatches? We get it – it can be a head-scratcher! For this reason, we're dedicated to making this process a breeze during your color consultation . Our color consultants don't just see paint; they understand the psychology behind colors, how colors interact with light, and the magic of interior design. Let us help you pick the perfect paint for every inch of your home. Because when it comes to colors, we've got your back!

If you have questions or are ready to schedule your color consultation, contact us today. We have proudly served the communities of Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas for 35 years and look forward to serving you, too!

Benjamin Moore Colors for the New Year

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 14:50:45 GMT

The new year brings a sense of excitement and invites creativity in rejuvenating your living spaces. Introducing the color trends for 2024 by Benjamin Moore! This year's palette boasts a stunning array of hues that harmonize playfulness and sophisticated elegance. Let's explore how the diverse shades, including the enchanting Color of the Year 2024 - Blue Nova, can be used to redefine your home's ambiance.

Blue Nova: The Star of 2024

As Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year for 2024, Blue Nova blends the tranquility of blue tones with subtle hints of gray. This intriguing bluish-gray hue offers a contemporary edge, making it versatile for a multitude of spaces. Ideal for living rooms and bedrooms alike, Blue Nova creates a calming environment and works harmoniously with various décor styles.

Timeless Beauty with White Dove

Embrace the soothing nature of Pristine, a soft, off-white hue that radiates serenity. This understated shade is perfect for creating an atmosphere of calmness and relaxation. Consider Pristine for your bathroom or zen-inspired spaces for a gentle touch of luxury.

Glimmering Warmth from Topaz

Illuminate your home with Topaz, a warm and alluring hue inspired by the wonders of natural gemstones. This dazzling golden tone is perfect for creating cozy spaces in your living room or library. Topaz evokes the glow of the setting sun, inviting warmth and grandeur to your décor.

Romance Blossoms with Teacup Rose

Awaken the spirit of romanticism with the regal Teacup Rose. This delightful pink hue captures the essence of rose petals in full bloom, providing sophisticated charm to any room. Apply Teacup Rose in your bedroom or reading nook for a touch of refined elegance.

Infuse Energy with Honeybee

The vibrant Honeybee color, reminiscent of a delightful sunflower field, infuses your home with energy and positivity. Use this lively yellow shade in your kitchen or sunroom to establish an upbeat and revitalizing atmosphere.

Engage the Senses with Regent Green

Channel the sensation of lush, organic growth with the captivating Regent Green. This rich, deep green hue evokes a sense of revitalization and transforms any space into a refreshing oasis. Consider Regent Green for your home office or as an accent wall for a striking visual impact.

Sophisticated Demeanor with Antique Pewter

Antique Pewter is a refined gray hue with an air of sophistication, making it the perfect color choice for adding depth and character to your interiors. Embrace this subdued shade in your dining room or entryway for an impressive visual statement.

Serene Ambiance from Polar Sky

Capture the ethereal essence of a crisp winter day with Polar Sky. This cool, muted blue shade inspires tranquility and harmony, making it ideal for meditation spaces, bathrooms, or bedrooms.

Delicate Allure with Hazy Lilac

A touch of whimsy is introduced with Hazy Lilac - a delicate lilac hue that echoes the beauty of early spring. Use this soft pastel shade in nurseries, bedrooms, or living areas to bring a touch of dreaminess to your interiors.

Contact Us

Revitalize your home for the new year with captivating colors from Benjamin Moore. By pairing these unique hues in creative ways, you can dramatically transform the atmosphere of your living spaces.

Contact us at The Color Store or schedule a Color Consultation with one of our specialists today. We can’t wait to help you find the perfect color combination for your home! We proudly serve Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas.

Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2024

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 08:39:36 GMT

We're excited to put Benjamin Moore's color of the year for 2024 in the spotlight. Taking a softer approach from last year's warmer paint, Benjamin Moore has gone cool with this year’s Blue Nova 825. At Color Store, we carry the entire Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2024 Palette and are excited to help you learn more about this interior paint and how it can inspire a brand-new look for your home.

Introducing Benjamin Moore Blue Nova 825

Color has the power to evoke memories and plant seeds of inspiration—and Blue Nova 825 paint is meant to spark your sense of wonder. Influenced by the cosmic hues in the starry night sky, it's reminiscent of the vast depth and intrigue within the universe. Blue Nova draws your attention away from the every day, bringing a calm, inspiring presence to your setting.

Cool hues like Blue Nova are ideal for bedrooms, reading nooks, and other living spaces that should feel like a calm retreat. It pairs well with neutrals, like tan, off-white, and beige, but can be combined with more audacious colors like orange, red, and yellow. Blue Nova will capture your attention and bring plenty of energy to any space you wish.

Explore the Entire Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2024 Palette

Along with a starring shade, Benjamin Moore selects a range of other complementary colors to curate a 10-color paint palette for the year. For 2024, the dynamic color scheme encourages a sense of adventure and exploration with hues inspired by some of the world's most exotic places. The following hues run alongside Blue Nova 825 as part of the Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2024 Palette:

White Dove OC-17
Pristine OC-75
Topaz 070
Teacup Rose 2170-50
Honeybee CSP-950
Regent Green 2136-20
Antique Pewter 1560
Polar Sky 1674
Hazy Lilac 2116-40

Homeowners can contrast or complement different spaces with these paints in inviting and exciting ways. Whether you're seeking a modest tone that gently highlights the paint of the year or a bold color that pops against it as a focal point, this color palette is a great place to start. The range of neutral and mid-tones makes creating a truly eye-catching aesthetic that suits your personality and decor easy.

Color Theory In Motion

Benjamin Moore selects a new standout color each year, along with a corresponding paint palette. From bold and brazen to serene and soft, the 2024 palette has you covered. But how do they pick and choose from the rainbow each year? Their expert team uses color theory to analyze cultural trends, key influences, and environmental elements and come up with a carefully crafted paint that rises above the rest.

And it's not just about what's trendy at the moment. Benjamin Moore understands that fads fade, but a true hue can have a more lasting impact on the modern home or office. Their team ensures the colors they choose translate well in paint so you can enjoy the ambiance you've created for years to come.

Get the 2024 Color of the Year at Color Store

Let our team walk you through the Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2024 Palette. We can also show you the most popular selections from previous years. Color Store serves customers in Des Moines, Waukee, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska. For more information about how to get Benjamin Moore Blue Nova 825 paint, contact us today.

Paint or Stain: What’s Best for Your Project?

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:58:49 GMT

Paint and stain are both widely used for different home improvement projects. But should you give your porch that pop of color or let the wood’s natural beauty shine through? At Color Store, we specialize in Benjamin Moore paint , stain, and primer for interior and exterior surfaces. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each to help you gain a better idea of what will best suit your project.

When to Choose Paint

Painting is a cost-effective way to give an antique armoire or old bench swing a fresh look. It’s available in a rainbow of colors and is easy to apply with a brush, sprayer, or roller. Some of the most significant advantages of interior and exterior paint include:

Opacity: Paint delivers complete coverage, so you need fewer coats.
Versatility: You can paint over stains, but not the other way around.
Finish: From matte to glossy or metallic, every vision has a paint finish.
Refinish process: Repainting later requires scraping and sanding, adding time to your project.

Plus, paint formulas adhere to a wider variety of materials than stain formulas, such as

Drywall
Wood
PVC
Vinyl
Cement
Masonry
Metal

Benjamin Moore paint is uniquely engineered for indoor and outdoor environments, from the cabinets in your kitchen to the siding on your house. If you need a surface that’s easy to clean or weather the elements, there’s a formula for every project.

When Selecting Wood Stain Is Better

Permeating and enhancing the surface, the stain highlights natural wood grains. It’s excellent for giving furniture, decks, fencing, and other pieces a warm, timeless finish and is often preferred for its strong weather-resistant properties. Here are some of the reasons stain may be better than paint:

Opacity: Stain is transparent or semi-transparent, making it the optimal choice for projects that should look authentically natural.
Time: Drying faster than paint stain shortens your timeline to completion.
Resistance: Wood stains are less prone to chipping, blistering, and scuffs.
Surface protection: Stain polishes and protects wood surfaces, enhancing its integrity.

Crafted for superior performance, Benjamin Moore exterior stain comes in several formulas to suit different projects. It’s designed for application to hard and soft woods and binds directly to the fibers. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common wood stains and how they differ:

Oil-based stains tend to dry slower and penetrate deeper, yielding richer color.
Gel stains are thicker, making it easier to lay down an even coat.
Water-based stains dry fast and don’t penetrate as deep, creating a softer finish.
Oil-based polyurethane creates a hard, durable coating.

Consult Your Local Benjamin Moore Dealer

Let us help you find the perfect Benjamin Moore stain or paint for your next project. Our expert color consultants know our products inside and out and can help you decide on specific colors, formulas, painting supplies, and more. Giving the best this brand offers, we serve customers in Des Moines, Waukee, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska. For more information and project ideas, contact us today.

Create a Fall Color Palette with Benjamin Moore Paint Colors

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 15:24:35 GMT

From pumpkin spice to wool sweaters, there are plenty of things to look forward to when the leaves begin to drop. Why not keep the spirit of the season alive all year long? With fall Benjamin Moore paint colors, you can bring nature's beauty indoors with a thoughtfully designed palette. Here, the Color Store professionals discuss how to create an autumn color scheme for your home, as well as some key insights to consider throughout your painting project.

Mix and Match Your Favorite Fall Colors

Start by taking a fresh look at the colors you love throughout the season. Rich earth tones balance out the warm, vibrant hues in the falling leaves—these will likely be the base of your color scheme. Benjamin Moore seasonal color palettes make it easy to coordinate the tones you're most drawn to in autumn, but you can also pick and choose your own. Here are some ideas for your painting project:

Red: Think red wine, burgundy, or deep, moody red paint.
Yellow: Yellows brighten, creating a cheerful atmosphere reminiscent of the season.
Orange: Mixed with brown undertones, orange paint can set your space apart.
Rust: Green and yellow accents look great against rusty paint colors.
Brown: Cinnamon, cognac, or coffee helps ground your palette and works with most other colors.

You can even add gray or a muted pink-orange shade to keep it light or saturate your walls in a deep mulberry that turns your study into a statement room. And it's perfectly fine to mix warm and cool colors together—choosing a dominant color on the warmer side of the spectrum will bring your autumnal theme to the forefront.

Select a Fall Paint Sheen

Fall-inspired Benjamin Moore interior paint comes in a wide range of sheens. And just like choosing your paint palette, selecting a sheen is equally essential. First, consider which rooms you'll be painting. For instance, glossy paints are perfect for kitchens and playrooms because they're easy to wipe clean. Flat paint is pigment-heavy, so you get the most coverage per stroke and can hide imperfections well.

Start with a primer if you're covering up a deep blue wall with a bright goldenrod color. Benjamin Moore Fresh Start® Premium interior primers are crafted for outstanding adhesion and coverage, helping to ensure your new color rings true and isn't tainted by the old one underneath.

Why Choose Benjamin Moore Paint and Primer?

Benjamin Moore paint across the color spectrum is expertly engineered with Gennex® Color technology. This means that even if you choose the richest red on the palette, you won't have to worry about it fading over time. Other reasons to choose Benjamin Moore paint include:

Spatter resistance ensures the paint goes on your walls and nowhere else.
Low-odor formulas mean your fresh look won't be ruined by strong chemical odors.
Colors lay down smoothly and flow easily for an even coat every time.

It's no small task to repaint your home in bold, new hues. Schedule a professional color consultation to get started.

Find Fall Benjamin Moore Paint Colors at Color Store

With over 3,500 Benjamin Moore paint colors available, we can help you create a custom palette that mirrors your favorite time of year. Your local Benjamin Moore paint dealer, Color Store, proudly serves Omaha, Nebraska, Des Moines, and Waukee, Iowa. For more information, contact us today.

Industrial Paint Supply: Benjamin Moore Options at Color Store

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 12:56:53 GMT

Regarding industrial projects, one crucial aspect to consider is the choice of paint. Industrial environments require durable, high-quality paint that withstands harsh conditions, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. Benjamin Moore, a renowned manufacturer of premium paints, offers a range of exceptional options tailored specifically for industrial applications. At Color Store, we are proud to supply these top-notch Benjamin Moore paints to meet all your industrial needs.

Benjamin Moore Industrial Paint Options

Corotech®

Corotech® is Benjamin Moore's specialized line of high-performance coatings. These paints are designed to handle the most demanding industrial challenges. With their outstanding durability and resistance to chemicals, abrasion, and corrosion, Corotech® paints are a preferred choice for industrial projects. The line includes epoxy, urethane, alkyd, and silicone coatings, ensuring a paint suitable for every application.

INSL-X®

INSL-X® is another trusted line of industrial paints by Benjamin Moore. These coatings offer excellent adhesion and resistance to chemicals, solvents, and moisture. INSL-X® paints are formulated to withstand demanding environments such as manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and storage areas. Whether you need a high-build coating, an epoxy primer, or a durable floor enamel, INSL-X® has a solution for you.

The INSL-X® line includes primers, enamels, deck coatings, and specialty coatings for various industrial applications. The High-Build Latex Paint is designed to hide imperfections and provide a smooth and even finish for surfaces with a lot of texture. The Epoxy Pool Paint is resistant to chemicals, abrasion, and weathering, making it perfect for pools and water features. The GarageGuard® Epoxy Floor Coating is a popular choice for garage floors, offering durability and easy clean-up.

Advance®

Advance® is a remarkable line of paints by Benjamin Moore that combines the durability of an oil-based paint with the ease of application of water-based paint. This unique formulation allows for exceptional leveling and self-curing properties. Advance® paints are ideal for industrial applications that require a smooth, high-gloss finish, such as metal structures, machinery, and equipment.

The Advance® line offers a variety of topcoats, primers, and specialty coatings. The Advance® Urethane Alkyd Gloss is a high-performance coating with excellent color retention and protection against wear and tear. The Advance® Waterborne Alkyd Primer is a versatile primer used on various substrates, including steel, wood, and concrete. The Advance® Waterborne Interior Alkyd Satin is a topcoat that delivers a beautiful, low-sheen finish on interior surfaces.

Color Store: Your Source for Benjamin Moore Industrial Paints

Here at Color Store, we understand the specific needs of industrial projects and are committed to providing the highest quality paints to meet those needs. As an authorized Benjamin Moore retailer, we carry many industrial paint options from the Corotech®, INSL-X®, and Advance® lines.

Our knowledgeable staff members are trained to assist you in selecting the right Benjamin Moore paint for your industrial project. Whether you're looking for a high-performance epoxy coating, a corrosion-resistant primer, or a durable floor enamel, we have the expertise to guide you toward the perfect solution.

Contact Us

At Color Store, we go beyond simply supplying paint. We are committed to providing outstanding customer service and support throughout your project. Our goal is to help you achieve exceptional results and ensure the durability and longevity of your industrial surfaces. With our convenient location and extensive inventory, you can trust that Color Store will have the Benjamin Moore industrial paints you need when needed. Visit us today , schedule your own color consultation , and let us help you make your industrial project a success!

Choosing the Right Paint for Your Project: Exterior Stains

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 12:29:43 GMT

Your home has been adequately primed; your interior paint gives personality to your rooms; your home’s exterior color draws curb appeal. However, the job is not yet finished: don’t forget to cover your exterior living and entertaining spaces, like your deck, patio, porch, pergola, or gazebo, with attractive and protective exterior stains . With help from the Color Store, homeowners have ensured the right products for all their outdoor wood projects.

Choosing Your Exterior Wood Stain

As always, before you choose your exterior stain, you should carefully consider your project: How much stain will you need? What kind of wood is your surface made from? What color would best complement your home? With exterior stains, homeowners have another factor to consider: what level of protection does your surface need? Thicker stains are more protective but will hide more of your wood’s texture. Thinner stains bring out the grain of your wood, and while they still provide UV protection, they will need to be reapplied in the future to prevent fading. Check if your stain is water-repellant, mildew-resistant, and cleanable; your wood stain’s durability will prolong the life of your deck.
Timing is essential: You want to protect your exterior surfaces as soon as possible—without proper maintenance, your exterior wood can fade, warp, and soften in as little as a few months. Choose a heavy-duty stain that can withstand the trials of harsh weather and the traffic of barbecue season, and make sure you start staining at the right temperature and avoid any rainstorms—you don’t want blooming and streaks in your new deck stain!
Enjoy your outdoor spaces quicker with fast-sealing, easily sprayable, or rollable products: Some of our stains require no priming, diluting, or thinning, so you can focus completely on the project. Easy touch-ups and recoats make future staining projects a breeze.

Our Wood Stains

At Color Store, we pride ourselves on carrying the highest quality paint products with the highest quality of service. Among our large selection of paint products, we carry Benjamin Moore® ARBORCOAT® Exterior Stain, Ready Seal® Exterior Stain, and Wood Defender™ Exterior Stains. Together, we offer a range of rich wood colors, from the lightest of oak to the darkest of walnut, for all your hardwood and softwood projects.

What will be the best wood stain for your home? Our experts at Color Store can help you navigate our exterior stain selection. We work with you to find the right color, opacity, and protection you need for your outdoor exterior wood, including your fence and outdoor furniture. Set up a color consultation or talk to one of our experts: we look forward to hearing about your outdoor project!

Contact Us

Our success is your project’s success. Visit us in one of our three locations in the Midwest or call or contact us today to tell us more about your exterior stain project. We can’t wait to work with you. We proudly provide our paint expertise to homes and businesses in Omaha, NE; Des Moines and Waukee, IA; and the surrounding communities.

A Splash of Summer with Benjamin Moore®

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 11:43:18 GMT

Summer is the ideal season for painting. Warmer weather and clearer days are the perfect time to complete your outdoor projects. Touch up your home’s peeling paint or give your home an entire makeover—Color Store has the paint and supplies you need to complete projects all summer long.

A Splash of Summer with Benjamin Moore®

As your local Benjamin Moore® paint dealer, we offer our customers the paints, stains, and specialty products necessary for all summer home improvements. If you’re looking for a summer refresh, look into summer colors like

Orange Sky
Poolside Blue
Tropical Seaweed Green

with high-quality Benjamin Moore® paint that can take the summer heat.

AURA® Exterior Paint

Celebrate summer in color with AURA® Exterior Paint. AURA® uses Color Lock® technology to seal your favorite one-of-a-kind Benjamin Moore® paint colors, so your outdoor projects can maintain their freshly painted look even through the dog days of summer. AURA® exterior paint has been engineered for superior outdoor performance, resisting fading and tackiness for a smooth, effortless look. It applies easily and forms a film even at the first coat, and all coatings are permeable to reduce the risk of unattractive bubbling and peeling—so you can complete projects on hot days with no sweat. It comes in a flat, low luster, satin, and soft gloss finish, making it the ideal paint for a whole-home project or a few new front door details.

Element Guard® Exterior Paint

If your summer isn’t as sunny as you wish, Benjamin Moore® still has you covered. Element Guard® Exterior Paint is ultra-durable and resilient to harsh weather and humidity. It can be applied just 60 minutes after rainfall and can be recoated in four hours. Mildewcide resists molds and mildews even in the wettest climates with its special 100% acrylic resin formula. It comes in flat, low luster, and gloss sheens and may be used on most outdoor surfaces, including unpainted and previously painted wood, siding, masonry, and brick.

ARBORCOAT®

Enjoy your outside living area, bring out the beauty of your deck, and protect your wooden patio furniture with ARBORCOAT® wood stains. ARBORCOAT® is available as a solid, semi-solid, semi-transparent, and translucent stain as well as a classic oil finish. It can be applied to both soft and hardwoods, accentuating your wood’s natural grain while protecting it from sun and moisture damage. With six ready-made colors, it’s easy to find a color that matches your deck, but our experts are always on hand if you’re in need of our exterior stain expertise.

Contact Us

Avoid a summer bummer by working with us: we can walk you through cleaning and prepping your exterior surfaces for painting, suggest the products that will help you complete your project faster, and supply you with the tools you need for rich results. Visit us in our stores in Omaha, Nebraska; and Des Moines and Waukee, Iowa; to see our entire selection of interior and exterior paints , stains , and prep products, or call or contact us today for more outdoor project inspiration. We are proud to color the communities of Omaha, NE; Des Moines, IA; and Waukee, IA, as well as their surrounding areas, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Why You Should Hire a Paint Professional for Your Next Paint Project

Mon, 08 May 2023 06:29:26 GMT

We love everything our contractors do here for us at The Color Store and want to show that appreciation! To begin, we want to explain how working with contractors ensures that every paint project goes as smoothly as a freshly sanded wall.

Benjamin Moore® has a long history of working with contractors from companies big and small, and we are honored to uphold this tradition at the Color Store.

Why You Should Hire a Contractor for Your Next Paint Project

Experience

Just like us at The Color Store, paint contractors are dedicated to paint. They’re experienced with the level, flow, and hide of your paint, so a professional can tell you what to expect during the painting process and what they’ll do if they encounter any issues. Furthermore, with The Color Store at their back, professional painters will have all the paint and paint tools they need for finished projects you’ll love.

Time

Painting can sometimes feel like…watching paint dry. Get the job done faster by hiring a professional. If you’re on a time crunch, contractors are efficient and effective. Don’t pause your work or life to prime your walls. Contractors work in a timely manner and with the highest professional standards. Because of their experience, they are skilled at dealing with problems quickly, so you won’t end up with splatter stains on your hardwood. Don’t compromise on your project’s time and quality: once you hire a professional painter, they’re solely committed to your project and its success.

Safety

Safety. Lead paint and old wallpaper is more than just a hassle: they’re safety hazards. You can’t remove them by yourself without risking your health. Professionals know how to safely handle the paint hazards in your home. Hire a contractor to remove your lead paint or coat it with our Benjamin Moore® LeadBlock specialty paint . Besides paint hazards, contractors know how work safely in your space, so you don’t risk overreaching on your ladder or overexposing yourself to paint fumes.

Stress-free

If you’re repainting your whole home or remodeling your business, painting can seem—and indeed be—completely overwhelming. If your paint project goes wrong, there’s very little you can do except start another one. Be confident in getting the job done right the first time by hiring a paint contractor. A quality contractor works with you to relieve the stress of a painting project and will treat your home and business with the utmost respect. Don’t stress over prepping a surface correctly or dealing with messy drips. A paint professional has you and your walls covered—stress- and streak-free.

Contact Us

The Color Store is locally owned and operated. Because we’re not a big box hardware store, you’re getting the individualized service you need to get the job done right. We want local contractors to find everything they need in one convenient place. Besides our Benjamin Moore® paint, we also carry Axalta™, TriTech, ARBORCOAT®, Ready Seal®, and AzkoNobel products. Call or contact us today to see how we can help you. We are proud to work with contractors across the Midwest, including Omaha, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; and Waukee, Iowa.

Choosing the Right Paint for Your Project: Exterior Paint

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 08:48:29 GMT

The exterior of your home weathers rain and snow, the harsh summer heat, and the stiffening winter cold. Your home protects you - protect it with quality exterior paint .

Exterior paint is more than just curb appeal. It resists damaging mold and mildew; it seals your exterior wood and stone; it shields your surfaces from sun damage. At Color Store, we offer Benjamin Moore, Axalta™, TriTech, Arborcoat®, Ready Seal®, and AkzoNobel products to help our customers complete long-lasting exterior projects.

Choosing Your Exterior Paint

1. Your project

Are you painting the entire outside of your home or just your front door? The larger your project, the more paint you’ll need, but the less you - and your wallet - will want to use. Paints with excellent coverage-like those we carry from Benjamin Moore® - will reduce the number of coats you’ll need. For smaller, more complex projects, get a forgiving paint with smooth flow and superior hide; because of the harshness of the outdoors, easy touch-ups should always be on the table.

2. Your surface

The exterior of your home consists of various surfaces like wood, stucco, vinyl, metal, and masonry. It’s important to know that paints adhere better to specific surfaces better than others. For example, Coronado® Masonry Coatings seal and waterproof concrete and masonry surfaces, while Coronado® Rust-A-Void™ prevents the corrosion of your metal surfaces. Some paints, like our Benjamin Moore® Regal® Select Exterior High Build Paint, are tenacious enough for multiple characters, perfect for coordinating your outdoor paint projects. Selecting the suitable coating ensures your surface receives the right protection - at Color Store, our paint experts can help you pick a paint with your necessary level of adhesion.

3. Timing

Because your paint is exposed to the elements as soon as it’s applied, you’ll want to ensure your timing is correct - a rain shower can be a significant damper on your project! The weather also affects how easily your paint applies to your desired surface. Painting at low temperatures can change how the paint dries on your surface, causing unsightly wrinkles, discoloration, and cracks. You should generally pause your project if the temperature drops or is expected to drop to below 50°F before your paint can dry. However, some paints - such as Benjamin Moore® Regal® Select Exterior Paint - can be applied in temperatures as low as 35°F. Talk with one of our experts if you’re in a cold snap pinch. We can find a low-temperature application product for you.

4. Durability

Exterior paint should stand up to severe weather and seasonal change - a quality exterior paint job should last at least five years and, depending on your environment, up to ten or even twenty years. Therefore, investing in a dependable exterior coating like AURA® Exterior Paint is crucial, utilizing a breathable film that resists unsightly blistering and peeling. Plus, with Benjamin Moore® Color Lock®and Gennex® technology, you are ensured superior color year after year.

Contact Us

At Color Store, we only offer reliable products to our customers - because we believe your creativity shouldn’t fade after a season. Call or contact us today for more help choosing your exterior paint. We work with amateurs and professionals alike and look forward to working with you. We provide our personalized color and paint services in Omaha, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; and Waukee, Iowa, as well as their surrounding communities.

Choosing the Right Paint For Your Project: Interior Paint

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 14:15:05 GMT

Once your surface has been properly prepared after priming or sanding, you’re ready for the biggest part of your project: the topcoat. At The Color Store, we offer over 3,500 exclusive Benjamin Moore® colors made from long-lasting and vibrant Gennex® colorants. With five quality interior paint lines, Benjamin Moore® allows us to provide customers with the right coverage for all of their interior projects.

Choosing Your Interior Paint Color

Imagining the final result of your project ensures its success - you should have your desired color in mind before you even start priming. However, if you’re deciding what shade you want or are unsure of what your project needs, consider:

1. Your project

Bright pink can be a quirky burst of color, but be careful of using it for all four walls of a room - it can easily become overwhelming! The color of your project is therefore inherent to not only its success, but your satisfaction. Your room’s color should be a backdrop for its contents; neutral colors like grays, whites, creams, and browns are easy and common choices. If you don’t want to part with that bright flamingo pink, consider using it on an accent wall or on your accent furniture - when choosing your interior paint color, it’s better to start small.

2. Glosses and Sheens

Flat and low luster paints absorb and scatter light, making wall imperfections like cracks, bumps, and divots less noticeable. However, a paint’s ability to reflect light generally correlates with its durability. Semi-gloss and high gloss paints reflect the most light, creating a slick “sheen” that, while highlighting any wall imperfections, makes your walls much easier to clean. As such, semi-gloss and high gloss paints perform well on smooth surfaces exposed to high traffic, like bathroom, kitchen, and entryway walls that are often subject to dirt or other home messes. Use matte, eggshell, satin, and other low sheen paints in rooms that see less traffic.

3. You

Most importantly, your project’s paint should be one you love. It’s beneficial to use color psychology so your color can contribute to the overall comfort of your room. Green’s association with growth and productivity supplies your office or studio with inspiring color. Blue’s calming aura makes it a popular choice for relaxing bedrooms and intimate dining rooms. A romantic, luxurious purple creates inviting living rooms perfect for gathering guests. At The Color Store, our wide selection of paints means you’ll never be at a loss for your ideal color.

Our Interior Paints

Our Benjamin Moore® interior paints include:

AURA® Interior Paint

Protect your project’s color with the Color Lock® technology of AURA® Interior Paint. As a paint and primer together, you can significantly condense your project’s painting time. Seamless touch-ups give AURA® Interior Paint projects an attractive freshly painted look year after year.

AURA® Bath and Spa Paint

Engineered for high-humidity environments like bathrooms and laundry rooms, AURA® Bath and Spa Paint protects both your color and walls with a smooth, matte, and mildew-resistant finish.

Regal® Select Interior Paint

Regal® Select Interior Paint has delivered trusted performance to professionals and amateurs alike for over half a century. Flat, matte, eggshell, pearl, and semi-gloss sheens ensure you only see the best of your walls.

ben® Interior Paint

Ben® Interior Paint was specially developed to bring professional quality to amateur painters. Its smooth flow, exceptional coverage, and spatter-resistant formula makes it user-friendly at all levels.

ADVANCE® Interior Paint

In satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss sheens, ADVANCE® Interior Paint highlights the details of your interiors, making it ideal for smaller projects like trim, cabinets, and furniture.

Contact Us

Besides our Benjamin Moore® interior paints, we are also proud vendors of Axalta™, TriTech, Arborcoat®, Ready Seal®, and AkzoNobel products that allow us to be the Midwest’s premier paint resource. Call or contact us today for a color consultation or for more painting advice, or visit us in one of our three convenient locations in Omaha, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; and Waukee, Iowa (coming soon). We are proud to color these communities as well as their surrounding areas.

Choosing the Right Paint For Your Project: Primers

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 09:34:43 GMT

Choosing the right paint for your project isn’t just about choosing your desired colors. When selecting paints, it is vital to consider their coverage, hide, flow, sheen, and durability. Your paint choice differentiates between a successful project and a messy attempt. It is, therefore, crucial to carefully choose what paint you’ll be using - and the first step is knowing when and what primer to use.

Unless you use self-priming paint, primers will be the first layer of any painting project. They cover old paint and seal cracks to ensure a smooth surface for your next coats, making them especially useful when painting previously unpainted surfaces, painting over a darker color or painting over different paints (i.e., layering latex paint over an oil-based one). Primers help you finish your project faster while ensuring a silky-smooth topcoat. At The Color Store, we have several interior and exterior primers that put your painting project in the right direction.

Our Paints and Primers

Every excellent project starts with a good bucket of paint, and at The Color Store, we offer our customers nothing less. As a Benjamin Moore® dealer, The Color Store offers over 20 primers and first coats that cover various residential and commercial painting projects. Popular primers include:

Fresh Start® Premium Interior Primers

Fresh Start® acrylic and alkyd interior primers are specially formulated for internal performance.

The All-Purpose Primer and High-Hiding All-Purpose Primer protects most surfaces, excellently sealing and blocking out unattractive stains.
The Fresh Start® Undercoater and Primer/Sealer boasts exceptional enamel holdout for a more vibrant, long-lasting topcoat.

Fresh Start® Premium Exterior Primers

Fresh Start® exterior primers include the All-Purpose and High-Hiding All-Purpose Primers and a more job-specific Deck and Siding Primer. This exterior primer suppresses tannin staining and penetrates deep into new and old exterior wood, creating a durable first layer for hard-wearing paint jobs.

Benjamin Moore® Professional Primers

The three Benjamin Moore® Professional Primers dry fast to allow professionals to continue to make portfolio-worthy progress.

The Multi-Purpose Primer is versatile and dries quickly into a mildew-resistant coating on interior and exterior surfaces.
The Fast-Sanding Primer dries into a sandable surface in as little as one hour, garnering supremely smooth results.
Lastly, the Drywall Primer seals and hides imperfections in all drywall surfaces.

INSL-X® Primers

INSL-X® Primers are ideal for painter-specific needs. While the Prime All® Multi-Surface Latex Primer Sealer and Aqua Lock® Plus Primer/Sealer cover interior and exterior surfaces equally easily and evenly, the other INSL-X® primers are engineered for superior adhesion to specific surfaces.

Prime Lock Plus consistently covers plaster, wood, and drywall and performs exceptionally well on tricky glossy surfaces.
Stix® Waterborne Bonding Primer also adheres well to notoriously hard-to-coat surfaces like PVC, vinyl, glass, glaze, and more.
Block Out® Exterior Tannin Blocking Primer is a latex primer powerful enough to coat the entire outside of your home.
The Reduced Odor Oil-Based Primer blocks stains as effectively as the rest of the INSL-X® primers without giving off as much odor.
The High Build Peel Bonding Primer seals chipped, weathered, and otherwise uneven wood, metal, and masonry.
Finally, the High Build Latex Primer is a professional-quality sandable primer ideal for new construction surfaces.

Contact Us

Besides our Benjamin Moore® Paints, our high-quality selection is completed by Axalta™, TriTech, ARBORCOAT®, Ready Seal®, and AkzoNobel products. Call or contact us today for more expert painting advice. We have three convenient Midwest locations in Omaha, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; and Waukee, Iowa (coming soon). We offer our expertise to these communities and their surrounding areas.

What Paint to Use On Wood

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:49:56 GMT

Wood brings natural beauty to your home. Its unique texture and grain enhance the exterior and interior of homes through decks, fencing, walls, molding, railings, and furniture. However, natural materials like wood need proper maintenance in order to protect their integrity. While hardwoods like oak, maple, and cherry may have more durability than softwoods like pine, cedar, and redwood, all of your home’s wood will need the right products to preserve their strength, color, and character.

Paint for Wooden Decks and Fencing

An exterior wood stain will best protect your exterior wood surfaces. Exterior wood stains are easy to apply and significantly increase the lifetime of your wooden surfaces by water and weather-proofing them. At the Color Store, we offer Benjamin Moore® ARBORCOAT® waterborne exterior stain, Ready Seal® exterior wood stains, Wood Defender™ fence and multipurpose wood stains. Our variety of exterior wood stains allows us to meet a diversity of homeowner needs with a range of different opacities and colors. For example, the ARBORCOAT® Translucent Classic Oil Finish accentuates your wood’s pattern and texture, while the more opaque Wood Defender™ Semi-Solid Latex Stain prevents scuffs and wear on surfaces already coated by a waterborne stain. Prepare your deck, patio, and fencing for staining with our Benjamin Moore® prep products that restore, brighten, and clean your exterior wood.

Paint for Wooden Staircases and Railings

Elevate your home’s interior, starting with your staircase. As a high-traffic area in your home, a staircase will need a stunning color that can withstand frequent use. Benjamin Moore® ADVANCE® Interior Paint is a waterborne alkyd paint ideal for doors, trim, cabinetry, and other detailed jobs that need smooth flow and exceptional leveling and coverage. Benjamin Moore® ADVANCE® Interior Paint dries into a hard, furniture-quality finish, making it the perfect choice for staircases and railings. ADVANCE® Interior Paint comes in over 3,500 exclusive Benjamin Moore® Gennex® colors and a satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss sheen, making this paint great for trim and crown molding.

INSL-X® Cabinet Coat also performs well on standard wood details like staircases and railings, as well as doors, molding, and cabinetry. Cabinet Coat features excellent adhesion even on unprimed surfaces and dries to a smooth, factory-like finish with a satin or semi-gloss sheen that absorbs and reflects light to help hide surface imperfections and highlight surface details.

Paint for Wooden Furniture

You can instantly refresh wooden furniture with a new layer of paint. A high-performing primer like the Fresh Start® High-Hiding All-Purpose Primer hides chips and nicks in your furniture while effectively covering any previous layer of paint. The hard, durable finish of Benjamin Moore® ADVANCE® Interior Paint makes it again a good interior wood paint choice. The satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss sheens minimize remaining imperfections and are less prone to showing signs of wear, making your furniture more attractive.

Contact Us

The Color Store supplies all of your painting needs in one convenient location. We have three stores across the Midwest in Des Moines, Iowa; Omaha, Nebraska; and Waukee, Iowa (coming soon). Call or contact us today for expert recommendations on what paint to use on your wood. We look forward to hearing about your project.

The Benjamin Moore® Color Trends 2023 Palette near Waukee, IA

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 13:46:04 GMT

Enter the new year boldly with the Benjamin Moore® Color of the Year 2023. The Color Store is proud to present Raspberry Blush and the rest of the Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2023 Palette, a show-stopping collection bursting with vivacious, bold color that inspires us to be fearlessly creative.

Color of the Year 2023

Raspberry Blush: The Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2023, Raspberry Blush is a radiant red-orange tinged by a lively, fruity pink. The resulting coral shade is reminiscent of sunrise as dawn turns over a new day, bringing bright promises to 2023. Optimistic and energetic, Benjamin Moore® recommends Raspberry Blush for dashing dining rooms, living rooms, and anywhere in your home that reflects the joie de vivre.

The Color Trends 2023 Palette

The Color Trends 2023 Palette was developed to coordinate with our Color of the Year 2023 Raspberry Blush and bring a new dimension to color. Meant to leap from the wall and envelop you in sensation, each shade has a personality of its own - so you’re sure to find one that perfectly reflect yours.

Conch Shell: A soft, vintage pink, Conch Shell 052 has a subtle strength that allows it to effortlessly complement the bolder shades of the Color Trends 2023 Palette, though it can stand out on its own as a soft powdery blush that lightens kitchens and bathrooms.

Cinnamon: Sugar, spice, and everything nice: a warm, sienna brown, Cinnamon 2174-20 is a robust neutral that warmly welcomes your guests into your entryways, hallways, and other common areas.

Wenge: Wenge is a classy chocolate brown royalized by violet undertones. It adds a rich, velvety feel to formal dining rooms and creates a steady, romantic ambience in your sitting areas.

Savannah Green: Invigorating and zestful, Savannah Green showcases the best that yellow and green have to offer. It supplies instant brightness to offices and studios, though its underlying gold tone provides any room in your home with eye-catching, undeniable grandeur.

New Age: A modern gray with a hint of lavender, New Age 1444 excels at calming your interiors. It is especially well-suited for comforting and personable playrooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

Starry Night Blue: Reminiscent of the twirling colors of Van Gogh, Starry Night Blue 2067-20 is a vivid indigo stunningly accentuated by natural light. It provides depth and intimacy to kitchens, entryways, and other gathering spaces.

North Sea Green: Every ocean has a deep end. North Sea Green 2053-30 is a classic turquoise deepened by gray-blue undertones of mystery. Its soothing coolness lends itself to relaxed, peaceful spaces like bathrooms, bedrooms, and sunrooms.

Contact Us

The Color Store is your premier paint resource. Besides our Benjamin Moore® paints, we also offer high-quality products from trusted brands like Axalta™, TriTech, Ready Seal®, and AzkoNobel. Call or contact us today to color your home with Raspberry Blush and the rest of the Benjamin Moore® Color Trends 2023 Palette, or visit us in one of our stores. We have three convenient locations in Omaha, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa, and Waukee, Iowa (coming soon); and we are proud to serve these areas and their surrounding communities.

3500 Colors of the Midwest

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 10:27:18 GMT

Our beloved Midwest is full of color-from the vibrant communities and cities in which we choose to live and do business, to the natural hues of our gorgeous lakes, wooded areas, rivers, and plains by which we take pleasure. At Color Store, Inc we partner with premium paint retailer Benjamin Moore to share and celebrate the inspiration we draw from the great Midwest.

Join us by sharing the colors you call home. Just tag your photos with #3500Colors to have your own local color inspiration featured on the Benjamin Moore page, and be sure to follow along @benjaminmoore and us on Facebook and Instagram .

Over 3500 Colors…

…and we have just the ones for you. You can find the beauty of the Midwest everywhere in our 3,500+ paint colors from Benjamin Moore. From the east side of Omaha to the plains and woods of Iowa, every day we’re surrounded by inspiration.

The Midwest region is home to busy cities, friendly towns, active farmlands, and gorgeous natural plains, our flowing waterways and lakes, and natural life of all shades and tones. Find a color that resonates with you and transform your home for a cozy, midwestern feel.

Take a Spicy Red

Deep reds are a popular choice for many folks because of its energy and classic appeal. Reds add a pop of color to front doors, accent walls, and cozy spaces and bring the warm feelings of spiced cocoa or the sensuality of a samba to your space. Caliente is infused with notes of cinnamon bringing the heat and richness of a chile pepper. King’s Red is a toasted Vermillion tone that speaks to old-school Americana and has the allure and texture of rusted metal.

Try Lush Yellows

Yellows come in all shades, like our beigy neutral yellow, America’s Heartland or a fun, bold coat of color like American Cheese. Yellow Spaces invokes the warmth of the sun and the sway of grain fields in the wind-perfect to adorn your walls with color and texture.

New American Neutrals

Relaxing neutrals enrobe a space in calming beiges and grays. Ice Cap is a frosted mossy green while White Down has the subtle warmth of a natural wool. Create moments of tranquility in your space or the perfect backdrop for your photos and décor.

Refreshing Greens and Blues

It’s no mistake that blues and greens are some of the most popular colors for the home; They’re serene like the landscapes of the Midwest - a gently-wooded lakeshore to the flat green plains after a spring rain. Prairie Green is a cool-toned medium green with a freshness perfectly paired with white trim. Lakeside Cabin is a faded denim blue perfect for an accent wall.

Contact Us

The Color Store, Inc is your primary Benjamin Moore provider in the Omaha and Des Moines areas. We feature a unique selection of specialty paints, stains, wall coverings, window treatments, customized closets, and flooring. Wondering how to complete your latest project? We can help! Call one of our stores today or visit us online. We are proud to serve the Nebraska/Iowa areas, and we have locations in Omaha, NE and Des Moines and Waukee, IA.

Prep Work for Painting

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 17:58:34 GMT

For most of your paint projects, you will need to do some prep work, and it is very important that you don’t skip this step. Adding a coat of paint without prep work may not remove all the stains and imperfections on your walls and may even make them more noticeable, so here is a checklist of steps you should take before you start painting.

Remove any peeling or bubbling paint with a scraper, then sand the surface smooth with a fine-grade sand paper.

Most surfaces should be washed with a mild detergent and water to remove any dirt and grime to insure the paint adheres well. Make sure you rinse off any leftover detergent, or you may just need to wipe the surface with a damp cloth to clean it.

If you have mildew stains on your walls or ceilings remove them with a mixture of 1/4 cup of bleach with four quarts water. You may have to repeat this step more than once.

Fill any holes or cracks with filler and use a cotton cloth or fine-grade sand paper to smooth the surface after the filler has completely dried.

Another step is to add a coat of primer before you start painting to help cover imperfections and create a smooth, uniform surface for your paint. Benjamin Moore has a series of primers for a variety of different surfaces including specialty primers for surfaces with water damage and severe stains.

Finally, before you start any paint project use drop cloths to protect your furniture and floors and use painter’s tape to cover areas you do not want painted like the edge of the wall where it meets the ceiling, for example.

If you have any questions about any of these steps, don’t hesitate to ask our staff here at Color Store Inc. We are glad to help.

Checklist of Painting Tools

Sun, 01 May 2022 17:54:57 GMT

There is nothing more frustrating than discovering you don’t have the right size brush in the middle of a painting project. Who wants to have to stop painting and make a trip to a store, so that you can finish your project? To help you avoid that, our staff here at Color Store Inc., developed a list of tools you’ll need for most of your projects.

First of all, you will need a brush for painting trim and “cutting in” along edges as well as a roller for larger surfaces. Make sure you purchase premium quality tools, Premium tools will not only make the job go quicker and give you better results they will last a long time if you take care of them.

You will also need a paint tray, tools to open the paint can and stir the paint, drop cloths, painter’s tape, and an extension pole for the roller to reach tall walls and ceilings.

Benjamin Moore has created a paint kit that includes most of the tools you need for the average paint project. This seven-piece kit includes a nine-inch roller frame with two premium shed-resistant roller covers, a two-inch angle sash brush, a paint tray, a paint can opener, and a stirring stick.

If you have all the supplies you need before you start, that will help you focus on your painting and make the project go more smoothly. Order your starter kit today!

Tips for Painting the Exterior of Your Home

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 17:44:58 GMT

The following suggestions will help make any exterior painting project easier.

Preparation Tips

Place drop cloths under areas being painted to protect plants, patio furniture, etc.
Check surfaces to be painted for cracks, depressions, and other imperfections and correct the problems as needed.
Clean off dust, dirt, chalk residue, and mildew from surfaces to be painted.
Prime surfaces.

Preparation Tips

You can paint at surface temperatures as low as 40º F (5º C).
Begin painting on the side of the house that will remain in the shade until you are done, as direct sun causes rapid drying.
Work from the top down when painting shingle surfaces.
Work from side to side for clapboard surfaces.
Paint trim and window frames last.
Allow paint to dry completely before touching up or re-coating.
When you need to take a break, wrap brushes, rollers, and paint trays with plastic wrap to keep paint from hardening or developing a skin, and put the lids on open cans of paint.

Cleanup Tips

Soaking brushes and rollers in soapy water loosens the paint and makes them easier to rinse clean.
If there is a little paint left in the can once you’ve finished painting, let it dry in the can before disposing of it in your local can recycling center.

How Much Paint to Buy

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 18:33:42 GMT

Planning is Important.

Once you have chosen your product and color, the next thing you need to decide is how much paint to buy. Ideally you want to have a little extra paint for touch-ups, but you don’t want to end up with too much left over paint, and you surely don’t want to run out in the middle of the project, so here are some steps that will help you determine how much you need.

The size of the room, obviously, matters.

So, get a tape measure and measure the width of each wall and its height. Multiply those figures to determine the room’s square footage. Then measure each window and door and multiply their width times their height to determine the square footage that doesn’t need panting. Finally, subtract those figures from the room’s square footage. This will give you the total square footage you will be painting.

To help you determine how much paint you need, Benjamin Moore has created an online paint calculator. Just fill in the measurements of the room you want to paint, and the calculator will show you how much paint you need for your project.

The condition and type of surface you are painting also matters. If you are painting a textured substrate you will require additional paint.

If you aren’t sure about the amount of paint you need or you have any other questions, our staff at Color Store Inc. will be glad to help you. Bring the measurements of the room you want to paint, and we will help you calculate how much paint you need and answer all your questions.

How to Paint with a Roller

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 18:27:00 GMT

When painting with a roller, here are several steps that will help you achieve a professional quality finish:

1. Quality of the Roller: The most important factor to consider when painting with a roller is the quality of the roller. Even if you use the best paint available (Benjamin Moore Aura®), you may not be happy with the results if you use a poor quality roller. Stay away from the bulk pack rollers and discount bins.

2. Applying Paint to the Roller: Avoid over loading the roller with excess paint. Cover the roller with as much paint as possible, but do not allow it to drip or run as you move the roller from the tray to the wall or ceiling. The key is to control the amount of paint on the roller, so after you dip the roller into the paint, roll it back and forth across the ridges at the top of the painter’s tray. This will remove the excess paint and help ensure that your roller is coated evenly with paint. In order to achieve a smooth, professional look, avoid putting to much pressure on the roller. This will eliminate heavy areas or roller marks. For best results, move the roller back and forth in a smooth, even motion.

3. How to Paint a Ceiling: When painting an entire room, start by painting the ceiling first. This way, if you get any drips on the walls there is no harm done since you will be painting the walls next. When painting a ceiling, cut in or mask off the walls first. Use an extension pole instead of a ladder. This will make your job go quicker, produce a smooth, uniform finish, and you will not have to constantly move the ladder around. Start in a corner of the room and roll slowly out of the corner and across the room about four feet at a time. Once you have completed a four foot section across the room, go back to the other side and begin again. Always roll from a dry unpainted area back into the wet paint.

4. How to Paint Walls: Before you start rolling the walls, cut in the ceiling, base, and corners and around windows and doors with a brush. When rolling walls, start in a corner--never start in the middle of a wall or ceiling. Start with a loaded roller about five inches from your cut in and roll into the corner, being careful not to hit the side wall. For a smooth and uniform finish, use an extension pole so you can roll from the base cut in to the ceiling cut in a single movement. Roll top to bottom in overlapping passes like narrow W’s. Work across the room. Keep the roller loaded with paint and always roll from an unpainted area back into the wet paint. Once you have completed a wall, follow the same process for each wall.

5. Roller Covers: Benjamin Moore offers professional roller covers that are shed resistant and designed to provide a smooth finish. For most surfaces, use the Benjamin Moore roller cover with the 3/8 inch nap. However, when painting a textured surface, use the ½ inch nap roller cover that Benjamin Moore designed to penetrate the cracks and crevices of a textured surface.

Five Easy Steps to Removing Mold & Mildew from Your Walls

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 18:22:30 GMT

One of the toughest problems that people face before they start painting is how do you remove mold and mildew stains from your walls or ceilings. Never paint over the mildew because it will continue to grow under the paint, and that could cause your new paint to start peeling within a year or two. Don’t get discouraged. Mold and mildew are a common problem in many homes, and there are some simple steps that you can take to solve that problem.

1. Start by removing all furniture and objects from the room to be painted, or move it to the center of the room and cover with a drop cloth. Place a plastic liner and/or tarp on the floor. Wear goggles and long rubber gloves. You should also wear a facemask for protection.

2. Clean the wall with mild detergent and water to remove dust and dirt.

3. After the wall is dry, make a solution of household chlorine bleach and water by mixing a ¼ cup of bleach to one gallon of water (Four parts water to one part bleach).

4. Wipe wall with bleach solution and wait at least 15 minutes for it to dry.

5. Apply bleach solution again if necessary, and rinse with water when finished. For your safety, never mix bleach with ammonia or other household products that may have ammonia in them, because the mixture can cause dangerous fumes. You may also use a commercial product like TSP (Tri-sodium phosphate) to remove the mildew.

After the wall is clean and the mold and mildew has been removed, you can start painting. We recommend Benjamin Moore Bath & Spa Paint, a premium interior paint in a beautiful matte finish especially formulated for high-humidity environments such as baths and spas and optimized for hot, steamy, humid environments. With its proprietary Color Lock ® Technology, mildew-resistant Aura Bath & Spa Paint delivers remarkable, durable, and exceptional color with hues that are richer, truer, and retain their color and integrity.

colorstore

Choosing the Best Fence Stain Colors

How to Choose the Right Fence Stain Color

Why Stain Rather Than Paint?

Benjamin Moore Woodluxe® Exterior Wood Stain

Understanding Woodluxe® Fence Stain Colors

Get Your Fence Stain at Color Store near Des Moines, IA

How to Prevent Paint Streaks

What is surfactant leaching?

Steps to Prevent Paint Streaks

Choosing the Best Paint for a Great Finish

Prevent Streaks in Your Next Paint Project near Des Moines, IA

Get Benjamin Moore Paint Samples & Swatches at Color Store

Why a Physical Paint Sample Is Best

How to Best Use Paint Swatches

Deciding on a Finish for Benjamin Moore Paint Samples

Get Started with Our Benjamin Moore Paint Stores near Des Moines, IA and Omaha & Waukee, NE

Color Store Alternatives to Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black

Black 2132-10

Jet Black 2120-10

Black Satin 2131-10

Black Ink 2127-20

Find the Perfect Alternative to Tricorn Black near Des Moines, IA

Choosing Mauve Color Paint For Your Space

Top Benjamin Moore Mauve Paint Colors

Benjamin Moore Lost Locket CSP-410

Benjamin Moore Mauve Mist 1264

Benjamin Moore Majestic Mauve 2115-60

Benjamin Moore Central Mauve 1412

Find Your Perfect Mauve near Des Moines, Iowa

Find Benjamin Moore Green Paint Colors at Color Store

Hunter Green

Kelly Green

Olive Green

Jade Green

Sage Green

Light Green

Choosing the Right Green for Your Home

Visit Color Store for Expert Help with Green Paint

Introducing Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year

The Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2026, Silhouette AF-655

Using Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2026 Palette in Your Home

How To Use Silhouette (Paint Color)?

1. Elevate Living and Dining Spaces

2. Bring Depth to Kitchens and Bedrooms

3. Accent Architectural Details ﻿

Adding Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year to Your Des Moines Home

Try Benjamin Moore Woodluxe® As Your Next Deck Stain

Choosing Between Oil-Based and Water-Based Deck Stain

Woodluxe® Oil-Based Waterproofing Exterior Stain

Woodluxe® Water-Based Waterproofing Exterior Stain

Why Choose Woodluxe® for Your Deck?

Find the Perfect Dark Wood Stain for Your Home

Create an Earth Tone Color Palette with Benjamin Moore Paint

Warm Taupe: Ashley Gray HC-87

2025 Color of the Year: Cinnamon Slate 2113-40

Rich Terracotta: Moroccan Spice AF-285

Deep Olive: Tate Olive HC-112

Deep & Moody Gray: Eclipse 2132-40

Getting the Most from Earth Tones

Transform Your Home with Benjamin Moore Paint Near Omaha and Des Moines

Try Greige In Your Cozy Home

Our Top Griege Recommendations

Revere Pewter HC-172

Edgecomb Gray HC-173

Classic Gray OC-23

Natural Cream OC-14

Balboa Mist OC-27

Pashmina AF-100

Why Choose Greige for Your Home?

Paint Colors that Go with Griege

Find Your Perfect Greige Near Des Moines, IA & Omaha, NE

Choosing Benjamin Moore Paint Sheens Room-by-Room

What Is Paint Sheen?

Choosing a Paint Sheen Room-by-Room using the Paint Sheen Chart

Ceilings & Low-Traffic Walls

Living Rooms, Dining Rooms & Bedrooms

Kitchens & Bathrooms

Trim, Doors & Architectural Details

Find Your Favorite Benjamin Moore Paint Sheens near Des Moines, Iowa!

3. Accent Architectural Details