Where do you get it?

Books and Magazines? "Yes, good for ideas, but with our existing carpet and furnishings," you say, "how can we achieve that look? And our house is different to that shown. Would it suit?"

A friend? "Maybe, but her tastes - you know who I mean - while excellent, differ from ours."

A colour consultant? " Possibly, but which one? And we would prefer to build a scheme around our tastes, not someone else's."

The paint shop down the road? "I've been in there. Nice shop, friendly staff, but there are thousands of colours - where do you start? And those postage-stamp size colour chips. Very difficult."

Choosing colour can be a complex undertaking. Heritage Paints, Melbourne House of Colour have eliminated most of the hit-and-miss, and the frayed nerves, from the procedure. With our guidance, you will, in most cases, very quickly achieve the look sought after.

We have developed a system of colour selection, unique to Heritage Paints. In twenty minutes or even less you will see materialize in front of you a colour scheme to your requirements, and your colours. And, an alternate scheme if required.

1. While a goodly part of our business is traditional decoration, our expertise in contemporary (modern) decorating is well-known and highly regarded. And while all houses are of a 'period', most home owners want something that suits their tastes (and the house) and reflects their lifestyle.

Then there are those who want something different. Not unusual - different. And tasteful (we cringe, too, at the combinations in TV's 'Changing Rooms'). For starters, try soft green walls, cobalt blue feature wall and eggshell trim (inverness, port fairy and savoy).

2. Heritage Paints showroom is extensively decorated in an excellent variety of colour displays, including wallpaper, borders and friezes. Ideas abound.

In addition, dozens of different combinations of blues and yellows and creams and greens and naturals and charcoals from Fred's Colour range are set out to assist the selection process.

3. No postage-stamp-size colour chips are seen at Heritage. Our colours are all A3 size (300 mm X 400 mm) individually painted boards (See our "Colour Boards" page) designed for shuffling around during decision making.

Try this, try that, just like you do when choosing a shirt and tie, or skirt and top. This works with this, works with that.

4. People travel from all-over to decorate with Fred's range of 500 colours and shades, developed over many years and unavailable elsewhere.

Why?

Different from mainstream ranges, such as Dulux, Bristol and Wattyl, our shades have a muddied appearance to remove their sharpness, creating a warmth and subtlety similar to what you see in quality furnishing fabrics. Decorating is easier, aided by all colours being on the A3 boards.

5. Our colour consultants are experienced in our many customers' varied and detailed requirements. In any one day we might be involved in thirty or more different colour schemes at various stages of completion.

A picture rail here, a picket fence there; here a cornice, there a door, everywhere a timber floor.

6. All our in-store consulting services and advice are free-of-charge. However, you may prefer one of our trained colour consultants to call on you. This service attracts a fee at marketplace rates.

Our team of in-home consultants are well versed in every style of house and period and know that best results are achieved by working closely with the client. Phone 9817 2222 or 9817 5464 to make a booking. (20 km from Balwyn only.)

7. Heritage Paints of Melbourne is Australia's largest independent seller of Haymes Ultra-Premium Paints. We only recommend Haymes paints - Australian owned, made in Ballarat - their quality is unsurpassed.

8. As mentioned, all our in-store consultation services are free. In addition, we loan out the large A3 painted boards and our sample pots. (Other stores charge $5 - $7 each pot!) Borrow the boards, borrow the sample pots, return them in a couple of days. Borrow some others if something doesn't work.

9. Services include:

Expert advice on correct preparation, prior to painting, of walls and ceilings, woodwork, doors, weatherboards, trim, render, picket fences, floors, etc.(See under "Preparation".)

Advice on problem areas such as dealing with kalsomine, patched plaster, dry rot, treated pine, rust, painting laminates and/or tiles, bleeding timbers, porous surfaces, etc. (See under "Trouble Shooting".)

Advice on correct sealers, primers and undercoats and finishes for bare metal, plaster, timber, masonry, render, galvanised iron, slate, stucco, etc. (See under "Painting".)

Free delivery anywhere in Melbourne - just give us 2 -3 hours (or overnight) notice.

Professional painters available. House, office, flats, interior - exterior. We work closely with a large number of experienced painting firms. Urgent work a speciality, but usually allow 2 - 3 weeks lead up to a start. Free quotes given.

Also, highly qualified painters, capable of intricate detail on areas such as cornices and ceiling roses, and sponging, graining, marbling, etc., are available. Just call us on 9817 2222.

10. Hours of opening:

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:30 pm.

Saturday 8:30am - 3:00pm.

Closed Sundays and Public Holidays.

Telephone: (03) 9817 2222 or (03) 9817 5464

Fax: (03)9817 3747