Project Details (Paint):

Paint - As with everything else, paint technology has changed dramatically since the 1820’s.  Though today we are used to very uniform and self-leveling coatings, in the 1820’s, paints were hand-mixed and generally consisted of hand-processed pigments and linseed oil.  Drying agents added to the paint were done in the field, not in a factory as it is today.  The coatings would exhibit a “ropy” finish, retaining some of the brush strokes, and would generally take much longer to dry.  Available colors were limited, though there certainly was a popular color palette at the time, such as Prussian Blue, a straw yellow or chocolate brown.  Fireplace mantles were very often painted black.  A hunter green color was also very common.   If a neutral, bright wall surface was desired, often you would see a whitewash.   Fine paint for this project is being manufactured by Historic Paints Ltd. of Athens, NY.