Are you fascinated by the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and that gorgeous, dynamic orange? Would you like to infuse your bedroom, office, or living space with that same energetic and bold energy?
Good news – you can easily bring a slice of San Francisco into your home by painting your room in the Bridge’s distinctive hue.
Let’s explore how to transform your space and the steps you’ll need to take for success!
The Magic of International Orange
The Golden Gate Bridge isn’t painted some run-of-the-mill orange. There’s actually a specific color name assigned to the Bridge – International Orange. This particular shade was chosen carefully as it stands out brilliantly against fog and varied coastal weather conditions.
Finding the Right Shade
Here’s how you can get your hands on that perfect International Orange for your own walls. These formulas come directly from the organization that runs the bridge, so you can know they’re accurate.
- Sherwin-Williams “Fireweed” (SW 6328):Â This is the closest widely available ready-to-use color to the Bridge’s official paint.
- Color Matching: Many paint stores, including hardware stores, offer color-matching services. Head to a trusted store with a picture of the bridge or the official color formula (below) and ask them to mix your paint accordingly.
- The Official Formula:Â Here’s the CMYK breakdown used by the Golden Gate Bridge:
- Cyan:Â 0%
- Magenta:Â 69%
- Yellow:Â 100%
- Black:Â 6%
For the very technical among us, here are the exact color codes and Pantone codes:
PMS 173 (CYMK = 0%, 80%, 94%, 1%),
PMS 174 (CYMK 8%, 85%, 100%, 34%)
Pantone 180 (CYMK 19.4%, 77.9%, 79.6%, 3.6%)
Preparing Your Room
As with any painting project, preparation is key to getting a stunning and lasting finish:
- Clear the Space: Empty your room as much as you can – it’ll make maneuvering and prepping much easier.
- Protect and Cover: Use painter’s tape to cover floorboards, window edges, and anything you don’t want painted. Consider laying drop cloths as well.
- Repair Imperfections: Patch holes or cracks in walls, sanding as needed for a smooth base.
Tools of the Trade
To achieve beautiful results, gather the following materials:
- International Orange paint (in your chosen method)
- Primer: If necessary, especially if painting over a darker color
- Quality paint rollers and brushes
- Painter’s tape
- Paint tray
- Drop cloths
Now for the Fun Part – Painting!
- Prime First: If needed, use a primer to help create a smooth surface and give the color extra vibrancy. Remember that the bridge’s crews need to spray the Golden Gate’s metal surfaces with sand before painting–at least you don’t need to do that!
- Cutting In: With an angled brush, neatly tackle edges around windows, baseboards, and ceilings first.
- Roll in Sections: Using a roller, paint your walls in manageable sections, maintaining a ‘wet edge’ to avoid obvious overlaps.
- Second Coat: A second (or even third, depending on coverage) coat helps deliver consistency and richness of color. The Golden Gate bridge gets painted continuously. Hopefully your room isn’t the same way.
A Few Considerations
- Natural Light: The International Orange of the Golden Gate Bridge often looks different throughout the day, depending on light. Think about how much natural light your room gets and if this bold shade makes sense in your chosen space.
- Accent Wall: Love the color but think that much orange might be overwhelming? Create an amazing feature wall with International Orange instead!
- Complementary Colors: Decorate with blues, greens, and teals to add a coastal touch that aligns with the Golden Gate Bridge vibe.
Ready for a California-Inspired Makeover?
Adding a splash of the Golden Gate Bridge’s International Orange to your space transforms it with boldness and unique energy. Embrace your inner DIY decorator and have fun while creating your very own slice of San Francisco charm. Good luck with your painting project!
