Saturday 29 October 2016

Summertime Is a Great Time to Paint Interior Walls




When it comes to your home’s exterior, you get a chance to change the color only every so often – just once a decade if you applied a long-lasting top quality paint.

Not so with the interior, however. If you want to change your wall color on a whim, you can do so this weekend. That’s part of the beauty of interior painting – it’s quick, easy and inexpensive — and if you’re the least bit handy, you can do the project yourself.

If your interest in painting is piqued, your timing is terrific. Early summer is a great time to spice up your space with some new interior wall color. At this time of year, you can do your painting with the windows open to enjoy the scents and sounds of the out-of-doors. And when you’re done, your beautiful new paint palette will make you feel as if you’re in a vacation spot, even when your not!
Naturally, you may wonder, “Which hues should I use?” There’s a simple formula for summertime painters: Choose wall color that looks natural in your neck of the woods.

Wherever your home is located, just peer out a window for inspiration. Look at the sky, the foliage, the birds, and the butterflies: Your eye will be drawn to a color you love; simply mimic that hue in the wall paint you choose.

Naturally, blues and greens are great color choices in all parts of the country – after all, the sky, water, and foliage are common to every clime. What’s nice is that these two hues are also among the most relaxing colors, according to psychologists who study these things, making them ideal for summertime when, after all, the living is easy.

Live in the desert, but not a cactus fan? Then go natural with buff, beige, or brown – down-to-earth colors that will blend perfectly with your surroundings. From a psychological standpoint, brown conveys feelings of warmth, solidity, and protection – comforting characteristics for your home environment.

If summer and sunshine are inseparable for you, then let the sunshine in by painting your walls a pleasing yellow tone. Yellow is a cheerful, optimistic color – perfect for creating a happy-looking home.

After giving careful thought to the color of paint to use, you’ll want to choose the brand of interior paint just as carefully. Doing so will help ensure that your freshly painted walls will continue to look that way not just this summer, but for many more to come.

So, which brands should you consider? Tests conducted by the Paint Quality Institute show that Ace Clark + Kensington™, Behr Premium Plus®, and Valspar Signature® are among the best-performing interior walls paints.

Due in part to the 100% acrylic they contain, these paints adhere better, resist fading, have better stain resistance, and are easier to clean if they get soiled. So, keep these brands top-of-mind when you go to buy paint.

Take time to select a color you love, buy a top-performing brand of interior wall paint, and you’ll soon add some serious summertime sizzle to your home without ever breaking a sweat!

Wednesday 26 October 2016

Using “Green” Paint a Positive Effect on the Environment & Your Pocketbook



With many purchases, you are forced to choose between costly, eco-friendly items. . . and less expensive products that exact a cost on the environment. Not so, when you are buying paint. Years of technological advancements have produced a “green” paint that also offers consumers great value and cost-savings opportunities: top quality 100% acrylic latex paint.

You may remember the time when every paint job produced a characteristic paint smell that lingered for days or even weeks. The cause of the strong odor? Volatile organic compounds (aka “VOCs”), which are ingredients especially prevalent in oil-based and alkyd coatings. These compounds evaporate during the paint drying process and can contribute both to paint odor and air pollution.

But today’s top quality 100% acrylic latex paints are a breed apart, one that is much safer for the environment. These advanced paints have extremely low levels of VOCs. As a result, they have little odor, making them more pleasant to work with and — when doing interior painting — permitting you to put a freshly-painted room back into service almost immediately.

Since top quality 100% acrylic latex paints are water-based, there is no need to use harsh solvents during cleanup. Instead, you can clean brushes and rollers with plain soap and water — another plus for you, your wallet, and the environment.

The remarkable thing about these eco-friendly interior and exterior paints is that they also offer performance that is superior to ordinary paints because of their use of 100% acrylic technology. The acrylic in these paints makes them highly durable, so when you use them, you won’t have to repaint as often — saving the cost of repainting and conserving the resources that would otherwise be needed to produce more paint.

Top quality 100% acrylic latex paints conserve cost and resources in other ways, as well. Because they are formulated to have better “hiding” capability, they can usually cover and conceal even dark colors in just one coat. The best of these paints even serve double-duty as both primer and paint. So, even though they may cost a little more than low-tech paints, you’ll typically need less paint when you use them.

It’s nice to know that in these stressful economic times, you don’t have to choose between being a good steward of the environment and a good manager of the family budget. With top quality 100% acrylic latex paints, you can be both!

Six Questions to Help You Choose the Right Paint




If you’ve ever been confused at the paint counter, you’re not the only one. Most paint retailers sell a dizzying array of coatings, and that can make it difficult for anyone to pick the right paint.
Even so, there is a way to streamline your paint selection: Just answer the following six questions. They’ll help guide you through the maze and make clear which interior paint is best for you.

1. How sensitive are you to “paint smell”? If you dislike the smell of paint, you should focus on water-based latex paints, which have little or no odor compared to oil-based coatings. Latex paints also make cleanup easy and they perform well on all interior surfaces. These advantages help explain why latex paints are overwhelmingly favored by do-it-yourself and professional painters alike.

2. Will there be much activity in the space you are painting? Walls and woodwork can easily become soiled if there is a lot of activity in a room. In that case, it’s best to use a high gloss or semi-gloss paint, which will resist stains and be much easier to clean. However, if your room will see little activity, you should feel free to use any level of sheen – from flat paint to a high gloss finish.

3. What atmosphere do you want to create in the room? If your hope is to make the space cozy, then consider using a “warm” hue, like yellow, orange or red; if you want the room to have a cool feel, then choose a blue or green paint.

4. Do you wish the dimensions of the room were bigger (or smaller)? If you think the space seems cramped (or, cavernous), you can alter the perception by selecting the right color of paint. Light paint colors make a room seem larger; darker colors make it feel more intimate.

5. How often do you typically repaint? If you paint only infrequently, you’ll want to be sure to apply a very durable paint that will continue to look good over time. In that respect, the best option is to use a top quality 100% acrylic latex interior paint.

6. How much time do you want to spend on this project? If you have limited time, or simply want to complete the painting quickly, then consider using a “paint and primer” product that works like two coatings in one. You’ll very likely need to apply fewer coats, which will greatly speed up the job.
Considering these questions takes just a few moments, but the answers will save you a lot of consternation when you’re at your paint retailer’s. More importantly, you’ll leave the store with just the right paint for your next project!

Five Cool Hot Weather Painting Projects



If your penchant for painting just can’t be suppressed by oppressive weather, think about doing some cool painting projects inside your home until the heat and humidity pass.

There are lots of fun ways to unleash creativity with paint. Here are five simple projects you can do in the comfort of your home. Each can enhance your interior and maybe even give purpose to leftover paint.

1. Paint a playful pattern. This can be done almost anywhere, on anything, or on any surface. The only limit is your imagination. Enliven an old piece of furniture by painting different parts in different colors – then place it in a child’s bedroom, a playroom, or as a change of pace piece in any décor. Or, embellish a wall with a “surround” by stamping or stenciling on a little pattern. Don’t fret if your painting isn’t perfect – there’s style, beauty and personality in imperfection.

2. Distress a piece of furniture. Take an old dresser, table, or cabinet and paint it a solid color, then wipe on another color randomly with an old cloth (the paint will be more “workable” if it’s diluted very slightly). Be sure to let some of the solid color show through. After the paint dries, have fun beating up the piece with a tire chain, hammer, or wire brush. To impart a more aged look, use sandpaper to remove paint here and there, especially on corners and edges.

3. Faux things up. Give painted walls a mottled look by dabbing on a second color using a sponge, rag, or even a crumpled paper bag. Before applying the new color, mix it with glaze (one part paint to four parts glaze); that will keep the paint “workable” for a while. Apply the color sparingly and add more as you see fit. Step back from the wall occasionally to make sure you’re pleased with the effect.

4. Add an accent. Spice up your interior with a painted accent area — a wall or two painted in a different color, or even part of a wall, such as a soffit or recessed alcove. You can even use an accent color as a backdrop to “accentuate” a treasured item. The result will be eye-catching.

5. Paint the unexpected. Almost anything can be painted, and sometimes, adding color in unexpected places can be the most fun of all. If you’re ambitious, paint a pattern on your floor, on wooden banisters and stair spindles, or on cabinet doors. Prefer to start small? Then add some paint color to flower pots, old vases, or picture frames. Almost anything takes on pizzazz when color is added.


Paint the Unexpected



One lesson we can all learn from painters of Victorian homes is that even small architectural details come to life when given a different color of paint.  What’s nice is that we don’t have to go outdoors to put the idea into practice.

Some home interiors are blessed with exquisite architectural features — fine wainscoting and ornate fireplaces come to mind — that would be greatly enhanced if painted a color different than the walls.  But the real beauty of color is that, with a little imagination, it can be used in countless ways to add spice, style, and excitement to otherwise ordinary interiors.

Take a hard look at any room and you’re likely to spot some element that would benefit from a fresh paint color.  The trick is to picture different surfaces in different hues.

Almost every room has a door or two.  If it’s a paneled door, imagine painting the interior panels a different color than the rest of the door.  You could also use two different colors on different panels to create a complex color scheme.

Doors and door openings can be embellished in other ways.  Painting the trim is one option, painting a false surround another.  Or, you could paint the thin edge of the jamb in a “surprise” color that would be visible only when the door is opened.

Consider the windows.  If you live in a modern high-rise with no window trim, but a great view, you could “frame” the view like a piece of art by painting a 6-inch border around the opening.

If you live in an old farmhouse or colonial home with recessed windows, you have other options.  For instance, you could paint the walls and windows one color, and the sides of the recessed opening another hue..

Many homes have chair rails or crown moldings, and most people paint them.  But here again, you have the opportunity to do the unexpected:  adding extra zest to your color scheme by painting one of the thin horizontal molding elements in a different color.

Are there stairs in your home?  They present many possibilities for paint.  The handrail could be painted one color and the balusters another.  Or, the balusters could be painted two or three different colors sequentially;  if they are intricately turned, you could use two or more colors on each one of them, just as the painters of Victorian homes do on exterior balusters.  Painting the treads is probably unwise, however, since they get so much wear and tear, but you could add color to the risers..

Built-ins can be painted in many imaginative ways.  Picture your bookshelves, cupboards, and even the insides of kitchen drawers and cupboards in an unexpected paint color (every time you’d open a door, you’d be in for a visual treat).

Then there are the furnishings in your home.  What better way to pull together a color scheme than by painting your furniture in a shade that complements your wall color?  And, while you’re at it, why stop at one color?  Multi-colored treatments do the same thing for a table or hutch that they do for an entire room:  adding layers of visual interest and color complexity to the interior of your home.

You can even “create” furnishings, of sorts, with painted color.  As an example, you can paint a section of the wall behind a bed to simulate a headboard.  The same technique can be used behind a sofa to create a strong focal point for a room.

You’re expected to paint your walls and ceiling.  But with paint, it’s easy and very affordable to do the unexpected when it comes to home decorating.  Put your imagination to work and see how creative you can be!

Treat Your Eyes to a Color Surprise



One thing that makes life exciting is the unexpected: spotting a bluebird in your yard, receiving a thoughtful note from a friend, or discovering a new place to explore. Since surprises are so much fun, why not incorporate a few into your home décor? It’s easy and inexpensive with paint.

Begin by thinking of paint as pure color, like a magic wand you can wave over the plainest item to give it a fresh, vibrant appearance. It’s a powerful notion that will unlock lots of great ideas for your home.

We’ve written often about the visual interest you can create by painting an accent wall or ceiling an unexpected color. But the “five walls” are just the starting point when it comes to the surprise value of paint.

If you’re wanting for ideas, just sit down in a room that needs more pizzazz and carefully observe your surroundings. Chances are, you’ll spot several promising candidates for painting: built-in cabinets, the backs of bookshelves, picture frames, or an old piece of furniture that is begging for new life.

After identifying what you might paint, think outside the box when it comes to color. Very plain objects can be show-stoppers when painted in vibrant tones. And don’t feel that you have to remain faithful to the color scheme in your room. Colorful accents that are a little “off” can provide the visual surprises that make a room more interesting.

In the unlikely event that you can’t find an item of furniture to paint, create one. Drop by a neighborhood garage sale or consignment shop and purchase an old door that has some character. Paint it an unusual color like deep red or teal and use it as the top part of a coffee table or sofa table. By doing so, you’ll inject a colorful conversation piece into your room.

You can employ old, weather-beaten shutters in the same way. Or, hang them on your walls as rustic “artwork” after giving them a fresh new appearance with paint.

Look for ways to introduce color into your rooms that no one would expect. One way to do this is to paint natural objects that ordinarily would not be painted. As examples, consider painting the ends of stacked firewood next to your fireplace in a variety of colors, paint mousy-looking pinecones in bright colors and nestle them in a stylish basket, or display brightly painted rocks in an aged wooden container. Even brightly painted sticks can make a bold design statement when artfully arranged in a favorite vase.

For added impact, paint your surprise décor not with flat paint, but in a reflective, high gloss finish. The happy, playful patina will enhance its allure. You could even go one step further and treat an item of furniture or an accent piece in metallic paint.

So, the next time you have an urge to spice up your surroundings, don’t feel that you have to run out to the nearest mall or home furnishings store. Look around you, use your imagination, and think outside the box. You may be surprised how easy and inexpensive it is to get an exciting new look by using paint color alone!

“Faux Framing” With Paint: Chic, Simple, and Economical



If you’ve ever suffered sticker shock from the cost of having an art piece matted and framed. . .this blog’s for you. Turns out there’s a simple, inexpensive, and much more creative alternative for showcasing your favorite artwork: “faux framing” with interior paint.

Faux framing – in which you simply paint borders on the wall around your artwork to create the illusion of matting and a three-dimensional frame – can be every bit as effective in highlighting your art as encasing it in a wood or metal frame.

Like traditional framing, the faux variety draws one’s eye to the artwork and, when done skillfully and creatively, can greatly enhance it. What’s different about faux framing is that it’s totally unexpected, startling even. Plus, it very much “involves” you with the art by melding your own creativity with that of the artist. In short, it’s a clever way to make any work more uniquely “your own”.

If you want to try your hand at faux framing, begin by deciding whether you want to paint just a frame around your artwork, or add faux matting, too. Painting a frame alone usually puts maximum emphasis on the art; however, adding one or more painted borders as matting allows you to make the framing part of the art statement.

Your decision on how to proceed may well depend on the quality of the art itself. If you’re working with an impressive piece of original art, why risk diluting its impact with too much embellishment? Go with a frame alone. Conversely, if you are displaying a numbered print, store-bought item, or a very small piece, you may be able to elevate its stature by trumpeting it with a tasteful surround comprised of both frame and matting.

Before committing to a color scheme for your framing, test the appearance by cutting apart color cards and taping them to the wall around your artwork. Be sure to experiment with various widths, too. This is especially important if you’ll be painting both a faux frame and mat. Either way, you’ll want to strike a balance between the “weight” of the frame (and mat, if there is one), and the artwork itself.

Once you’re happy with your design, make a trip to the paint store to purchase the colors you need and some painter’s tape. Carefully measure, mark, and tape off the outline of the frame. After painting it in with a brush or roller, allow the faux frame to dry completely, then repeat the process one or more times, depending upon the number of mat borders you have.

If you really want to dress things up, you can even embellish the frame or mat in any number of ways – decorating one or the other with a pattern, for example. As with so many interior painting projects, you are limited only by your imagination.

It goes without saying that faux framing is a great way to use paint left over from an earlier project, especially if the color was used in the same room where the artwork is displayed. The various elements will harmonize perfectly.

If you are buying new paint for your project, consider selecting hues that appear elsewhere in your décor, perhaps on upholstery or in your accents or furnishings. Using the same tints and shades in your painted frame will do wonders in pulling together your entire interior color scheme.

Regardless of whether you’re driven by cost savings or a penchant for creativity, you’re sure to have fun when doing faux framing. And don’t be surprised if your handiwork gets as many compliments as the art itself! 

Furniture Distressing Can Be a Relaxing Pastime


Most home painting is undertaken for both maintenance and aesthetic purposes, but there’s one painting project that is done purely for pleasure: furniture distressing. Yes, the project involves paint and brushes, but so too does fine art. And adding an aged look to obsolete objects is a creative undertaking of which any artist would be proud.

Authentically distressed furniture – the kind that got that way from years of use and abuse – is a valuable commodity today. High-end antique stores charge thousands of dollars for these pieces. But you can get the same chic look for a song if you do your own distressing.

Start by searching your attic and basement for furnishings that have served your own family in the past. Many of us put old items into storage, where they can sit for years, even decades. Look for wood pieces that have interesting shapes and details, the more unusual, the better.

If your search comes up empty, hit the road. . .literally. You can always pick up hidden gems at second-hand stores or consignment shops, but it’s thriftier yet, and more fun, to go on a trash day treasure hunt. When you do, concentrate on older, upscale neighborhoods, and get there early, preferably before dawn (you’ll be in competition with professional antique dealers and collectors who make much of their living this way). Look not just for furniture, but also for cabinets, vanities, ornate molding and other architectural elements, clocks, and picture frames. They all look great when distressed.

With your newfound items in hand, it’s time to create your paint palette. Consider where in your home you’ll use the finished piece and take cues from the room’s color scheme. Distressing typically involves at least two or three paint colors, sometimes even more. That provides plenty of opportunity to pick up not just the color of the walls, but also the accent colors. Sometimes, a multi-colored distressed piece is what ties together an entire color scheme.

Before you run out to the paint store, see if you have any paint leftovers in storage, especially if you plan to use the same colors that appear on your walls and trim. Why spend more for a new can of paint if you don’t have to? Other tools and supplies you’ll need for your project: a palette knife or painting spatula, paint brushes (and a roller if the item you’re working on is large), liquid paint stripper (optional), 100 grit sandpaper, a latex clear coating if you are working with latex paint, or an alkyd varnish if you are working with oil-based paint.

As with many artistic activities, distressing can be done in countless ways. But here are some general tips to get you started:

First, remove any hardware that is on the piece, such as handles, clasps, or hinges. Then clean the item thoroughly using warm soap and water. Wipe it down and allow it to dry.

Apply a thick base coat of paint to the entire piece, using a “highlight” color, not the one you want to be predominant when you complete the distressing. For example, if you want the finished piece to be generally blue, with smudges of green paint showing through, then apply the green paint first. You can apply the paint with a brush or, to get a thicker coat of paint, a spatula or palette knife. Allow the paint to dry completely, about 24 hours for latex paint.

If you are planning to use more than two colors, apply all the highlight colors first in thick coats of paint. Allow each one to dry thoroughly before applying the next color. Complete the painting by applying the predominant color last and allow it to dry.

Next comes the artistic part. Patiently use the sandpaper to lightly sand off patches of paint where you want the highlights to show through. Assuming that you applied several coats of paint, you can apply more pressure to get to the lower layers of paint, or even down to the bare wood in spots. Work with the piece until you love the way it looks.

When you are happy with the color treatment on your piece, dust off it off thoroughly. If you want to make it look even more distressed, hit it with a hammer, a chain, or a sock filled with nuts and bolts. You can even use a wire brush to make the piece appear more aged.

If you used latex paint, complete the project by sealing your distressed item with a coat of latex clear finish; if you used and an oil-based paint, seal it with a coat of alkyd varnish.
In the course of distressing furniture, you’ll likely discover your own tricks and techniques. For example, before applying any paint, some do-it-yourself rub a wax crayon along the edges of furniture where it would normally get wear and tear; then, after the paint dries, they wipe off the wax with a damp cloth – voila! Instant aging!

Remember that furniture distressing is an art form that can take a while to master. But that’s what makes it fun and relaxing. Enjoy yourself. . .and enjoy your new objects d’art!

It’s Okay to Get Playful When Painting Kids’ Rooms



With most interior painting projects, we labor over complex color palettes in search of just the right hues to create an indoor environment that is sleek, subtle, or sophisticated.  But the objectives are completely different when painting kids’ rooms:  the process itself should be fun;  the end result, a room that is animated, energetic, and alive with color.

In other words, it’s okay to throw out the rule-book when painting kids’ rooms.  You’re entering a parallel painting universe where almost anything goes.  Let your color imagination run wild and you’re likely to create a wonderful space for your kids – whether it be a playroom, bedroom, or private bath.

Think in terms of strong, bright colors, especially if your kids are younger.  Apple green, sky blue, lavender, periwinkle, magenta, pink, yellow, and tangerine are all good choices for children’s rooms.  If you have any doubt, ask your kids.  They’ll tell you.

And don’t feel that you have to limit yourself to just one paint color for the walls, and another for the trim.  Those rules are for grown-ups.  In a kids’ room, the more color the merrier:  paint one wall in a different shade than the rest;   paint the window trim in one color, the molding another;  paint the ceiling;  paint some pattern on the walls.  Indulge yourself and your kids!

Once you’re satisfied with the walls, ceiling, and trim, look for furnishings that can contribute to the cornucopia of color.  Is there an old bureau, night table, or chest in the room?  Picture them painted in a playful color.  Use some of your leftover trim paint for this purpose;  or paint them in a totally different and unexpected hue to add another splash of color to the room.

Complete the color makeover with cheerful artwork, decorative accessories, and rugs or other floor coverings that pick up your paint colors.

Your kids will love their colorful new room.  And if you ever need a pick-me-up, you’ll know just where to go!