Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tips For Preparing To Paint Your Interiors
Painting your home's interior can perform wonders! You can change it from drab to dynamic, from shabby to sophisticated, and from faded to fresh! The proper materials and a few basic painting tips are all you need to transform one room or an entire home. Doing your own painting can save you money, and if you plan carefully and follow these instructions, you will achieve professional results.
Things to consider before you begin painting
The first step in any redecorating project is to select an overall color scheme. That means taking all aspects of your decorating plan into consideration -- furnishings, carpeting and wall color. Color can create a mood, accentuate architectural assets and hide flaws. Be sure to consider the items listed below when selecting decorating colors:
• What type of mood you want to create.
• What furniture, artwork, architectural features, or other aspects of the room you want to emphasize
• Any awkward physical characteristics of the room you would like to overcome.
The color you decide to paint your walls should be an integral part of your decorating decisions. Once you have decided on the wall color, you can select a specific paint shade using samples of all materials to be included in the room. Remember, color may appear differently depending on how large the painted area is, whether a glossy or flat finish is used, what other colors are nearby and the type of lighting used in the room.
George G. operations manager for www.yournewpaint.com a Chicago residential painting contractor says “having the right tool for the job makes your life easier. If your trying to trim out a window if your use a big brush it looks sloppy so pay for smaller brush 2” and under if you really need it, it gives it the professional look you want. It costs more but you save by not hiring a pro.
Material you will need for the painting job
Before beginning any new paint project, assemble all of the items you will need to complete it. Here's a list:
Paint -- in a sufficient quantity to do the entire job
Appropriate applicators (brushes, rollers, etc.)
Drop clothes -- old sheets are fine
Stepladder
Screwdriver -- to remove wall hooks, door knobs and switch plates
Plastic automotive tape -- to edge window panes and cover other areas you don't want painted. (Used for painting stripes on cars, it is available at auto supply and paint stores.)
Hand cream -- to rub on your hand and arms before painting to make paint removal easier.
Turpentine or paint thinner -- when using oil-based paint
Interior paint selection
Paint comes in a wide variety of brands and types. These brief descriptions will help you decide which type best suits your needs:
Latex paints -- These are water-thinned and apply easily with a brush or roller. Clean-up with soap and water is a distinct advantage. Latex paints are available in most gloss ranges and will do a good job in most interior areas. They are not flammable and have a very mild odor.
Alkyd (oil) paints -- These are solvent-thinned paints. They apply well with a brush or roller but need turpentine or mineral spirits for clean-up. Sometimes preferred for areas where constant cleaning is necessary, like kitchens and bathroom shower areas. Very high gloss enamels are usually solvent-thinned. Odor is stronger during application than with latex paints, but disappears after a few days.
Enamels -- Enamels are generally smoother and dry to a harder surface than other interior paints. They are available in high or low gloss and can be either latex or alkyd.
Gloss -- The gloss is the luster or shininess of a dry paint. Paints are usually classified as flat, eggshell, semi-gloss or high gloss. A wide variety of gloss ranges is available.
Special paints and coatings -- These are available for most surfaces. Wood floors, concrete or masonry and metal surfaces require specific products. Consult your paint retailer and read the paint can label carefully for recommendations.
Since masonry usually contains alkali, the paint used to cover it should be alkali-resistant. Special paints are generally recommended.
Over iron or steel, a rust-inhibitive primer is usually desirable. Any type of enamel or paint may be used over the primer as a topcoat -- depending on the use of the area to be painted.
Article Resource:
George G. is sales manager for Painting Pros Chicago www.yournewpaint.com a Chicago residential painting contractor. I hope you found this article useful. When you need to paint your house, visit : http://yournewpaint.com/ , they are painting contractors based in Chicago.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
How to Choose the Right Color for your House
How To Choose The Right Color For Your House
When it comes to decorating, choosing paint color can really be a challenge. www.yournewpaint.com a Chicago residential painting contractor “there are so many choices you're bound to find the right one, you may end up feeling that there are so many choices you don't know where to start.” Many times people choose a unattractive color or too dark trying to be trendy and bold!
The tips here will really help you if you feel stumped by this important choice.
Be Patient
It's great to collect paint chips when planning a room, but hold off making final choices until you've developed an overall room scheme. Paint is available in literally an infinite array of colors and is the most versatile element of your room decor, the easiest to change, and the least expensive. Get ideas but make the final decision after rugs, wallpaper, and fabrics are finalized.
Coordinate Decorating Samples
When you go shopping, you'll need to refer to your fabric, carpet, tile, wallpaper, and trim samples constantly. Be sure to take everything with you wherever you go. No telling where you might see something wonderful.
Really Study the Colors
You'll find clues about the underlying tones of different shades of a color on a full sample strip of coordinated colors. Even if you're not even considering using a darker tone, look at all the colors carefully. Decide if the family of colors is the direction you're headed with your color selection.
Tried and True Formula for Colors
If you're working with a print fabric, you'll probably be happier if you select the coordinating wall paint color from the background of the print. Use the deeper or brighter tones for accents throughout the room or adjacent spaces
Trim it Out
More often than not, you'll select a shade of white or off-white for the moldings, doors, and windows. If you're feeling brave, consider the palest shade of color to coordinate with the walls. For a really striking look, try lighter walls and dark tones or bright color for trim.
Choose the Paint Finish for the Job
Consider which paint finish might be best for your project. Matte or flat finishes hide wall imperfections, but glossier finishes will reflect more light.
Follow this simple how-to to help you choose a color scheme for your home. Learn to mix colors and fabrics and how to repeat color throughout the room. Read some of the principles of decorating and learn how to use coordinating fabrics and dressmaker details.
- First, choose a style (formal or casual) and a theme for your room (such as American country, English garden, techno modern).
- With the style and theme in mind, decide on an 'anchor' fabric that has 3 or more colors.
- Use the background color from the fabric as a wall color.
- Pick a mid-toned color from the fabric for flooring and large furniture pieces, which could be a solid or patterned design. Upholstery can also be done in your anchor fabric or coordinating fabric.
- Use the brightest colors from the fabric for accessories and accents like welting, picture mats, and decorative pillows.
- Place your anchor fabric in at least three places in the room (upholstery, pillows, curtains, etc).
- Use coordinating fabrics in other scales (larger or smaller) as accent fabrics on chairs, pillows, cording, and tablecloths.
- For example, to use an 'anchor' fabric with an American flag design: use white (the background color) for walls, navy (a mid-toned color) on floor, blue and white ticking on the sofa, and red (the brightest color) for accessories and accents.
- To continue this example, the coordinated prints could be the blue and white ticking stripe, a navy star print fabric, and a red and white mini-check used on chairs, curtains, and pillows.
Tips:
- Repeat colors evenly throughout the room, and in at least 3 places.
- Adding dressmaker details in cording and trims is one way to disperse color and add interest.
- Divide color use to approximately 60% of the room in the background (lightest) color, 30% in the mid-tone color, and 10% in the brightest, accent colors.
Bio box:
George G. Manager with Painting Pros of www.yournewpaint.com a residential painting contractor.
I hope you found this article useful. When you need to paint your house,
visit : http://yournewpaint.com/ , they are painting contractors based in
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Painting contractor, color painting, house painting, residential painting
Summary:
Follow this simple how-to to help you choose a color scheme for your home. While you may feel that there are so many choices you're bound to find the right one, you may end up feeling that there are so many choices you don't know where to start!
Article Resource:
George G. is sales manager for Painting Pros Chicago www.yournewpaint.com a Chicago residential painting contractor. I hope you found this article useful. When you need to paint your house, visit : http://yournewpaint.com/ , they are painting contractors based in Chicago.