Interior home decor

Could your home use a little more texture?

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Carefully picked out furniture, poured over paint swatches, but still something is missing? Don’t Forget this key piece of the decorating puzzle.

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3 paint fundamentals

3 House Painting Fundamentals June 2017

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Painting your house using the right fundamentals is akin to learning how to throw and catch before playing a game of baseball. Once you get these down, painting becomes simpler and more fun.

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house painting trends

House Painting Trends June 2017

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We live in a world of constant change fueled by shrunken cultural and physical borders. It is easier than ever to find new ideas and inspiration. No longer are we stuck going to the store to speak to an expert or reading a trade magazine to find out what’s new and upcoming.

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couple in new home choosing wall paint colors

A Summer Home Improvement Project for Everyone

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If you haven’t figured out which home improvements you want to get done while the weather is good and you’ve got some extra time on your hands, we’re here to help.

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4 Questions to Answer Before You Decorate a Rental Home

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Decorating a rental house is tricky – you want to add your own personal touch to a space, but don’t want to overstep your boundaries, lose your deposit or invest too much money into a space that isn’t yours. Read on for some questions to ask yourself before you start the decorating process.

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Greenery is Pantone’s color of the year for 2017

Simple ways to modernize the interior of your home

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Simple ways to modernize the interior of your home

Whatever kind of home you have, whether it is a few years old or a hundred years old, modernizing can be a daunting task. Even knowing where to start can be confusing.

Today’s trend is for monotone walls, often grey, with simple, clean white trim, and this alone will offer a very new look for your home. However, there is more that you can do for yourself that work well on their own, or even better with our high-quality paintwork.

The first thing you can do is look around your home for details that date your décor, a gold light switch plate for instance will stand out to anyone looking around, but may be something you just get used to over time. Swapping them out for clean white plates, or something to compliment your décor, will have an immediate effect and create the cohesive deign look that everyone loves.

It is not just the light switches that can date your home, lighting itself tends to be very much ‘of its time, in that you can often tell when a house was built or last remodeled just by looking at the light fittings themselves. By updating ceiling lights, sconces and bathroom fittings to more modern equivalents, you not only create a more modern look very quickly, but with new lighting technology, you could save energy or overall improved lighting that shows off your rooms better.

Materials are another area that can make a difference. Switching from an old carpet to a new one, or a wooden floor, can transform a room, especially if the carpet is worn, or even if it is just a pattern or color that is somewhat dated. While this is definitely a bigger change than others mentioned, it does work very well and is well worth thinking about.

The kitchen is the heart of your home, and you are probably thinking that a new kitchen is just too much hassle and expense for a home makeover. But that does not mean you have to leave it as it is. Today we are able to offer a complete kitchen refinishing service that will transform the look of your kitchen, helping you create the modern look you are after. And because we can create this new look by refinishing your existing kitchen, it is done quickly, efficiently and very cost effectively too.

Our professional painters can bring your kitchen right up to date, working with you to choose the colors and finishes that match your dreams. Clean lines and subdued color is the trend right now, but you may prefer bold and bright, however whatever you choose will look like a brand-new kitchen, created for you in just 3 days.

With a kitchen transformed into a modern style, and a few changes to lighting and materials, you can modernize your home much faster and for a lot less money than you ever thought. Clever use of color and style really do make a difference, and best of all, no need to throw that favorite chair away, cover it with a throw to match the new décor, and it will blend in with the modern style of the rest of your home.

 

 

Kitchen Styles That Make Your Kitchen Distinctive

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Kitchen Styles That Make Your Kitchen Distinctive

The kitchen is the heartbeat of your home. It’s where your family gathers for meal prep and meals. It’s often where homework is done and heartfelt conversations are had. The kitchen of your home is designed for functionality and aesthetic appeal in a way that no other room of your home can quite match. Let’s take a look at some of the design aspects of your kitchen that can make it uniquely functional, uniquely fashionable, and uniquely you.

Storage Space and Cabinet Styles
Your kitchen holds a plethora of secret stashes – appliances that only see occasional use, food and pantry items, cookbooks, and even glasses, dishes, and silverware used only for holidays and special occasions – all those items have to be stored. The key is to create storage in your kitchen that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the organizational effort. Storage is a big part of where cabinet styles come into play. Choose kitchen cabinets that have built in Lazy Susan’s, cutting boards, and lots of drawer space.

The real secret to great kitchen storage is to make it both hidden when needed and attractive when seen. The best way to accomplish that is with finishes that fit your family’s personality and make your kitchen distinctive. A few of the best-selling kitchen cabinet finishes this year include the following:
• White kitchen cabinets can create a light, airy, feeling in a diminutive kitchen. Conversely, they work their magic in large kitchens by making then sleek and polished.
• If you’re highly organized or have china or cookbook collections you want on display, glass doors can create an uncluttered feeling while showing off your prized possessions.
• Warm colors like cooling blues, vibrant reds and sunny yellows can make your kitchen cabinets, and the pop of color they provide, the focal point of the room.
• Wood finishes come in a variety of veneers and stains that are well suited to any kitchen. Whether you want blonde wood or sturdy oak, solid wood cabinetry will stand the test of time with its classic appeal.
• Chalk paint – not to be confused with chalkboard paint – gives a nod to yesteryear with its vintage look and feel. It gives an aged, milky feel to your cabinets reminiscent of farmhouses of old.
• Metal, stainless steel, and chrome finished make your kitchen look ultra-modern and up-to-date. They’re long-lasting and pack a powerfully contemporary punch.

Drawer Pulls and Cabinet Hardware
The drawer pulls, hardware and faucets are probably the most frequently touched parts of your kitchen cabinets. Take the time to match those items to the cabinets and to the uses they’re for.
• Opt for hidden hardware that’s functional like quiet drawer slides.
• Choose the visible hardware that dresses up your cabinetry and speaks for itself.
• Glass knobs and cabinet brackets make metal finishes look sleek and they’ll do wonders for white finishes as well.
• Uniquely shaped hardware dress up wood cabinet finishes and keep fingerprints at bay.
• Brushed-nickel finishes are sleek and modern. They look especially seamless on gray cabinets, which, by the way, are closing in on white cabinets in popularity.
• Choose shapes that compliment your cabinets as well. Round, square, fat, thin, or thick, choose pieces that feel good in your hand and blend well with your kitchen.
Cabinet Styles and Trends
Kitchen cabinets come in as many styles as they do finishes. That’s a good thing, too, because what suits one kitchen might not suit another. Some of the popular cabinets styles of 2017, include:
• The clean, simple lines of shaker style doors lend themselves to many different types of finishes and paints.
• Inset doors and drawers create a bit more space and let you show off unusual hinges since they rest on the outside of the doors.
• If the cozy family appeal of an open farmhouse fits your tastes, show off that chalk paint mentioned above with doors in a rustic style.

Your kitchen can be as casual or contemporary, as modern or as classic, as sleek or as timeless as you want it to be. The cabinets you choose married to the right hardware can create the kitchen of your dreams. Add details like built-in cutting boards and cabinets that match your appliances for a look and feel you’ll love and one your friends and family will ooh and ahh over.

Furniture to Complement Your Paint Job

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Furniture to Complement Your Paint Job

Imagine a situation where you were given carte blanche to create the space of your dreams. In this space you can choose the paint color, type, and texture. You can choose the type of windows, furniture, and accessories or electronics you want to include. You can even pick out rugs, lamps, tables, and more. In this situation, the sky’s the limit. Sound overwhelming? That’s because it is overwhelming. Having to put together an entire room or space can take time, research, and in most cases, money.

But for argument’s sake let’s narrow it down a bit and try to make the choice a little less overwhelming. Let’s imagine the room you have in mind is already painted and has a spattering of furniture, including a basic desk with no drawers, a television on a TV stand, a recliner, a coffee table, and a love seat. In this situation, you’ll want to remove the recliner, love seat, and desk to rearrange the room so that it has a more open feel. Imagine what your options are. Will you get a regular sofa? Will you get a sectional? What color will the furniture be? How will it match your current paint? How will what you buy make the room feel? Not as easy as it sounds, is it?

We love painting. To us, painting goes beyond just refinishing kitchen cabinets or painting a room or space and leaving. For us, painting is part of establishing a greater aura that influences how the room will look and feel. When we consult with you, we take into account your goal for the job. In many cases, we do work for those who are flipping houses, selling houses, moving into a new house, or completely repainting a space for any number of reasons. One of the more frequently asked questions we get is how to pick out furniture to make the new space not only work with the paint color and texture chosen, but to feel or look a certain way as well. With that in mind, we wanted to suggest a few tips to use when picking out furniture to help enhance your space and make it work with your new paint job.

 

 

Purpose
We want to be clear that we are not recommending any furniture company over another. Where you buy will be dictated by many choices, including your budget. In this situation, we refer to LazyBoy because they have a wide range of options that help us make our point. You see, when you’re looking to buy furniture for your space one of the first things you need to figure out is why. Is your space for decoration, random use, or everyday use? Are you looking to create a man cave, home office, or baby’s play room? Knowing this will help you narrow down your furniture choices. If you look at LazyBoy’s site, you’ll realize that the options are endless. You can choose sectional sofas and remove and add parts. You can accessorize lamps, rugs, end tables, and more. You can choose your fabric color and texture. And you can even choose power features that will blow your mind. Knowing why you want to furnish a space will help you narrow down your options and have a clearer goal in mind. From here, you can match the furniture you choose to your existing paint job or pick the paint based on the furniture you choose.

Which Comes First?

Which comes first, the furniture or the paint? That is completely up to you. Some people choose to paint first and match the furniture to it. Some people go with a neutral color so any pieces of furniture will work. Others choose to pick the furniture first and match the paint accordingly to either compliment the furniture or contrast it. You have to decide which way you want to go, and there is no right or wrong choice. It is a matter of preference. Certain factors will dictate this too. Depending on your budget, the size of the space, and the purpose for it, you may just choose to keep the paint neutral, pick the furniture that serves your purpose, and paint last. In the end, you or your potential buyers need to love the space, so it’s your call. But we are here to help if you need it.

Take it Slow

Depending on why you need to furnish, you may need to move at different speeds. However, no matter what the case is, you should take your time. Rushing to find furniture and get it set up can lead to buying the wrong size or type of furniture, shoddy furniture, or furniture that does not match your purpose or paint scheme. Thus, take your time to do the research, visit some stores, and piece things together, even if it takes years. To get it right is priceless. To rush and throw good money away is reckless.

 

Use a Pro

We put this tip last because it is the best. Some people hear “hire an interior designer” and think it’s just too expensive. But this could not be further from the truth. Some stores like LazyBoy have full-time interior designers that will come into your home, learn about what you need, take measurements, and then meet with you in the store a few days later to show you your options. They will take your paint choices into consideration, whether you painted already or are about to. Plus, they show you a 3D mockup of what your space will look like from an aerial and eye level point of view. They can exchange pieces of furniture to show you different options as well. To find an interior designer, check your local furniture store or read this.

Make the Investment

While some pieces of furniture are for accent or decoration only, and a minimal budget is okay, some pieces deserve the financial investment. This holds especially true when it comes to pieces that will be used on a regular basis, such as couches, recliners, kitchen furniture, and beds. The more you pay for furniture, in general, the better quality construction and durability you will get. This keeps your furniture in great shape for a long time and from consequently ruining any part of your paint job by staying away from the walls.

 

Other Furniture Buying Suggestions:

● Mark visuals on the floor where furniture will go to get a better idea of what it will look like
● Make sure measurements are correct, including the doorway, to ensure the furniture can get in your house
● Use the room’s natural design to pick furniture. A fireplace in a living room, for example, may call for more rustic furniture
● Consider stain-resistant fabrics
● Ensure your pieces complement each other
● Consider your theme (modern, casual, etc.)
● Start with the basics that will go in that room and add accessories from there

Picking the right furniture is critical to complementing your paint job and creating the best possible space for your needs. When picking your furniture, you want to consider many factors. You want to hone in on your use for the room, such as whether you will match the paint to the furniture or the furniture to the paint, take your time, use an interior decorator, know how much you are willing to invest in your furniture, and know what your other considerations are. Taking all of this into account will help you get the best return on your investment and a room that complements your paint job to help it all come together magnificently.

 

5 Tips & Ideas for Painting Your Child’s Bedroom

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5 Tips & Ideas for Painting Your Child’s Bedroom

According to the Sleep Foundation, children need to sleep upwards of 17 hours depending on their age. You can learn more about that and see exactly how much sleep on the chart on the Sleep Foundation’s website.We all know the importance of sleep. Any parent or person who does not have a good night’s sleep knows it can cause tiredness, lack of focus, messing with our hunger cues, and increases the risk of accidents. And when your child is in their formative years when they are developing, sleep plays a crucial role in that process.

Kid’s Health does a nice job of summing up the importance of sleep. During sleep, the brain is hard at work organizing and storing information from the day, and the body is repairing itself. Sleep is an amazing process that is very important, so we should work to make the place our children will spend almost half, if not more, of their day a cool and comfortable place to stay. Plus, we want our children to enjoy time spent awake in their rooms, playing and being read, to a pleasurable one. Thus, we thought we would share some ideas and tips for painting your child’s room so it is one they love being in and will never forget.

Make it Thematic

As adults we probably can think back to our favorite childhood TV shows and super heros. It is likely your child has some of his or her own. Thus, turning your child’s room into something that represents their absolute favorite toy, show, or otherwise is a great way to make it a fun and warm place to sleep and play. Just like the image above, you can go to any length to create a room that rocks. You can paint scenes from a show, add the characters, and go all out, or you can use decals and posters that blend with the color you paint the room. The sky’s the limit.

Use Calming and Favorite Colors

Colors can have an effect on our mood. Red, for example, can convey aggression while blue can convey calm. Since you want your child’s room to be a place of peace, consider using neutral colors or colors that are friendly and calm. In addition, if your child has a favorite color, be sure to include that as well as it will make the room that much more special.

Wallpaper and More

This can be a great way to make a room feel fresh with ease, and it involves the child. You can put up pieces of wallpaper in strategic locations to give it a certain look. Or, if your child likes to draw on wall, you can use wall paper with a border around it. Even more, you can always put up paint that is erasable or a whiteboard for the child to draw on as well, which will make the room truly theirs.

3D Objects

Making a room with things coming out of the wall can make it an exciting place to be. You can add touches like a kite flying or a super hero’s cape coming out of the wall. This can add a wow factor to a room and make it really fun and bring out your child’s imagination.

Involve the Child

This is your child’s room after all, so involve them in the process. Ask them if you have correctly added their favorite things. Have them help you pick out colors and objects. Let them help paint some if they are old enough. Getting the child to buy into the creation process will help them take ownership over the room and make it truly theirs.

Think back to your childhood room and what you loved about it. You probably can think of at least one thing. That is the lasting impact a room has for a child. It is a memory that lasts forever. Plus, it helps them feel safe and sleep well when done right, which is important. To get more ideas or book a consultation to paint a child’s room, give us a call today!