5 Things You Learned In Kindergarten That Help With House Painting

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5 Things You Learned In Kindergarten That Help With House Painting

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.”
― Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things

 

Do you pine for simpler times? Times when you could just play, color, and take naps? At one point or another, we all want to get back to those times when life was simple and we lived on black-and-white terms. That is why we paint! We love that it is just like being back in kindergarten, when all we had to do was stay inside the lines, eat our lunch, and take a nap at the end of it all. Kindergarten taught us a lot about life, like how to share, apologize, and about proper hygiene. But you also learned some things about painting too, and we thought we would share those lessons with you as we have been putting them into practice painting houses for over thirty years.
Stay Inside the Lines

This seems obvious when coloring, but when painting it is paramount. For example, if you are painting the walls of a room and you accidently paint the ceiling with the roller or brush, it can make a mess, especially if it is not the same color. If you try to paint over where you painted outside the lines, it will be rough, bumpy, and you may have to remove the paint and start over. Thus, staying inside the lines can preserve the qualities of your paint job.

Clean Up Your Mess

We’ve written about how to clean your painting tools before https://welovepainting.com/properly-clean-painting-tools/

It’s important to clean your painting tools the right way as soon as possible so they do not become ruined and unusable. When done properly, you can keep your tools working for a lifetime. Additionally, cleaning up your painting area will prevent spills and stop pets and children from getting harmed by any wet paint.

Do Not Mix Colors

Mixing colors on your own can seem like a fun idea, but it can also be an unsafe and costly practice. Because different paints come in different forms and different colors mix differently together, you will want to have a professional paint store mix your colors for you. Otherwise, you will ruin your paint and waste your money.

Practice Safety

When you used glue or paint in kindergarten, you probably wore a smock and cleaned your hands after. Painting as an adult is no different. You want to wear the proper safety equipment (link to post on that here) so you do not get paint in your eyes, hair, or lungs. You also want to ensure you wear protective gear for your clothes. In addition, you will want to clean your hands or any skin the paint came in contact with right way.

Have Fun

Kindergarten was so much fun. The stories, games, and projects are some we still use and remember to this day. We love painting and you should too! If you are going to paint, why not make it fun so the experience is memorable? Just like we do, involve the whole family, play some music, and see who can come up with the best themes or paint the neatest.

You can recapture the carefree feeling of kindergarten through painting. You can make it fun and use some of the lessons you learned in that grade to make sure your painting is a safe and effective experience. And if you need guidance from your teacher, give us a call to see how we can help!

5 Painting Projects for Painting Enthusiasts

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5 Painting Projects for Painting Enthusiasts

If you’re like us, then you love to paint! And since painting your house often can be expensive, you’re probably looking for an affordable painting project you can complete over a weekend or two. Here we share five ideas we love that you can do solo or as a bonding experience with the family.

Restain a Table

Tables get a lot of wear and tear. We use them every day when we eat, they collect dust and scratches over time, and sometimes they get wet or are exposed to other elements. There is no time like the present to restain that dining room or kitchen table you love and bring it back to life. This is a project that should not take more than a weekend. You can learn how to restain a table in a few simple steps here.

Paint a Lamp

Perhaps you want to change the look and feel of a room without replacing the furniture. Or maybe you have an old lamp that you want to give new life to. Lamps literally light up our lives, so why not make them feel appreciated by repainting them or their lamp shades? You can learn how to repaint a ceramic or glass lamp base here. You can also learn how to spray paint a lamp or lamp shade here.

Repaint Your Fireplace

This project is doable in a weekend. You can make your fireplace the accent piece of your room or simply refresh and prepare it for upcoming use. Either way, your fireplace can easily become the focal point of the room. Learn how to repaint your fireplace here.

Restore the Radiator

It does not take much to make your radiator look like the proud workhorse it is. Before you start, you will want a professional to remove the current paint. They will most likely blast it off. Afterward, you can prime and paint it any color you choose. Gold can make it feel like a piece from the Gilded Age, for example. See a full tutorial on how to do this project here.

Recoat Your Front or Back Door

Splashing a new paint of coat on your door can make it look fresh. You can even paint it for an occasion such as the 4th of July. Doing so will make you feel like you are coming home to a whole new house, and it is a project that can be done in a weekend. To learn how to quickly repaint your front or back door, go here.

You can scratch your painting bug in many ways. From painting everyday items like lamps and tables to stable household center pieces like doors and fireplaces, a simple weekend painting project can rejuvenate you and your house. Need more DIY painting projects that require no more than one can of paint? Visit here. We love painting so much, you can call us anytime to ask for more information on DIY painting project ideas and how to execute them!

5 Things to Look for in a Painter in Vero Beach

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5 Things to Look for in a Painter in Vero Beach

Painting in Vero Beach, Florida can be a chore. First, you have to pick all of your colors and then you have to buy the paint and get it mixed. Next, you have to buy the right tools to paint with, including protective gear. Then you have to move furniture and set aside valuable time that you could be using to do something else. This can be exhausting just to think about it, especially with all the fun you could be having in Vero Beach instead.

 

After considering all this, you’re probably ready to hire a painter. But how? And what should you look for? Should you trust online reviews? These are all great questions, and we are glad you asked. Let’s start by discussing online reviews.

 

Online reviews can be misleading, as many companies pay to have people leave them. This is a deceiving practice, and you can wind up getting scammed because of it. At the same time, you shouldn’t completely disregard them as some are genuine. What you want to do is look for patterns across multiple review sites. If multiple review sites show positive reviews from different people, you can rest assured they are legit. You can learn how to spot a fake review in seconds by reading this USA Today article.

 

You don’t want online reviews to be your only measure of finding a reputable painter, however. Whether you need a room, the outside of your house, your interior, or a smaller project painted, below are five things to consider to find the right painter in Vero Beach, Florida and the rest of the Treasured Coast.

 

Ask Real People

 

Nothing says authentic like speaking to people you know about the company they may have used for their recent paint job. Let’s say you see a neighbor outside who just got their house painted. You can ask them about quality, customer service, cost, and all the other things online reviews may not tell you in earnest. Nothing takes the place of finding a painter through a trusted friend. You can even ask the contractor for a list of references to call. This may be a little biased, as they will not give you a person who will bad-mouth them, but it will let them know you are thorough. And if they refuse, you can keep that in mind in your decision-making process.

 

Call a Few Companies and Consult

 

Any company worth its salt is going to offer free consultations. Don’t be afraid to call or email a few companies in your area and ask them about their services. If they seem nice enough on the phone and you are comfortable with that exchange, ask for a consultation. In a consultation, you can get your questions answered and let the company see what you need. You should get at least three bids to get a feel for who you would like to work with. You can also use the bids to negotiate on pricing later in the process. We love these questions Angie’s List suggests you ask house painters.

 

Educate Yourself

 

When you get your oil changed in your car, you probably have a high degree of knowledge and understanding of the process. Old oil comes out and new oil goes in. You know what to expect, so you’ll likely not get overcharged or sold a bill of goods you don’t need.

 

When it comes to painting, there are many caveats depending on your project. Therefore, doing some research to learn some basic information can really help you when speaking with a contractor. In this manner, you can ask the right questions and get a basic sense for whether you’re getting the wool pulled over your eyes. You can look up painting techniques, for example. Or if you’re having a room painted, you may look up cost and time frames ahead of time. Knowledge is power, and it can weed out painters who try to take advantage of people’s lack of knowledge.

 

State Your Expectations

 

When you speak with the contractor, be sure to be very clear about your needs. This lets them quote you accurately and give the right time frame for completing the work. If you want a surface that is bumpy smoothed out in the process, tell them. It may cost extra, but you know what to expect and so do they. This goes along with educating yourself. By stating your expectations, you’ll learn some things to help you make a decision. And with technology, you can fact-check answers you get.

 

Ask for a Guarantee

 

There are certainly no guarantees in life. However, when it comes to hiring a painter in Vero Beach, Florida, a guarantee is exactly what you should look for. The painter should promise to correct any of the following: chipping, peeling, blistering, flaking, or excessive fading or chalking that occurs within two years after the job is done at little to no cost. If the painter tells you the paint itself has a warranty, remember that doesn’t include labor, which is a far more costly proposition than material.

 

In addition, consider the following:

 

  • Obtain a complete contract
  • Choose the paint yourself
  • Beware of lead if your home was built before 1978
  • Only pay 10% to 15% until you are satisfied with the job
  • Consider the company’s credentials

 

We love painting! That is why we want you to choose the right painter for your job. Whether you live in Vero Beach, Florida or any part of the Treasure Coast, call us to set up a consultation or ask us a question about your painting needs.

 

 

Paint Sheen Levels

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Paint Sheen Levels

Hot to Chose Right Sheen For Your Paint
The sheen or the gloss level of the paint you choose for your room décor has quite an impact on the look of your room. It can be determined according to the function of the room and the aesthetic sense.

Types of Paint Sheens
Let’s discuss the type of sheens available in the market, though their names and gloss level can vary with the manufacturer:

Flat: Paints with flat or matte finish have no shine and thus hide little imperfections in the wall. However, they are not so stain-resistant though today paints with matte finish and high stain resistance also available in the markets.

Eggshell: Eggshell paints or velvet-finish paints have very slight sheen or gloss level, are soft and impart a warm look to the room and are easier to clean too. They are preferable for most bedroom and living room décor themes.

Satin/Semi-Gloss: Paints with satin or semi-gloss finish can be used to highlight architectural details and focal points of the home and also in kitchens and baths as they are easy to clean.
High Gloss: Very high gloss or sheen paint are quite reflective and should be normally reserved for doors and trims and to create special effects.

Tips on how to choose the optimum sheen level of your paint
Higher gloss or sheen level generally means easy cleaning of the room or area.

These paints are suitable for amateurs as they distract the viewer from any painting imperfections.

Rooms and areas that need to be washed and cleaned often such as bathrooms and kitchens and where people visit most can use high gloss paints.

High gloss paints also have most stain resistant finish and are toughest when it comes to wear and tear.
You can use high sheen paints to highlight the focal point or a bold color scheme of the room such as kids’ room or fantasy room décor.

For kids, one can use bright high sheen primary colors to make different patterns that look interesting such as polka dots.

Flat paints or paints with low sheen or gloss level are for professionals as they make the surface appear smoother and more uniform and are non-reflective in nature.

Flat paints are generally used in newly constructed homes or in areas that are not so frequently used in the homes.

For a vintage home décor, flat paints can be used to paint a wall near the fireplace to highlight it while warm earthly hues look quite beautiful on pillars or columns in old homes.

For an interesting dramatic effect, one can also use combination of different paint sheens.

One can consider a monochromatic room décor in two different sheens for an interesting customized effect such as in stripes, blocks or other geometrical patterns.
Information provided by http://homedecor.iloveindia.com/color-basics/choosing-right-sheen.html

Ask Your Paint Sheens and Gloss Level Question Here!

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