Color Box Painting LLC Blog

When it comes to protecting and maintaining your home, there are few products that offer as many benefits as top quality caulks and sealants. What?s more, these multipurpose materials cost very little, yet they can help you save a ton of money.

Here are just some of the ways these budget-friendly materials can make life better for you, your family, and your bank account:

Improving your insulation. Caulks can be used to seal cracks, gaps and holes in the exterior of your home to prevent the loss of costly heat and air conditioning. At the same time, they can help eliminate drafts and air infiltration from outside the home. The result? Careful application of caulk can make your home more comfortable to live in, and less expensive to heat and cool.

Protecting against exterior moisture damage. Rain, snow, even dew, can damage masonry surfaces, cause wood to rot, and accelerate paint failure if there are even small gaps and openings in your home exterior. But you can easily prevent these problems with caulk. Applying a top quality siliconized acrylic caulk to gaps and open joints in exterior wall surfaces will seal out moisture and help to head off potentially costly repairs.

Protecting against interior moisture damage. In the same way, you can apply caulk around sinks, bathtubs, countertops, tile, and many other areas in your kitchen and bathrooms to protect against moisture damage inside your home. Siliconized acrylic or silicone caulk will create a watertight seal in any wet area; as a bonus, siliconized acrylic caulks have excellent resistance to mildew growth.

Finishing interior walls. You can save time, money, and effort by using water-based acrylic caulk ? rather than drywall compound or spackling ? to fill seams between drywall panels. Unlike those other products, acrylic caulk doesn?t have to dry completely before painting; nor does it have to be sanded after it dries.

Filling gaps in woodwork. There?s a good reason caulk is often called ?the carpenter?s best friend?: By sealing mitered joints, seams, and gaps between molding and walls, you can greatly enhance the appearance of wood trim and wainscoting with caulk. Save the carpenter?s labor charges, and bring on the caulk!

Glazing. Quality caulk can even be used in place of glazing compound to seal glass panes to frames in windows, doors, skylights, and light fixtures.

A tube of the highest quality caulk costs about the same as an inexpensive movie rental, but it has the potential to save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in unnecessary energy expenses and home repairs. And because top quality caulk is so versatile, it can be used in place of many other types of sealants, saving even more money.

To get the best performance when applying caulk to the exterior or interior of your home, make sure that you use a top quality product. For most applications, top quality water-based acrylic or siliconized acrylic caulk works best. But it?s always wise to check the label on the caulk tube to make sure it?s intended for the job you have in mind.

Tagged as: caulk, green

As the days get longer and the weather warmer, a homeowner?s thoughts turn naturally to. . .painting! Yes, as the spring maintenance season gets ever closer, we start our to-do lists and plan out our projects. But when it comes to home painting, what to do first?

One of the best ways to begin is to thoroughly assess the painted condition of your entire property, both inside and out. Take a slow walk through and around your home, with pad and pencil in hand. Check out everything. Take notes. And bring along your significant other ? not only because two sets of eyes are better than one, but to get buy-in as well.

Inside the home, the desire for a more attractive appearance may take precedence over maintenance needs. Are you tired of your room colors, or are you simply ready for a change? Jot down your thoughts, along with any ideas you have for new paint colors.

But don?t neglect to note the condition of your interior paint. Have your painted walls seen better days? Is the trim banged up? How do the baseboards look? And don?t fail to assess the condition of your ceilings; most people paint them far less frequently than the walls. . .and they often look that way.

Outside the home, start your inspection at the front door, which gives friends and visitors the all-important first impression of your home. Make sure it?s in tip-top shape.

Next, look for signs of paint failure on your exterior walls ? evidenced by bare wood, peeling or flaking paint, mildew or mold. If you have any masonry (on walls, foundation or a fireplace), check for white, crusty efflorescence. Aluminum siding? Look for vulnerable bare metal and unsightly white oxidation, an indication that corrosion has set in.

Check all the areas where two different surfaces come together. Make sure they are properly caulked and that the caulk is in good condition. If you see a problem, make a note of it.

Naturally, you?ll want to inspect your exterior trim, windows, shutters, and doors, but don?t forget to also look at your garage door, gutters, downspouts, railings, and decks. A fresh coat of paint can help maintain them all, not to mention your metal light fixtures and lamps, outdoor furniture, swing sets, picnic tables, and fencing.

Now that you have an inventory of your painting needs, categorize the projects in terms of their urgency or desirability. You should actually assign every job a numerical or alphabetical rating, indicating which ones to do first.

Next, see if you have the brushes, tools, and accessories that you?ll need for your most urgent projects. That way, you can purchase them all in one trip to the paint store, saving valuable time that you can spend applying your paint.

Generally speaking, it?s better to get to the exterior paint jobs first, starting with the areas of greatest need. You just can?t fool (around with) Mother Nature. By delaying urgent outdoor painting projects, you run the risk that your home will suffer damage. So, start outside.

If there are multiple exterior paint jobs on your ?urgent? list, you might be able to bunch similar projects together, saving yourself a lot of time and effort. For example, if your metal railings, metal furniture, and a metal lamppost are all badly in need of painting, you can work more efficiently by doing them all at once.

Keep addressing your most urgent outdoor needs until you run into weather that is not conducive to outdoor painting ? for example, especially wet, cold or windy days, which may interfere with good paint film formation. When the weather takes a turn for the worse, move indoors.

Follow the same procedure with your interior painting that you followed when doing the outdoor work. Start with the projects you deem most urgent, either from an aesthetic or maintenance perspective. And since Spring has sprung, you can comfortably work with your windows open so as to keep your rooms well-ventilated as your paint.

By identifying and completing your most important projects first, you?ll do a better job of protecting your home with paint. And if afterwards you sneak away for a short vacation or a round of golf with your friends, you?ll be able to do so guilt-free!

Tagged as: affordable painting, painting projects

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Have you ever walked into a recently-painted room where the wall colors were electric. . . just too bright, almost blinding?  We?ve all had that experience, but do you know why some paint colors appear that way?

Often, the explanation is that the paint color is a ?pure? hue ? in other words, it is precisely the same as the hue that appears on the color wheel.

In real life, few colors are pure hues.  The leaves of most plants may be green, but each one is a variation of the green on the color wheel.  And color in the natural world is typically mottled, as is most of the color we see, whether it be on fabric, wood, or any other object.  That?s why pure colors are so visually shocking:  They look almost unnatural.

Paint color experts know that the aesthetics of any hue can be greatly enhanced by modifying the pure color slightly.  This is accomplished by adding white, black, or gray to the pure hue to soften its intensity, making it more visually inviting.

When white is added to a pure hue, the result is a tint of that color.  Add white to the blue on the color wheel and it takes on look of a soft blue sky, something we see almost every day and, hence, are familiar and comfortable with.  Our eye can easily accept paint in this color because we experience the color frequently.

When black is added to a pure hue, something else ensues:  It produces a shade of that color, which is darker in value than the pure hue.  As an example, add black to the red on the color wheel and it takes on the familiar shade of ripe strawberries or leaves in the fall, objects (and colors) we?re used to seeing.

Adding gray ? that is, both white and black ? to a pure hue is an especially effective way to ?kill? its intensity and, thus, make it visually acceptable.  The addition of gray converts a pure hue into a tone, which is a muted version of the pure hue on the color wheel.  Artists sometimes refer to this type of color modification as ?muddying? or ?dirtying? the color.  Don?t be put off by those terms.  From an aesthetic standpoint, pure colors benefit greatly from the addition of gray by ?toning down? their brightness to a more visually pleasing level.

The next time you create an interior or exterior color scheme, remember that bright isn?t always right, especially when it comes to paint color.  Tints, shades, and tones are usually more visually attractive than pure hues. . .and there are an infinite number of color variations to choose from!

Tagged as: choosing paint colors, color schemes, modern painting, paint color ideas, paint color schemes, painting effects, room color ideas, wall paint colors

One of the quickest and easiest ways to freshen the look of your home is to change the color of your front door or entranceway. Cleaning, prep, and painting can often be accomplished in just a couple of hours, less time than it takes to plant your front beds. But what color to paint your door? One idea is to let your flowers be your guide.

When visitors approach your home, they take in the whole scene with just one glance. For them, your entranceway and plantings form a single tableau. Keep that in mind when you select your paint color. . .and when you purchase your plantings. To create the best first impression of your home, the colors should work well together.

If you?re interested in creating a well-crafted look for your entranceway, it?s wise to start with a color wheel. You can find one on the Paint Quality Institute website at www.paintquality.com. Another one that is very helpful for planning purposes can be found at www.colorschemedesigner.com.

Assuming that your flowers are perennials, or if you?ve already planted this year?s annuals, one part of your color equation is already in place. All you have to do is decide what door color will complete the look of your entranceway.

One ?can?t miss? combination involves high-contrast complementary colors, which sit directly across the color wheel from one another ? for example, red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and violet. If most of the flowers in your front beds are red, a good color to paint your door would be a dark shade of green. Yellow flowers? A door painted blue-violet would work well.

Depending upon the color of the flowers in your beds, you might be able to create a more complex color scheme using a triadic palette, involving three colors that are equidistant from one another on the color wheel. As an example, if your flowers are blue and yellow, you could paint your front door a dark shade of red for a perfect triadic plan.

On the other hand, if your taste has a strong gravitational pull toward just one part of the color wheel, then you might want to go with an analogous color scheme, in which all of the colors are close cousins. Let?s say your flowers range from pinks and reds to fushia and magenta ? a bright red door would complete the picture.

Of course, if you?re going to both overhaul your beds and paint this spring, the wheel is your oyster. There?s no limit to what you can do as you create your color scheme from scratch. If that describes your situation, spend time with the color wheel, see which color combinations appeal to you, then decide which color to paint the door, and which to use in your beds.

But don?t forget: Spring and summer won?t last forever, nor will your flowers. Plan for the day when the petals drop by selecting a front door color that will also look good in the off-season. That way, your front entrance will make a great first impression year ?round!

Tagged as: choosing paint colors, color schemes, exterior paint color schemes, good color combinations, paint color ideas

Unlike interior painting, where monochromatic (one-color) paint schemes are commonplace, exterior painting is typically most interesting when it involves several colors.

Why the difference between interior and exterior painting?

For one thing, interior wall colors get a visual assist from home furnishings.  The furniture, fabric, artwork, and bric-a-brac that are present in a room satisfy the eye?s need for color variety.  A solitary color looks perfectly natural playing second fiddle to this symphony of hues.

Another reason a single paint color can carry the day indoors:  The space involved is ? relatively speaking ? small, at least when compared to a home?s exterior.  The eye can?t possibly tire of a color that makes such a limited appearance.

By way of contrast, exterior paint colors are applied to very large wall surfaces.  A home painted in a single color would look. . .well, boring, without the accompaniment of one or more additional colors.

When painting the outside of their home, most homeowners instinctively recognize the need to create an exterior color scheme using multiple paint colors.  Commonly, they will choose at least three or four paint colors ? one for the siding or wall surface, a contrasting color for the trim, and an additional color or two for smaller architectural features such as shutters and doors (the front door often having its own unique color treatment).

Owners of Victorian homes, or other highly ornate houses, may choose color schemes that employ even more colors.  Up to six colors or more can sometimes be seen on these homes.  And they are often used to good effect to highlight architectural details that might otherwise escape our attention.

Of course, the more complex the color scheme, the more artistic talent it can take to pull together an aesthetically-pleasing look.  But there are ways to simplify the process.

The easiest, most risk-free, way to choose an exterior color scheme is simply to mimic the look of homes that you find attractive.  To do that, you can look around your own neighborhood or drive through nearby communities where the style of houses resembles your own home.

There are also many excellent books on home painting that can steer you in the right direction.  These are often written by color experts who can offer valuable advice on color schemes.  What?s more, some of the books include images of attractively-painted homes that can serve as templates for your own home painting.

Free literature provided by paint companies can be a great source of inspiration.  Visit your local paint retailer or decorating center and you?ll likely find some terrific guides on color schemes.  Many paint companies pay top dollar to colorists who pick out palettes that are visually pleasing.  Why not take advantage of this resource?

If you?re using a contractor to do your painting, you might ask for his or her opinion, particularly if you are confident of your contractor?s color sense.   Other than you, who has more at stake in the final appearance of the job?

For the vast majority of homeowners, following all, or even a few, of these suggestions should provide more than enough help when selecting an exterior color scheme.  But if you are the owner of a Victorian home who wants to employ a highly complex color combination involving five or more paint colors, you may want to go a step further and hire your own color specialist.  If you do so, be sure to choose someone with experience in your particular style of architecture.

And regardless of the way that you go about selecting your new exterior color scheme, be sure to use a top quality 100% acrylic latex paint for the best results.  These paints are especially durable and color-fast, so they?ll help protect your home and keep your attractive new color scheme looking freshly-painted for a long, long time.

Tagged as: choosing paint colors, color schemes, exterior paint colors, exterior painting ideas, house paint colors, paint color schemes

Artists and scientists continue to debate whether white is a color, but when it comes to home painting, there?s little doubt that it is one of the most versatile design and decorating options.

Classic bright whites are an important part of the exterior paint palette, perfect for use on everything from picket fences to porticoes.  And clean-looking bright white is de rigueur on courthouses and other public buildings.

But it?s inside the home that white comes into full bloom, design-wise.

To begin with, white is not just a single ?color?.  Many paint manufactures offer an entire white paint palette with dozens, even scores, of variations to choose from.

Often, these white paints are infused with hints of other colors to provide depth and style.  Some of these modified whites evoke nature?s own colors that appear in things like sand or seashells.  Other times, the whites have a hint of something unexpected ? a touch of pink, beige, or grey, for example, each of which can be employed by the skilful designer to create a special mood in a room.

When incorporating a white paint into your home decor, it?s useful to consider whether the paint has an underlying tint that can help unify your color scheme.  As an example, if the room you are painting has blue furnishings or accents, think about using not just a pure white paint, but rather, one that contains a touch of blue.  The subtle shift in color can make a big difference in the appearance of your walls.

Sometimes, the trace of color in a white paint is either hard to detect, or difficult to identify.  If you are in doubt about which white to use, ask the paint salesperson for assistance.  He or she can tell you which pigments are present in the paint, and that, in turn, will help you make the right color choice.

Over and above color, white paint pattern can also be used to create visual interest in an interior color scheme.

White-on-white striping, for example, can be very elegant, especially in formal areas like dining rooms, living rooms, and entranceways.  The key is selecting two variations of white that resemble each other, but are just different enough to inform the eye that there is something interesting about the walls.

Likewise, white-on-white color blocking in a checkerboard pattern can add texture to walls.  Visually interesting results can be had with large blocks of color (12? by 12?, for example) or very small blocks measuring only a few inches square.  As a general rule, the smaller the blocks, the more textured a wall will look, but be forewarned, applying very small blocks of color requires patience.

So, the next time you consider using white paint, don?t dismiss it as merely a safe choice.  Approach it as one with enormous potential.   White can be one of the most interesting colors to work with.  All that?s needed is a little knowledge and a lot of imagination!

Tagged as: choosing paint colors, color combinations, color schemes, interior paint colors, paint color ideas, wall paint colors

Interior painting typically involves the application of solid paint color to walls and woodwork.  But there?s a parallel painting universe where so-called ?broken? or dappled color is used to beautify interior spaces.

Here, home improvement enters the realm of artistic expression ? a place where decorative painting techniques like sponging, rag-rolling, and stippling reside.  And while there are many such techniques, they have something in common:  Virtually all use glazes and washes to make solid color. . .variegated!

Both glazes and washes are actually modified paints that impart a textured look to the painted surface.  But they are very different in their makeup and the way they manipulate color.

Glazes, which are made of oil-based paint mixed with linseed oil, turpentine and varnish, are more transparent than washes.  They are used to provide both mottling and a luxurious glow to walls and other surfaces.

Washes, which are simply latex paints that have been thinned with water, produce color that looks fresher and more delicately textured.  The beauty of washes is owing to the fact that they readily show brush marks and color variation ? ironically, characteristics that are most undesirable when doing ordinary interior painting.

Depending upon their hue and intensity, as well as the extent to which they are thinned, both glazes and washes can be used to soften or enrich color.  What?s more, they can even be used to significantly alter the color of the base coat of paint (the standard starting point in most decorative painting).

To decide whether to use a glaze or a wash on a particular project, it?s important to consider not only the visual effect you want to achieve, but also the complexity of the application.

Glazes are especially useful where the decorative technique requires a lot of manipulation.  That?s because oil-based coatings dry more slowly, so they afford more ?open time? to work your artistic magic on the color.

Washes ? in addition to their exquisite appearance ? have many practical advantages:  They are easier to make, modify, and clean up after.  For these reasons, do-it-yourselfers usually favor washes over glazes when doing decorative painting.

Regardless of whether you use a glaze or a wash for your next decorative interior painting project, you?ll appreciate the beautiful effect either will have on your budget:  Compared to wall-coverings that have a similar appearance, decorative painting is a relative bargain.  And that?s something you can bank on!

Tagged as: DIY, interior painting ideas, modern painting, painting effects, painting projects, painting techniques

Most homeowners keep their front door freshly painted to make the best possible first impression on visitors and guests.  But many of us totally neglect the appearance of our second entranceway ? which, oftentimes, is not the back door, but the garage!

It?s easy to undervalue the aesthetic importance of the garage.  Part carport, part storage shed, part work area, the garage serves many purposes.  Yet, it?s also a convenient way to bring guests into the home.  And even if you consider the garage off-limits to visitors, shouldn?t you and your family pass through a pleasant environment as you transition from the harsh outside world into the comfort of your home?

Homeowners aren?t the only ones who give short shrift to the painted appearance of the garage.  It?s often the last area that builders spray-paint when they complete a house, and at that point, careful craftsmanship isn?t commonplace.  That?s assuming the garage is painted at all ? sometimes the walls are left as unpainted sheetrock.

If your garage isn?t up to snuff, think about upgrading it with a fresh coat of paint.  But be sure it?s the right kind of paint.

Unlike the interior or exterior of your home, the garage is something of a hybrid:  not directly exposed to rain or snow, but typically not temperature-controlled.  As a result, the walls and woodwork may expand or contract considerably in extremely hot or extremely cold weather.  For this reason, it?s important to choose paint with excellent adhesion characteristics.  Top quality 100% acrylic latex interior paint fits the bill.

Formulated with superior acrylic binder, these paints will tightly grip onto a properly prepared surface. . .and they?ll continue to adhere well with the normal changes in temperature and humidity that you?d expect in a garage.

Assuming that your garage is like most, the walls and woodwork will be more than a little soiled from accumulated dust, dirt, exhaust fumes, grease, grime, fingerprints, paw-prints, and who knows what else.  Make sure you remove these contaminants by thoroughly cleaning these surfaces before you apply any coating ? primer or paint.

If stubborn stains can?t be removed from the walls and woodwork, you may have to apply a stain-blocking primer before painting in order to conceal them.  Even if you don?t have stubborn stains, a quality drywall primer will help give freshly-painted walls a more uniform appearance, especially if they are unpainted sheetrock.

One final tip on garage-painting:  Think about using paint with higher sheen in order to simplify maintenance on your new paint job.  If your walls and woodwork are in relatively good shape, a semi-gloss sheen will offer good stain resistance and ease of cleaning.  But higher sheen levels also highlight surface imperfections, and garage walls and woodwork are famous for dents, dings, and sloppy joints in the drywall.  If that describes your garage, eggshell, satin, or low-lustre paints are a good compromise:  better stain resistance than flat paint, without calling unwanted attention to surfaces that are uneven or banged up.

With your new paint job in place, your second entranceway will be far more welcoming, whether you use it for friends and family, or just for yourself.

Tagged as: acrylic paint, house painting, painting garage

When redoing a room, don?t fail to consider how your fifth wall ? the ceiling ? can help enhance and beautify the space.  In the right circumstances, adding color to the ceiling can make a big difference in the appearance, ambience, and character of a room.

The lightness or darkness of the ceiling color can create an illusion that the height of the room is higher or lower than its real dimensions.  That?s one reason many people opt for a white or very light-colored ceiling.  More often than not, a ceiling is regarded as too low, especially in older homes.  And a squat room can feel claustrophobic.  Hence, the common use of a light ceiling color.

At the other end of the ceiling spectrum, many newer homes have one or more cathedral ceilings in the foyer, living room, great room, master bedroom, or bath.  While a white or very light-colored ceiling can create an aura of luxury in the entranceway, a vast overhead can make other rooms seem cold.  Painting a cathedral ceiling in a living room or bathroom in a warm color like soft yellow, gold, or light cinnamon can provide welcome intimacy to an area that would otherwise be just raw expanse.

Rooms with ?ordinary? ceilings of standard height can also be enhanced with a little ceiling color.  (?Little? being the operative word, since subtle color typically works best on the fifth wall.)  If your walls are painted in a mid-tone, consider treating your ceiling in the very lightest tint that appears on the same color card.  You?ll be surprised how this can pull a color scheme together.

If you break away from the wall color, proceed with caution when painting the ceiling.  You?ll generally do best with very soft pastel hues ? extremely pale blue (almost blue-tinted white) works well in many rooms, but not with every wall color.

The exception to this general rule occurs with homes that are either very old or very new.  They may offer special opportunities to those who are willing to paint the fifth wall.

Vintage or historic homes often have irregularly shaped ceilings, particularly on second stories, where bedrooms and bathrooms sometimes track the profile of the roofline.  Contemporary architecture, on the other hand, often intentionally incorporates dramatic, angular ceilings.

If you are living in a home that is endowed with such ceiling features, don?t shrink away from them.  Play up your home?s unique ceilings with paint color!  These are the kind of spaces that scream for innovative color treatment.

The great variety of unexpected ceiling shapes and dimensions makes it difficult to suggest general rules on color treatment.  Moreover, that defeats the whole idea of painting these ceilings in a color that is your own personal style statement.

Still, it is safe to say that you should feel more liberated color-wise when choosing a paint color for a unique ceiling. Contemporary spaces often look great when the ceiling is painted in a ?statement? color drawn from modern art ? orange or certain browns, for example, while ceilings in older homes typically look best in a hue derived from a more traditional color palette.

The final choice is yours when painting the fifth wall.  After taking into account how tone will affect the perceived height of the space, let your creativity soar!

Tagged as: choosing paint colors, interior paint colors, paint color ideas, paint color schemes, room color ideas

Sooner or later, we all tire of the cabinets in our kitchens and baths.  Maybe styles have changed, or possibly, our own taste.  Or, maybe, our cabinets just look worn from the strenuous demands of everyday use.

Replacing the cabinets is always an option.  But, with money so tight, that?s not in the cards for everyone.  And does it really make sense to replace the cabinets without replacing the countertops, upgrading the appliances, or installing a new floor?

Rather than wrestle with this remodeling ?domino effect?, you can change the appearance of your cabinets by simply painting them.  It?s a lot faster than remodeling, it?s easy, and since it involves little cost, it?s the right move in the current economy.

Like so many painting projects, surface preparation is important when painting cabinetry.  Start by removing the cabinet doors ? this will spare you a lot of stretching, stooping, and bending during the course of the project.

Regardless of whether your cabinets are made of wood or metal, sand them carefully to remove any loose stain or paint.  If the cabinets have a glossy finish, sand all the surfaces you?ll be painting so that your new paint will adhere well.  Then dust off the surfaces or wipe them with a damp cloth.

If any bare wood or metal is exposed ? either due to the sanding or from ordinary wear and tear ? apply a quality latex primer to the entire cabinet.  Be sure to use a corrosion-resistant primer if your cabinets are metal.

When the primer dries, paint the cabinets with a durable, top quality 100% acrylic latex paint, preferably in a gloss or semi-gloss finish.  Paints with higher gloss are more stain-resistant and are easier to clean, important considerations in kitchens and bathrooms.

If your cabinets are subject to excessive wear and tear, consider using a high quality latex gloss enamel rather than paint.  It produces an even harder, tougher, more stain-resistant finish.

No matter which top quality coating you use, you?re bound to be pleased with the results of your painting project.  And, if you ever want to change the color again, you?ll know just what to do!

Tagged as: affordable painting, bathroom remodeling, interior painting ideas, kitchen remodeling, painting projects

If you?re the type of person who hates clutter, you might be tempted to dispose of the leftover paint from your latest project. But if you?re wise, you?ll resist the temptation.

Experienced do-it-yourselfers and professional painters know that there?s always a need for some leftover paint, even if it?s just to touch up a spot here or there. Every room suffers wear and tear, whether caused by the kids, the pet, or a careless act that bangs up a wall. When the inevitable occurs, having the touch-up paint in your garage will save you a trip to the paint store, and spare you the expense of buying more paint.

But touchups aren?t the only reason to hold onto leftover paint.

For one thing, it?s not at all unusual to notice an area you failed to paint ? days, months, or even years later. It might be a spot near the edge of a door, behind an appliance, or somewhere else. But we all miss spots, and it?s nice to have the leftover paint nearby for a five-minute fix-up.

Down the line, you might also decide that your special color of paint would look good on an item of furniture in the room. Repeating a wall or trim color on your furnishings or accent pieces is a proven way to pull together a room?s décor.

Of course, even if you hold onto your leftover paint, you might still run out of it at some point in time. To make repurchasing easier, think ahead. Even before you open the can, jot down on a strip of masking tape the brand, manufacturer?s code, color, gloss level, and type of paint (latex or oil-based) you are using. Set it aside. Then place the tape on the side of the can after you finish painting, since paint drippings will likely have concealed a lot of the information on the label.

So, resist the urge to dispose of your leftover paint. A day will come when you?ll be glad that you did!

Tagged as: affordable painting, painting supplies

If you think all the important hues appear on the color wheel, you?d be wrong. Black, which technically doesn?t qualify as a color, is one of the most important parts of the home decorating palette. That?s true for both exterior and interior painting, as well as home décor.

Black has been used effectively on home exteriors for centuries. If you want to peer into the past, visit colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, where black shutters, doors, trim, and wrought iron are commonplace, especially in combination with bright white paint. The look is timeless. As proof, homes all across America still employ the basic black-and-white color scheme. It?s crisp, clean, and classic.

But black needn?t always be paired with white. Its inherent high contrast is a handsome complement to many other siding colors, including almost any light tint or pastel, as well as mid- or even dark tones of barn red, brown, taupe, blue, and a variety of greens.

Not as well recognized are the ways that black paint can be used inside the home. But that?s the fun in using black ? it?s unexpected.

While it?s unlikely anyone would want to paint an entire wall in black paint, what about painting part of a wall? Using black paint below the chair rail in a formal dining room, for example, gives the impression that the wall is expensive painted wainscoting. The effect can be striking.

Another idea that can be employed in country homes, cottages, cabins, and even some contemporary residences is to paint the baseboards black. This technique was originally used in colonial homes, but it offers today?s homeowner a distinctly modern advantage: concealing the scuff marks that inevitably appear on baseboards from too much contact with the vacuum cleaner!

Beyond painting the walls or baseboards, almost any room benefits from dramatic splashes of black. To incorporate these highlights into a color scheme, think about painting a favorite furniture item black, then add a couple of black accents ? picture frames, porcelain, or pillows, for example. Done tastefully and with restraint, the bold notes of contrast will make a room look sleek and stylish.

Tagged as: choosing paint colors, color schemes, exterior paint colors, interior paint colors

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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 rulebook 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!

Tagged as: bedroom paint colors, choosing paint colors, interior, interior paint colors, interior painting ideas, painting projects, room color ideas

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!

Tagged as: affordable painting, choosing paint colors, color schemes, interior painting ideas

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?Out with the old, in with the new.?  For many of us, that?s the default setting when we think about remodeling a room.  But in these lean economic times, a better motto might be ?Repaint, rather than replace.?  Following that script would put less stress on both our bank accounts and our environment.

So much of what we discard is still perfectly serviceable.  It may even be mint condition.  Often, we?ve simply grown tired of its look.  Yet a fresh coat of paint can quickly revive our love affair with things we once treasured enough to purchase.

Cabinetry is perhaps the best example.  Kitchens and baths are some of the most commonly remodeled rooms, and contractors are all too happy to tear out what?s there (remember, they?re scrambling to earn a living, too).

But cabinets can be painted in a rainbow of colors and finishes to give them almost any look you desire ? from bright and contemporary to faux antique using one of many ?distressing? techniques (most paint retailers carry kits to simplify the job).  When your painting is done, switch out the knobs or handles, and your cabinet makeover will be complete!

Furniture is another prime candidate for reviving with paint.  On certain trash days in many neighborhoods, fine old tables, headboards, picture frames, chairs, and countless other items sit curbside waiting to be rescued at sunrise by antique dealers and savvy second-handers scanning the streets in SUVs and pickup trucks.  Why not take a page out of their book?  Spend a little time painting these items to give them new life.

Interior designers know that a piece or two of painted furniture can add character to a room, and will often help pull together a color scheme.  If your only objection to an item is some marks, stains, or the type of wood it?s made from, try painting it.  You might relish saving an old ?friend?, and you?ll be saving money in the process.

Sometimes, it?s surprising what you can revive with paint.  A friend is painting a ceiling fan to match his new décor, something few people would think of.  But it works.  And it?s an easy way to save $500 to $700 or more for a replacement fan.

If your bank account is low, but you?re high on remodeling, consider a new default setting that focuses on paint.  Virtually any interior painting project can be completed for under $100, and often, far less.  Be smart and resourceful when remodeling:  Do it with paint!

Tagged as: affordable painting, bathroom remodeling, environmental, home remodeling, interior, interior painting ideas, interior painting tips, kitchen paint colors, kitchen remodeling, painting projects, repainting furniture