Category Archives: Creative

Interior painting extends well beyond putting one color on top of another. There are many ways you can paint to give a wall or surface texture or other types of faux finishes. Let’s consider the options in this article.

Faux (French for imitation or artificial) painting is not new. However, it has become a popular trend in interior design recently. Faux paints are fun, interesting and beautify your home in a way that makes it unique. Faux finishes may be smooth or textured. They can give your walls a chalky or grainy look or be smooth as silk with a satin sheen. You might like one of the following:

• Marbling faux finishing is a luxurious look and can be done in a variety of colors. It usually has a basic understated background but then reveals veins of white or a complementary color with perhaps some cloudiness. You should limit yourself to three or four colors. Start by applying a ‘middle shade’ according to the color palette you have chosen. This would be the base coat. Then using a variety of tools, layer on the other colors with sponges and blot. Take your time! Marbling is a true work of art.

• Variations on marbling include fantasy marble using resins and metallics and applying one atop the other all while wet or reverse marbling, which is a dark stone-like color with veins of white or something light.

• Silk faux finishing is another opulent look. Start by choosing a base color then find the metallic glaze to complement the tint. Be sure to set aside three days to complete the task and have all your materials ready in advance. Then start by painting two coats of the base color and letting it dry completely each time. Then mix the paint and glaze together with a ratio of 2 to 1 – mixing thoroughly. Finally, add the color one stripe at a time and then use a wallpaper brush to spread the color. Take your time to ensure you get the best results.

Specialty painting of interior home walls makes your home one-of-a-kind. Before you begin, we suggest you speak to an expert in interior painting. The professionals at University Painters, Inc. are available to do an interior inspection and quote at your convenience.

One of the most exciting parts of customizing your home is choosing the paint color. It reflects your personality, and contributes to the overall atmosphere you’d like to evoke. In fact, paint colors can have a significant impact on your mood. How so? Colors have an emotional value. Some contribute to a serene, calm ambience, while others create a more energetic environment.

For example, blue is widely considered a very relaxing color, which is what makes it such an excellent choice for bedrooms and bathrooms. On the other hand, red makes a bold first impression. It pumps adrenaline and stimulates a lively social climate, which can make it ideal for living rooms and other places where you might mingle with guests. Yellow is joyful and uplifting, and it often creates a positive aura in certain spaces, such as bathrooms and kitchens. In smaller areas, it can brighten things up and add a welcoming touch.

Of course, neutral colors are among the most popular choices, and understandably so. Their versatility and timeless quality makes them an excellent backdrop for most spaces. If you’re aiming for a calmer theme, go for less color. For more intensity, add color. Another thing to consider is the effect that can be achieved with both deep and light shades. Lighter colors open up a room and give the illusion of a larger space, while darker colors contribute to the warmth and coziness of a room.

Important factors to think about are the size of the room, the primary purpose of the space, and the overall décor scheme you’re going for. The experts at University Painters will work with your color preferences to help you make your house a home. Visit our website at www.universitypainters.com, or give us a call at 1-800-390-4848.

After you have a few painting projects under your belt, you probably have more partially-filled leftover paint cans than you know what to do with. The painting professionals at University Painters are familiar with this common dilemma.

Of course, it’s a good idea to hang on to a little bit of extra paint for each of the colors in your home. Few interior walls remain unscathed for long, so there’s a good chance they’ll need periodic touch ups to keep them looking their best.

Sometimes, you’ll find mystery cans you can’t even identify and know you’ll never need, but just can’t bring yourself to throw away. If you’re feeling creative, the following do-it-yourself projects are a fun and guilt-free way to use leftover paint instead of letting them clutter up your basement or garage.

1) Paint a canvas! If you’re not satisfed with your creation, you can always repaint your canvas with primer and try again on a blank slate.
2) Paint an old piece of furniture that needs saving from the landfill. These are everywhere, from thrift stores to your neighbor’s curb.
3) Use a stencil to paint a design on a wall or on a piece of furniture.
4) Find some unused metal or wooden picture frames and paint them to match your decor.
5) Paint an accent wall. A small amount of paint can go a long way in adding a pop of color to your home.
6) Give the inside of a cabinet or the back of a bookshelf some pizzazz by painting it a bright color.
7) Paint your switch plates in a whimsical pattern.
8) Paint clay garden pots and group them together to add a splash of color to your yard, even in the winter.

With a little imagination, you can transform everyday items into unique works of art. Be sure to visit University Painters’ website at www.universitypainters.com for the latest in painting tips and advice.

This country is blessed with a large helping of ‘good old American know-how’. We are inclined to take on projects and do them ourselves. It is the heart of the DIY movement and it has taken the nation by storm. While that is all well and good, we would like to offer you a list of ‘don’ts’ to ensure you are pleased with the outcome of the time and effort you have put into your paint job.

1. DON’T start painting before you have done your due diligence and completed all of the preparations that will ensure the paint job goes smoothly, otherwise you will get to the end of the work, step back and say to yourself ‘what happened?’. Prep work includes cleaning the surfaces you intend to paint, inside or out. If you don’t then you will be painting over dirt, grime and other particles that will now be a permanent part of your newly painted home or business. Prep work also includes fixing surface imperfections and covering items you do not want exposed to paint.
2. DON’T skimp on tools and materials. The old adage – you get what you pay for – could never be truer than when you are painting. Take the time to explore home stores to identify items that will make the job easier, more efficient and more successful. For example, did you know that you can purchase ‘roller liners’ that will make cleaning up after painting an almost effortless job? There are dozens of little knick-knacks that will ensure the painter doesn’t end up frustrated!
3. DON’T forget to prime. Whether you are painting a new surface such as drywall or one that has been painted before, a primer helps the true color of the paint you have selected to show through while ensuring durability.
4. DON’T continually dunk your brush or roller in the paint. It actually makes the painting tool too heavy and can lead to uneven painting strokes.
5. DON’T choose the wrong paint! Don’t buy indoor paint for an outdoor job just because the price is cheaper.
   
6. And DON’T forget to call University Painters, Inc. for all your painting needs at home or at your place of business.

Most people love the look of a freshly painted interior or exterior residence or commercial property. But, there are certain areas they may overlook, thinking no one will notice or care. One great example is the garage floor. When you pull into your garage tonight give your garage floor an honest, critical look and think about whether it would look better if it were ‘finished’. Garage floors are concrete, and this is a difficult substance to work with when trying to make it look ‘noteworthy’. If you are attempting to create a ‘clean’ and organized garage presentation, then adding a finish to the floor may do the trick.

Two great choices for covering the garage floor are paint or epoxy. Epoxy is a durable glue that bonds exceptionally well. If you opt to use a 100% epoxy glue it results in a hard surface that will be resistant to oil and grease stains, chemical spills, abrasions and other issues.

There is also an ‘epoxy paint’. This is a latex acrylic product that has a small amount of epoxy mixed in. An epoxy paint will adhere to the floor better than other forms of paint because it has that mixture of adhesive included. With either product it is a good idea to paint a sample on a small part of the garage floor and let it sit for a few days. Then take some time to reflect on which you like better. If you can find homes in the area that are willing to show off their garage floors it might also be helpful to see the finished product in real life.

Things to know as you make a decision include the fact that paint is easier to apply than epoxy, the garage floor should be power washed in advance and left to dry completely, and an epoxy finish will last longer and wear better and give a more professional finished look. However, applying an epoxy is much more labor-intensive and expensive.

If you are looking for painting advice or support contact the professionals at University Painters, Inc. We’ve got you covered!