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Written by Josh Jablon

Give it a Paint-Over! Using Paint to Give Common Objects New Life

Are you looking for a new crafting project? Are you on a budget and you don’t want to spend a lot of money? Are you tired of worn old objects in your home dampening your vibe?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then read on to learn about five common object that you may already have in your home. With a fresh coat of paint, these objects will take on new purpose in your home and will give it that fresh, creative lift you’ve been looking for — all on a budget!

Tip #1: Spray Paint a Coffee Cup Stand

Remember those old wooden coffee cup stands with pegs for hanging the handles of coffee cups? Your grandmother probably still has one in her kitchen, and if you don’t have one nearby, you’ll likely be able to spot one in your local thrift store.

You can give your wooden coffee cup stand new life with a little spray paint — and an entirely new role as a jewelry stand. Simply choose your paint color, spray the stand until it is fully covered, let it dry, and place it in a cool, dark place for at least a month so that it can cure. The last step is especially important. You don’t want to hang anything on the pegs until the paint has cured because the paint could peel off onto whatever you hang on it.

From there, use your newly-painted coffee cup stand as a jewelry organizer. It’s perfect for hanging necklaces, bracelets, and even rings. Set it up on a counter in your bathroom, on your vanity, or atop your bedroom dresser.

Pro tip: Take the pegs out of the coffee mug stand if they budge. That way, you’ll be able to douse the pegs fully with paint and leave no corner of the stand untouched.

Tip #2: Paint Your Candlestick Holders

Remember those old candlesticks you got for your wedding that are now collecting dust in a storage box somewhere? Why not re-energize them with a little paint? This is a fun way to add a pop of color to an otherwise bland kitchen table or fireplace mantle.

There are a variety of ways to add design and flair to your candlesticks. For example, you could spray paint them a bright yellow or hot pink. You also could use painter’s tape to cover the top half of the candlestick holder and spray paint the bottom half. Take off the tape to reveal a modern design that pairs crystal or wood with a pop of streamlined design and color.

Pro tip: This idea is a great one to keep in mind for a rainy day when you need something fun to do indoors.

Tip #3: Spray Paint a Frame

Give new life to an old and tired mirror or picture frame by spray painting the frame. You don’t even have to take the mirror out of the frame. Simply line the edges of the mirror that are touching the frame with painter’s tape. Then, cover the mirror with newspaper and secure flat against the glass surface with more tape. You want to make sure the spray paint does not get underneath the newspaper edges.

From there, spray paint your frame until thoroughly coated. Let dry for 24 hours and then enjoy hanging it in your home. You’ll get instant energy by seeing what looks like a new piece of furniture on your wall!

Pro tip: Make sure the mirror is fully dry before hanging it — especially if it is heavy — as you don’t want to accidentally scratch the new finish.

Tip #4: Paint Lines on a Glass Vase

You probably have several unused florist vases collecting dust under your sink, or stowed away in a closet. They look more or less the same and serve the same purpose, so what use is there in keeping them?
Before you throw them out, consider turning your old vases into a fun, easy craft project. You can give an old glass vase new by using painter’s tape to create clean bands around the width of the vase. Create a design of horizontal or vertical stripes on cylindrical vase. Or you can add a large band that covers the bottom third of the base.

Then, spray paint or use a foam brush to add color to the areas where the glass is still showing. Allow to dry thoroughly before carefully removing the tape and adding your fresh flowers. Voila! A new scene awaits you at the kitchen table or on your bedside table.

Pro tip: If you have a particularly large collection of vases, consider making painted ones to give away with fresh flowers as gifts. These make the perfect gifts for baby showers, birthdays, and other occasions.

Tip #5: Paint Old Appliances

If your old but beloved appliances are dragging down your kitchen’s aesthetic, but you hesitate to shell out for brand new ones, why not give them a new paint job? You can use old wall paint if you like, but appliance paint tends to work best.

First, make sure that the appliance getting a makeover has been unplugged and pulled away from the wall—take it outside if possible. Clean the appliance thoroughly to get rid of all grease, grime, or other residue that might prevent paint from sticking. Then apply the paint in thin, even coats, letting it dry thoroughly between coats. Don’t forget to open the windows and run a fan if you’re doing this indoors; no one likes paint fumes. In the end, you’ll have a brand new look for little cost!

Pro tip: If your kitchen is neutral-colored, paint your appliances in a pop-out color like red or teal to give it a fun new vibe.

Ready to Paint?

If you’ve read all the way to this point, then it’s time to get your craft project started. Start by identifying the everyday objects that can use a refresh, then get to work bringing new life and new beauty into your home. The projects we have suggested make great DIYs, but as you look around, keep in mind that some projects — especially the larger ones — are best left to the pros for best results.

Home Painter ,Interior Painting
Written by Josh Jablon

Color Trends – Sherwin Williams 2017 Color Of The Year

Are you up on the latest color trends? Looking for the new hot paint color for 2017? Look no further. Sherwin Williams 2017 Color of the Year is Poised Taupe – SW 6039.

Touted as the “new” neutral, Poised Taupe brings together a mix of warm and cool tones and is incredibly versatile.

Home Painte,r Interior Painting,Poised Taupe ,Sherwin WilliamsIn Sherwin Williams’ press release, Sue Wadden, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams says, “Poised Taupe celebrates everything people love about cool gray as a neutral, and also brings in the warmth of brown, taking a color to an entirely new level. Not cool or warm, nor gray or brown, Poised Taupe is a weathered, woodsy neutral bringing a sense of coziness and harmony that people are seeking.”

If you are curious how to incorporate this new trend into your home try our Sherwin Williams ColorSnap® Visualizer for the web by clicking here.

 

 

 

Home Painter, Interior, Painting Exterior Painting
Written by Josh Jablon

Important Fall Home Maintenance Tips!

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Your home is one of your greatest investments and it is extremely important to protect it from the upcoming harsh winter conditions! See below for some helpful tips to keep everything in tip top shape!

  • Check the exterior of your homes foundation as well as windows and door frames for cracks that may need to be caulked. You can also check these windows and doors for drafts on the inside. Caulking these areas will help keep the heat inside where it belongs!

  • Remove window and door screens and replace with storm windows and doors.

  • Check the exterior of your home for any areas of paint failure where there may be cracking, peeling or bubbling paint. If not rectified, this paint can further deteriorate over the winter and become more costly to repair!

  • Perform a ground inspection of your roof and if you feel there are any issues be sure to call a professional for further inspection. Also don’t forget to get those gutters cleaned out! With all the leaves falling this may need to be done more than once this season!

  • Is the interior of your home insulated? This can cut back on heating and air conditioning bills greatly!

  • Do you have a wood burning fireplace? Before using it this winter season make sure to have your chimney and flue cleaned by a professional and ensure everything is in proper working order.

  • It’s time to change the direction of your ceiling fans!

  • Change or clean your furnace filter and clean out your humidifier. It will definitely be put to work over the winter!

  • Vacuum out dust from the vents around your house and cold air returns.

  • Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in proper working order.

  • Drain your garden hoses and turn off exterior water sources to prevent pipes from busting.

  • Make sure you have properly stored and covered any deck furniture and lawn equipment to prevent damage.

Thanks to Bob Vila’s Article “Fall Home Maintenance Checklist” for some of these great tips. For a full printable  checklist, click here.

Paint,painters, interior painting
Written by Josh Jablon

Try Paint Colors On First

Have you ever gotten stuck thinking about what color to paint your kitchen?

You like that soft grey in the magazine, but how will look with your couch?

Now you don’t have to worry. With Sherwin Williams Color Visualizer, you can see how the exterior and interior of your home will look with any paint color. You can try on colors before you paint!

One of our favorite features is the ability to feel like a part of the great Fixer Upper show. In an instant either your great room or an inspirational room can be transformed with color in an instant!

In addition to Sherwin Williams Color Visualizer there are other useful apps that we highly suggest too! Check out, Sherwin-Williams Color Snap – This app for the iPhone, Blackberry and Android allows you to take an image of a color and match it to one of the company’s more than thousands paint colors. You can then browse Sherwin-Williams’ entire inventory to create a custom palette that complements your captured color. Detailed information about the palette you create can be saved to a library or shared via Facebook and email.

Benjamin Moore Color Capture – The app from this company favors iPhone and iPad users, but it also makes a version for those with an Android. The iPhone version allows photo matching, sharing and creating of a custom palette using Benjamin Moore paint colors, while the Android app allows only for photo matching and searching of the company’s inventory.

Behr ColorSmart – If you have an iPhone, iPad or Android, you can download this app to find, coordinate, and preview a Behr paint color. It also offers photo matching and the ability to preview colors in different rooms and styles using touch-and-tap technology. You can save colors, room images, and calculations to your account and share via Facebook and twitter.

All three of these apps, naturally, allow you to find a store near you at which you can pick up your new paint colors or seek further help with choosing the right colors for your rooms. All are free and work on both Mac and PC.

In terms of online paint color visualizers for your desktop or laptop, each of these companies offers one. Sherwin-Williams Color Visualizer, Behr Paint Your Place and Benjamin Moore Personal Color Viewer all allow you to upload a photo of the room you plan to paint, then apply different paint colors to the walls with a simple drag and drop action. The Sherwin-Williams and Behr tools require you to download the program, plus install other programs such as Flash and Java, while the Benjamin Moore features can be used both online and through the downloaded program.

If you use any of these apps to dream up your new colors, we would love to see your ideas! Post them on our Facebook Page!

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