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Exterior Painting, Carpentry ,Deck Staining
Written by Josh Jablon

5 Ways To Add Color To Your Landscape

Colors that can make your boring outdoor space look extraordinary can come from many sources. Here are some simple ways you can add beautiful hues outside:

Grow Flowering Plants In Containers

A very easy way of adding color to the outdoors is to incorporate flowering plants in containers. The miniature gardens that you make can be easily moved. Hanging flower baskets can also add color outdoors.

Bring In Colorful Pots

You can create a more colorful garden by using plant containers in shades of magenta, blue, orange, purple and red. Pots offer you an opportunity to bring in striking color variations to your outdoor space. You can pair colorful containers with plants that are prized for their foliage such as succulents, hostas and herbs. Using colorful containers can also incorporate colors to shady areas where flowers do not usually grow.

Use Colorful Outdoor Furniture

Tables and sitting areas often serve as the focal point in the landscape, making them an ideal place to add color. One way to do this inexpensively is to trade in the tan and brown cushions for ones with eye-catching colors. You may also consider adding colorful pillows to your seat cushions.

Use Garden Art

Outdoor decors such as mosaic art, colorful stepping stones and Talavera pottery can handle weather extremes outside of your home while adding interest to your landscape. A mural can also brighten up a bare outdoor wall. You may also want to add some decorative tiles. Tiles come in different colors and designs so they make a great material for adding color to outdoor structures such as kitchen countertops, stairs and water features.

Paint A Wall With An Eye-Catching Color

Painting a wall is a fun way of infusing rich hues into your landscape. Some homeowners’ associations may not allow brightly colored walls on building exteriors but you can opt for painting parts of the landscape that are not visible from the road.

When selecting a paint color, go for one that complements the surrounding area, which includes the plants and the outdoor furniture. You can use a color wheel if you need help deciding between a complementary or analogous color.

An experienced painting service contractor can give your wall a new color with a smooth finish, as well as provide you with inputs when it comes to choosing the right hues for your landscape. University Painters will be happy to provide you with professional painting services. Contact us today to get a free estimate.

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.

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Written by Josh Jablon

Interior Decorating Done Right: Tips to Freshen Up an Old Look

Decorating an older home to give it a more modern appeal doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, there are plenty of ways you can freshen up an old look by using a few simple interior decorating tricks. Here are some tips to help you add a modern and fresh feel to your older home.

Neutral Walls

Paint walls in a neutral tone, such as beige or light gray. Neutral wall colors make a room feel fresh and can create the visual effect of being larger. Besides, if you stick to neutrals you can change your accessories quickly and easily to create the style you want to achieve.

Declutter

If you visit some grandmothers you’ll soon notice their older-style homes are filled with clutter. There are ornaments on shelves, vases on tables and benches, pictures hanging on every available wall space, and various pieces of unnecessary furniture in living rooms. Giving your older home a modern appeal could be as simple as removing any clutter from rooms to help avoid them looking as though your grandmother still lives there. Think about adding one or two poignant ornaments or a bold piece of art on one wall to create a statement instead. Make a focal point rather than filling the space completely.

Natural Light

Lots of older homes are notorious for having heavy, dark-colored drapes over the windows. Aside from being outdated, those drapes can make a room appear smaller and reduce the amount of natural light entering the space. Replace outdated drapes with lighter colored window coverings. If you want to stick with drapes, choose a lighter color that won’t fade quickly, but can still be drawn back to let light in without making the room seem small.

Update Outdated Fixtures

The fixtures and fittings in your home can be a tell-tale sign of age, so it pays to think about updating them. Dated light fittings and discolored light switch plates can drag down your efforts to refresh the home, so replace them with modern alternatives that match your décor whenever possible.

Choose the Right Shelving

Displaying some of your favorite decorations or ornaments on shelves can be a great way to add character to an older home. However, solid shelving units created from dark timber can make everything seem dated. Consider replacing those dark shelves with airy display units instead. Choose shelving with an open back or perhaps even glass shelving to increase the sense of space in the room and add a gallery-style charm that is ideal for older homes.

Fresh is Best

Some older homes can have a musty or stale odor that can make them feel more dated than they really are. For some, a myriad of problems could contribute to the odor. Others may simply be suffering from lack of airflow or ingrained odors in carpets or rugs. Add a few drops of essential oil to some baking soda and sprinkle the mixture lightly onto carpets or rugs to eliminate bad odors. A combination of baking soda, water, and a couple of drops of essential oils or doTERRA products in a spray bottle can also help cleanse bathrooms and leave a fresh aroma behind.

There are plenty of simple ways to update an older home. Be objective about the house and its current condition. Then make your decorating plans accordingly and you’ll find it much easier to achieve your goals.

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