July 30th, 2009 in Painting
Wood stairs need to be spruced up from time to time. Do it yourself in two days or less. A fresh coat of paint works wonders, or if you're feeling crafty, overhaul the stairs with new stenciling or even paint a decorative stair runner. For perfect results, try using a few of my time-honored super secret painting tips.
Photo Credit: House of Turquoise
Back-to-basics
Most interior designers recommend using two coats of paint and 2-3 coats of sealant to protect the stairs from dings and dents. Colors & styles depend on individual taste and the room you want to accent. Stair risers can be painted white to offset natural pine tread, or you can be bold and go with coffee brown.
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April 2nd, 2009 in Painting
Are you looking for originality when it comes to a room change? Well this type of alteration is just a mouse click away. Wallpaper murals are growing in popularity and come in a variety sizes. These products are specially designed for any room of the house or office.
How would you like to be transported to a dream destination for less than $100 dollars? How about a spectacular location like Cyprus Point at Pebble Beach, or perhaps a walk through the coconut palms of Bora-Bora?
Wallpaper murals can also transform a child’s room. Show them the universe. Yes, I mean the actual galaxy: the sun and planets. Buying a wallpaper mural is certainly a great option and chances are you can pick up some pretty cool savings by ordering online. But how about creating your own spectacular wallpaper mural? How exactly can you do that?
The first step is to find a company that will take a personal photo, family photo, or art work and transfer the image into wallpaper form.
Next is preparation. The key to hanging wallpaper is having a smooth surface to apply it onto. Sand down any bumps of paint, fill in cracks and nail holes with compound. You’ll want to prime and paint the wall to achieve a clean smooth look.
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March 31st, 2009 in Painting
Kitchens, bathrooms, children’s rooms – these are the places where the need to occasionally scrub the painted walls and surfaces is most likely. You’ve probably noticed that after umpteen rub-downs with cleaners and sponges, the paint starts to look streaky and worn, and the color is probably looking drabber in those scrubbed areas, too.
Paint manufacturers have developed some durable, scrubbable paints that will stand up to cleaning and still look as good and color-rich as when they were applied. If you’re in the market for paint and need one that will hold its own when scrubbed, here are some options to consider:
Glidden
Glidden has a series of interior latex paint types. Their semi-gloss is a wall and trim paint specially formulated to resist moisture. Its tough but smooth finish provides outstanding resistance against stains, chipping, scuffing, and abrasion. This product will stand up to repeated washings and scrubbings. It is an excellent finish for high-traffic areas and comes with a 25-year limited warranty.
Krylon
Giving appliances a new look can be easily achieved with a fresh coat of paint. Often, an appliance will be perfectly serviceable, but look shabby after years and years of cleaning. For second and vacation homes, repainting appliances is a viable solution that saves you money and still gives your kitchen an instant update. Kylon’s epoxy paints for appliances are durable, scrubbable, and withstand household cleaners, grease, and grime.
Valspar
Valspar’s paints are available at Lowe’s, as well as many other retailers. Their Signature Colors Paint is described as their best interior paint, available in the finest designer colors. It is made with an innovative paint technology that promises “ultimate scrubbability,” and delivers superior color definition, easy one-coat application and superior durability.
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March 16th, 2009 in Painting
One of the reasons that wallpaper is becoming more popular again is its increased washability factor. Some decades ago, wallpapers were largely replaced by wallcoverings made of fabrics such as linen or grasscloth, which were bonded to a backing. These wallcoverings are more durable and easier to hang than traditional wallpapers, but their expense as well as the fact that they are usually not washable makes them inefficient choices for many settings.
According to USA Wallpaper, source of thousands of wallpaper styles and dozens of brands, “Almost all wallpapers made today are vinyl coated. This means that the wallpaper is made of a paper substrate and then treated, or coated, with a vinyl or acrylic type vinyl. These wallpapers are classified as scrubbable and strippable and are suitable for most areas.”
Dwell recently posted an article by Laure Joliet about a new line of washable wallpapers for kids. She writes, “Living with kids and living in style can often feel like a catch-22. If it isn't the clutter of all the stuff that seems to tag along with them, then it's the messes that inevitably get made when no one is looking. For walls that seem to attract fingerprints, markers, and food, glossy washable paint has been the best bet, but who wants glossy paint everywhere? Ferm Living's new washable wallpaper may solve the dilemma.”
Ferm Living, based in Denmark, features an extensive line of washable wallpapers called WallSmart. In addition to designs created for children’s rooms, there are many choices for other settings. For lovers of modern and/or Scandinavian design, this source for washable wallpapers is definitely one to explore.
An article about wallpapers on ineed2know.org indicates that “Durable wallpaper that is vinyl or vinyl coated is best for bathrooms and high traffic kitchens. This is because of the scrubbable feature of these papers.”
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March 10th, 2009 in Painting
Acoustic popcorn ceilings feel outdated, and in some cases, they even contain asbestos. Rolly Rodriquez of Sunset Professional Painting says houses that are 15 to 20 years old usually don’t contain the toxin. However, if your home was built 30 or 40 years ago, as are many of the homes in Hayward, Oakland, and San Francisco, asbestos could be an issue. Asbestos can permeate the dust in the air during remodeling, so be sure to hire a professional when it comes time to upgrade.
Rolly says even his clients in newer Contra Costa County homes who don’t have to worry about asbestos want the feel of a brand new home – without the popcorn look. During this task, Rolly and his crew will make sure:
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