Before you decided that you really want that soft yellow color for your entrance foyer be aware that your color choice has environmental impact.
10/28/2008 | Read More
If you’re like many folks you might have trouble visualizing designs and color schemes. Let’s say that you really love the colors in the blanket you brought back from Mexico or a photo you saw in a magazine. But you’re really not sure which colors should be main features or accents or what the “feel” of your finished project will be.
09/23/2008 | Read More
By Debbie Zimmer with permission of The Paint Quality Institute
Look inside your favorite shoes or that newly purchased handbag and take note of the unexpected dash of color and pattern. Fashion designers are adding a bit of color punch in some of the most unlikely places. From pink to purple to citrus green, color sizzle is showing up in the most unlikely spaces.
08/15/2008 | Read More
By Debbie Zimmer with permission of The Paint Quality Institute
Paint is a valuable ally that can help protect and rejuvenate your home’s exterior. The spring or early summer is an opportune time to look for signs of early paint failure. Some paint problems may be caused by using a low quality paint, not preparing the surface properly or painting when it’s too hot or cold.
No matter what the cause, now is the perfect time to check those painted outside areas, identify any potential problems, and make valuable corrections before your minor paint problem becomes a larger issue.
07/15/2008 | Read More
By Debbie Zimmer with permission of The Paint Quality Institute
Crisp blues, bright whites, a dash of red. With summer just around the corner, there is no better way to celebrate summers arrival than to create a sea-faring environment in your living space. Through the simple use of paint hues, a single room or your entire home can become a harbor for family and friends. Incorporate these easy paint ideas and treat your family to a day at the beach without ever leaving the driveway.
06/16/2008 | Read More
By Debbie Zimmer with permission of The Paint Quality Institute
Today’s versatile palettes encompass colors inspired by the earth, sea and sky along with metallics and brights to add “pop” and excitement. And while these colors have steadily gained popularity in recent years, homeowners are taking this trend a step further by extending it to the type of paint they choose. Environmentally friendly low-VOC paints are increasingly becoming popular for a variety of reasons, most notably because they lack odor. These paints are formulated to meet modern indoor air quality standards. Because of this, the room can be put back into use almost immediately after being painted. In addition, since they are not considered hazardous waste, consumers can take pride that they are not harming the environment when disposing of any leftover paints.
04/21/2008 | Read More
By Debbie Zimmer with permission of The Paint Quality Institute
Are you planning to spruce up your home’s exterior this spring? Or, are you considering placing your home on the market? No matter what the reason, a fresh coat of paint can immediately revive the overall appearance of your largest investment, your home.
When it comes to exterior painting, many people choose to repaint using the same colors that already exist on the house. But choosing a new color scheme can be exciting and provide a new and updated look. In addition, refreshing your home with a new paint job is one of the most cost effective projects that adds value and long-lasting charm.
Choosing a new color scheme might seem daunting at first but these suggestions will help you through the color selection process.
04/15/2008 | Read More
By Debbie Zimmer with permission of The Paint Quality Institute
Did you know that paint color can actually alter the dimensions of a room? Well, it can’t literally do that. But it can alter how the dimensions are perceived, which is the next best thing. By taking a cue from fashion, your living space can be viewed as larger or smaller, taller or shorter.
A light-colored paint will make a small room appear bigger, for instance. And darker shades will make a large room seem much more intimate. These types of paint-induced optical illusions can be used with excellent results in almost any space.
03/15/2008 | Read More
By Debbie Zimmer with permission of The Paint Quality Institute
Runways and driveways have long been the inspirational source for home furnishings and decorating color choices. However, consumers’ increasing color confidence and personal style makes any color fashionable for 2008. From glass-like blues, botanical greens, dramatic black and white and whisper soft pink, color directions will drive towards individual self-expression, glamorous living experiences or an increasing awareness of important environmental causes.
02/12/2008 | Read More
With permission of Master Painters Institute in Vancouver Canada
There are many books in circulation that try to explain how to paint to a wide range of people. There's a wealth of information on tools, materials and styles but very little is written about 'cutting-in'—the technique for painting into edges, corners, and surface borders.
Proper cutting-in is essential to properly painted trim, windows, frames, base boards, doorframes, or graphic lines. In fact, cutting-in is one way professionals evaluate a tradesperson—how neat and precise the cut-in work is carried out, the size and type of brush used, the production rate, etc. It's unlikely that a painter would be considered a good tradesperson if taping or shielding was required to produce a pleasing finished product.
02/04/2008 | Read More
By Joe Schuster with permission of PWC: Painting & Wallcovering Contractor
Surface preparation, as any painting contractor will tell you, is perhaps the most important part of any job: get it right, and the coating work is easier; get it wrong, and you may have wasted all the time and money it took to get the coating on the surface.
In most cases, how to clean and prepare a surface is a slam dunk decision.
“I’d say that in 90 percent of our jobs, we’re going to end up using a pretty standard method of surface cleaning and prep,” said Matt Terrell of Atlanta-based Goodman Decorating, which marks 80 years of business this year focusing on commercial and industrial work throughout the southeast and eastern seaboard and as far away as areas of the Caribbean. “For most jobs, it’s a matter of sanding and water.”
09/06/2007 | Read More
From quick access to a safety consultant and reimbursement for hazardous waste disposal to a chance to golf with your fellow contractors and an open line of communication with the union - PDF exists to serve St. Louis area union painting, wallcovering and drywall taping contractors.