Interior Design

One of the hottest trends right now is to add color to your home…is that a good thing? When is it something you do? And how much is too much? Color is the “biggest bang for your buck”. It can and does change the entire look and feel of any room. Many people struggling with the question, “Is adding color right for me”? Let’s look at some options and find the reason to make the color jump, or not.

So is it a good thing to add color? I say yes, if you are going to stay in your home for at least one year or more…have a ball add color and enjoy it. But, if you are thinking about moving in the near future beware. It can hurt or kill the sale of your home. Listen to the experts when they tell you to keep color to a minimum, and use neutral colors, do it! Some people dislike painting and if your home is a rainbow of colors many people will say no thanks.

Adding color is something I recommend doing when you want to spend a small amount of money and make a big change. I guarantee color will enhance even the dreariest space. When you do the work yourself you can do most rooms for under $100.00, and create amazing results. Color can and does alter any space. You can create a calm relaxing bedroom, an intense workout room, or a vivid kid’s room.

Everywhere you look you see ads for adding color to your home. I personally love color, I have many colors and hues in my home, but they are very carefully put together. Here is where adding too much color can and often gets the unsuspecting homeowner into trouble…too many colors. Good rule of thumb put similar colors together. The paint manufactures and stores are great, they show colors that work together…use them, they know what they are talking about. Using similar colors in connecting rooms gives your home a united feeling. If you use red and green and purple in three different connecting rooms that will break up your home and it will feel disjointed, and smaller.

Color is great, one of my favorite things; I even like the process of painting, it is like opening a Christmas present, I can’t wait to see it done. Be very careful when and how you use paint. Thinking of moving soon use only neutral colors that anyone can see themselves living in. Use color to make a new and exciting space, and keep in mind the guidance you can get at the paint stores for putting together “good” colors that work well together. Color and how to use it is one of the many areas I have worked with many clients in customizing the right look for their homes.

The subtle design and elegance of French style furniture is the perfect choice if you want to bring out an old world feel for your house. Many home owners want a classy and simple design that speaks by quality rather than decoration. You can choose a different theme or layout for each of the rooms, depending on your preferences. The casual, country feel is in popular demand when it comes to purchasing French style furniture for a new home. The beautifully crafted patterns allow a lot of creativity with colors and shades so you can fill up each room with a different mood for a beautiful collage of emotions.

The main material used in such furniture designs consist of hardwood or different variations of raw wood crafted into various designs. The long deep cuts and free flowing lines are symbolic of French style bedroom furniture, allowing you to build up a relaxed and comforting environment all around. If you are into French home décor, you would notice the lush flower patterns and natural curves that are common to all household items. You can easily get attracted to antique French style furniture because of the deep, brooding textures and color elements.

When it comes to selecting a proper color for your designs, you will be amazed to see the number of beautiful contrasts that country French style furniture can offer to you. Most of the styles are a mix of bright and subtle colors to capture the proper atmosphere. You would see shades of arctic green or bright gold interspersed with more dull colors like greys and blacks. The painted French style furniture makes for a lush and colorful interior without going overboard. If you want an artistic design without complex patterns, this is the best option to try out in your new home.

The brilliant designs and colors complement the sharp and durable texture that is associated with all vintage French style furniture in stores. Many designer shops stock such items on a regular basis so you can always keep a tab on your local stores. If there are any festival or special sale offers, you have the opportunity to get amazing French style furniture discounts for your purchases. In this way, you can decorate your home the way you want while sticking to the recommended budget limits. It is a great opportunity for furniture lovers looking to add a fresh touch to their homes.

In case you are just remodeling your home and don’t want to bear such expenses, you can always go for used French style furniture found at retail and thrift stores. They are available at affordable prices and you can refurnish them the way you want. The traditional carvings found in French style provincial furniture are a sign of rich cultural heritage. If you are a connoisseur of good living, you would enjoy the intricate beauty and richness that French décor has to offer to your home. It fills up a home with its own essence, making it a place worth living in.

Covering Stains, Grease, Graffiti, and Problem Surfaces.

Most folks find out about stains and problem surfaces after it is too late — during, or after they are done, painting. Repeated coats of paint won’t cover properly because the problem areas bleed through the new paint.

Special Problem Areas

Old paint, oil or lead based

Grease, oil, mold, or mildew

Graffiti, ball point ink, permanent markers, paint

Bad plaster, crumbling or water damaged

Old oil and lead base paints often used special pigments that bleed through new latex paints. Light colors might not bleed at all while some darker colors cannot be covered even with several coats of paint. You can test a small area, let it dry for 24 hours, and check for coverage.

To seal the old paint, you need to use a special primer. Normally, it will be an oil base primer especially made to cover oil base paint before painting with latex paint. Be sure to get one designed for this purpose. Be sure to follow the directions for drying time before applying the first coat of paint.

Grease, oil, mold, or mildew should be cleaned with a household clearner first. Next, clean with a solution made for use before painting, such as Soilax. You can purchase it at a paint or hardware store. After the soiled areas are dry, paint them will a special primer designed for hiding these kind of spots.

Porters–Stay-Kill–primer works well. You can prime the entire surface, or just cover up the soiled areas. Be sure to follow the directions for drying time before applying the first coat of paint.

Graffiti, ball point ink, permanent markers, and paint can be covered with a special primer designed for hiding these kinds of spots. Porters Stay-Kill primer works well. You need to cover the soiled areas. Be sure to follow the directions for drying time before applying a second coat of primer or the first coat of paint.

Bad plaster, crumbling or water damaged needs to be cleaned first. Use a scrub brush and water to remove all the loose plaster. If there’s extensive damage, you should repair the damaged plaster, too. Water damage causes some of the chemicals in plaster to bleed through new paint. It’s a good idea to use a primer like Porters Stay-Kill before painting. Be sure to follow the directions for drying time before applying a second coat of primer or the first coat of paint.

Painting tips

Buy good quality paint. Porters are one of the brands that are good, however, other name brands are good, too, and have similar types of primers and paints.

In kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas, use a “latex enamel” paint which is more waterproof and can be cleaned easily.

Allow plenty of drying time for a primer, and between each coat of paint. Getting in a hurry might end up with a poor finish, or require an additional coat of paint.

If you’re trying to get by with just one coat of paint, don’t apply it to heavy. If a second coat is needed, you will have wasted paint.

If you plan to use two coats of paint, don’t put the first coat on too thin. Two even coats will look better and last longer.

Be sure you have plenty of ventilation. If you’re painting your home, plan to does it during warm weather so you can leave the windows open during, and for several days after, painting?