I had the pleasure of doing a lot of painting over the past few days. Yes, that is correct, I really did say pleasure. Given my passion for painting this should come as no surprise. However this painting session was extra special for one simple reason…
At Seven’s we help people all the time with tips and tricks to make painting easier. Here is a list of things we recommend “not” to do when undertaking a painting project…
Pinebrook Green 490
Need a little color in your life? Check out these inspirational rooms painted with Benjamin Moore paints…
Finding ways to make your kids rooms interesting and functional is not always easy. It is especially difficult when you have pre teens at home who would like nothing better than to paint everything black.
If you have a fan in your home (like I do, Madison you know who you are) here are some decorating ideas for you.
Every year as a designer, I wait with eager anticipation for Benjamin Moore’s Color Pulse–color forecast. I love knowing what colors and design elements will be popular over the next year. The color professionals at Benjamin Moore spend a lot of time and effort pulling together the elements of their forecast and it is always so interesting to watch for their predictions to become reality. Traveling to all areas of the world, they pay very close attention to the social, cultural and economic influences in those areas and in ours. This spring and throughout the year 2011, their color predictions are based on 4 main themes, that of Farm, Order, Escape and Tribe.
I am going to let you in on a little secret. Shh! Okay here goes…
I am a self proclaimed paint addict but I won’t be appearing on that new ‘Strange Addictions’ show anytime soon (it seems they don’t want people who don’t eat what they’re addicted to).
Anyway, I do love painting but don’t love the idea of having to apply 4 coats to get the walls covered. Somewhere around coat number 3 I start getting a little testy. I don’t love paint that is so sticky you can’t roll it. I despise paint that splatters everything in somewhat close proximity to the roller. I can’t stand paint that looks like plastic. And I really detest any paint that makes my painting job more difficult! So, it is totally worth it to me to spend the extra money and get a great product which translates into a much better painting experience.
How much extra $$? Not as much as you would think.
Did you know premium paint only costs about 15 cents per square foot?
courtesy of flickr creative commons
It can be a challenge to know what to do with a foyer. Stairways, railings and high ceilings make them very difficult to contend with. Most people will hire a professional painting contractor to do the work which makes the pressure to find a great color even more important.
I have always felt a foyer or entry should give a welcoming feel and set the stage for the rest of the home. No matter what your style there is a wall color that will work for you…
What paint colors are popular here in West Michigan? I have been keeping a list of the colors my customers fall in love with and wanted to share them with you–just in case you’re curious about what color might be in your neighbor’s living room!! (The color swatches shown in this post will look much better in person so be sure to stop by Seven’s to check them out)
When many of us were growing up did we ever think we would be parents — let alone parents of pre – teens? Yikes! I know I never pictured it for myself that’s for sure.
My mother’s words have often come back to haunt me, “You just wait! Someday your kids will act the same way.”
Some days life is like a field full of land mines. You never know what you may say that will send off the fireworks. It is great for everyone if the pre-teen in the family has a neutral corner or bedroom to retreat to.
I remember enjoying the Chronicles of Narnia when I was younger and I think it is great how those books have stood the test of time. My own kids have read them and loved the cinematic interpretations too.
If your pre-teen is like mine, why not give them a room that reflects their interests (fleeting as they may be) ?
A few posts back I was going over some options for my dining room. I couldn’t decide between wallpaper or just paint or using Metallic Plaster. After much deliberation I finally made up my mind.
Ta Da!! Metallic Plaster!
Color of the Year 2011
WOW! This color fantastic!! Rich and luscious yet soft and velvety Vintage Wine could be used in any space!
Even these wine bottle corks are the color of the year!
What a great gift!
Twelve days of painting? Are you kidding me?
Just to put your mind at ease, your painting project should not take 12 days.
Mine however is a different story. Instead of the usual holiday song, I made up my own version sung to the tune of, you guessed it …
Have someone who loves to do home improvement projects? Have a new homeowner on your gift list? Put Seven’s on your list of places to Christmas shop this season.
We sell empty paint cans which make great gift baskets! Place your gifts inside the can, add a couple pieces of tissue paper and Viola’, a personalized gift with it’s own easy to carry handle!
With so many paint + primer products out there these days how do you know which one is the best? Is it really true that you can skip the primer? Do they really work?
First, here is a little information on both. Primers typically have better adhesive properties and are made to bind and seal the surface you are getting ready to paint. Paints have more solids and are made to go on more thickly and give you color and better performance.
I don’t know about you but this time change has been really hard to take this year. I don’t know if it was because of the great summer and fall we had but I am really feeling it. I suppose I could consider moving closer to the Equator but in spite of my complaining, I still love Michigan. (Plus I hear the bugs are REALLY big in South America. Eww.)
I guess I may be here a while. So to compensate for the absence of light in the late afternoons I have been thinking about using some more uplifting color choices in my home.
When I first started at Seven’s I really had not done any real painting. Decorative painting or faux finishing did not require me to be skilled in the areas of cutting in or rolling. Yes, you have to roll glaze on some areas but you don’t have to be fussy because you are usually manipulating the wet glaze with some sort of tool so roller marks are not an issue. You can use masking tape to help with edging to get your tool in close enough to the ceilings and trim work.
So I happily went along without really knowing what it takes to paint. Until I had to paint the first room in my first house. The nursery.
I’m pretty sure in a recent blog post I was complaining about the heat. Hmmm…what a change! As usual in Michigan you blink and the temperature drops 30 degrees!
I went on a paint color search for hues that help give a feeling of warmth and comfort with names that made me feel toasty.
It’s almost Halloween!
I know in my last post I was a bit frantic about getting my touch up done before the holidays. Well, the cleaning and touch- up program at my house has stalled. Well, it never really got going–mostly due to lack of participation (okay, due to absolutely no participation) and the emergency costume making session last weekend.
“It’s time.” I stated to my husband last evening.
“It’s time for what?” he asked, half paying attention to me (perhaps in the hopes that I would just go away). Oh no, my friend. You would be mistaken.
“It’s October,” I replied, hoping those words would be enough of a reminder of what is to come.
Insert his extremely dramatic sigh here: _______ !!
BRRR! Well, that didn’t take long. Was it really just a couple of weeks ago I was complaining about the heat? Yes, yes it was. I’m just never happy!
Instead of counting the goosebumps on my arms, I figured I should get a list together of all the things I have to get done before the snow flies. Thankfully the cooler weather is a sufficient motivator for me to tackle a few things–that and the warmth I will generate by getting up, moving around and working around the exterior of my house.
