All it takes is one gust of crisp air to get Canadians into an autumn state of mind, especially when it comes to updating the home for the cooler weather. It doesn't take much to transform your home for the season, and one of the easiest ways to do so is with a fresh coat of paint.
Whether you're a new homeowner looking to personalize your space, or a décor enthusiast hoping to inject some colour into your home, there's no need to fear the do-it-yourself approach when it comes to paint. Sharon Grech, the Benjamin Moore colour and design expert, outlines her favourite tips on completing the DIY paint job with ease:
-- Protection: Move any items you don't want paint on out of the way and cover them and the floor with drop cloths. You'll be happy you did this once you've completed the job! No matter how careful you think you'll be, you're bound to get paint where it doesn't belong. I know this from experience so prepare ahead of time.
-- Prep work: Prep the walls by sanding rough patches, then use a slightly dampened sponge to wipe away the dust for a smooth surface.
-- Tape it Up: Make like the pros and heat-seal the tape's edge with friction. Run a smooth tool like your finger or a paint stick along the edge. Heating it up helps to form a stronger bond on the wall and prevents paint seepage.
-- No muss, no fuss: Cleaning isn't particularly fun, especially after a day of painting. For easy cleanup, wrap your paint tray with aluminum foil or a plastic grocery bag. When you're done painting, just wrap up the foil and toss it, for a perfectly clean tray. I use this technique all of the time and it saves a lot of effort at the end of a hard day of painting. You can roll up your wet paint roller and brushes in the foil or grocery bag to keep it supple for use another day. Tip: Try to use grocery bags that don't have printing on them as the ink can come off onto the roller and/or paintbrush.
-- Drips happen: If a stray drop of paint ends up where it shouldn't, keep a damp cloth on hand to wipe it up right away.
-- Work Wet: Paint the edges of the wall first, but only in small sections. Wet paint should always go on wet paint. Don't let an area dry around the edges before you can paint the middle, or you'll see the different layers once the paint job is done.
-- The power of the W: Make long, tall W's with your roller, then go back over them to fill in without picking up the roller. This ensures the paint is spread evenly for a better finish.
-- Clean 'em up: When you're finished the job, clean your brushes right away in hot, soapy water or wrap them as mentioned above if they will be used another day. If they are especially messy, soaking them in hot vinegar for half an hour first should do the trick.
-- Seal the paint can tightly to ensure the product will remain stable for future use. Wipe off edge drips before you seal the can.
-- Let paint dry thoroughly before pushing furniture up against the walls. To keep the paint job looking good, keep furniture a few inches away from the walls so it doesn't rub against the wall.
With these tips, it's easy to achieve colourful impact in the home without sacrificing quality. Visit BenjaminMoore.ca for more tips, colour advice and information.
Choosing colour is easier than ever
PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) has announced the PPG Pitsburgh PaintsÆ brand has launched the PPG colour work station, a first-of-its-kind interactive in-store paint palette display with an integrated 42-inch digital touchscreen. The workstation is available at PPG Pittsburgh Paints dealers across Canada.
Picture walking into a paint store, choosing a paint chip on a large computer monitor and using your fingers to virtually paint colour onto walls in room settings of your choice. Or imagine choosing a colour from the display of paint chips on the store wall, scanning the chip into a computer and trying out the colour on-screen in different living spaces.
Then envision the computer recommending different colour schemes based on your choices so you can create looks best-suited to your decor, and then -- beginning later this fall -- allowing you to send your top colour picks to your personal email address for later viewing or to friends and family for input.
Another key feature of the colour work station is the wide range of colour tip videos accessible with a tap of the screen.
"From finding colour inspiration to best uses of paint chips and everything in between, the one- to two-minute videos aim to arm consumers with the information needed to confidently make informed colour choices for their projects," Schlotter said.
She offered these tips on choosing colours for more challenging spaces, as featured in the touchscreen videos:
-- Small spaces: Make a small space appear bigger by using one colour throughout the room. Even trim can be de-emphasized by painting it the same colour as the rest of the space. This technique fades defining lines and makes the room feel more spacious, while bringing an element of warmth to the area.
-- Long hallways: If you have a long hallway, eliminate the tunnel effect by painting the two parallel walls different colours. To make the hall appear wider, select a light or mid-tone colour for one wall and then choose a second hue two spaces down on the same paint colour strip. To provide direction and add interest, paint the wall at the end of the hall a standout colour.
-- Cluttered areas: Colour can collect clutter or showcase your favourite collectibles. If you have bookcases in the family room or glass-faced cabinets in the kitchen, for example, consider painting the space behind the shelves a bold tone. Even if the shelves aren't neat, colour can capture the eye and distract from the clutter. Similarly, if you have treasured items to showcase, colour will make them stand out and be noticed.
-- Ceilings: Contrary to common practice, ceilings don't have to be painted bright white. White ceilings can be distracting if there's no other white in the room. If your walls are soft beige, try creamy white for the ceiling. Or, to add drama to the room or highlight a great lighting fixture, consider using a matte chocolate brown or black paint overhead.
To learn more or locate your local PPG Pittsburgh Paints retailer, visit www.ppgvoiceofcolour.com.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
