We make choosing the perfect paint color easy!
Paintable Wallpaper
Paintable wallpaper is availbale in a smooth or textured finish. For a fraction of the cost this wallpaper is great for covering damaged walls or old wood paneling. A textured finish is great for adding an extra demension to any room. Available at Sherwin Williams http://www.swdecorating.com/default.asp?fm=/wallpaper_home.asp|
Using Metallic Finishes
To the do-it-yourself painter, metallic finishes can appear gorgeous and daunting at the same time. A metallic paint can make a small room like a powder room into a real work of art or transform a dining room into a glamorous personal statement. It is very important to find a painter who has experience with metallic paints, as they are very tricky to apply correctly to get the desired finish. Using the correct tools is important for a smooth consistency. However, if you are using the metallic paint in a sponge technique over a flat paint, or are creating a stripe or striea, you won’t have to worry about the evenness of the coat. The accessories that are added to the final picture can make or break the space. Accessories that complement metallic paints might include mirrored or crystal accents. Sufficient indirect lighting is necessary to “light up” the metallic qualities of the paint and really show it off. However, not all accessories should be metallic: this would be overkill and the “wow” factor of the paint would be minimized.
Using Triade Colors
The triade is made by three colors evenly distributed on the thirds of the color wheel (by 120 degrees). The triade-schemes are vibrating, full of energy. A triade grouping can create contrasts, accents and balance warm and cold colors. The triadic scheme is not as contrasting as the complementary scheme, but it looks more balanced and harmonious. Triade colors can look gaudy, try to subdue them by making them into a “soft contrast” group by using shades of the triade colors. Also choosing one color to be used in larger area than others is a good approach.
Analogous Colors – Red/Orange/Yellow
Analogous colors are colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel, with one being the dominant color. The term analogous refers to having analogy, meaning a similarity in some respects between things and in the case of colors a similarity in a color. An analogous color scheme creates a rich, monochromatic look. It’s best used with either warm or cool colors, creating a look that has a certain temperature as well as proper color harmony. Red, yellow and orange are examples of analogous colors.
How Much Paint Is Needed to Paint Your Room?
To estimate how much paint you need for any interior paint job, you need to know the square footage of your wall and the number of square feet per gallon of the paint you are planning to use. The label on the gallon of paint will specify how many square feet each gallon will cover. Walls and ceilings are determine by the area, multiply length by width. To calculate the square footage of walls, measure the perimeter of the room and multiply this figure by its height. The result is the square footage of the wall space to be covered. Remember you might need more then one coat. When painting a deeply saturated color, you may even need a third coat of paint. Take the square footage and muliple by the number of coats, the result will determine your coverage per gallon.
Fall Foliage
When we think of adding color to our homes with landscaping we usually think first of flowering plants. Another direction to consider are trees. The following trees enhance your landscape with their beautifully fall foliage. The following trees all grow well in growing zone 7 in moist, well-drained soil.
Sugar Maple (top picture) is a great, extra-reliable tree that makes a big statement in fall, sugar maple offers gorgeous red, orange, or yellow end-of-the-season leaves. They grow to 70 feet tall and are best suited for sun to shade.
Sweet Birch (middle) are beautiful trees as well and has a cinnamon-colored peeling bark and triangular dark green leaves that turn beautiful golden-yellow in fall. This tree is best suited for sun to shade and grows up to 50 feet tall.
Virginia Sweetspire (bottom), is a great shrub with different looks each season. In summer, it offers fragrant white flowers. Then in autumn, it develops rich purple-red leaf color. Plus, it’s very easy to grow. It grows best in full sun to part shade and grows up to 10 feet tall.
Easy Fix for a Loose Hinge
Things you will need: Hammer, 1 Chop Stick, Wood Glue, Wire Cutters
Remove screws from hinge, set screws and hinge to the side to reuse. Tip the pointed end of the chop stick into the wood glue about 1/8 inch. Push glue end of chop stick into preexisting loose hinge hole. Gently tap with a hammer then cut off chop stick flush to wall with wire cutters. Hammer chop stick end to make it flush with the wall. Remount hinge.
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Using Monochromatic Paint Colors
Color can do wonderful things to a space. Using a single bold stroke of one color can help to unify various architectural textures and surfaces, like brick walls and bead board ceilings. A monochromatic color scheme can also help one’s eye see the “geometry” of a space by breaking up vertical planes. Varying levels of light will reflect brightness and shade walls and corners thus changing the range of color intensity.
Using a monochromatic scheme need not be boring when a range of colors, from softly tinted to deeply saturated hues of the same color are chosen within a single room, or an entire house. Activate the space with outlines of white painted trim work, and punctuate the decor with repeated use of black or a complimentary accent color.
A single-toned environment also provides the opportunity to use pattern and texture in decorative textiles, rugs, accessories.
Stenciling Instead of Wallpaper
Try stenciling instead of expensive wallpaper! There are so many beautiful stencils available today that look just like designer wallpaper, only they are better. Stenciling is a great DIY project, you can save lots of money and feel proud of your creation. Stencils can be used as an accent or they can cover an entire wall.
The benefits of stenciling include less cost and ease. Even if you hire a painter the cost will be less than buying the wallpaper and paying to have the wallpaper installed. When it comes time for a new look you just paint over the stencil. Today’s stencils are painted using latex paint and water base glazes. If you would like a stenciled look but do not have the time to DIY, call Arlington Color Consultants.
Check out the below websites for lots of great decorative ideas.
http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com
http://www.royaldesignstudio.com
http://stencilboss.storenvy.com
