Paint and Decorating Blog
The Versatile World of Stencils
Choices abound in today’s stencil market. By Diane Franklin Stencils have come a long way from mini-floral borders and roosters on kitchen walls. Today there are more patterns than ever before. To make the [...]
Wood at the Window
Homeowners’ love of wood extends to their choice of window coverings. By Diane Franklin One of the biggest trends in home decorating—both inside and out—is the use of natural wood. Homeowners love the look [...]
Damage Control
Your perfect decorating project has sustained damage. Here’s what you can do to repair it. By Diane Franklin You’ve put time and money into making your home environment the best it can be—a fresh coat [...]
Summer’s Colors
If you’re a “summer” person, consider decorating in the colors of the season. By Tammy Adamson-McMullen Are you a “summer person”? Do you love warm sunshine, blue skies and green grass? Does your heart skip [...]
No Substitutions for Quality
Nothing can replace a high-quality paint and all the benefits it affords. By Tammy Adamson-McMullen “You get what you pay for.” We all know that this adage is true. So why is it that so [...]
Perfect Patio Pieces
We provide step-by-step instructions for freshening up your outdoor furniture. By Tammy Adamson-McMullen As you inspect your deck and patio furniture this spring, you may notice that the pieces need freshening up. This might be [...]
Color Schemes for Your Deck
Make your deck look as on-trend as the rest of your home. By Diane Franklin Just like you can have a coordinating palette for the exterior of your home, you can create a palette for [...]
Closeted Design
The trend is for closets that not only work better but look and feel better, too. By Tammy Adamson-McMullen If your spring cleaning list includes straightening or clearing out a few closets, why not take [...]
Go Bold With Color
Don’t be shy! If you like bold colors, there are ways to pull them off beautifully. By Diane Franklin Hot pink in the bedroom, lime green in the dining room, orange in the kitchen—do these [...]
Five Economical Kitchen Fixes
Here’s how to update your kitchen on a limited budget. By Diane Franklin You’d love to redecorate your kitchen, but oh, that price tag! Backsplash tiles, new cabinets and granite countertops can cost way beyond [...]
March Into Spring
Follow these steps to make the exterior of your home look good as early in the season as possible. By Diane Franklin In March, we usher in springtime—a great time to head outdoors to assess [...]
Old Colors Become New Again
Colors that have come and gone are being reinvented for renewed homeowner appeal. By Diane Franklin Once upon a time, avocado green, harvest gold and dusty rose were the most popular hues in the land—and [...]
Mix and Match Your Styles
There’s a fine art to mixing different decorating styles in a single home. By Diane Franklin The first rule of “Decorating 101” is to pick your decorating style, but what if you like more than [...]
No Windows? No Problem!
Without any natural light, interior rooms can be a challenge to decorate—but it’s a challenge that these creative ideas will help you overcome. By Diane Franklin An interior bathroom, a basement rec room and an [...]
New Places to Go with Faux
Faux finishes are popping up in all sorts of home spaces. By Tammy Adamson-McMullen You may have done it on a feature wall or on a small piece of furniture, but don’t stop there. There [...]
Options in “Green” Floors
Thinking of installing new floors? Consider our list of the best eco-friendly options. By Tammy Adamson-McMullen If you’re in the market for new floors and want your home to be “green” from top to bottom, [...]
Grasscloth Makes a Comeback
Why a staple from the 1960s and ’70s—grasscloth wallcovering—is making a comeback. By Diane Franklin If your last encounter with grasscloth wallcovering was in the 1960s and ’70s, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Grasscloth [...]
Fixing Common Paint Problems
Even the best DIY painters encounter problems. Here are some suggested solutions. By Diane Franklin If you are an experienced DIYer, you may feel pretty confident about tackling virtually any interior or exterior painting project—unless [...]
DIY or Contractor?
Should you tackle that painting job yourself or hire a professional? Here are points to consider By Tammy Adamson-McMullen Like many consumers, you might have toyed with the idea of tackling a painting project yourself—maybe [...]
The Psychology of Color
The colors you surround yourself with can affect your state of mind. By Diane Franklin Excitable red, calming blue, optimistic yellow, regal purple—it’s true. The colors in your life have an impact on mood—even to [...]
HOW TO FIND & HIRE A PAINTING CONTRACTOR
Painting is a professional skill built on experience. The good news is that finding a professional painter for any given job, whether an interior or exterior painting project, doesn’t have to be difficult. 4 Quick [...]