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 is back—and in many ways, it’s bigger and better than ever. Grasscloth is part of a natural trend in decorating [...]
Fixing Common Paint Problems
February 27, 2019Even 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 you encounter a problem. Problems can occur for any number of reasons, including poor surface prep, poor quality paint, cheap [...]
DIY or Contractor?
February 27, 2019Should 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 to save the costs of hiring a professional painter. But before you reach a final decision, there are important points [...]
The Psychology of Color
February 27, 2019The 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 the point that they can stimulate or depress your appetite. Nowhere is color’s impact more apparent than in your home, [...]
HOW TO FIND & HIRE A PAINTING CONTRACTOR
January 31, 2019Painting 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 Steps to Finding the Perfect Painting Contractor 1. Do Your Homework – Turn to your friends, colleagues and family 2. [...]
How to Create a Faux Leather Wall Treatment
January 18, 2019Here’s how to give your walls the rich, textured look of leather. By Diane Franklin If you love the look of leather on your sofas, chairs or your most cherished books, you may be surprised to learn you can achieve that rich, textured appearance on your walls as well. There are various ways to create [...]
Homeowners Are Discovering Biophilic Design
January 18, 2019Biophilic design brings outdoor elements indoors to create a soothing effect. By Diane Franklin More and more of today’s homeowners are discovering the advantages of biophilic design, which is a way to draw a deeper connection to nature by bringing outdoor elements into our interiors. Already emerging as a trend in commercial spaces, biophilic design [...]
Testing Color
January 18, 2019We try out cars, clothes and even chocolates before we buy. You can test your paint colors, too! By Tammy Adamson-McMullen As savvy consumers, we generally like to try a product before we commit to purchasing it. Many goods fall into this “try-it” category, including cars, clothes and even chocolates. Paint color also is part [...]
Trending Colors in Cabinets
January 18, 2019White is still the rage, but surprising hues are gaining. By Tammy Adamson-McMullen News flash: Painted cabinets will still be on-trend in 2019, but not all of them will be white. While white has dominated the cabinetry in kitchens and baths, more colorful options are on the rise, from pale yellows and greens to mid-range [...]
The Effect of Light on Color
January 18, 2019Pay attention to lighting when choosing paint colors… By Tammy Adamson-McMullen If you’ve ever painted a room in the perfect color only to have it look less than perfect later, the problem may not have been with the paint, your original paint sample or your application. The real culprit could have been your lighting. The [...]