Tag: painting

Should I Paint My Ceiling?

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pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-5641421If you want to get the highest price for your house when it’s time to sell, then you need a professional to assess your property’s condition. Buyers scrutinize your house and property from top to bottom. One question that sellers often ask is, “Should I paint?” And, as you can imagine, the answer is specific to each situation. There is one painting job that you should book right away, however.

“Yes, paint your ceiling!” In your everyday routine at your house, you most likely avoid looking up at your ceiling. If you’re like most people, you have a busy, hectic life and don’t spend a lot of time gazing up at your ceiling. Odds are that at one time or another, in one room or another, your ceiling fell victim to a water leak. Whether it’s an overflowing bathtub or a roof leak, many houses have been repaired but these problem areas have not been repainted .

While it may be a minor blemish on your ceiling it is magnified in the eyes of the buyer who is already planning on making minor or major changes to your house. So, go ahead and book your painter or get the supplies to do it yourself. If you are curious about other things that should be addressed prior to opening your house up to potential buyers, contact us to learn about our Prep for Success Program that streamlines your home selling experience.

Pops of Pink: Painting Outside of Your Comfort Zone

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pink living roomHave you ever heard of a color consultant? Betsey Dempsey, Color Concepts Vermont, helps clients pick out colors for their spaces. Her role is different than an Interior Designer. One way to bring new life to your house is to change the paint colors in your rooms. Paint color trends change every few years, so if you want your house to look fresh and updated a color consultation may help transform your space.

She specializes in helping people choose paint colors. “I try to get them to think beyond their comfort zone,” she says. After all, that is why they are hiring her to show them more options other than the usual “safe” colors.

Eggshell or Matte? The type of paint matters, matte finish is washable and can be blended more easily than eggshell for touch-ups. The sheen of eggshell fades over time and it is harder to touch-up.

What is trending now for paint colors? For the past few years gray tones have dominated the color palette of interiors. According to Betsey, “the cold gray tones are now being modified with more warmth, think taupe.” She is also seeing more contrast with painted trim and complimentary wall colors. “Trim does not need to be white, we are seeing dark charcoal or medium gray trim and door colors that pair nicely with off-white walls.” It’s important to use warm and cool colors together to balance room tones.

What about pink? Surprisingly, pink is one of Betsey’s favorite colors and it is becoming very popular. She likes Benjamin Moore’s “Opal” color with soft warm pink tones in any room, even ceilings which can bring out the warmth of a room.

If you are looking for recommendations for painting your space or a color consultant, check out Betsey Dempsey’s website – colorconceptsvt.com.

Photo by: Simone Haag in Collaboration with Nathan + Jac; Photo by Eve Wilson

Revamp with Paint!

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Feel like your home could use a little update? Or maybe you are just looking to change things up … either way, the simplest way to make an inexpensive change is with paint! The walls are an obvious choice, but you can spruce up almost anything with paint, from fixtures and objects to floors and furniture.

Not all surfaces are alike, here are some guidelines for painting 5 different surfaces:

  1. P: How to Nest for Less

    P: How to Nest for Less

    Wood: Probably one of the easiest surfaces to paint, wood will easily soak up paint. Clean the surface, removing any buildup. If it has a glossy finish, you will want to lightly sand it first so the paint will adhere. You can use a primer, but it’s not often necessary, and most paints these days have primer already built-in. Stick with eggshell paints for interior wood projects, it’s more durable and has a slight sheen.

2.  Metal: The first step in painting metal is to remove any rust using sandpaper or a wire brush. Next comes the primer to protect the surface and provide a good base. Choose a paint with rust inhibitors or spray paint – they make spray paint specifically for metal. You will need to apply multiple layers for a nice finished look.

P: decorpad.com

P: decorpad.com

3.  Concrete: Yes, you can totally paint concrete! Floors should be sanded and the surface must be clean and completely dry before painting. You will need to prime and then opt for a floor or epoxy paint. They make kits to paint garage floors that include decorative chips to give a speckled effect.

4.  Tile: Have some dated tile or are you just sick of the color? Instead of ripping out your existing tile and replacing with new, which could be quite expensive depending on the tile, refresh the look with paint. Tile must be cleaned and then use a special glass or tile paint, other paints will easily chip or scrape off.

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P: Pinterest

5. Drywall: If you are starting with a newly dry-walled wall, make sure you’ve sanded down the seams so that the surface is smooth and then clean off any dust.  Primer is not required, but recommended on new walls. The type of paint you choose really depends on the room – satin or eggshell finishes are fine for bedrooms and living spaces. You will likely want to go with a higher-gloss finish for kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways that can easily be wiped down.