Posts Tagged ‘color’

Outdoor features on homes, such as decks and porches, continue to grow in popularity on both new construction and on remodeled homes. Decks and porches offer greater resale value for your home, increase square footage of your property, and add a beautiful space for friends and family to gather. Maintaining or refinishing these features protects the structures themselves and complements the aesthetics of your home and landscaping. If you are thinking about refinishing a deck or porch, we have a few suggestions! 

First, take the time to determine the appearance you would like. Do you prefer the look of a painted finish or a stained finish? Typically, sealers and stains are the easiest to apply, while a paint application takes a bit more time and effort. Paint is great for concealing imperfections, whereas stains and sealers showcase the grain and character of the wood. Either way, be sure to select a product that offers UV protection and can withstand foot traffic. 

When you are at a good stopping point for your painting project and you have sealed up your paint cans, it is time to clean your brush. While each professional painter can teach you a classic trade secret or a one-of-a-kind cleaning technique that he or she have developed over time, there are a few basics that painters of all experience levels should know. Below we will share the basics so you are ready to tackle your next painting project.  

The most important thing to know is that brushes must clean with each use! Cleaning brushes regularly and thoroughly extends the life of the brush and allows you to apply a consistent finish. The type of paint you have been using will determine the cleaning solution you will need. For instance, if you are painting with latex paint, you will clean your brush with warm water and a mild soap (bar or dish detergent.) If you are painting with oil-based paints, then you will clean your brush with mineral spirits.  

Benjamin Moore is kicking off the new decade with Color of the Year 2020, a flawlessly happy, upbeat palette lead by First Light 2102-70. Helping us transition into the new decade with ease, this soft pink provides an ideal alternative to the abundance of whites and beiges we have seen this past decade. To add to the versatility of this dusky, blush pink, First Light 2102-70 can satisfy both cool and warm hue lovers alike as it fuses both worlds perfectly.  

First Light 2102-70, however, is not the only option for 2020.  The Ben Moore team also selected 9 other colors to go along with this timeless pink. Another great feature of Benjamin Moore’s 2020 Palette is that there is something for everybody–from soft, almost pastel hues like Crystalline AF-485 and White Heron OC-57 to deep, dramatic shades such as Cushing Green HC-125 and Blue Danube 2062-30.

Are you stuck on the shady side of the street? Or maybe you can’t seem to find blackout curtains effective enough to block out all of your natural sunlight? As painters and color specialists, we know how much lighting affects your overall paint color. And your mood. Brighter spaces tend to create more positive feelings, so social rooms with natural sunlight are generally the preference. However, in spaces for relaxation such as bedrooms, the overabundance of natural light may hinder your activities. In this case, darker rooms generally promote relaxation and restful sleep.  Instead of drilling through your walls to create new windows, or hiding your natural light through thick curtains, try repainting! The clever use of color can actually help mitigate the effects of difficult lighting. Did you know that use of paint color can actually help brighten your dark spaces or cool down your sunny ones?