Posts Tagged ‘New Orleans’

You finally decided to paint your kitchen cabinets, and after numerous samples of colors followed by numerous moments of stress trying to select the perfect white for your cabinets, you now have to start the color-selecting process all over again. Now you must choose the right wall color that will transform your entire kitchen into your new favorite room in your house. But don’t worry, we have you covered. We put together a list of 5 wall colors that complement white cabinets just beautifully. 

OC-65 Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore

OC-65 Chantilly Lace is an exquisite cool Benjamin Moore white. If you are looking for a crisp, clean, modern touch, OC-65 Chantilly Lace will exceed your expectations with its dazzling blue undertone. 

In early December 2020, American journalist, Michelle Slatalla, contacted us regarding an article she was writing for her monthly column in The Wall Street Journal. Although her column discussed 5 projects to tackle in 2021, her concerns in the interview focused on painting kitchen cabinets in the least disruptive manner while living at home. In addition, she asked about safety during the COVID virus.  

Jason Bertoniere answered her concerns about dust, fumes, noise, and time for the kitchen to be out of commission. He assured Michelle Slatalla and her readers that, as an experienced paint contractor in the New Orleans area, he has been dealing with these issues for years (even before COVID) and that he has strategies to take care of all of them. He advised that once an experienced painting contractor is contacted, he can devise a plan to paint an entire house while it is lived in, specifically by doing one room at a time or creating containment areas to avoid disruption—using plastic sheeting and odor neutralizers.  

You go to your grandma’s house, your aunt’s house, and probably most of your friends’ houses, and it seems as if they all got together and unanimously decided upon a light blue for their porch ceilings. But have you ever wondered why?  

Believe or not a few centuries ago, people painted their porch ceilings a light blue thinking that it would help keep evil spirits away. This was especially true for people who lived in the deep South. Yet light blue porch ceilings have never been exclusive to people in the South. Other parts of the country have been choosing light blues to paint porch ceilings for many, many decades as well.  

Most of us no longer believe in evil spirits, or at least evil spirits that are easily scared off with blue paint. Yet light blue porch ceilings are just as popular today as they were hundreds of years ago. Tradition has played a big role in continuing this trend. It has been passed down for generations and it never gets old. After all, we are creatures of habit.  

Exactly what we all needed during these unsettling times, a “deeply soothing,” as the Benjamin Moore team describes it, shade to calm even the most active minds. Aegean Teal 2136-40 is Benjamin Moore’s 2021 Color of the Year is a great choice that can please both cool colors and warm colors lovers alike. Aegean Teal is a deep but comforting hue that would give any space an amazingly inviting feel. Definitely a match made in heaven for those of us who are housebound due to the pandemic.  

If you are considering painting a room, or cabinets, or even a piece of furniture, any of the hues that made the 2021 color of the year palette would be a great option because of their welcoming and calming feelings. They will make you want to stay home! 

Click here to access the Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2021 Brochure

“My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us has to go.” This may have been Oscar Wilde’s last recorded comment before passing away in a hotel in Paris. While it is unknown why the decor got under Mr. Wilde’s skin, it is not an uncommon experience. A beautiful wallpaper that is applied successfully can create a gorgeous transformation. Over time though the paper can feel outdated or tired, it can become stained or damaged, or adhesion may fail. If you are battling your wallpaper and feel it’s time for it to go, we have some suggestions for how to remove it. 

Start preparing the space by removing what you can from the area. Furniture or fixtures that can’t be easily removed can be covered by painter’s plastic. Go to your breaker box and turn the power off to the outlets in the room to err on the side of caution. Remove outlet and lightswitch plates to expose the paper underneath. Cover the outlets with blue tape to keep moisture from getting in. The removal process can be messy so it is best to cover your floor with a drop cloth or tarp. 

During my daily search for house-painting-related news articles (yes, I am a proud paint nerd who scours the internet and bookshelves for all things paint related), I came across a “Dear Abby” style column in The Washington Post. Seeking advice regarding an upcoming exterior home repaint, Marilyn S. shared that the process was leading to daily “cage matches” with her husband over the color choice (her words, not mine). She was in search of paint suggestions, advice around best practices, and a “referee” to help her plot a path forward with her husband on their exterior paint job. 

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. 

Repainting kitchen cabinets is one of the most inexpensive ways to transform the look of your kitchen. There are many how-to videos and articles available to steer you in the right direction. Here are four time-tested tips that we recommend:

Create a System

Take the time to remove doors and drawer fronts after degreasing them. To avoid a headache later be sure to take pictures of the cabinet layout, create a labeling system to identify which doors belong to which cabinets, and draw a diagram. The doors and hardware may fit just right where they were, so having a system for putting them back will save you time and frustration. 

Benjamin Franklin has been credited with saying, “By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.” While it is unclear if Franklin ever uttered this phrase, it’s clear why the idea resonates with people. Most of us have had experiences that reinforce this message. Whether hosting an event, leading a work team, playing competitive sports, or even taking on a home improvement project, intentional preparation can lead to a great outcome.

Sherwin Williams just announced its 2020 color of the year, and we could not be more excited! Naval SW 6244 is an exquisite blue. In spite of its boldness, this gorgeous neutral calls for quietness and reflection. It evokes feelings of tranquility, calmness, and order—a much needed state of mind in today’s ever ending  go, go, go environment. 

Inspired by the iconic 1920s, this rich, deep navy blue has a retro aura surrounding it. Like the 1920s, this hue was designed to galvanize a new decade full of boldness, daring, and forward-thinking.  

Naval SW 6244 has the ability to either give a space an incredibly calming feeling or it can explode with energy.  You can enhance one feeling over the other with lighting and light fixtures, by adding texture to your room, and by your furniture choices. The sky is the limit!