I once saw in a catalog an air freshener with the “new-car smell.” I’ve never seen an air freshener with the “just-painted smell.” Decorators say that the easiest way to “freshen” a room is to paint it, but no one likes the smell of new paint. We even pay more for paints marketed as low odor. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Interior decorating books recommend perfectly matching the colors of paint with existing decor. As the gallons of unused paint turned in for recycling reveals, matching colors is easier said then done. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

On July 1, 2010 it became more convenient to turn in leftover oil and latex house paint. A network of permanent collection sites was established by PaintCare, the non-profit formed by the American Coatings Association, an industry group representing paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers, distributors, and technical professionals. The sites are open to both do-it-yourself and professional painters. There is no charge to turn in paint covered by the program. This is just a preview...Read... more

Being a colorful woman, I have often wondered why people would paint interior and exterior surfaces gray, particularly when they choose gray during hard economic times. Being the thrifty sort myself, I always reach for the brightest color and highest sheen I can get for the price. Not so with the general population. They buy gallons and gallons of gray paint. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Before you start a home or yard improvement project think about what debris your project will generate. Thinking ahead can save you money because much of what you think is trash destined for a landfill might be salvage for re-use or recycling. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

When most of us describe color we say that a house is blue or a room is yellow. A few of us get down to the level the house is light or dark blue or the room is pastel or bright yellow. Because so few of us get down to the undertone of a color, a lot of us end up with unexpected color results when we paint our home. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

They say there are no straight lines in nature, but clean, straight lines set painting projects apart. They distinguish the amateur from the professional. While painter’s tape can help, it does not guarantee sharp lines. A common thought amongst painters is that the longer a painter paints, the less painter’s tape they use. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

By Paulette Rossi Water-based porch and floor paint were previously only available in light grey, medium grey, and dark grey. Numerous manufacturers now offer many colors as standard or will tint floor paint to any color the customer wants. Unlike house paint, floor paint is formulated with additives that help it dry tighter and harder to withstand heavy foot traffic. Most floor paint is enamel, available in flat, satin, or gloss finish suitable for interior or exterior application. It is formulated... more