There is a broad spectrum of appropriate trim colors for historic homes, but white is one of the most common and difficult to select. Finding the right white to paint the interior trim of your home can be a daunting task. Instead of making the choice easy, there is a staggering palette of whites available that cause confusion and indecision and make it difficult to choose the right shade. After all, what is historic “white”? A bit of knowledge concerning the history of white paint and trends... more

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

Are you tired of repeatedly having to paint your home? If you want to break the re-painting cycle but don’t like the idea of vinyl or metal siding, then you owe it to yourself to take a close look at a protective ceramic coating that gives the look of a freshly painted home year after year. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

The new EPA lead paint removal rules starting this April 22 will probably have a big impact on how contractors deal with lead-based paints. Contractors will be responsible for containing and cleaning lead dust during remodels and renovations. Certification for contractors will be required and done by the EPA. Although these rules do not apply to homeowners unless they use paid help for the removal, the health risk is there for them too. Homeowners should take the same precautions when disturbing... 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 →

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 →