Porland Choosing Light or Dark Exterior Home Colors
So you’ve decided to paint the outside of your house again but your a little nervous as your last experience had you repainting the room three time before finally getting the right color onto the walls. Well don’t fret it anymore as I’m about to tell your how best to get it right the very first time. Choosing the right colors will not only dazzle you and your friends but also those who might be interested in buying your home should you ever decide to sell it? Do you need an expert to decide the blend of colors to paint onto those walls? Maybe, but these simple approaches to finding what works best has a proven track record of making homeowners happy with the colors they finally decided upon after using these approaches to discovery Many people elect to choose safe exterior colors like white’s and green’s, maybe you want something different but not shocking! Here are some successful approaches:
- Light affects the way colors appear to us. Bright sunlight will mute colors and they will appear flattened. Lighter colors forward the appearance of your home where as darker colors tend to make the home recede. So what does this mean? Well it means dark colored homes will appear smaller, where as light colored homes will tend to make the home appear larger in size. So now you may have answered the question as to why so many people have chosen a lighter colored house. I would say that they want the home to appear larger, as one day the possibility of selling the home becomes a reality, as most people want a larger house.
- Many people make the mistake of painting the rainwater down spouts the same color as the rain gutters that are attached to the Fascia board, as they are attached to one another. Don’t make this mistake! Rainwater downspouts should be faded into the body of the house, not stand out!
portland Faux Painting Methods to Spruce Up Your Home
Wall paper is out and faux paint is in! At least that’s what you may have heard, so now you need to decipher the many options in paint finishes that are available today. All of the styles below will offer a unique look to a room. Here are nine different options you may want to consider.
1. Fresco – This Italian specialty is probably the most labor intensive. With buon or fresco, the pigment in a powder form is mixed with water and painted onto freshly applied lime plaster. There are other types of fresco including the mezzo resco and the secco fresco. The mezzo fresco technique uses a pigment powder diluted in lime water and applied to an almost dried plaster. With the secco fresco the pigment is mixed with egg yolk and applied to dry plaster.
2. Faux Fresco – This is more commonly used today rather than true Fresco. This is a similar process to the secco fresco application. A “skim” compound (spackle with water) is thinly applied over a plaster surface with a trowel or scraper. Once the skim coat is dried, professional quality watercolor is applied with soft brushes.
3. Stippling – A textured effect that simulates a fine, sandy appearance. Two people are needed to create this finish, the first to apply the glaze and the second to stipple using a stipple brush or pad. A paint color is first applied to the surface. After the paint has dried, the glaze is applied followed quickly by a stippling brush or pad. The stippling brush is firmly applied and removed “to draw up” the glaze.
4. Rubbed Finishes – This technique makes a surface look very similar to the look of Fresco, but much simpler to do. As the name says, the paint can either be rubbed on or rubbed off. To rub on, a small amount of paint, usually an egg shell, is dabbed onto the surface or wall with a lint-free rag and then rubbed out, making a thin coat of color. A second coat is usually added to even it out more. To rub off, the paint is rolled on with a roller, dried, and then lightly sanded off with sanding blocks.
5. Dragging – With this technique the surface will show brush strokes, but in an even pattern either horizontally, vertically, or both to make a woven appearance. This is best accomplished with two people. The first painter applies the paint evenly and quickly. The second painter quickly follows by dragging a “flogger” or “glider” brush from the top of the wall to the bottom without picking up the brush. At the same time the second painter must keep the pressure on the brush as even as possible and lighten up on the pressure as the stroke gets to the bottom of the wall to prevent build up.
6. Sponging – Like rubbing this technique can either be sponged on or sponged off. To “sponge off”, the paint is applied on the wall as usual. Then a sponge, wrung out with mineral spirit, is pressed against the painted surface to lightly remove the paint. This should be done in an even pattern and the sponge needs to be wrung out occasionally. With the “sponge on” method, the wall is painted, and then a glaze of a lighter color is lightly sponged on. When the first glaze is almost dry a second coat of the same color or another color can be added on top. Make sure to cover blank areas, while overlapping the previous sponge marks.
7. Ragging – With this technique a rag is used to either apply the glaze or rag- off the glaze to give the surface a textured feel. To apply the glaze, dip a bunched up rag or chamois leather and roll the rag on the wall. This may need to be applied with multiple overlapping rolls to even and fully color the wall. With the Rag-off method, the glaze is first applied to the surface with a roller. A bunched up rag or chamois leather is then rolled on the surface to move and pull up the glaze.
8. Color washing – This technique gives the surface a soft, delicate, water color look. With this method distemper paint is thinned with water and applied to the surface in irregular patterns. A crossways brush movement is generally recommended to help prevent the paint from dripping.
9. Lacquer finish – Using this technique, the surface is given depth or dimension. There are multiple ways of doing this. One method would be to apply a tinted varnish to the surface, but with quick and even strokes to avoid brush marks and drips. Two coats may be necessary. A second method, glazing can be used by applying glaze with a soft large brush keeping it as thin as possible. Once the surface is dried, a very thin coat of varnish is applied. A third method is stenciling. With this method the surface is first painted and dried; then a lacquer is applied using a stencil. You can also use tape, rather than stencil, to create stripes or squares.
With any of these methods, I recommend using a test surface such as a garage wall or the stairwell down to the basement to practice your technique. With a little time and patience you can create a unique and richly textured look in your home that you will enjoy for years to come.
Winter Is the Time for Interior Painting In Portland
With winter rapidly approaching, many tend to put home remodeling projects on hold. The assumption is that because we spend more time indoors, then pursuing household projects becomes congested and subsequently more difficult. Contrary to this notion, however, is the fact that winter is an ideal time to paint your Portland home’s interior.
In envisioning Portland interior painting, most people conjure-up the sense of a poorly-ventilated odor and the need to open all windows within the home. With the emergence of “Low” and “No VOC” paints, however, much of the obnoxious odor can be limited.
Furthermore, paint tends to dry more quickly with the windows closed, the home’s heat on, and proper circulation. One of the reasons paint takes time to dry is because of high humidity. Yet winter tends to bring much arid home environments, thus aiding in the drying process. Painting your home’s interior, then, can easily be accomplished in the winter time.
There’s also the added benefit of brightening your home’s interior in the midst of the shortest days of the year. Choosing a lighter color for an interior room can dramatically refresh the visual appeal of the room. Soft colors reflect light back into the interior-a much needed process in winter. By painting your home’s interior, you radically transform the space which can alter your thoughts and drive away any winter blues.
Adding decorative paint elements to your home’s interior is also a wonderful idea to do in winter because it adds much needed aesthetics during a time where you’re more likely to notice the detail. During the winter months, we become much more insular and detail-oriented in terms of our personal space. Take advantage of this natural instinct and consider what interior painting projects you can pursue that will add some spice to your home’s style.
Best of all, by having your Portland home’s interior painted during the winter, you free up time and money to pursue other household projects in the spring. Additionally, when warm weather returns, you can pop open your windows and enjoy the outdoors with your newly painted interiors.
Beneficial Portland Painting Company
Painting a home’s interior is one of the projects that homeowners often plan to do but can never seem to accomplish. Some people do not like to paint, while others can never to find the time to do it. Money may be an issue. Painting a home’s entire interior or just a few rooms will have a huge impact on the ability to accomplish the project. It may be easier to hire a Portland painting contractor to do it quickly and professionally than for the homeowner to try to do it themselves and face problems and obstacles.
Spending a few days painting a home’s interior is not something all homeowners have the time to do. It is often considered an interruption in the daily routine. It requires everything else to stop and be set aside until the project is complete. Not only is there paint color to choose, but the room or rooms must be taped off in painter’s mask for protection. The floor and furniture must be covered. Any items in the room that are in the way must be moved when possible. Time, enjoyment, expertise, and special effects are just a few of the benefits of hiring a local painting contractor such as ColorFast Custom Painting. They have the experience to help you with any painting job.
Painting Exterior Trim in Portland
Portland exterior painting can be thought of costing less than completely painting all exterior surfaces, but a few things to consider from a painting contractor points of view.
Most of us look to save where we can, especially in this day and economic conditions. House painting is no different, when it comes to saving money. A home exterior weathers from harsh elements of heat, cold, sun, and snow, and exterior paint ages over time needing repainting. Portland exterior trim, being that of solid wood is normally the first to show signs of painting maintenance. Many times a homeowner happens to call, asking for only painting the trim. Trim paint jobs sound good at first, but have some underlying thoughts may have not been considered. Below are things to consider when considering painting trim only.
1) Most homes exterior trim is painted on the front only, more commonly called front-facing the trim. Sides of trim is normally painted with main body color. Few homes have trim painted on all 3 visible surfaces, called in the painting industry as 3-D’ed painting.
2) Either edge of trim is painted with body color, and is where caulking is applied at most 90 degree angles. Painting trim only, cannot feasibly include caulking, as this fails and opens up over time. Most homes need new caulking when painting the exterior, and a close inspection can determine.
3) If new caulk is applied, main body portion needs to be touched up, and most of the time new paint will not match aged paint even using exactly the same paint out of the same paint can, as sheen difference will come into play.
4) Painting trim is normally done by roller and brush, not sprayed, so more manual labor is required painting trim, and most cases costing 60% of the total exterior painting job.
5) Since the trim is the first to go, the main body of the home will be shortly behind requiring painting. If the trim was recently painted, and a few years later the body is ready for paint, all the trim will need to be covered, commonly referred to as masking off. Masking off expends time, labor and material, which adds to the bottom line cost to the remaining 40%, typically costing an additional 25% for masking trim. Thus costing 25% more after both trim and body portions are painted in separate years.
6) When painting exterior completely, the first thing to be painted after all preparations have been accomplished is generally spraying the body 2 coats wet on dry. Allowing the first coat to dry, before applying the second coat. In doing this, trim is over-sprayed, giving initial coat as well, thereby getting a total of 3 paint coatings, instead of the actual 2 coats required for maximum protection. This over spray is not charged in the painting cost, but adding to the elements of exterior duration and warranties.
7) Set up costs are normally included with any home improvement job, painting separate times for complete exterior painting can essentially cost double, unless agreed before work begins in painting quote.
Main thing to consider when considering painting exterior of your home is; How long do I plan living in this house. If your answer is any longer than 1 year, you may reconsider from painting trim only to painting exterior completely. From a quick glance, fresh trim paint will work from an aesthetic point of view, but not even close from complete protection and value points. Therefore, being fugal painting, does not always mean painting just enough to get by, sometimes costing much more in the long run.
Interior Painting Ideas For Portland Nurseries
If you’re having a girl, of course, you want to paint the nursery pink; but if you’re expecting a boy, then you would go for a blue room. This makes Portland interior painting easy and simple to do; however, if you want to be a little creative and create a nursery that’s just right for your baby, then you should know of different- great painting ideas.
Painting methods and Ideas for your baby’s nursery
In case you have ant patches or gaps in the wall, be sure to apply a primer and sealer to it. This should be done since a primer and sealer helps increase the life of your wall’s paint and will provide a great base for interior wall painting colors. Once you’ve applied the base coats, you may then experiment with various painting methods, such as using a stencil or just free hand your own design. After you are finished painting the walls, use a semi-gloss in order to have the best results. Your walls will be protected by the said gloss and will be easy to maintain, since it can be cleaned as well as scrubbed.
Before you begin the process of choosing specific colors and Portland interior painting ideas, the first thing you must do is pick a theme. Choose one that’s simple and stick to light as well as soft colors. Great theme ideas for a boy’s room are space, cartoons, and cars. For a girl’s room, you can pick themes such as flowers, butterflies and stars.
Here are some other ideas that you may want to consider.
1. Paint the lower half of the walls white and the upper half, color pink. Vertical stripes will look great with these colors. Make sure you use simple flower stencil and two to three bright colors, such as orange, yellow or purple before painting an arch on the wall. Place the crib under the arch and you will love the result.
2. Another great interior painting idea is to paint the walls a medium- dark lemon shade and use a butterfly stencil of various sizes. Create a perspective feeling by painting the bigger butterflies with darker shades at the base and the medium shaped butterflies with light colors or shades.
3. A nice interior painting idea for a boy’s room would be to paint all the walls blue and with a stencil or by hand, paint a couple of clouds in white. After, paint the ceiling a dark blue and use a fluorescent shade to paint spaceships, planets and stars on it. When the lights are off, you will see the ceiling and think of outer space indeed.
Painting Ideas for Your Portland Newborn
Many Portland residents think the basics: if you’re having a girl, of course, you want to paint the nursery pink; but if you’re expecting a boy, then you would go for a blue room. This makes interior painting easy and simple to do; however, if you want to be a little creative and create a nursery that’s just right for your baby, then you should know of different- great painting ideas.
Painting methods and Ideas for your baby’s nursery
In case you have ant patches or gaps in the wall, be sure to apply a primer and sealer to it. This should be done since a primer and sealer helps increase the life of your wall’s paint and will provide a great base for interior wall painting colors. Once you’ve applied the base coats, you may then experiment with various painting methods, such as using a stencil or just free hand your own design. After you are finished painting the walls, use a semi-gloss in order to have the best results. Your walls will be protected by the said gloss and will be easy to maintain, since it can be cleaned as well as scrubbed.
Before you begin the process of choosing specific colors and interior painting ideas, the first thing you must do is pick a theme. Choose one that’s simple and stick to light as well as soft colors. Great theme ideas for a boy’s room are space, cartoons, and cars. For a girl’s room, you can pick themes such as flowers, butterflies and stars.
Here are some other ideas that you may want to consider.
1. Paint the lower half of the walls white and the upper half, color pink. Vertical stripes will look great with these colors. Make sure you use simple flower stencil and two to three bright colors, such as orange, yellow or purple before painting an arch on the wall. Place the crib under the arch and you will love the result.
2. Another great interior painting idea is to paint the walls a medium- dark lemon shade and use a butterfly stencil of various sizes. Create a perspective feeling by painting the bigger butterflies with darker shades at the base and the medium shaped butterflies with light colors or shades.
3. A nice interior painting idea for a boy’s room would be to paint all the walls blue and with a stencil or by hand, paint a couple of clouds in white. After, paint the ceiling a dark blue and use a fluorescent shade to paint spaceships, planets and stars on it. When the lights are off, you will see the ceiling and think of outer space indeed.
Consulting with a professional painting contractor can assist you throughout the entire process.
Tips for Choosing Indoor Paint Colors for Your Portland Home
Indoor paint colors can transform your room on a budget. You can totally change the way your space feels and looks with just a little paint. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. You can also make your room feel closed in, claustrophobic or too dark if you choose the wrong paint color. Here are a few tips for picking the right indoor paint colors for your Portland home.
Think about the purpose of the room before you choose a paint color. Warm colors are yellow, orange, red and some shades of browns. Cool colors are purple, blue and green. Warm colors are welcoming and inviting. They work well in kitchens and dining rooms; some paint experts even think that these colors will help make you hungry. Cool colors are calming and relaxing so they are perfect for bedrooms. You can even use cool colors to create a spa like feeling in the master bedroom. Interior painting can open up your home.
Change the way you think about color. Your room might just feel a little blah or boring. The natural reaction to this is to go in the exact opposite direction with a really daring color. This doesn’t always work out the best. Instead, try layering different colors. You can make a perfectly interesting room that is still relaxing from various tones of white, brown and taupe. This will help you ease your way into the color palette but also ensures that you have a totally livable space. In these cases where you go for a more neutral room try and bring in different patterns and textures. You could apply a grasscloth paper to the walls or paint stripes on one wall to create a focal point. An experienced painting contractor can assist you through every process.
You might be scared to put together a home interior color palette for the first time. You might think that’s only for decorators. However, this ensures that you have a cohesive design. Sometimes it helps to think about color in terms other than decorating and then translate it back into home decor. Walk around your house and pick out your favorite five items, these don’t have to be items for decorating. You could find a few of your favorite clothing pieces, jewelry or even food items. There will probably be similar colors and lines between all of these things. Then you can just pull a few colors out of your inspiration fabric and have a complete palette pretty easily.
Indoor paint colors can be inviting and welcoming. It’s also a perfect way to give your child or teen that theme room they’ve been wanting. When their tastes change all you have to do is repaint.
The Top 3 Reasons to Paint Your Portland Home’s Interior
Painting a home’s interior is one of the most popular home improvement tasks for homeowners. Choose which rooms need to be painted. Pick the paint color and prepare the home. Here are three reasons to paint a home interior.
Inexpensive
Painting a home interior is one of the cheapest improvements one can make to sell a house when putting it on the real estate market. Today’s market is extremely competitive. Sellers need to gain whatever edge they can to make a home look beautiful and well-cared for. They may even be hesitant to put a house up for sale because of the hassles that go along with getting it ready for showings and open houses. The fact is, a freshly painted home helps a house to look inviting and move-in ready. It smells fresh. If everything else is equal, shoppers will choose the real estate that needs the least amount of work, making it an easier sale.
Visual Appeal
Interior painting is just part of general maintenance routines that need to be performed around the house. In about five years, paint colors start to fade and get darker in the corners of the room. Older paint can make a house look dirty. Because paint is a porous material, odors can be absorbed by the paint and make the house smell. Adding a fresh coat of paint will not only brighten a room, it can make it smell like new, too.
Change
Some people paint rooms simply because they have grown tired of the existing room color. Others are changing the use for the room and what is in there now is inappropriate. They may have seen a picture in a designer magazine or in a friend’s decor. One thing to keep in mind when changing room colors is to consider how long the current homeowner will be living in this house. Going for the latest color trends can be the kiss of death when it comes to the real estate market, so be careful when choosing colors. Most homeowners paint their interior every five to 10 years. Generally speaking, the color chosen should be something that one can live with for the next five years.
Interior Design and Decorating Tips for your Portland Home
Nothing is more important than interior design when it comes to giving your Portland home a fresh new look. With some free time and the right tools, you can give your own home the perfect facelift. Here are a number of techniques which will allow you to change the look of your home, while still staying within your budget.
General Considerations
One common practice in all designs is to repaint and design the walls. You can add decorative patterns to the walls or simply paint them in rich colors. Next, the furniture can be arranged according to color patterns. If you want furniture better suited to the new design, look for custom painted models at discount stores and sales. This will save money and add a polished atmosphere to your home.
Many people use a mixture of traditional and modern designs in their homes. Adding cushions and pillows will provide comfortable seating. For a chic look, you can experiment with spray painting your walls. If you want even more creative decorating tips, you can consult an interior designer or consultant for latest home decorating tips.
A Few Extra Tips:
- Play around with lighting effects by adding a combination of functional and accenting lights.
- Pay extra attention to your kitchen and bathrooms as they are the most likely rooms to be used by visitors.
- Use designer drapes and blinds for your windows to create a separate mood for each room.
- Try placing a few abstract paintings on walls for a more modern touch.
- And remember: simplicity is the best key to a complete and charming makeover.