So you need to paint something in your home. Calling the experts is always our recommendation, but what if you just need to touch something up? Or maybe you’re feeling creative on a budget. Just making a trip to the hardware store isn’t enough when it comes to a quality paint job, especially when there are so many options on shelves. Take a look at the ins and outs of paint types and what all the buzzwords mean before you make a purchase.

Primer

Though it isn’t technically considered paint, primer is important. Primer helps cover and smooth a surface prior to a new coat of paint, and should correspond to the type of paint you plan to use – oil-based or water-based. Skip it if you’re just touching up a corner, but larger jobs can benefit from a primer coat.

Oil-based vs. Water-based

Pros of oil-based paints:

• More durable overall than water-based options
• Oil-based enamels are shiny

Cons of oil-based paints:

• Takes longer to fully dry
• Cleaning oil-based paints is more difficult – you’ll need harsher, more potent chemicals to truly clean it

Pros of water-based paints:

• Requires just water and mild soap to clean
• A longer lifespan; resists the “yellowing” sometimes seen with older oil-based paint jobs

Cons of water-based paints:

• Not as shiny as oil-based counterparts

Finishes

Each paint has a specific chemical make-up, but also a distinct finish. Take a look at the three most popular finish options and what they mean.

Eggshell paint finish

• Flat finish: If you’re looking to update walls and ceilings, flat is a popular option.
   
• Semi-gloss and Gloss finishes: These are generally shiny, hard wearing enamels, and many people like to use them on wood surfaces.

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paints are water-based and, unlike latex paint which lacks actual latex, includes acrylic in the ingredients. This type can get confusing, as you’ll see “acrylic latex,” “acrylic enamel” or “acrylic latex enamel” but suffice it to say they are all water-based and offer varying degrees of shine.

Specialty paints

In some cases, you can find paints with additional perks like anti-mold features or hypoallergenic ingredients. There are even anti-condensation additives in some options, making those brands great for kitchens and bathrooms. Take a look at all brand options – and ingredients – before making a decision.

Need more direction or help deciding on a color? Call us today for a free color consultation. Overwhelmed with the options? Let us give you a free quote for your project.

April’s Color of the Month 

Straight from the minds of design – let our interior designers from Jasmin Reese Interiors show you just how versatile yellow can be.

April has come and gone, but this color of the month can have a lasting effect. Yellow, the most cheerful color in the spectrum, oftentimes gets overlooked as too bright, too bold or too blah in favor or reds or blues. But the color has its merits – just ask the pros.

“When we think of yellow, we think of playfulness, sunshine, spring flowers and bright cheer,” said Reese. “To me personally, it’s reminiscent of a drawing I created as a young girl for my mother in wild yellow tones that read, ‘Du bist mein sonnenschein’ or ‘You are my sunshine.’”

Interior Painting Ideas – Yellow

Yellow Interior Painting Tips

Don’t just limit your pops of yellow to bathrooms and kitchens when planning your interior paint colors – there are many shades and many ways to incorporate the tone beautifully into your home and garden.

Interior Painting – Yellow Door

Kitchen Interior Painting – Yellow

Blue Door Painting’s Favorite Yellow Paint Colors

“Whether you decide to paint an entire wall or add a brilliant pop of color like a door, yellow always delivers vibrancy and energy to a space,” notes Reese, mentioning two favorite shades – Confident Yellow from Sherwin Williams, and Sun Kissed Yellow from Benjamin Moore.

Sun Kissed Yellow – Benjamin Moore

Confident Yellow – Sherwin Williams

Interior Decorating with Yellow

Don’t just think paint! Decor can spice up your interiors as well, and considering pieces featuring yellow can add zest without overwhelming the space. Consider, for example, Reese’s suggestion: this “Citrus Garden” print by Schumacher.

Schumacher Citrus Garden Print

It features muted mustard tones, and was created as part of their 125th anniversary fabric collection.

Already ahead of the game? How are you using yellow to add vibrancy to your space? 

Call us today for a free color consultation with Jasmin Reese or to get started with your yellow interior painting project.

It took Chicago weather awhile to catch on, but it’s finally time to start thinking about spring home improvements. Whether you just need to touch up some paint or tactfully approach your home’s entire exterior, take some of these items into consideration when you plan your list of improvements.

Examine roof shingles

Though we had a tame winter this year, the low temps and standing snow may still have wreaked havoc on your roof. Look for missing or broken shingles as well as any debris buildup between shingles.

Clean the gutters

Leaves, nests and other debris might be blocking your gutters, preventing proper drainage and setting you up for a headache later on. Hop up there and clean them the traditional way or hire a service to get the job done while you focus on the rest of this list.

Check your equipment

If you store any large equipment, make sure everything is in working order. Lawn mowers, edgers and anything else with a motor may need to be dusted off and run for a few minutes. Check cords and electrical outlets before using – you never know what might have become a chew toy for a pre-hibernation rodent.

Tend to the basement

Finished or unfinished, do a full-scale check of your lower level. Cracks, lightbulbs, foundation issues…check on the status of the entire area and make an effort to air out and clean the space. If you have any leaks or water damage, consider interior wall repair and touch-ups before the issue progresses.

Clean your windows

Get rid of built up dirt and mildew on the interior AND exterior of your windows. Skip the power wash on the windows you can reach in favor of a hand wash. Tip: Avoid very sunny days – the cleaner may dry and streak before you’re done scrubbing.

Take care of decks and patios

Sweep, power wash or even replace part of your deck or patio if necessary. Allowing debris to sit can ruin the surface as well as take away some of the aesthetic value of your outdoor living area. If you need a new look, consider painting or refinishing your deck or patio.

Tend to grills

We’re rapidly approaching BBQ season, so don’t be caught without a functional grill. Check your outdoor grill – do you need fuel? Has it rusted anywhere? Have any furry friends created nests? Uncover and inspect the entire thing, cleaning and disinfecting as you go.

Call us today for a free quote on your Chicago exterior house painting project and let our professionals help you spruce up your home!