Imagine a world without color basics. If, like man’s best friend, all you saw was in shades of black and white, what a terribly boring world it would be. The sun would appear like a gray ball in a lighter gray sky, the rolling ocean, white caps on gray water, and that new furniture in your living room you so painstakingly shopped for to compliment that particular shade of green in your carpet is now just as gray as the walls, ceiling and the world outside your picture window.

Now close your eyes and think about the world we live in. Picture the purple hues in the valley as the sun sets over the mountain tops, the frothy greens of waving fields of Midwestern corn, or the bright, sunny yellow as light pours into your baby’s nursery. Rich, vibrant, saturated colors inspiring the kind of emotion that can add joy to our lives, calm us after a touchy day at the office and even help us fall in love.

Color basics

Look up the definition of color basics on the Internet and you’ll find enough information to fill a book, and a thick one at that.

In its simplest form, color basics is how one color compliments or contrasts another. Through our use of color, we show how we feel about the world around us, and that includes the colors we choose to paint our homes, inside and out. For instance, pick up a monochromatic paint color strip from any paint store and you’ll find six or seven shades of the same color, each a little deeper, a little richer than the one before.

An analogous color scheme, on the other hand, is about colors that exist beside one another on the color wheel. For instance, red next to purple and orange, green between yellow and blue. Finally, complimentary colors are those directly across from one another on the color wheel. By the way, you can download a good color wheel off the Internet or pick up one at your local paint store; they’re handy to have when planning a painting project.

The emotion of color

Most of us don’t think about emotion when it comes to color, but it’s there, especially in the use color and balance of tones in a room. Yellow is cheerful, orange is luscious, red is vibrant, blue is calming, green is serene and purple is majestic. Deep tones can make a dynamic statement, delicate pastels such as pinks and blues are non-threatening, even caressing and work wonderfully in a baby’s room or a bedroom where the idea is to create a soft, cuddly haven. Earth tones such as beige, clays and putty are sophisticated yet restful. Earth hues are warm and inviting to the touch and bring a bit of the outdoors inside. They’re perfect for any room that is open to the exterior through large windows or a door, such as a living room, family room or dining room.

Blank slate versus a full plate

If you’re starting from scratch, then your walls are your blank slate and ready for your artistic touch. However, if you already have furniture, carpet and drapes in the room, picking a paint color for you walls can be a bit more challenging, but also a bit more fun.

Say you have a favorite, sun-yellow couch in your living room. No doubt your carpet and window coverings have picked up on this theme, and so can your wall color. Use the color wheel to zero in on prospective paint colors as you start the selection process, taking into consideration the different colors of fabrics in the room—colors you might want to pull out to compliment the sunny color of your couch. When it comes to color basics, choose whatever inspires you and you won’t go wrong. Contact CertaPro Painters to know more about color basics.

If you try to find those ant repellents in your local supermarket, you will find that there are a lot. Unfortunately, not all of them are safe enough to be used in ordinary situations. While the chemicals from these pest control sprays can get rid of the problem, it can certainly be a health hazard as well. Obviously, you would have to store it somewhere in your home, and if you are not able to keep it properly, there is a possibility that it can be toxic to you, your loved ones and your pets.

Before you purchase anything, this Moxie Pest Control listing suggests that you read the label thoroughly and choose those that have natural components rather than the synthetic ones. In that way, you can be sure that you are able to decorate your house with ease and totally pest-free!

Firstly, the designer should be qualified and experience. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that decorators often have 4 year degrees. This is because there is more to interior design than making a home look appealing. Designers must also ensure that their work meets structural and safety code requirements.

Generally, people will choose a designer that offers them good value for money. Before homeowners sign a contract, they should determine how the designer charges clients for their services. Some examples of payments schemes designers use include a flat design fee, hourly rates, cost-plus method, mixed method and per square foot.

When a homeowner has found a designer they are happy with, they will need to ask them a few questions. A few of the issues that should be discussed before starting work on the house are listed below.

-  What size projects the designer has worked on in the past.
-  What payment schedule the designer uses and when payment is expected.
-  The types of services the designer can provide.
-  The designer should also be able to provide a portfolio and list of references.

Interior design is not an easy task. It can be frustrating, time consuming and complicated. If a designer tells a client that the process is stress free and can be completed within a week or two, homeowners should be wary. This is simply not true. At the end of the day, homeowners will want a designer who is talented, affordable and trustworthy.

Lucky, lucky Picasso.

Today, homeowners can choose from a universe of painting colors to paint their homes, both inside and out. Colors only limited by the imagination. Red colors such as cardinal and scarlet, blue colors such as azure and indigo, greens like moss and teal, and browns such as coffee and bronze. Colors inspired by the great painters of the world.

Take Leonardo DaVinci, for instance. The old Renaissance master wasn’t much for intense colors or contrasts. Instead, he favored neutral grays and the muted tones of earthy browns, greens, and blues. No popping reds for Mona Lisa’s lips, just subtle, comfortable, restful colors that welcomed the viewer to relax into the painting. Choose soft, muted grays and earthy browns for this master’s effect. Gray is the color of security and dependability. Brown is warm and restful. Neutral colors such as grays and browns are among the most popular house painting colors available.

Cubist Pablo Picasso was so fascinated by painting colors that there were actually painting periods named after his color choices—the Blue Period and the Rose Period. During the first period, the artist used monochromatic colors of blue to express his artistry. This period is considered one of Picasso’s most popular, and a lot of it has to do with his wonderful use of blues. As a color, blue is considered calming and restful. It’s a proven fact that certain shades of blue can lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. Blue is the perfect color for a bedroom or dining room where the goals are serenity, warmth and friendship.

In Picasso’s Rose Period, the artist favored cheerful oranges and pinks and produced paintings joyously populated by circus performers, harlequins and clowns. Orange is a power color, a healing color, associated with the force of the sun. It also stimulates enthusiasm and creativity. Rose is the color of romance and love, life and vitality. Colors such as rose and orange are perfect for kitchens and living rooms where the key is lots of activity and family get-togethers.

So, if painting the living room or bedroom is on your calendar, consider your favorite artist and how their works stays with you, long after you’ve left the museum. Perhaps one of the reasons he or she is your favorite has to do with the painting colors used. And if you can’t afford your own DaVinci or Picasso, perhaps you can have the next best thing by painting your walls and surrounding yourself in their colors. The results could be, well, a masterpiece. Or you may hire a professional painter. CertaPro Painters will be happy to do so for you.

The first step is the most aesthetically important and fun step: choosing a color or colors for your space. Beyond just being partial to a color, consider that certain colors lend themselves to different thoughts and moods. Try cool, calm and relaxing colors for a bedroom and keep warmth and energy of vibrant color for a kitchen. Color can make walls melt into the background or become focal points or visual dividers. Consider what complements your furniture and taste then grab paint chips to start narrowing the options. Interior designers actually attach color and fabric samples onto a swatch board to keep everything unified. Take time to deliberate on the color because this is where the impact is. Finally, many paint companies sell sample sizes, so paint few options on your walls to see how natural and artificial light and shadows affect the color in the room.

Now you must choose the type of paint. Traditionally speaking, oil paint has been the go-to paint for quality and longevity, but luckily that is not the only option today. If you’d rather easy cleanup, many water-based paints are now comparable in quality to oil paint and give off less of an odor as they dry. Choosing finishes is also a personal decision, however flat paints are often used for walls and ceilings, while semi-gloss and high-gloss paints are used to set off woodwork, trim and doors.

Take time to effectively prep the space for painting. A thorough job not only means that painting will go more quickly but the finished product will also look neat and professional. Remove all wall art, electrical face plates and nails. If there are any gouges or nail holes in the wall or woodwork, this is the time to repair them. Apply enough spackle with a putty knife to fill in the blemish. When it dries, sand it flush with the rest of the wall and re-texture the area as needed. Next, use painters tape to protect anything you don’t want painted, most commonly this is trim work but you may also want to use the tape to make effects with multiple colors.

Painting a primer coat is an important step to improve the durability of your paint, so that it does not flake, and to provide an even coverage and finished product. Many paint producers have make this weekend project even easier, as many paints now include the primer sealer mixed into the paint.

Utilizing the right tools is also a key to a good finished product. Drop cloths save on cleanup and are a good surety against painting accidents, although wet water-based paints easily wipe off slick surfaces with a damp cloth. If you do use oil-based paint, be sure to have paint thinner available to clean and save your brushes. Rollers do the heavy lifting and make quick work while applying even coverage to the wall. Handle extensions can be used to cover the ceiling and high walls without a ladder. Rollers come in various widths to fit personal preference and design of the project. Medium knap rollers will hold the optimal amount of paint without excess drip. Even so, save the areas near the trim for first or last in order to minimize drips and concentrate on an even coverage near the edges. Detail work, which includes all the work near the trim, can be best applied with an edge brush, which gives you the most control when cutting in. Brushes also give the nicest finish to woodwork even if it takes more time, attention and practice to get the best stroke.

With enough planning, the right tools and the ideal color combination, transforming your space can be a fun, simple project. So get to work! And be sure to add your own helpful painting tips to our comments section.

Megan Gates is an active blogger who provides written work to the blogosphere pertaining to New York City Real Estate Listings, Hamptons Rental Properties, home improvement and the latest architecture, design, fashion and travel.  Follow her on twitter @MEGatesDesign.

Grand

Most people would normally associate the Eiffel with grandeur, since that it exactly what is symbolizes. The first thing you want to do is find the right place for this decal. It would be great if you can find a place where there are not many other objects in its vicinity. An uncluttered area where the tower stands alone makes it look really grand and justifies your investment in it. If you intend to use small Eiffel tower stickers at different places make sure that there are not more than one or two objects placed near it.

An Eiffel tower wall decal also looks great when placed behind your sofa. Only, you need to get it at the right position. If you have two couches facing each other, an Eiffel tower decal in between them is a good idea. Also, get the contrast between the sticker and the wall painting right. It is not necessary that you choose only a black Eiffel tower or a white one. Experiment with different colors. Colorful illustrations also make a lot of sense, especially when you are considering your child’s bedroom. Other wall decals can be similarly well thought out before using them.

What is length and height of each side of your house—also determine which sides you want painted.

How many stories is your house?

When was the last time you painted?

Do you have overhang, such as gutters, fascia or soffit?

What type of walls do you want painted?

How many dormers are there (dormers are windows set vertically into a small gable projecting from a sloping roof)?

How many of each type of windows (single pane, multiple pane, bay)?

How many of each type of doors (flat, flat w/window, paneled, paneled w/window, garage door)?

How many of each type of posts (plain or fancy)?

How many of each type of porches (portico, porch, complex porch)

How many of each type of shutter (large or small)?

If you have fascia boards, what is the total length?

Write down anything additional you’d like painted.

Once you’ve discovered exactly what you want painted on your home’s exterior, right down to the details, you’re ready for a home painting estimate. Do it from the comfort of your own home. Access CertaPro’s exterior house paint estimator by visiting http://www.certapro.com/exterior-house-paint-estimator.aspx. You can also access this page from CertaPro’s home page www.certapro.com, rolling your mouse over “Contact Us,” and clicking “Online Exterior Painting Estimator.”

Or, let the experts come to you. Visit CertaPro corporate website or call Call (800) 689-7271 to schedule a free appointment.

As have been mentioned, there can be several reasons to having rugs in a home or office. One of these reasons is that rugs act as insulators. They can help cut down noise and they can also give warmth and comfort, especially to bare feet. They also add color and style to what would have been an uninspiring room. They can also be updated so that they reflect seasonal colors. You might think that doing so would cost a lot but with the range of options we have, we really need not bust out our budget to have beautiful rugs in our office or in our living spaces.

There are several kinds of rugs. There are natural rugs and there are also synthetic ones. Some are made by machines and some are hand-woven. Some come in neutral colors, others in light colors and others in dark shades. Some give a feeling of freshness, others give a feeling of coolness and others suggest warmth. There are also several well-known brands of rugs, among them being KAS rugs and Capel rugs. Some come with a hefty price tag and many of them are quite affordable.

Rugs can also vary according to their function. Some are best used indoors and some do great outdoors. Whatever taste we might have, there is surely a rug that would fit our preferences quite well. The key is for us to take a good look at what options we have so that we can find the kind of rug we are most pleased with.
Whatever reason we might have for buying a rug and using one, what is important is that we are happy with the choice we have made. So start taking a closer look at your options today!

When your home is furnished with beds, sofas, coaches, tables, chairs, wall fitting etc. You will find empty spaces were by adding something you will elevate its beauty and give it a new look for e.g. stoves can be considered as a home decor accessory of a living room in places where the winter is very cold.

Here are a few tips on adding the finishing touches:

• If your furniture and carpeting are in neutral colours you can add accessories that contain accented colours to make the environment look trendy.
• You can create a focal point, to define your room’s colour, it can be a framed art, a chandelier etc. You may also choose a sofa or a chair to allow you to set the colour scheme for your room.
• Lamps and lighting are also considered to be decor accessories. You have options to choose from table top candle holder, lamps of different shapes, candle lamps etc.
• You may install wall hangings, as spaces on the wall may be above the sofa or the bed or a recessed wall which is a perfect space for a montage of framed photos.
• You can place on table tops, shelves on pedestals and on the floor candles, figurines, vases and plants.
• You will find in Scotland people install like Edinburgh wood stoves and on top of them in the empty space they place collections of books and other miscellaneous treasures as a form of home decor accessories.

People add accessories to their home decor to complete a room that is just being set up or to update a room to change the look and feel without adding any new furniture in that space.

Still, falling leaves and palettes of riotous flowers remind one that winter whites and browns will soon invade the neighborhoods. All that white is, of course, great for Christmas. Still, the other three to five months can leave you feeling drab and dreary. Especially if the inside walls of your home are as faded as the outside, swirling snow.

So, before the temperature drops and five foot snow drifts make you abandon all hope, think about giving your interior walls a little boost.  Color studies show that a new paint job is one of the best cures for the winter blues.

But where to start?

Color studies note that the kitchen is the heart of the home, hence the most important room in the house. Cooking has become a social activity, and everybody wants in on the fun. Kitchens are cozy just by definition. In fact, the greatest number of home remodels is in the kitchen.

Still, not everyone can afford a major kitchen remodel, especially in this day and age. However, color studies prove a bit of paint on cabinets and walls can give the kitchen a well deserved face lift and add some good cheer at a fraction of the cost. Choose colors that are light and dreamy to bring new life to the room. White walls are the perfect setting for a room full of vibrantly-colored furnishing without making the room feel cluttered. And pastels such as pale yellows, blues and lavenders can create an atmosphere that is calming and serene. For a dapper finish, change the cabinet hardware and cover the out-dated linoleum with easy-to-install vinyl floor tiles.

Whatever color studies you choose, rest assured that a weekend well spent applying a couple of shades of paint will do wonders for your well being and produce a delightful invitation to your family to get acquainted again with their home.

Color studies show that changing wall colors can be an exciting project. The right color of paint can create a mood and an opportunity to expression your personality, putting your personal stamp on the most important place to your family, your home.

Pastel colors, such as pale yellows, blues and lavenders can create an atmosphere that is light and airy. Blues produce a cool effect, and adding a touch of red or orange with give the room as accent of warmth.

Color studies show that fresh paint can bring new life to your walls, to the room in general, and even lift your spirits. Colors like yellow, red, and beige warm up large spaces and help give an intimate feel to the place.

Paint a wall or alcove red to make a powerful design statement to add depth to the room. Mixing colors can also provide a welcome sense of drama and dimension.

For more information about color studies, please visit CertaPro Painters corporate website.