Christmas is quickly approaching and before you know it, it’s the new year. So, are thinking of doing home improvement projects to kick start the new year? I’m not a big DIY type of gal but when my husband and I purchased our new home in March, we decided to do some painting to spice up our place. I’m an amateur painter but I’ve been so inspired after watching HG TV for three straight months. They really make it look VERY easy. But the truth is, it’s not! It require hours of prepping before you can even touch the paintbrush. However, the results can be very fulfilling when the rooms are done and not to mention how much money we saved. Nowadays, we can all keep the cash in our pockets.
Photo courtesy of Patrick Goossen.
If you have the time and some artistic skills, I think it’s a great DIY project for the new year. I stumbled across an article from the Nest that I find to be very helpful to get you started on your next DYI paint job. The fun part is to pick up your colors. You should absolutely purchase different color sample paint and test them on the walls. Otherwise, you run the risk of hating the results. Also, remember to take different combinations of color cards at the paint store so you can play with the swatches. I also purchased The Color Scheme Bible: Inspirational Palette for Designing Home Interiors to help me with the project. This book gives me different color ideas, and it tells me how to choose the right color to create the right mood.
If your walls are already painted, you do not need to prime it first. When it comes to choosing the type of paint, I highly recommend spending a little extra because you will thank me when you begin to paint. I recommend using Benjamin Moore Green Promise paint. Instead of applying 4-5 coats, you only need 1-2 coats. Although they are more expensive (about $20-30 more), they really save you time and money. Plus, you will not be attacked by strong odor during and after the painting.
As most of you probably know, you need to use painting tape to keep the lines looking clean. But if you have non-smooth walls like the popular orange peel texture, it will increase the difficulty of your project. Even after I carefully pressed the tape to the walls, paint still leaked through creating jagged lines. No matter how careful you tape, this will still happen. So, be prepare to use a small art paint brush to go back and touch up the lines. Yes, it does require steady hands to get the prefect results. However, you’ll be impressed with the quality when you’re done. Try it and have fun with your project!
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