Paint is the magic elixir of decorating fairy tales. With one container, you can take a room from dark and dreary to light and bright – or from neutral to bold – all in one day. Even though it’s always been known as the cheapest way to get a big change, it can be a little daunting. Don’t be scared, though! With just a few tips you can paint like a pro.
Buy the best paint you can afford. There are tons of great brands out there, and I’m sure you already have a favorite. Typically the better the paint the higher the price tag, but it’s not always the case. You can easily find great options for $25 a gallon or less, and that’s a small price to pay for the impact it makes.
Prep your area properly. Unless you’re a painting ninja, you really should protect your floors against drips. I use brown craft paper rolls, which I buy at the $1 store. They cover a lot of area, are super cheap, and when you’re finished it cleans up in a snap. If you have trim, etc. that needs to be taped off, do it before you open up the paint to make sure that everything is protected.
Stir the paint really well. This is the step that a lot of folks skip, but it’s important to get even color on your walls. Use those paint sticks you get with the gallon to stir it well before starting, and if you’re painting for an extended time, stir during use. It keeps all the colorants well distributed for best results.
Use the right tools. If you’re painting trim, use a trim brush – and buy the best you can afford. A really good brush is an investment that will last a long time if properly taken care of. You don’t buy a hammer use it once, then throw it away. Paint tools are the same thing. Buy them once, buy them right, take care of them, and they’ll last a long, long time.
Speaking of tools, I just tried a new kind of roller (to me) from HomeRight called PaintStick EZ-Twist. Have you seen these? They hold the paint in the stick – so there’s no messy pan to deal with. Besides having less mess, it makes it go so much faster than a normal roller. I rolled my entire office in under half an hour. That’s fast. Like ninja fast. I guess I’m a painting ninja after all! {Homeright provided me with the tool for this project.}
It is a pretty neat tool, though. The paint goes from the handle into the roller and then on the walls. So, so easy. So, so cool.
If you dread painting walls, not only does it make it go faster, you can play with a new tool like the PaintStick at the same time. And, if your husband is like mine… a new toy usually does the trick to getting him to do the work. Not that I’m tricky or anything. But then again, I am a ninja… so ya never know π
As for the black and white corner…. well there’s a little sneak peek of my office for ya. See, there I go again with my ninja ways.
kelly arent-Copper Roof Interiors LLC says
I LOVE your blog…one of my favs! Going right now to learn how to put fonts on my pc….I have loaded them in the past….but can’t find figure out how to pull them up and use them. Thanks!
Oh and btw….you are going to be my Friday share today!
Kelly
Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} says
Looks awesome, Gina! Now I need you and your awesome tools to come help paint my living room. As soon as I find the right shade of gray… which may NEVER happen. π
Dawn says
Your office is looking so cute:) I love it!
nanasewn says
I would love to know how to do the calking if needed at baseboards, backsplash etc without it looking like the amateur that I am!! any help?
Gina Luker says
Caulking is easy peasy! I actually did a post about it that you can find here: http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2011/12/how-to-caulk-like-girl.html
Good luck!
nanasewn says
that looks great on the outside of the house. Looking for some help at back splash etc tht gets close scrutiny. The pros always seem to run their fingers down it. When we do it, it is all over the place.
kblack9339 says
Thanks so much for this post. Love your blog. I’ve been putting off painting and this may just motivate me!!
srpprcrftr says
Have got to try those rollers. Think I might have seen them at either Lowes or Home Depot. Wherever, I’m gonna get those babies. I’m a very messy painter. That’s usually how I get hubs to help, he can’t stand how I paint. Whenever I’m painting anything he’s standing close by ready to grab my hand and take over. Go for it big boy, lol. It’s too cold here right now but when it’s nice enuf to have doors and windows open that paint is coming out onto the walls. Great project today Gina. It’s getting to be that time of year pretty soon, (not soon enuf for me).
Happy Days
Pendra says
Can’t wait to see your office…lookin good!
~Pendra
Carla Romig says
Your blog is simply fabulous! I love to read your posts, so many insights, every time that I read it my head start spinning with so many ideas!
Carla
Jenny Lynn says
Well, I gotta get one of those rollers.Seems like it will make painting easier.Office is looking good!
Libby says
Love your painted walls. And I totally agree with your tips. I’m still working on my craft space, but I also opted to go for a black wall. The other three are a lime green color.
Here’s my post on painting tips: http://artisticexpressionsbyelisabeth.blogspot.com/2012/04/listen-to-paint-painting-101.html
Here’s my post w/video to show my craft room (in progress): http://artisticexpressionsbyelisabeth.blogspot.com/2013/02/revisiting-craft-space-blog-video.html
Melissa Owczarzak says
Ooh good tips I have several rooms to paint π
thetinsel.com
Melissa Owczarzak says
new follower btw π
Sarah Navina says
Can you tell us about furniture that how to pain furniture. Which kind of rules we can apply for our furniture because furniture is very expensive stuff in the house and its very hard to fine cheap furniture in the market. Thanks