magnetic chalkboard paint

Boys Room Paint Ideas - Have a Little Fun With It

2010-01-17T18:50:00.001-08:00

Most children like their bedroom to reflect their own personality and interests. With a bit of imagination and a few pots of paint a plain boy's room can be turned into a place of their very own. By all means surprise him - but it won't harm to get some ideas and feedback from the intended resident.

Themed Boys' Rooms

A popular way of making over a boy's room is to theme it according to their interests and passions. Whatever the boy's favorite subject or activity there is likely to be a theme that can complement it. At the risk of gender stereotyping, popular choices involve cars, trains, cowboys, marine themes, outdoors, outer space and sport. Especially if you're on a budget, the important thing with choosing a theme is to make sure that the key features of the theme can be achieved in paint.

Expressing a room theme using paint can involve little more than choosing a suitable color scheme (perhaps a sports team's colors) and recreating motifs associated with the theme. At the other end of the spectrum is the creation of a full-on illusion. If your son is adamant he wants to live in a tree house, you can use paint on all four walls plus ceiling to create that fantasy, using accessories to provide the finishing touches. With faux brickwork (easy with stencils) you can fake a room in a castle or, with trompe l'oeil portholes, the appearance of a ship's cabin.

Imaginative ways to use paint in themed rooms are legion. A young car fanatic might be amused by road markings painted on the floor or faux tire tracks stenciled on the walls. You don't have to stick to murals or borders depicting cars. If the theme is the Wild West or a castle, you can use faux painting techniques to simulate a distressed or antique look. Metallic paints can be used to simulate chrome, bronze and metal features appropriate to a particular theme.

Bear in mind when choosing a theme for a boy's room that children's passions can be short-lived and you don't want to have to redecorate when the fad passes.

Color Schemes and Paints

Themed rooms often invite particular color schemes and treatments. If you're not going for a theme, consider a color scheme that doesn't show the dirt that many small boys seem to attract. Washable, scuff-resistant paints are recommended for active boy's rooms.

Special Paints

Special purpose paints can add humour and fun to a boy's room. A young astronomer might appreciate the constellations in luminous paint on the ceiling, for example. Chalkboard paint is a great idea for children's rooms and serves a practical purpose. It only comes in black and green though you can make your own in other colors. Painted on walls or doors, chalkboard paint allows kids to draw on the walls without doing permanent damage! Magnetic paint is another fun invention that will allow a boy to pin up his favorite pics using magnets.

Getting your boy's room ready? Visit ThatPainterLady.com for tons of decorating ideas and find popular nursery theme ideas for boys too.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debra_T_Conrad

Amazing Paint

2010-01-17T18:49:00.000-08:00

Paint! Did you know there is over 20 different variations of paint which are all designed to create different results? Thanks to impressive paint technology, you can now just about paint anything to add decorative color and amazing effects to any aspect of your home. Both inside and out.

With the right paint combination's you can:

Make wood look like Marble. Transform Boring Walls Into Accent Attractions. Make a Room Appear Larger or Smaller. Create the Look of Fabric on Flat Surfaces. Turn Cheap Plastic into Impressive Faux Terra Cotta Pieces. Turn New into Antiques. Change the Old Into New. And...the list goes on and on.

So, to tickle your creative fancy here's the list of the most popular types of paint that are tried and true favorites.

Chalkboard Paint: This is a cool paint that will make any flat surface a chalkboard. No longer are you limited to black, you can add or order various dark colors that will work just as well. For smaller projects you can buy a spray can. Brush on gallons are available for larger applications.

Crackle Paint: This is a 2-step paint package that will give any piece (new or old) an antiqued look. It works well on walls, columns, paintings and wood furniture.

Frosted-Glass Paint: This paint application on glass a will create a semi-transparent, frosted look. Perfect for windows when you need privacy but don't want curtains.

Pearlescent Paint: Gives any surface a shimmery, pearlized appearance.

Magnetic Paint: Apply a layer of this paint before applying chalkboard paint and you have unlimited creative expression options.

Leather Look Paint - These come in multi-step roll or spray on kits to give a wall, furniture piece or lamp shade a nice suede leather look.

Metallic Paint: This comes in sprays and can give plastic, wood, plaster etc. a fantastic metal finish. Works great on picture frames.

Mirror Paint: Any piece of glass can become a mirror. It's always applied to the back, or bottom of the glass and comes with a sealer to protect the finish. Try it on a glass table or large vase.

Self Blending Paint: Irritated by the lines that your roller or brush creates? This paint is designed to blend together to guarantee a smooth finish. Perfect for kitchen cabinets.

Fabric Paint: This is an amazing medium. Easy to apply to most fabrics, but it is especially good for blankets and sisal rugs. There will often be sealing instructions for color protection, such as heat setting.

Paint Pens: Great idea for detailed work or tight spaces. It's paint so it has the longevity of a painted project but is applied like a marker.

Glow in the Dark Paint: Perfect for the kid's room. Use it on the ceiling, head board or even the wood floor to inspire adventures when the lights go out.

Denim Paint: This kit gives any surface the look of denim. There are also kits to create the appearance of linen and canvas.

Plastic Spray Paint: Need strong water proof paint for the out door furniture. This stuff is perfect and comes in a wide variety of colors.

The potential of these paint applications are unlimited. Some also require a specific type roller or brush to aid in the desired effect so be sure to read the paint packaging before leaving the home improvement center.

For tons of money saving, frugally fabulous professional design tips and secrets - visit: Frugal Home Design which has been created to help the "frustrated interior decorator in each of us". Affordably fun information combined with your implementation will create the home you have always wanted. Start Here Now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sue_E_Krippner

How to Paint Almost Anything From Cheap to Chic

2010-01-17T18:48:00.000-08:00

With the current economy, most people are careful with their spending at home. So what are you to do when you are a bit afraid to spend money but want to live in comfort and style at home? Answer - think creatively:

• Use what you have at home in a "different way" (new furniture placement)

• Filter your spending (do you really Want? Love? Need? an item)

• Hire an interior decorator to help you save money, time, and avoid mistakes

• Think Cheap to Chic with PAINT!

I have said it before and I will say it again, "paint" is the most economical way to transform your home to "feel" and "look" different. The above picture is of one of my designs. My client wanted her small studio apartment to feel large, airy, and with a design style that represented her - in an economical way of course. So, my secret weapon to the r-e-s-c-u-e: "paint"!

Ladies - remember how you feel when you put on makeup that makes you look more gorgeous than you already are? That's how a new fresh coat of paint feels (gorgeous home)!

Fellas - remember how you feel when your favorite team won a game even though you are not even a player in the game? That's how a new fresh coat of paint feels (winner at home)!

Did you know that you could paint almost anything in your home? Yes, anything! Here's a list of a variety of things that you can use as a guide to go from cheap to chic using the secret wand - paint:

PAINT WALLS:
Duh! Okay, that was a no brainer! However, be creative when painting your walls - mask the walls with painters tape to make geometric (chic!) designs, or you can even use plates of different sizes to outline circles with a pencil to paint on your walls. There are also sassy wall paints that provide the unexpected; such as, magnetic paint, chalkboard paint, suede look, linen fabric look.

Extra tip: when using painter's tape seal the tape lines with clear glaze to get an added protection against jagged lines.

PAINT FABRICS:
Most of the time we try our best NOT to get stains or paint on our fabrics, but with a "cheap to chic" mission in mind turn drab to fab by painting your fabrics.

How: Paint toss pillows, shower curtains, window curtains, cabinet skirts by using textile paint (found at most craft stores). Make sure you follow the curing time for the paint to dry; and wala - you have your very own customized chic design!

PAINTING CERAMIC TILES:
Yes, you read correctly - you can paint ceramic tiles in your bathroom. So if you currently have scary looking tiles that scream "puke color" every time you see it, then economically transform your tile color from blah to wow!

What you will need: 150 grit sandpaper, paintbrush, trisodium phosphat cleanser, boning/ceramic primer and your favorite color of paint in latex.

PAINT LAMINATED FURNITURE:
Do you have a laminated bookcase that is older than books published in 1960s? Then bring it back to life with paint.

How: Sand to scuff away the gloss, use a paint roller (using a brush will leave streak marks), prime, paint using your fabulously looking new paint color, and seal the color using polyurethane.

So, take a close look at your furniture, which are laminated (aka: easily paintable)? Most drawers are usually laminated. Hmmm, perhaps you can paint each drawer a different color to match the color scheme within your room. Simple! Impactful!

Designer tip: instead of using a rag to clean the dust after sanding, use a tack (a sticky) cloth.

PAINT GLASS:
Do you have glass vases hidden away because they do not match your décor? Well, bring them out to play! Then, as a hungry person carries a fork and spoon in hands, get your paint and brush in hands. Customizes clear vases, bowls, and even plates creatively.

How: you can easily get glass paint at your local craft store. Make sure you seal the paint with varnish.

Tip: if you have a clear glass table, create a design under the glass and let your personality shine through. Perhaps you can even stencil words under the table - "Live! Love! Laugh!" is one of my favorite quotes.

PAINT WOOD FLOORS:
That's right, you can even paint your wood floors. If you have a staircase made of wood, try stenciling a design on every step or painting a carpet design onto it. Can't afford an area rug to separate your space within a room? Then, paint an area rug with a design that you love.

How: A little prep work goes a long way - make sure that no nails are loose, sand floors, remove dust and /or wax buildup, clean, coat with stain blocking primer, then paint away in the direction of the grain. For durability, consider applying clear polyurethane.

Remember, turn cheap can be chic and live in luxurious comfort within your home and within your "self".

Ada Gonzalez is an interior decorator who designs solutions that provide comfort & function with a BIG SPLASH of style without having to spend hi-end prices on furniture & furnishings. Her designs have been featured in the Life & Style section of The Journal News, Sound Shore Express newspaper, and the Lohub Blog of Westchester County. In April 2007 she won a design competition called "Interior Motives". She was honored as an Interior Decorating Subject Specialist March and April of 2007 for DETC (Distant Education Training Council) helping perfect learning materials for interior decorating students. Her ezine called Smart Decorating!, which offers FREE DECORATING TIPS, is her way of helping people across the United States learn to comfortably live in and love their homes - to get more information on her ezine go to http://www.adasdecoratingsolutions.com

Email: info@adasdesigninc.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ada_Gonzalez

Five Fun Painting Ideas For Kids Rooms

2010-01-17T18:47:00.000-08:00

So you want to change the look of your child's room but aren't really sure how to do it. You've never really been a painter, but hiring someone else to do is going to cost way too much. So now what? There are some fun and easy painting ideas for kids rooms that anyone can do and will easily change the look and feel of the bedroom all together.

1. Using words to decorate the walls. You probably never thought that decorating the walls with words could change the way it looks. You can keep the background color of your walls exactly the same not even lifting a paint brush. There are several different ways to go about painting words. You can do it by hand which can add a personal touch to any room, however if you're handwriting is less than perfect you can also buy stencils to etch the words across the room. Some of the most fun and creative ideas come from nursery rhymes and other poems you may have heard. For example, for little boy's rooms you could write the words "Snakes and Snails and Puppy dog tails, that's what little boys are made of." For little girls who might be sharing a room with sister you could write a cute phrase like, "Two are we, my sister and me." You can make them up yourself or go looking for different quotes to use.

2. Murals. There are hundreds of different murals you can paint onto the walls of a kid's room, however finding someone to draw it for you might be hard to find. Since it's not a "professional" room or model home that you're showing to a lot of people you can get away with having an amateur artist come and draw whatever it is you need. Then once the mural is done you can paint it as you like. Murals can change the look and feel of a bedroom dramatically and can literally make a kids room become a fantasy world.

3. Sketches. Sketching is a great way to use the paint in a bedroom, especially if you're talented with the pencil. So what if you're not? Well, instead of fretting over how you're going to draw what your child wants look through some magazines and books to find the picture, make transparency of it and then project it onto the wall and trace it. It's really that simple. Once you've got the outlines of the character or object you can start painting. So sketches can be a fun and easy way to add some personality to the bedroom whether you can draw or not.

4. Themes. Of course when you're painting your child's room you can always go with a theme which sometimes makes it easier to figure out exactly what you're looking for. If you pick a theme before you begin any of the other stuff you can really get a clear picture of how you want to paint the room and what colors you will want to use. There are thousands of ideas out there when it comes to using themes to paint a room. From ocean sea floors, to princess and space ships the sky is truly the limit.

5. Magnetic and chalked paint. There are thousands of different ways to paint a child's bedroom, and two of the coolest things you can do with wall paint is painting a wall with magnetic or chalked paint. Yes it's true, you can buy paint that will actually make the wall a magnet and create a world of fun for your child. You can also buy paint that will allow your youngster to write directly on their wall like a chalkboard and erase it just the same. Of course you have to be careful that they only draw on the wall that has the chalked paint on it, but other than that it can be a lot of fun. There are literally hundreds of painting ideas for kid's room. The hard part about it is finding one that you absolutely love and your child will love.

Debbie Gretsch is a work-at-home writer. Her interests are parenting, education, pets and relationships. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two kids.

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Chalkboard Paint - Easy Way to Decorate Your Home

2010-01-17T18:46:00.000-08:00

If you thought chalkboards were just for schoolrooms, think again. These wipe-off writing surfaces make handy helpers around the home, too. Thanks to paint that dries into a chalkboard finish, your board can be whatever size you desire and placed wherever you like.

You can make your own chalkboard paint. There are several recipes online, most of them consist of the same ingredients. Here's what you should prepare ;

1) Latex paint with flat finish
2) Unsanded tile grout
3) Sandpaper ( 400 grit )

Once you are set with the painting process, determine where the chalkboard will be set up. You can even use your kitchen door. Sand the surface to a fine finish. Then, use a marker to mark the borders of the area to be painted. Clean this area with clean and wet cotton rags and let it dry. Make sure it is completely dry before you move the next process.

Mix together latex paint and unsanded tile grout and make sure it blend well until no clumps at all. Apply your paint with a regular paint brush and allow each coat of paint to dry completely, before applying the next.After each coat of paint, gently sand the paint with a 400 grit or higher grit sandpaper and wipe away any dust by using cotton rag. This is very important step to ensure your your painted surface nicely clean and smooth. Let it dry for at least one day.

I hope this gets you started on your chalkboard paint project. Your kids are going to love it!

With little more than chalkboard paint and a sheet of galvanized metal, you can create a multipurpose magnetic chalkboard. Display magnetic photos, write a poem, give an inspirational quote, or just remind the family you will be late. Get some tips and tricks of how to decorate your home using magnetic chalkboard paint athttp://magnetic-chalkboard-paint.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lan_Magneto

The Magic of Magnet and Chalk Paint

2010-01-17T18:45:00.002-08:00

With so many new and innovative paint applications on the market today there is one that stands out significantly from the rest.

You may have seen and enjoyed all the variables on the market, but one you may have over looked is magnetic/chalk paint. It's fantastically functional and simply, fun!

Magnetic chalkboard paint will turn any wall into a huge fridge magnet for all those notes, coupons, art work etc. You can also use it as a chalk board for those to do lists, fun drawing surface, or space saving teaching aid.

Here's a few ideas to provide inspiration to get you started and to get an idea of how versatile this paint really is:

Use it in your Kid's Room:

For the younger ones who may love to draw, you can create a space on the wall for them to express their imagination. Avoid the messy spills and stains of markers and paint on the floor.

The popular plastic letter magnets would work perfectly on these walls giving your children plenty of manipulative space. Create bed time chalk talks, leave surprise messages for them when they get back from school, list daily chores, etc.

Magnetic chalk Paint is Perfect for the Home Office:

Lose the bulky hole making cork boards and expand the story boarding potential with a full size wall of magnet business support. Post daily to do's without the pins. Create priority lists that are easy to update and manipulate with magnets or a chalkboard eraser.

Give the Refrigerator a Break:

Painting on a small section of wall, on the pantry door or another kitchen space. Notes, to-do's, the latest school projects, coupons can now be posted without cluttering up the fridge.

Hang Photo's:

Want to hang photo's but don't want to damage the wall? If you paint up to 3 coats you will be able to support framed art work and photo's.

Design a special wall to mark those significant occasions like birthdays and holidays that can be changed as frequently as you desire.

Paint 2 or 3 Walls in the Teen's Room Using Magnetic Chalk Paint:

Protect your wall from all those posters. No more sticky tape, oily yellowed stains from poster tack or holes from the constant up and down of pictures. And, when that teen is ready to go off to college, they can be removed easily. No mess with even less fuss.

Paint it on a Kid's Table:

Go green by limiting paper by creating work space directly on the table rather than over the table.

Apply it to the ceiling:

Love the stars? Use magnetic paint to star gaze and create your own constellations. Surprise your significant other with a morning message above the bed each day. Host a lot of parties? Paint the ceiling with a few coats to support magnets that can hold lights, and other party decorations.

Frankly, the only limit to how you can use this paint is your imagination!

All it takes to apply is the standard roller and brush method. There is no special wall preparation needed and any color can be mixed to contrast or accent your existing walls.

Though a combination product is being suggested here, if you don't want the magnetic feature but just the chalk talking paint or vise versa - you can buy each product individually.

For a current list of paint suppliers that carry magnetic/chalkboard paint and step-by-step application instructions visit: visit http://www.frugalhomedesign.com/Magnetic-Paint.html. You will also find other frugal money saving interior design ideas, tips and professional secrets to help make your home frugally fabulous!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sue_E_Krippner

Lap Chalkboards

2010-01-17T18:45:00.001-08:00

Lap chalkboards are the smaller version of a normal chalkboard and are usually used by kindergarten students. A lap chalkboard is easy to carry and easier to use, as it is almost featherweight. Small children are encouraged to use these types of chalkboards so that they can practice and hone their writing skills without worrying about the amount of space and money required to buy paper.

Some college teachers encourage their students to use lap chalkboards s to reduce the cost of books and paper. Another advantage of lap chalkboards is students can use these individually, and the teacher can get an answer to a specified question from one or all of the students.

A lap chalkboard can be made at home by spraying chalkboard paint on a piece of cardboard. Chalkboard paint can be made using three teaspoons of acrylic paints, one and a half spoons of glazing medium, and half a teaspoon of powder tile grout. Mixing all the ingredients will produce chalkboard paint that can be sprayed on any surface to produce a working lap chalkboard.

Another important advantage of an individual chalkboard is that it can really help a person improve handwriting. Two students can be paired and then given a word or a sentence to be written by both the students simultaneously. The words or sentences can then be compared for mistakes and illegibility.

Mini chalkboards can also be used to bolster the memory of a child or a person. This is possible on a chalkboard, because a sentence that is erased and rewritten is remembered well, as compared to a sentence that is written twice on the same page.

Lap chalkboards are also called slates, as they are made up of a stone called 'slate.' A lap chalkboard is the first tool that a child uses when learning to write. It is important to select the right kind of board so that the first scribbles can turn into first words.

Chalkboards [http://www.e-Chalkboards.com] provides detailed information on Chalkboards, Kitchen Chalkboards, Magnetic Chalkboards, Slate Chalkboards and more. Chalkboards is affiliated with School Backpacks.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Seth_Miller

Classroom Chalkboards

2010-01-17T18:44:00.001-08:00

Black boards, or chalkboards as they are popularly called, were developed by a teacher who found it impossible to solve long mathematical equations on every child's personal board. Some chalkboards were as simple as wooden boards painted with black grit; others were made of porcelain and imported from the United Kingdom. Eventually, chalkboards made of large slabs of slate were being shipped across America with the growth of the railroad industry.

Today chalkboards come in different types and sizes. Some examples of chalkboards are porcelain on steel magnetic chalkboards, composition chalkboards, free-standing reversible chalkboards, display/menu chalkboards, A-Frame sidewalk chalkboards, multi-task easels, lap boards, combination boards, music staff lined chalkboards, fused lines and graphics boards. Chalkboard frames are made of different materials like oak, teakwood, plastic, and aluminum and are generally green or black in color. Some are lined with felt so as to be used as a tack board.

As of now, the usage of chalk-based blackboards has been considerably reduced, most likely because of the emergence of whiteboards that work with dry-ease and water-soluble markers that are simpler to use. In the case of classic chalkboards, the board has to be properly seasoned, and water and chalk should be prevented from mixing on its surface, as it leads to board deterioration. This is not necessary with white boards, and, thus, they are convenient and very easy to use.

Things have come a long way since the old slate chalkboards. With the advent of newer teaching equipment, like projectors and computers, the use of chalkboards might look to be dwindling, but they have always been a favorite with teachers.

Chalkboards [http://www.e-Chalkboards.com] provides detailed information on Chalkboards, Kitchen Chalkboards, Magnetic Chalkboards, Slate Chalkboards and more. Chalkboards is affiliated with School Backpacks.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Seth_Miller

Unique Paint - Paint that Will Impress You and Your Home - Got Milk?

2010-01-17T18:43:00.001-08:00

The most economical way to transform a room is by using paint. Whether it is used as a SPLASH of color or in full scale it WILL MAKE A HUGE difference in how your room "feels" and "looks". Below I reveal MY favorite impressive paints. I bet that at least ONE of them (if not all) will IMPRESS YOU. Here they are:

Chalkboard Paint!

This is my latest FAVORITE! I am a firm believer that ADULTS can have
FUN TOO which is why I like using chalkboard paint to modernize a look "in an unconventional way". All you need is to prime the wall 1st, then paint away, let dry and HAVE FUN WRITING ON THE WALLS. Chalk is easily removable with paper/water or an eraser board.

Magnetic Paint!

What is AMAZING about this paint - well apart from transforming your wall into a magnetic surface - is that the magnetic paint is actually the primer; therefore you can select your own paint (whatever color your heart desires) as the top coat. How COOL is THAT! Go to http://www.kling.com for more information.

Metallic Paint!

How luxurious would the color of pearls look on your wall. Well, now you can
EASILY achieve it! Ever dream of having an area with the colors & shine of gold, bronze, copper, and silver? Well now you can! Go to http://www.benjaminmoore.com for more information.

Milk Paint!

Yes, you read correctly. The ingredients (now don't try to brew this at home!) are milk/cottage cheese, lime, and earth pigment. The paint is intended to be applied to wood. It is environmentally safe, weather resistant, has no harmful odors, and easy to clean up. How impressive is THAT! Want more information? Go to http://www.realmilkpaint.com for more information. GOT MILK?

Did I win the bet? Did I surprise and impress you with the paint selection? Remember there are TONS of unique paint & painting techniques to use! I strive to always present my clients with unique painting ideas and I would be happy to help you as well.

Ada Gonzalez is an interior decorator who designs solutions that provide comfort & function with a BIG SPLASH of style without having to spend hi-end prices on furniture & furnishings. Her designs have been featured in the Life & Style section of The Journal News, Sound Shore Express newspaper, and the Lohub Blog of Westchester County. In April 2007 she won a design competition called "Interior Motives". She was honored as an Interior Decorating Subject Specialist March and April of 2007 for DETC (Distant Education Training Council) helping perfect learning materials for interior decorating students. Her ezine called Smart Decorating!, which offers FREE DECORATING TIPS, is her way of helping people across the United States learn to comfortably LIVE IN and LOVE THEIR HOMES – to get more information on her ezine go to http://www.adasdecoratingsolutions.com

Web: http://www.adasdesigninc.com Ezine: http://www.adasdecoratingsolutions.com

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