PAINTER'S EDGE

Paint Colour Trends

2014-05-22T20:23:00.000-07:00

Paint colors for walls are a key element in all design plans. The right shade can define a decor style, set a mood or highlight any of your favorite simple room design colors. For this reason, decorating with paint requires research and preparation to ensure that the new space perfectly embodies your desired look. The first thing to consider prior to narrowing down any new wall color ideas is the overall palette you wish to work with. Whether you are looking for beautiful neutral colors or a bold vibrant hue, all shades fall into one of two major categories – warm or cool. Today’s great wall paint color ideas feature a palette of hues that all fall into the same shade category. This will ensure that, no matter which hues you select, all will coordinate harmoniously. Remember that cool tones should be selected when creating contemporary designs, while warm color schemes can be chosen to evoke a more elegant style in traditional homes.

If you are nearing the end of your remodeling project and still have not narrowed down a final color palette, we have a few helpful tips to point you in the right direction. First, begin by browsing our popular galleries of home design photos. Oftentimes, indecisive homeowners simply need a little inspiration to discover the amazing potential of a space. When evaluating décor pictures and matching paint colors for your own home, be sure to look at the surrounding finishes such a flooring, architectural accents and trim work. A popular wall colour that looks fabulous against dark wood floors and crisp white trim may not translate the same in a home with neutral carpet and beige woodwork. You can easily avoid this design mishap by purchasing samples of today’s most popular interior paint colors. Cover a small portion of your wall and observe how the hue appears in the room throughout the day under varying light conditions then pick your favorite shade.

Understanding how to choose paint colors varies from room to room. When experimenting with unique color trends for interior spaces it is important to understand the best looks for each type of area. For example, the best bathroom paint colors include light, neutral hues such as tan and grey, as well as organic shades like a cool crisp blue or green. Light soothing colors are preferred for bathrooms because they illuminate and create the illusion of more space in these generally small rooms. When choosing a wall paint color for other areas of the home like a kitchen or living room, there is more flexibility to get creative and have fun with bold new shades. Our favorite choices for paint colors for kitchens are vibrant hues that stimulate your appetite while creating lively environment to entertain and prepare meals. Consider rich teals and bold reds or, for a more muted palette, a beautiful crisp cool grey paired with eye catching accent colors.
While some areas of the home encourage whimsical experimentation with wall colors, other rooms must rely on a more understated design statement with paint. For example, designers agree that modern bedroom paint colors should not be bright and overwhelming. This space should be filled with subtle neutral tones that create a calming atmosphere to promote relaxation. Selecting lighter color trends does not mean a room will be drab and devoid of style. Consider wall color schemes in cool crisp greys or subtle relaxing blues with imaginative pops of vibrant orange or a bold cranberry accent color to infuse design interest. These simple do it yourself design ideas can be carried to paint colors for a living room. Rather than selecting bold wall color schemes, pick a trendy neutral for walls then develop visual interest via rich textiles or a bright shade for the ceiling. Have fun with color and think outside of the box to create an unforgettable space.

Montes Painting 2014

http://diyhomedesignideas.com/2014-color/wall-1.php?gclid=CjgKEAjwwPabBRCXo46OtM_RhGMSJACgCeqAWfa-Vvdi4fqvpjrT7RK3fwvKxzIdAql92TKx5jGtsvD_BwE

Pick Paint Colors For Your House

2014-05-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

How to find the best color combinations for your exterior painting project

If you're planning to paint an older home, you'll probably want to use a historically accurate color scheme. You can hire a pro to analyze old paint chips and recreate the original color. Or, you can refer to a historic color chart and select shades that might have been used at the time your home was built.
Paint Color Idea: Historic Colors at Roseland Cottage
2. Jazz Up the Past
In some neighborhoods, homeowners fly in the face of history. Instead of choosing historically accurate colors, they paint their houses modern colors to dramatize architectural details. Using bright colors on old architectural details can produce startling and exciting results. But before you buy 10 gallons of bubblegum pink, it's a good idea to look at what your neighbors are doing. A fluorescent colored Victorian that looks splendid in San Francisco will seem wildly out of place in more conservative neighborhoods.
Paint Color Idea: Green and Pink Antique Shop in St. Augustine, Florida
3. Consider Your Neighbors
The house next door can give you paint color ideas, but don't copy your neighbor exactly. Choose colors that set your house apart, without clashing with nearby buildings.
Paint Color Idea: Colorful Cottages
4. Borrow From Nature
The landscape around your house is blooming with color ideas. Trees may suggest an earthy palette of greens and browns. A beach setting might suggest vivid blues, turquoises, and coral colors. Even the garden in your front yard can inspire exciting color combinations.
Paint Color Idea: Garden Colors of Yellows and Blues
5. Check the Roof
Your house is your canvas, but it is not blank. Some colors are already established. What color is your roof? Slate? Terra cotta? Metal? Clay? Your paint color doesn't need to match the roof, but it should harmonize.
Paint Color Idea: Seafoam Green Victorian Cottage
6. Look For Things That Won't Be Painted
Every home has some features that will not be painted. Does your house have brick walls? Vinyl windows? A natural wooden door? Will steps and railings remain their existing colors? Choose a color scheme that harmonizes with colors already present on your house.
Paint Color Idea: Brick and Stone on a Queen Anne
7. Find Inspiration in Your Living Room
It may seem comical to paint entire house based on the pattern of a pillow case, but this approach does make sense. The color of your furnishings will guide you in the selection of your interior paint colors, and your interior paint colors will influence the colors you use outside. Once again, your goal is to harmonize.
Paint Color Idea: Frank Lloyd Wright's Red
8. Focus on Details
Depending on the size and complexity of your home, you may want to choose two, three, or as many as six colors. In addition to color for your siding, select accent colors for shutters, moldings, doors, window sashes, brackets, columns, and porch decks. But beware: too many colors will overwhelm your house. Too few can make your house seem flat and uninteresting.
Paint Color Idea: Four Colors Chosen for a Florida House
9. Use Light to Add Size
It's no wonder large, grand estates are often painted white. Light colors make a building look larger, and white is the favored color for traditional classical architecture. In fact, there's a very famous White House in Washington, DC! You can add to your home's sense of size and dignity by using white or a pale cream color.
Paint Color Idea: Classic White of Hill-Stead in Farmington, Connecticut
10. Go Dark For Drama
Dark siding or dark bands of trim will make your house seem smaller, but will draw more attention to details. This technique of accented banding can be found in many of Frank Lloyd Wright's interiors. For exteriors, accent recesses with darker shades and highlight details with lighter tones. Traditionally, the window sashes of Victorian homes are painted with the darkest of the chosen historic color combination.
Paint Color Idea: Dramatic Dark Red Trim Accents a Harvest Gold Home
11. Discover Color Families
Contrasting colors will draw attention to architectural details. But, extreme contrasts will clash and actually detract from details. To be safe, consider staying within a single color family. For some accents, try using a darker or lighter shade instead of a different color.
Paint Color Idea: The Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Hartford, Connecticut
12. Strike a Balance
A burst of a single color on just one part of your home may give it a lopsided appearance. Strive to balance colors over the entire building.
Paint Color Idea: Balanced Colors on a Los Angeles Cottage

Montes Painting 2014
http://architecture.about.com/cs/repairremodel/a/pickcolors.htm

Modern and Fresh Interior Ideas In Grey

2014-05-02T09:41:00.002-07:00

The latest decorating trend is painting the spaces in your home in varying shades of gray. It’s a fabulous elegant neutral backdrop to set off any color, adding depth to subtle hues and making bold tones pop. Whatever shade, warm or cool, gray is the new white and is one of the hottest go-to shade for designers. As the dominant color, it’s a great choice for layering shade upon shade upon shade. The opposite of depressing, as its name implies, it is urban and compelling. But getting gray right is tricky: The “temperature” of a particular shade—cool or warm—can evoke very different feelings and have an enormous impact on the mood of a room. Light gray walls feel crisp and airy, while darker tones create a sultry, sexy, cozy mood. A common mistake that people make when selecting gray is using a ‘cold’ gray for a wall color. Grays with brown undertones can really help to warm up a room. Try playing with dark charcoal for dramatic dining rooms and use foggy gray for relaxing bedrooms full of natural light.

We have compiled a list of 51 incredible gray spaces to help you find that perfect shade of gray and to inspire you to select a space in your home where gray would fit perfectly. What’s your favorite shade of gray paint? Have you painted any spaces in your home with gray, please tell us in the comments section, we would love to know!

Is it gray? Is it blue? A blue-gray is a nice way to get the best of both worlds. It looks amazing with rich wood or brown leather furniture.

Use flat paint, not semigloss or high-gloss, on walls. “Otherwise, any beautiful gray you choose will look like industrial metal—imagine a Dumpster,” says Mark Chamberlain, a New York City painter and a color columnist for apartmenttherapy.com. Although flat white wall paint is often avoided because it shows smudges and fingerprints, “gray actually hides flaws.”

With gray walls, opt for creamy trim, says Erica Islas, a designer in Culver City, California. Stark white can look too jarring. White Dove paint is a good woodwork choice with both light and dark gray walls (from $41 a gallon, benjaminmoore.com for stores).

In this gorgeous living room, warm-tone charcoal provides the backdrop for different colors, patterns and lines. It gives the room a nice weight and feels a bit more formal than white would.

Gray walls grow up with the child and transition nicely to a teen room.

If you are going to use the cool gray in a nursery, you may want to warm it up with some yellows or pinks. Not every child’s room has to be a kaleidoscope of bright colors. A small colorful banner and the odd pops of color are all you need. The rest of the space can be kept simple and plain so as not to overwhelm a baby’s developing senses.

Introduce lots of light sources, like table lamps, sconces, and floor lamps. Says Jessica Becker, a Rhode Island interior designer: “Gray is already the color of shadow—you don’t want to cast more with an overhead fixture. Layered lighting keeps the room flattering.”

Gray and yellow are a winning pair. Gray’s subtleness allows yellow to shine in all its cheerful glory. The crazier the combination of bright and colorful patterns in your upholstery or home accessories, the more welcome a gray background becomes as a way to counterbalance all the visual activity with cool simplicity.

Cool Grays: Dark. “Adds excitement and a sort of modern glamor. I love it for a dining room,” says designer Abigail Ahern.

This gray wall in the living room is a sophisticated backdrop for enlarged black-and-white family photos. The white sofa with white curtains keep the space casual and on the lighter side.

Gray used in bathrooms with white wainscoting and white ceramic plumbing fixtures feels crisp and classy. It complements the natural gray in the flooring as well as the silvery tone of the mirror.

Cool Grays Add Light. “Like a summer cloud,” says London designer Abigail Ahern. “Wonderful on ceilings as well as walls.”

Gray painted walls are a wonderful backdrop for a collection of black and white photos set up in a gallery wall. The white matting and white floor base create a dramatic contrast.

Using cool charcoal as an accent in a lighter gray room is the perfect way to create a focal point.

Cool Grays. Ethereal and breezy, these grays have undertones of blue. “Think of the darkening sky before a storm,” says New York City interior designer Jennifer Moore. In a sunny room (where some grays could look dull), cool grays hold their color. Zen and peaceful, these are also perfect for a crisp, clean feeling in a bathroom.

Using Warm Grays. The hints of yellow in warm grays telegraph earthiness, comfort, and coziness. When you test on walls, check colors morning, noon, and night, says Moore: “In some light, a yellowish gray can look taupe.” For rooms without much natural light, pick a warm shade; its slight golden hue will make a dark space less dreary.

Montes Painting 2014

Spring Colour Paint Trends

2014-04-03T09:13:00.002-07:00

“Berger” one of Australia’s leading paint brands continues to find greys and reds are clear favourite colour choices when painting either the inside or the outside of your home.
Berger has a wide selection of colours to choose from but these continue to come up trumps.
Colours such as Cabinet Grey, Flirty, Press Release, Shaded Lane, Sparkling Red, Octavius Oak and Red Hot Poker remain in Berger’s top 20 selected colours and have done for the past few months.
Lisa Christie, Colour Consultant from Inspirations Paint & Colour, has many tips for incorporating greys and reds into your next painting project.
“The combination of Greys and Reds is magic!” Christie says.
The colour grey, especially the darker shades, gives a room great depth. Remember that grey is a neutral colour and will go with most colours easily. If your room is south facing, be careful with pale greys, as they can be cold and gloomy especially if there’s no sunshine in the space.
Combined with grey, red is a great accent colour. Reds need to be used carefully though, if you don’t think the room can use a splash of red, use it in your furnishings or opt to paint the smallest wall in the room to ensure it’s not to over powering. Try Berger “Red Hot Poker” a great colour that does all the things a good red should do.
The greys popularity has been linked to the continued hangover from the global financial crisis resulting in a period of uncertainty. This insecure period is reflected in a new sense of design: a more pared down aesthetic rule, which has lead to maintaining or buying products of vintage that will endure the test of time.
Incorporate reds, there’s no better way to celebrate the past and keep old traditions alive when reviving old objects and creating new masterpieces.
How to: Choose the right colour for your home
Looking at paint sales and international trend forecasting for colour trends is always a good place to start, but it is important to adapt these findings to your own painting project for optimum results.
Berger has some handy hints to assist in choosing colour:
• Review the existing colour scheme of your home and identify colours that you want to keep – a home makeover doesn’t always require a complete overhaul; you can update your colour scheme whilst keeping some existing elements
• Research classic colour schemes for the heritage of home and incorporate colours accordingly
• Find an item of inspiration – Lisa Christie says: “You may start by finding a curtain, bed cover or upholstery fabric that you like and the colours in the fabric will lead you into a scheme, or it might be a painting or a piece of furniture that sparks your imagination.”
• Remember that when you first see the bare walls painted in a bold colour they may appear strong, even overwhelming, but as soon as you have added carpets, furniture, pictures, lights and soft furnishings to the room, the effect will be dramatically reduced
• Need help? Engaging a colour consultant is money well spent in the colour choosing process. Visit www.colourconsult.com.au for more information.
Most importantly, Christie says, “Colour in the form of paint is the most inexpensive and the most high impact decorating tool available to you.”

www.montespainting.com

Color On an Accent Wall alone makes a room Zing!

2014-01-20T19:55:00.002-08:00

If you’re afraid of using too much dramatic color in a room, you can play it safe — and still

make a bold statement — by painting just one wall with a splash of accent color. Color on an accent wall alone makes a room zing without being overbearing. However, picking which wall to paint in the room is the secret behind success in this strategy. Many variables will be in play, and the careful home decorator needs to consider these variables before putting a paint-laden brush to the drywall.

1

Consider basic “color theory” and how warm hues — reds, oranges, yellows — play tricks on perception. Warm colors will tend to pull a wall towards the eye. If you paint a wall bright red, for example, that wall will seem closer to you than a white wall. Pick a wall that can tolerate being “fore-shortened” like this, perhaps the farthest or longest wall in the room. Using this color theory, painting a side wall red can make a room feel too narrow, but painting an end wall in a long, narrow room will make the room feel more balanced in size.

2

Harness the color theory effect of cool hues too — blues, greens and purples. Cool colors have the opposite effect of warm hues as they push walls away from the eye. You can make a short room seem longer, or a skinny room feel wider, by painting an end wall or a side wall in a cool hue.

3

Define the “visual temperature” of the natural light in the room. If your room is located on the east or north side of your home, the quality of light entering the room during the day through the windows is cooler than the warmer light coming from a southern- or western-facing window. Rooms with warm-hued accent walls work best in eastern or northern rooms for this reason. Rooms with cool-hued accent walls are best for western or southern rooms. A western-facing wall painted orange will feel like an oven once you add light, while a northern-facing wall painted aqua will feel like an igloo.

4

Balance “color impact” with existing features and planned furnishings. A dramatic accent wall will lose much of its impact or “pop” if it’s mostly obscured behind a mass of floor-to-ceiling draperies or the wall is covered with art work, moldings or large pieces of furniture. In contrast, an accent wall that is almost fully exposed can bring too much “pop” to a room too. Choose an accent wall that won't be too bare of or crowded with other design elements.

5

Discover your ideal “special feature” wall. Accent walls work best when there seems to be a logical reason why a particular wall invites special treatment, compared with other walls in the room. A dramatic architectural feature like a fireplace or an antique armoire may be good reasons to make a special wall stand out with color. Determine the “reason” why a wall might be painted with a standout color by asking a friend to enter your room and then quickly tell you which wall attracts her eye first. In most cases, the wall chosen will be the inherently “special” wall in the room.

Montes Painting 2014

Holiday Decoration Ideas

2013-12-04T11:18:00.004-08:00

33 Christmas Decorations Ideas Bringing The Christmas Spirit into Your Living Room

Christmas decorations should all be about “magic”. And what better way to welcome Christmas spirit, than forgetting all the bad, focusing on what truly matters and turning your home into a miniature festival of joy? For today we decided to gather a collection of beautiful living rooms, all of them featuring charming holiday decorations. We believe that transforming the core of your home- whichever that may be- into a cozy and colorful interior, the magic can take place. Each of the rooms presented in this post exudes a happy feel and seems ready for many cheerful guests. Whether it is a fireplace with stockings that brings warmth to an interior, a decorated Christmas tree, a colorful lighting installation, or a creative message on one of the walls, the living room is the focal point of many residences and should set the tone for the entire house. We invite you to have a look at the photos, get inspired and by Christmas time- who knows?- perhaps you will even share your Christmas decorations with us and our readers. – Also make sure to check – 10 Beautiful Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

More At: http://freshome.com/2011/12/05/33-christmas-decorations-ideas-bringing-the-christmas-spirit-into-your-living-room/

Montes Painting 2013

How To Spray Paint Metal Furniture

2013-11-22T11:48:00.004-08:00

Apartment Therapy Tutorials

I recently came across this adorable little vintage milking stool at a pop-up shop, and couldn't wait to get it home. I've been looking for a small step stool to live in my kitchen and this one is sturdy and balanced enough (it's stronger than it looks) for me to use as a quick "leg up." When, I got it, the stool's paint was cracking and peeling, so I couldn't wait to get it home to put this glossy, new orange coat on it.

The stool, before.

For this project, you will need:1. A piece of metal furniture or lighting that you want to paint! Mine was a vintage metal milking stool.
2. A metal specific spray paint + primer. I used Krylon Dual Paint + Primer in Mandarin Gloss3. Medium grain sandpaper
4. A wet rag or paper towels
5. A cardboard box or drop cloth + parchment paper (if painting a small piece)
6. Face mask (optional, but advised)

Instructions:

1. In a ventilated area, sand your metal piece with medium grain sandpaper to rid it of obvious paint peeling, rust, and to create a good surface for spray paint. If you think there is a chance that the original paint may be made of lead, wear a face mask and clean the up the paint dust as you go.

2. When you are finished, wipe the metal down with a damp cloth or paper towel. Get rid of all of the dust, oils, and sediment.

3. After laying down your drop cloth or cardboard box, and in a well ventilated area, spray thin coats over the entire piece and allow for adequate drying time. If you are using a separate primer and paint, do the primer first and follow directions on the side of the can. I usually do the bottom of the stool/table/lamp first so that I can focus on finishing the visible area perfectly. Repeat this spraying and drying process until you are satisfied with the color and opacity.

4. Allow to dry for a good 36-48 hours before using. Place the object onto parchment paper to prevent sticking (if small).

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-spray-paint-metal-furniture-apartment-therapy-tutorials-190845 There you have it! Good luck with your projects!

Montes Painting 2013

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-spray-paint-metal-furniture-apartment-therapy-tutorials-190845

How to Paint Over Marker Stains on Walls

2013-11-13T21:10:00.001-08:00

A quick touchup covers marker stains on walls.

A slip of the pen, or marker, can mar the paint on your wall and the look of your room. Whether the stain is an accident or the product of an artistic child, properly painting over it is the only surefire way to get the wall back to its formerly pristine state. The dye used in markers will bleed through interior paint, eventually showing up on the wall again. Preparing the wall surface before you paint prevents this bleed-through.

1

Wash the wall around the marker stain with water and mild detergent, such as liquid dish soap. Rinse with clear water and allow the wall to dry completely.

2

Sand the area you are repairing with a fine-grit sanding sponge, extending the sanding approximately 3 inches beyond the marker stain in all directions. Sand only enough to slightly roughen the wall surface; do not sand through the existing paint or attempt to remove the stain by sanding. Brush the dust off the wall after sanding.

3

Paint a coat of latex stain-blocking primer over the prepared stained area. Apply a thin coat extending over the area you sanded. Allow the primer to dry. Apply a second coat of primer if needed or recommended by the manufacturer.

4

Sand the primed area lightly with the sanding sponge. Paint adheres better to a slightly roughened surface.

5

Apply a thin coat of latex paint over the primed area. Use the same color and type of paint as used on the rest of the wall, whether it's glossy, semigloss or matte paint.

6

Brush on a second coat of paint after the first coat is dry. Apply up to three coats of paint if necessary to match the patched area to the surrounding wall.

Things You Will Need

Liquid dish soap
Fine-grit sanding sponge
Stain-blocking primer
Paintbrush
Latex paint

Tip

The shade of the paint will appear different than the surrounding wall when it's wet. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before applying additional coats so you can correctly judge the color.

Montes Painting 2013

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/paint-over-marker-stains-walls-24993.html

Before and After

2013-11-06T20:56:00.001-08:00

Harbour Square (Toronto, October 2012)

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

More Pics At:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58149695@N02/sets/72157631875872874/

Montes Painting 2013

Paint Like A Pro

2013-11-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

Color Combinations for Your Home

The fastest way to jump-start any makeover? Introduce colors that suit your rooms, your style, and your life. Here are exciting, foolproof paint picks (plus gorgeous accessories) to get you going. Follow the link for more details (www.realsimple.com).

Montes Painting 2013

Before & After

2013-10-28T17:43:00.001-07:00

Aileen Lewis Ct (Markham, July 2013)

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

MORE PICS AT

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58149695@N02/sets/72157634427972197/

Montes Painting 2013

Painting Tips

2013-10-24T07:13:00.002-07:00

CLEANING UP AFTER PAINTING A ROOM

You've finished your painting project, ensuring that everything in the room was covered before you started. Still it is inevitable that some paint will manage to flick or splash somewhere. Removing all your painting equipment carefully from the room will help to eliminate any accidents.

Paint on Fabric

It is obviously sensible to wear old clothes or overalls and old shoes while painting, as paint can be very difficult to remove from clothing. If you do accidentally manage to get some paint on decent clothing, it will be easier to remove once dry - otherwise you run the risk of spreading the paint and embedding it in the clothing, making it almost impossible to remove. Try working the paint out of the fibers with plenty of warm water and scrubbing with a small brush. Depending on the type of material, you may be able to cut off small blobs of paint from the surface.
TIP: Painting professional Pam Estabrooke, of ProTect Painters, suggests, "Rubbing alcohol is a great product for removing paint from clothes. Use regular drug store alcohol. Take a paper towel and saturate the fabric and stain. Use your fingernail or small wood stick to scrape and work the alcohol into the fabric to loosen the paint. Periodically apply more alcohol and blot any loosened paint. After several minutes, the stain should be completely gone. Wash the garment immediately per label instructions."

Paint on carpets may also be difficult to remove. Again, any blobs on the surface may cut of easily; otherwise, as with clothing, use plenty of warm water, but blot, don't scrub, as this may damage the pile. Stubborn paint spots may loosen off by gently using a blunt knife. Always work in the direction of the pile and then blot dry.
Always fold dust sheets in on themselves before removing to shake outside. Make sure that you always know which is the clean side of your sheets before you place them back down the next time you paint.
TIP: Pam reminds you, "Frequently check the bottom of your shoes. You do not want to track wet paint out of the room and onto other floors."

Paint on Windows and Fixtures

When removing masking tape from the edges of windows and carpet edges, always make sure the paint is dry first and peel the tape off gently - never rip it off quickly. Any paint on windowpanes can be scraped off with a bladed scraper. The glass can then be washed and polished with a chamois leather. Professionals recommend waiting two weeks before having interior or exterior windows professionally cleaned after the trim is painted. It can take paint this long to thoroughly dry and cure.
Any spots of paint on fixed fittings can usually be removed by wiping with a damp cloth. For more stubborn spots, try scraping very gently with a blunt knife, taking care not to scratch any delicate surfaces.
TIP: Pam suggests, "While the furniture is pushed away from the walls, take a few minutes after the drop clothes are picked up to vacuum, dust or mop the floor under these pieces. It may be a few years before you move them again. Be careful of the trim if it was freshly painted too."

Paint on Applicators

An important job to do as soon as possible after painting is to clean out paintbrushes and rollers. It is very important to clean them all thoroughly after each painting session; otherwise you will constantly need to replace them.
Remove excess paint by either working the brushes on newspaper, or running a scraper carefully over the bristles. Then try to get the worst of the paint off in a bucket of water. Water base paints wash out very easily under running water once the worst of the paint has been removed.
Oil base paints need to be cleaned in a bowl of white spirit first, then rinsed under a running tap. Finally, wash them in soapy water and give them another rinse. Remember, if you are working with alkyd paints, the paint and the solvent are volatile. Wear a respirator and use adequate ventilation. Beware of open flames and never store or simply throw away solvent soaked rags. Soak the rags in water overnight
Shake out all excess water from the paintbrushes, and wrap them in wax paper and then seal with a rubber band. This will help them to retain their shape.
Rollers used for water base paints can be washed in the sink, by part filling it with water and rolling the roller back and forth. Finally, rinse under running water until the water from the roller is clear. The curved section of the 5-in-1 tool is designed to remove paint from the roller. Run this curve up and down the roller under running water to aid in cleaning the roller.
For oil base paint, rolling it in a paint tray containing white spirit can clean out the roller. Finish off by washing in soapy water and rinsing thoroughly. Hang rollers up to dry once they are clean.
TIP: Pam says, "Many good quality paint rollers are reasonable priced. Weigh the difficulty of cleaning the roller with its cost. Most painters consider these disposal supplies and just throw them away."
A good tip for keeping brushes soft and ready to use later in the day without the need for cleaning, is to wrap them in cling film. This will exclude air and prevent them from drying out. In the case of rollers, wrap them in a sealed plastic bag.

Paint on Your Skin

Finally, unless you wear gloves, it is virtually impossible to keep paint off your hands. Luckily there are a number of special hand cleaners available which are very effective in removing paint from the skin without causing any irritation.
Always make sure that all the paint is thoroughly dry before you begin to clean up. Although clearing up can be a very tedious task, it is an important part of any job and ensures that you always have clean reliable equipment available for your next project.

Montes Painting 2013

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/cleanupafterpainting#b

Before and After

2013-10-20T18:58:00.000-07:00

Haddington Ave (Toronto, July 2013)

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

More Pics At

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58149695@N02/sets/72157635030172363/

Montes Painting 2013

Recycle Colour

2013-10-14T19:04:00.003-07:00

Color is always recycled in different mediums; be it as trends, changes in season as seen in landscapes, or just from items that have been mangled. Recycle adds a new life to an existing object about to be tossed. Color can be recycled since color defines boundaries; shape, form, line.

These wine bottles have been recycled into handcrafted modern light fixtures. Notice how the design element of line is used with color. Modern Lighting Recycled Bottles by Jerry Kott-Re-Lights discovered at Trendir. http://www.trendir.com/green/lighting/

A Vintage Recycled Sari Fabric Arm Chair discovered at Indiapeid-a-terre, the Saris fabrics are widely used in India and come in silk and cotton. The vibrant colors with floral motifs gives shape, striped lines of color defines the seat, and form of the arm chair is defined by various strips of multicolored fabric along the arms. http://indiapiedaterre.com/2012/04/21/vintage-sari-fabric-recycled/

Recycled skate boards made into mosaic tile is a new trend spotted for interior design. The vibrant colors can inspire many different palettes for an open plan starting with the kitchen. A small inspiration piece can be used to design any space. Recycled Mosaic Sk8 tile is one hundred percent recycled from skate decks which is hand cut into mosaic tiles. http://hiconsumption.com/2012/05/recycled-mosaic-sk8-tile/

Color can be manipulated in different forms as a product is recycled. Color a diverse design medium surrounds us everyday. ~Maria Anna K.

In Praise of Powder Rooms

dhtimmons posted this in Decorating, paint colors on September 29th, 2013

I was watching a decorating show last night, and there was quite a heated battle about whether or not a homeowner should have the main floor powder room removed, to improve the flow of the space. This discussion brought passionate responses from everyone on the show. To be totally honest, I don’t know how it turned out! Did the powder room survive the show? Wanting to see decorating, not drama, I turned off the show before it ended. I have a feeling the powder room did, indeed, survive. When the number of bathrooms in a home can mean the difference between desirable, and functionally obsolete, I’m sure that the real estate pros on the show won the powder room skirmish.

The grand drama of that little powder room reminded me that although it is undoubtedly the smallest room in your home, it can pack the biggest punch when it comes to expressing your style.
In a powder room, which is mainly for guests visiting your home, you aren’t restrained by colors that need to flow through the rest of the home. You don’t have furniture or (hopefully,) carpet in there to match. A powder room is a great place to express yourself with wallpaper that you’d never consider in a larger room. This is where some wonderful vintage or foiled wallpaper looks perfectly at home. You can be a little over the top with light fixtures, too.
The secret to the successful powder room decorating is to treat it like an entirely unrelated room. Yes, I mean if your home is Mid-Century Modern, you can absolutely go Art Nouveau, or even Santa Fe in there. It’s expected. It’s like the theme park of a home. No one spends the day at a theme park expecting it to look or feel like their own neighborhood. So, you can have fun with the decor. The best powder room should make your guests smile when they enter, and feel refreshed after having to make clever small talk all evening.
When it comes to color, powder rooms can handle even the boldest shades. Love charcoal gray? No problem. The tiny powder room can handle it. Add brushed nickel hardware, a gorgeous mirror, and hand towels in a delicious color like pink, or pale green. As I’ve written in a past blog post, we don’t always have to think of color as a tool to make a room look larger. With this room, everyone knows it’s tiny, and no amount of paint or clever decorating is going to make it look big. It’s not supposed to, anyway, so express yourself!

Montes Painting 2013
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/blog/

What Is the Best Way to Remove Dried Paint Splatters?

2013-09-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

We asked ourselves this very question when we spied the dreaded droplets (sounds sinister, eh?) on our beautiful vintage hardwood floors in our soon-to-be house. Someone had clearly been a sloppy painter in the past. With an 80 year old house, who knows how old those paint splatters might be or how they might be removed without destroying the floors?
Our first line of thought was to ask a pro, so we consulted the authorities at our local paint store…
They suggested Goo Gone or any other citrus based cleaner. We tried this and it worked, but required several applications, soaking, and a bit of scraping.
Our next step was to consult the "oracle" (AKA, the internet) which provided a few other options. Denatured alcohol is supposed to work if you let the alcohol soak the stain and then use a brush to scrub. Basic all purpose cleaners like Mr. Clean and Simple Green can be used by wetting the dried paint with warm water, applying the liquid soap, and then scraping with a blunt edge (like an old credit card). Another cleaner made by Goo Gone called Painters Pal sounded like a friend indeed, but might be harder to find at your local stores. Steel wool is also said to remove an offending paint plop in a snap.
Before we try any of these other solutions, we would very much like to hear from our readers. What really works? Do other non-toxic home remedy cleaners like vinegar or baking soda do the job? Do you have any other easy, successful solutions for removing dried paint splatters without refinishing the floors?

Montes Painting 2013
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-remove-113539

BEFORE & AFTER

2013-08-21T07:12:00.000-07:00

Bedford Park Ave (Toronto, July 2013)

BEFORE AFTER

7 Tips to Sell Your Home Faster to a Younger Buyer

2013-08-13T19:10:00.001-07:00

Draw today's home buyers by appealing to their tastes, with these guidelines from an expert decorator

by Found Design »

1. Stick with warm, neutral walls. If your target demographic is "young professional" or "young family," try using a warm gray as a neutral wall color. The gold or pinky-beige wall color you chose 10 years ago is going to seem outdated to this new group of home buyers. On-trend neutrals like grays allow potential homeowners to envision bringing in complementary colors and clean-lined furnishings to make it their own.

by Carolina Design Associates, LLC »

2. Invest in white cabinetry. Many home buyers younger than 40 prefer white or off-white kitchen cabinetry. They don't want to see their momma's dark kitchen cabinetry in their new home! Consider a kitchen facelift if you have dark kitchen cabinetry with orange or red undertones. Benjamin Moore's Advance is a great paint to consider. It's a hybrid of latex and oil, and it requires very little prep work.

by Teri Turan »

3. Update your appliances. Many younger home buyers cannot fathom buying a home without stainless steel appliances. You'll need to update your almond ones with stainless replacements before putting it on the market.

by Global Granite & Marble »

Impala Black »

4. Look for simple stone countertops. Granite and stone countertops are a must-have for most young home buyers — it will make the difference between whether they choose your home or your neighbor's home. But don't make the mistake of installing busy or taste-specific granite that may not appeal to everyone. If you plan to be in your home for a long time, go for it — but not if you plan to sell within the next few years.

Instead, choose a granite that is almost black or something with a minimum of colors and veining. Anything more might be a turnoff to those picky younger buyers.

by Peter A. Sellar - Architectural Photographer »

5. Open up your shower space. Young professionals love large, open glass showers. The garden-variety tub isn't where it's at anymore.

by Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders »

6. Keep it simple for families with children. People with young kids are less likely to want a fixer-upper. If your target demographic is "young family with small children," it's important that your property be ready for them to move right in. Make sure the home has no unfinished projects or red flags for young families.

7. Consider selling your home as a fixer-upper. If your neighborhood is becoming a mecca for young professionals, there may be some appeal to the fixer-upper if the price is right. These younger adults without children may have the time, energy and imagination for making over an older home. Even so, the price will have to be lower than if it were picture perfect.

Montes Painting 2013

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3170416/list/7-Tips-to-Sell-Your-Home-Faster-to-a-Younger-Buyer

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

2013-07-31T11:56:00.003-07:00

Painting kitchen cabinets can update your kitchen without the cost or challenge of a major remodel.

How to Paint Cabinetry Old cabinets that work just fine can be updated with a good paint job, saving you the headache (and expense) of a messy remodeling. Follow these steps to give your cabinets a fresh look.

Watch the video below for an overview of the cabinet painting process. For more detailed instructions, follow the steps below.

-It's easy to refresh outdated cabinets with paint. First, gather your materials. You'll need deglosser, work gloves, high-density foam rollers, a paint brush, oil-based bonding primer, 220 grit sandpaper, soft rugs, and paint. ... see more

What You Need Cordless drill or screwdriver
Trisodium phosphate (TSP)
Bucket
Rubber gloves
Protective goggles
Sponge
Putty knife
Spackling compound or wood filler
120- to 220-grit sandpaper
Tack cloth or rag
Deglosser
Painter's tape
Drop cloth
Primer
Paintbrushes, 1.5-inch tapered and 2-inch-wide synthetic fiber brushes
Microfiber paint rollers, 2-3 inches wide
Paint
Paint tray and stir sticks

Seek Advice Before you start painting your cabinets, it pays to prepare for the job ahead. If possible, take one of your doors to your local paint retailer and talk with a pro about what kind of material you're working with and what products will help you achieve the best results. The pros can give specific advice if they know more about your project.

Choose a Primer Select a primer that's recommended for the type of surface you have (wood, metal, or laminate) and have it tinted to the color of the top coat. This is especially important if the surface is dark or stained because the original finish can "bleed," or be visible, through the top coat. Again, consult with the expert at your paint retailer who can help you decide between a waterborne or solvent-borne primer.

Buy the Right Kitchen Cabinet Paint You'll need to choose between acrylic enamel paint and alkyd paint. Acrylic, or water-base, paints are low-fume and clean up easily with water. Alkyd, or oil-base, paints require good ventilation because the paint contains solvents that can irritate your lungs and make you feel sick. Alkyd options require mineral spirits for cleanup, but they provide a hard, durable paint finish. Whichever you use, buy the best quality paint you can afford for a lasting finish. A self-leveling paint that levels out the brush marks as the paint dries for a super smooth finish is often a good choice. It does, however, set up fairly quickly, which can make blending brushstrokes tricky.

Remove Doors, Drawers, and Shelves The best way to paint cabinets is to remove the cabinet doors and drawers. You never want to paint over hardware, such as hinges and handles, because it will affect the way the cabinet functions. (If your hinges and hardware have been previously painted, you can contact a paint shop and ask to have them restored.) Make a map of how the doors and drawers go together in the kitchen, carefully labeling each piece with its position for easy reassembly. Use a cordless drill or screwdriver to remove hinges and hardware. If your cabinets have adjustable shelves, be sure to remove those -- and the hardware that supports them -- from the cabinets.

Prep the Surface Clean the faces of cabinet boxes and drawers and both sides of doors and shelves with a product that removes dirt and grease, such as trisodium phosphate (TSP). Follow manufacturer instructions on the packaging, mixing water and TSP in a bucket as directed. Wear protective goggles and rubber gloves. Apply the TSP-and-water mixture with a sponge to clean. Once the cabinets are clean and dry, use a putty knife to fill any nicks or dents with spackling compound or wood filler; let dry. Sand the surface with 120- to 220-grit sandpaper to dull the surface and smooth down any imperfections. To sand all the contours of paneled doors, try using a contoured sander, a small sponge wrapped with sandpaper, or a commercial sanding sponge. Use a tack cloth or damp rag to remove dust after sanding.

Degloss the Old Finish An alternative to sanding cabinets that are in good shape -- and don't require you to fill nicks and dents or to sand smooth -- is applying a liquid deglosser, which removes the glossy finish on cabinets and makes it possible for the new paint to adhere to the old finish. If you need to sand your cabinets regardless, you do not need to degloss.

Do a Test Run Before you paint all your cabinets, try the new color by priming and painting the back of a cabinet door. This gives you a chance to make sure you like the color, and more importantly, to make sure the paint finish you've chosen will adhere to the cabinetry and that your prep steps will yield a smooth finish. If you are not pleased with the finish, consult your local paint shop for advice.

Prime the Cabinetry Use painter's tape to protect the wall or backsplash tile from paint drips or messes. Cover the countertop with a drop cloth. Use a roller or paintbrush to prime the faces of cabinet boxes and drawers and both sides of doors. If your cabinets have a lot of detailing, it will be easier to use a tapered brush. A roller works well on larger flat surfaces and flat doors. Apply one light coat of primer; let dry.

Painting Cabinetry Make sure your paint is well-stirred, then pour the paint into a paint tray. Load a roller or brush with paint. Start with doors, which will take longer to paint because you'll need to allow dry time before you turn them over to paint the opposite side. If your shelves are adjustable and the inside of your cabinets needs a fresh coat of paint, now is the time to start painting them, as well. If they have never been painted, don't start now. Apply paint to cabinets in light coats. Painting thinner coats mean fewer drips for a high-quality paint job. Be prepared to apply at least two coats per side.

Painting Cabinet Drawers You'll want to paint the front of the drawer but not the drawer's sides or glide hardware. Use painter's tape to protect the rest of the drawer from errant brush strokes. Set cabinet drawers on their ends. They should balance easily in this position. Apply paint in light coats using a brush, allowing it to dry completely between each coat.

Painting the Cabinet Box Use painter's tape to protect the wall or backsplash tile from paint drips or messes. Cover the countertop with a drop cloth. Use a roller or paintbrush to paint the frame and sides of the cabinetry unit or cabinet box. If your cabinets have a lot of detailing, it will be easier to use a tapered brush. A roller works well on larger flat surfaces and flat-panel doors. Avoid painting inside the cabinet unless the shelves are fixed and would benefit from a fresh coat of paint. Apply paint in light coats, allowing it to dry completely between each coat. This can take a day or more per coat.

Getting a Professional Paint Finish For a super smooth finish, you can send your cabinet doors and drawers to a professional paint shop or cabinetmaker. They can spray them off-site for a good-as-new look. To find a professional, ask your paint retailer for a recommendation or look in the Yellow Pages for painting contractors. Paint the cabinet boxes yourself, which is a manageable do-it-yourself project.

Putting It Back Together Once the paint finish has dried completely, it's time to attach drawer pulls, screw the hinges on the doors, and hang the doors on the cabinetry box, according to the map you made. Slide each drawer back in.

Montes Painting 2013

http://www.bhg.com/kitchen/cabinets/makeovers/kitchen-cabinet-paint/

How to Remove Wallpaper

2013-07-05T10:02:00.004-07:00

How do you remove the wallpaper without damaging the wall — or yourself? Use these tips to help you decide which option will work best.

Gerald Bishop, a wallpaper contractor, demonstrates the proper way to remove wallpaper in his own kitchen. He recommends using a chemical mixture that you spray onto the wallpaper. Here he removes the top layer. (SHNS photo by Diana Baldrica / The Fresno Bee)

After what’s felt like an eternity pretending not to see it, you’ve reached the point where you can no longer ignore that ugly wallpaper the previous owners put up. Yes, indeed, this wall covering must come down. Now.
The problem: How do you remove the wallpaper without damaging the wall — or yourself? There are several options, including steaming or spraying with chemicals, but you'll have to decide which one will work best for you and your wallpaper.
"People usually have no clue on how to strip wallpaper," says Gerald Bishop, owner of Wallcoverings and the Fresno Wallpaper Design Warehouse in Fresno, Calif. "It's not that difficult. But it takes a lot of patience, and there's an art to stripping wallpaper."
Which method you use to take down the wallpaper will often depend on the product. Some wallpapers can be stripped dry, while others will need a removal solution. And then, any damage to the wall will depend on how the wallpaper was installed.
"Every job is different," Gerald says. "It all stems from what the contractor did before." For example, if the wall wasn't sealed with a primer before the wallpaper was put up, removing the wallpaper can cause some damage to the wall's texture or the drywall.
Using a steamer to remove wallpaper isn't as popular as it once was. "We used to use them 25 years ago, and they were (heated with) propane," says Larry Meacham of Larry's Painting and Decorating in Fresno.
These days, steamers are electric, he says. "They may work for some people, but I don't use them."
Gerald doesn't use steamers either. "It works, but you end up scalding your hands. It also takes twice as long to strip the wallpaper."
Instead, Larry and Gerald like to use a concentrated remover solution that is mixed with water. The solution dissolves the adhesive wallpaper backing, making it easy to take off. Before starting, gather the right tools and do some basic preparations. Tools you'll need include: one or two 3-to-6-inch broad knives, a ladder, a scoring tool and a garden sprayer, such as a 2-gallon plastic pump.
You'll need a plastic sheet or a drop cloth to cover the carpet or floor. Take down outlet covers, then mix the solution and hot water together. Larry and Gerald like to use DIF by Zinsser, which is available at home-improvement stores.
Next, test a small area of the wall, about a 3' x 3' section, by lifting an edge of the wallpaper. "You have to determine what the grain is," Gerald says. "It can be stripped left to right, up and down, or more."
If the wallpaper doesn't come off easily, spray the remover-solution mixture on the area and let it soak into the wallpaper. You may need to apply it several times.

How do you remove the wallpaper without damaging the wall — or yourself? Use these tips to help you decide which option will work best.

Gerald Bishop, a wallpaper contractor, demonstrates the proper way to remove wallpaper in his own kitchen. Here he removes the wallpaper backing after removing the first layer. (SHNS photo by Diana Baldrica / The Fresno Bee)

Next, try stripping the wallpaper by hand. The backing will be left, which you can scrape off with a broad knife.
If the mixture isn't penetrating through the wallpaper, use the scoring tool in circular motions to make tiny punctures into the material. This will allow the mixture to saturate the wallpaper and its backing quicker.
Gerald cautions, however, to use the tool as a last resort. "You have to do it with the right pressure and not gouge the drywall," he says.
As you take off the wallpaper, you may find more underneath. "No matter what the manufacturers tell you, you can only take down one at a time" without risking damage to the wall, says John Franke, an interior design expert with the Comfort Council, an advisory board of design and lifestyle experts.
Once the wallpaper and its backing are removed, spray the wall with the mixture one last time and scrape off any missed spots. Then, wipe down the wall with a moist sponge and let it dry for a few days.

Montes Painting 2013

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/how-to-remove-wallpaper-patience-is-a-virtue/index.html

The Best Paint Colors to Sell a House

2013-06-16T21:35:00.000-07:00

In today’s home-selling world, a lot of work goes into preparing a home for a quick sale. One trend is toward using home staging professionals to assist in making sure homes show well to potential buyers. Home staging takes into consideration many factors, but few are as important as using the best paint colors. Using the wrong paint colors can send potential buyers reeling. With a little thought, though, paint colors can attract rather than repel buyers. You only need to follow a few basic rules.

Exterior Colors

In picking exterior colors, some colors simply clash with their environment. It might be fun to live in the only bright yellow house on the street, but you must realize that the buyer is new to the neighborhood and does not need the added attention of a canary yellow home. The best colors should take into consideration other homes in the neighborhood and additional environmental surroundings. According to Bob Vila, former host of "This Old House," earth tones play well in natural settings such as wooded lots. The color also should take into account other features of the home. A good color takes into account the roof color, stonework, bricks and other elements of the home. The color selection also depends somewhat on the vegetation on the lot. Shrubs and trees might impact your choice of exterior color. Lastly, some homes simply feature an architectural style that demands conforming to some traditional colors. As Vila says, Colonial-style homes often look their best with white exteriors, but ranch-style homes are more appealing with more color.

Living Room Colors

The key to living room color is to combine warmth with neutrality. Warm colors are inviting and give a living room a little more character than plain white walls would. Meanwhile, the use of neutral colors ensures that the walls do not conflict with the potential buyers’ plans for the room. Remember that home buyers already have furniture to bring into the home, and they are unlikely to paint or buy new furniture to accommodate bold colors in a living room. Good neutral colors feature creamy whites, muted beiges and light gray tones. A living room is the most likely room to be repainted at some point. Therefore, it is the one room where you can be a little stylish. Check on trends and consider incorporating those color styles into a living room. It might help you sell your house.

Kitchen Colors

The key to kitchen color is to pick something bright. Most buyers want a bright kitchen. After all, this is the place where meals will be prepared, and they need to see the food they are dicing, slicing, chopping, frying and baking. How can you tell if your steak is ready if you can’t see the color? Light colors help add brightness to the room. Light bounces off of them. At the same time, plain white walls are dull and unappealing. Pale yellow, light olive and warm beiges are great kitchen colors.

Bedroom Colors

Bedrooms are designed for relaxation. They are not areas of a home buyers expect to showcase for guests. Therefore, there is little need to establish trendy looks in these rooms. Instead, bedroom colors should be mild, soft tones. Eggshell whites, beiges, lighter grays, light yellows and light olives work well in bedrooms.

Bathroom Colors

Many homeowners make the mistake of going with bold colors in bathrooms. An essential approach to bathrooms is to select colors that emphasize space. Bathrooms are often relatively small spaces, and a small bathroom can turn many buyers away. After all, who wants to knock out a wall to make more bathroom space? Warm whites are great for making bathrooms look larger than they are. Stay away from darker colors. Deep reds, browns, yellows and blues make bathroom walls leap toward a viewer. This makes the room look extremely small.

Montes Painting 2013

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/paint-colors-sell-house-2821.html

BEFORE & AFTER

2013-06-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

Glen Edyth Blvd (Toronto, June 2011)

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

More Pics At

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58149695@N02/sets/72157626794580829/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58149695@N02/sets/72157626755206485/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58149695@N02/sets/72157626864940388/

Book A Free Painting Estimate

www.montespainting.com

Great Summer Color Combinations

2013-06-10T21:03:00.004-07:00

We've created five terrific summer color schemes that tap the season's favorite pastimes—from gardening to boating—with cheerful exuberance. From a classic yet unexpectedly modern nautical theme to a muted mix of never-fail neutrals, these summer colors are sure to spark thoughts of season's pleasures.
Use Aura® premium interior paint to bring out the full depth and richness of these colors in your home.
[On-screen color representations may differ slightly from actual paint colors due to monitor calibration.]
Order interior paints online and pick them up at your local Benjamin Moore retailer within 3 hours. Shop for paint color samples, fan decks and more at our Online Store.


claret rose 2008-20 guilford green HC-116 niveous OC-36	Glorious Garden This summer color combination captures the essence of the season's lively gardens with an engaging palette reminiscent of bright poppies and tender blades of grass.


soft pumpkin 2166-40 mascarpone AF-20 serenata AF-535	Seasonably Summer Inspired by the season's warm days and cool nights, this softly shaded palette pairs the weightlessness of mascarpone with the warmth of orange and the cooling effects of soft sky blue.


seedling AF-450 straw 2154-50 cotton balls OC-122	Delightful Days Capturing the sensation of strolling barefoot through fresh-cut grass on a sunny day, these cheerful summer paint colors inspire happiness and easy contentment.


mountain peak white OC-121 hancock green HC-117 hale navy HC-154	Seaside Dreams A fresh take on a nautical theme, this appealing, unexpected combination pairs the timelessness of navy with the vibrancy of light green.


white ice 2139-70 iceberg 2122-50 excalibur gray 2118-50	Summer Showers As soft and subtle as warm summer rain, these muted summer colors capture the thrill of being caught in a sudden afternoon shower.

Montes Painting 2013

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/great-summer-color-combinations

BEFORE & AFTER

2013-06-05T21:35:00.001-07:00

GLEN CEDAR AVE (TORONTO, JUNE 2011)

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

More Pics At
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58149695@N02/sets/72157626971111954/

Book A Free Estimate Today!

www.montespainting.com

Choosing the Right Interior Paint Finishes (Tips on choosing the right paint for the job)

2013-06-02T19:18:00.001-07:00

Even after a homeowner has chosen the perfect color for a room, there's another very important decision to make. With 5 or 6 paint finishes to choose from, you should learn the benefits of each and determine the right one for your job. Should you use flat or satin and why? Browse these tips on selecting the perfect paint finishes for your interior home applications.

Matte Finish
Whether called flat finish or wall paint, this type of interior paint has a matte surface. This paint finish is usually used on interior walls. It's expecially good if you have to camouflage small wall bumps, cracks, or other imperfections, as this finish does not reflect light. While some flat paints are advertised as washable today, you may need to touch up scratches or marks by covering with a bit more paint, so be sure you keep some on hand after you've finished painting.

Flat Enamel
Flat enamel is a paint with a durable flat, matte finish. It's a good choice for powder rooms and halls, as it holds up to occasional cleaning.

Eggshell Finish
If you can picture the very low sheen of the shell of an egg, you have an idea of how an eggshell paint finish will appear. With only a slight hint of shine or gloss, it's good for walls and holds up better with cleaning than a flat finish paint.

Satin Finish
Satin finish paint has a smooth, velvety look with a bit more gloss. It is most often used for windows, doors, trim, or ceilings, but can also be used as wall paint. This is particularly suitable for kids' room walls, kitchens, or bathrooms, or in areas which get a lot of traffic. Paint with a satin finish is formulated to hold up to cleaning and light scrubbing.

Semi-Gloss
Semi-gloss paint is most often used on doors, trim, and cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms. It is easily cleaned and lays down a nice, subtle shine, without being too glitzy. Take care with pre-paint preparation work, as poorly prepared surfaces can be a bit distracting when highlighted by a semi-gloss surface.

Glossy
High gloss paints have an almost reflective quality, as their shiny finish mimics the look of enamel or plastic. Though not widely used in home interiors, it is becoming more popular for a dramatic look on cabinets, trim, and furniture in very formal and very contemporary settings. This finish will magnify any surface imperfections, so careful preparation and sanding is essential before painting with high gloss paints.

There are some particular application specifics that you should consider when selecting an interior paint finish.

Cleanability and Durability
While most manufacturers have developed all paint finishes with good cleaning qualities, a general rule is that the shinier the paint finish, the better it will stand up to washing and cleaning.

Kid-Friendly Finishes
When painting children's rooms, many painters recommend using an eggshell or satin paint on the walls and semi-gloss for doors and moldings. These finishes are formulated to better withstand repeated cleanings.

Rustic Looks
In order to give a worn or old look, use flat finish paints for walls or furniture. If cleanability is an issue, you might select a flat enamel for trim or an eggshell finish for walls.

Montes Painting 2013

http://interiordec.about.com/od/interiorpainting/a/diy_paintfinish.htm

BEFORE & AFTER

2013-05-31T19:36:00.002-07:00

HELENA AVE (TORONTO, JUNE 2012)

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

More Pics At

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58149695@N02/sets/72157630323131306/

Free Painting Estimates At

PAINTER'S EDGE

Paint Colour Trends

Pick Paint Colors For Your House

How to find the best color combinations for your exterior painting project

Modern and Fresh Interior Ideas In Grey

Spring Colour Paint Trends

Color On an Accent Wall alone makes a room Zing!

1

2

3

4

5

Holiday Decoration Ideas

33 Christmas Decorations Ideas Bringing The Christmas Spirit into Your Living Room

How To Spray Paint Metal Furniture

Apartment Therapy Tutorials

How to Paint Over Marker Stains on Walls

1

2

3

4

5

6

Things You Will Need

Tip

Before and After

Paint Like A Pro

Before & After

Painting Tips

Paint on Fabric

Paint on Windows and Fixtures

Paint on Applicators

Paint on Your Skin

Before and After

Recycle Colour

In Praise of Powder Rooms

What Is the Best Way to Remove Dried Paint Splatters?

BEFORE & AFTER

7 Tips to Sell Your Home Faster to a Younger Buyer

Draw today's home buyers by appealing to their tastes, with these guidelines from an expert decorator

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

How to Remove Wallpaper

The Best Paint Colors to Sell a House

Exterior Colors

Living Room Colors

Kitchen Colors

Bedroom Colors

Bathroom Colors

BEFORE & AFTER

Glen Edyth Blvd (Toronto, June 2011)

Before

Great Summer Color Combinations

Glorious Garden

Seasonably Summer

Delightful Days

Seaside Dreams

Summer Showers

BEFORE & AFTER

Choosing the Right Interior Paint Finishes (Tips on choosing the right paint for the job)

BEFORE & AFTER