Finally -- A Simple Formula To Help You Choose the Right Paint Color

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9660.jpg" width="420" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Do you struggle when you have to pick a paint color?<br /><br />Are you confused about what colors work best for your home on the market?<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>You Can Relax.</b></span> Some experts have come to your rescue.<br /><br />About a year ago, HGTV approached the Sherwin Williams Company with the proposal that together they develop a series of color palettes that would take the guesswork out of <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-choose-paint-color-easy-way.html" target="_blank">paint color selection</a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null">. </a><br /><br />The designers that work behind the scenes at HGTV brainstormed with the trained color consultants at Sherwin Williams, and together they came up with eight custom color collections, which they introduced this summer. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Colors and More Colors! </b><span style="font-size: small;">You'll find</span><b> </b></span>a tantalizing assortment of 20 colors in each collection and  -- here's the the best part -- every color in every palette works beautifully with every other color in that palette. The hard work is already done for you.<br /><br />Just pick the group that coordinates with the elements of your home you're not changing (counters, flooring, tile, for example) and your color selection dilemma is history!<br /><br />Your home will look like you hired a decorator to specify colors, and your rooms will flow, whether you paint all your rooms the same color or make each room a different color from your collection.<br /><br />Whether you are <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/11/girls-guide-to-painting-your-front-door.html">painting your front door</a>, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/painted-furniture-home-stagings-friend.html">refreshing old furniture</a>, re-doing your <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-paint-like-pro.html">kitchen cabinets</a> or painting walls, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/color-consultant-tells-how-to-pick.html">color coordinating</a> your scheme from room to room, gives a house an edge with buyers.<br /><br />The right colors do more than anything else to make a house look pulled together.    <br /><br />You can also use your handy dandy, big color chips as a shopping guide when you're hunting down decor accessories for your staged rooms. Wondering how that duvet cover in the store will look with your new wall color? Simply pull out your chip collection and see if the duvet color is part of your personal palette.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's Right for Staging.</b></span> Of the eight color collections, I would recommend only three that are suitable for home staging: Neutral Nuance, Livable Luxe (my favorite), and Traditional Twist. The remaining five -- Coastal Cool, Rustic Refined, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/11/ten-ways-to-rock-global-look.html">Global</a> Spice, Urban Organic, and Color Pizazz -- are too in-your-face for a home on the market.<br /><br />To view the color palettes that will deliver the look you want for your house prepping, as well as the five that are more bold, visit the <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/hgtvhome/color_collections/">Sherwin Williams website</a>.<br />  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>These colors can be mixed in any finish -- flat, satin, or semigloss. They can be mixed for you in exterior grades as well as interior. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9667.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>You Can Fine Tune.</b></span> Maybe you like one of the colors in your palette, but you think it's too light or too dark. No problem, because you'll be able to match the color chip to a color strip, like the example to the left. That way, you can see exactly what you'll get if you go darker or lighter with the same color.<br /><br />Sherwin Williams people can even send you home with a quart of your favorites for just $5 each. <br /><br />Many DIY painters don't realize that every brand of paint has levels of quality.<br /><br />The Sherwin Williams paints, like other brands, range from so-called contractor grades, to high performance paints that always get rave reviews for low odor, spreadability, coverage, and durability.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>You Choose the Grade.</b></span> The HGTV Home line is sold off the shelf as a mid range product, the 200 line of paint. This means that you may need to paint two coats in some cases, for good coverage.<br /><br />However, it's easy and economical to upgrade slightly and get that one coat coverage everyone wants.<br /><br />I've used plenty of 200 level paint. It's good, but I usually plan on two coats for guaranteed coverage. It all depends on the color you are painting, and what you are covering.<br /><br />Always let the paint store people know what your project is, and they will know if it's going to save you time to upgrade to a higher quality, like their Duration or Cashmere line. <br /><br />Don't bother with Sherwin Williams 400 or 700 lines unless you're whitewashing a shed's interior. Even then...<br /><br />Some people staging their homes just want to freshen the walls, and some people insist on a professionally perfect application. You'll know your own style. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>But wait. There's more! </b></span>Since this home decor promotion was developed for especially homeowners and DIY folks, Sherwin Williams and HGTV are introducing an entire collection of user-friendly tools to make your painting project go quickly and easily, <i>and</i> give you professional results.<br /><br />Don't you love a color-coordinated retail display? These two home improvement giants are calling their specially selected brushes, rollers, tape, and dropcloths "smart tools."<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9658.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Adam Burns, the manager of my local Sherwin Williams, is a wealth of information. He filled me in on all the background information I needed to write this post. Although I've painted professionally for 20 years, I'm still learning from Adam. He's the son of a painter, grew up painting, and has been trained by his company in all the latest products. He opened and then ran the Sherwin Williams store in Kauai for 5 years. Kauai!  </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The gloves are made of neoprene and have padded fingertips. I can vouch for the fact that they are comfortable for hours on end and wear forever.<br /><br />The brush handles are coated with a lacquer finish to make them easy to clean.<br /><br />The rollers are made from woven nylon fibers that won't shed, so your painted surface will be smooth and free from junky bits of roller fuzz, like they would if you used a dollar store roller. <br /><br />The <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/08/painting-your-home-heres-advice-about.html">dropcloth</a> is like nothing I have seen before, but if I were going to design a dropcloth that really works and is convenient to use, this would be it. It's padded to make it comfortable on your feet and knees. It's made of woven fibers that absorb drips so you don't track paint around the room. It measures a tidy 7 x 2 feet, just right for protecting the area where you are working, without the hassle of a cumbersome, room-sized painters tarp.   <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Just So You Know.</b></span> No one paid me or provided any compensation for telling you about these new color collections. I am very excited about this joint venture because Sherwin Williams has always been my choice for paints, supplies, and painting advice. HGTV, not so much.<br /><br />When you want advice about staging your home to sell your home, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">eBook</a>,</b></span><i> DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar.    </i><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Azn6PVndvHJaPwcXjanAWgcO0QKmwxn5CpBtILFwXrJeuD46czxpZz3MrENc4lfwbIEuOKhDuxqo4nUE3P97y4t6Gp2cnBxE-xjR2EqF5FvoDI0MqYThW9X-Q2BRhdPlj8v1y8QLZcG1/s1600/hmcw.png" /></a></center>

Finally -- A Simple Formula To Help You Choose the Right Paint Color

Do you struggle when you have to pick a paint color? Are you confused about what colors work best for your home on the market? You Can Relax...

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How I Would Run My Own Television Show

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.earlymoments.com/upload/EarlyMoments/drseuss/if-i-ran-the-zoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.earlymoments.com/upload/EarlyMoments/drseuss/if-i-ran-the-zoo.jpg" width="341" /></a></div>Today the new season of Design Star begins on HGTV. I haven't decided if I will follow it. I've almost stopped watching the home rehab and staging shows on television.<br /><br />It's all about my sanity. I need to preserve what's left of it, and I have too many opinions that get in the way of my just sitting back and enjoying the mayhem.<br /><br />Mayhem it is. As I mentioned two weeks ago, my daughter and her husband were one of the couples who had a <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/06/ceiling-fans-good-or-bad-for-bedroom.html">room makeover on TLC's Trading Spaces</a>. So, I got to see the absurdity behind the scenes. The guests are encouraged to get a little zany and emotional. Worker bees do the details that designers get credit for. Workmanship is shoddy.  <br /><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">To be honest, I am posting this to rant. But at the same time, I hope I can point out some solutions to common remodeling misconceptions and mistakes. Mr. Lucky and I have worked over 20 years in the building trade, and rehabbed enough houses to have learned a few tricks. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I always joke, "I want a show of my own!" Here's what I would do if I won on Design Star. Which won't happen. I'm not weird enough, young enough, or good-looking enough.   </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">  </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hyped Schedule.</b></span> I wouldn't pretend that good work could be done in a rush. I know producers need to inject the drama that the work needs to be finished for the open house that's just a day away. But, seriously? I would tell my viewers to make a realistic schedule and to be flexible. But that doesn't make an exciting format. This is only one reason I don't have a show!</div><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/blueoverallsladder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/blueoverallsladder.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>My reality tv calls for gloves and a hat. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Wacky Outfits.</span></b> I would wear clothes that are appropriate to the tasks. Why are hosts wearing high heels when they replace light fixtures and hang draperies? Why are they painting walls in halter tops and flip flops? The answer is, of course, that it looks sexy. Well, there goes my contract, because I'd be wearing my paint-stained overalls, cotton work gloves, and clunky work shoes that protect my toes. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dramatic Demolition.</b></span> We've all seen it. The host hands the homeowner a sledgehammer and the "fun" starts. Wood cabinets that could be taken to <a href="http://www.habitat.org/restores/default.aspx?tgs=Ny8xMS8yMDExIDEwOjA0OjE1IEFN">ReStore</a> or elsewhere, get smashed to splinters and hauled to the dumpster. It's just too boring to remove things with a pry bar.  On my show, we'd recycle as much as practical.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Carpet Craziness. </b></span>It's also very dramatic to show hunky carpenters rolling up an entire room of carpeting in one piece. On my show, the hunky carpenter (my co-host) would use a utility knife to slice the carpet and padding into 3- or 4-foot wide strips. It's a whole lot easier to roll these and carry them out. One person can do it alone, and the woodwork doesn't get scratched from that stiff carpet backing. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Goofy Painting.</b></span> Since I paint for a living, I'm especially opinionated about painting techniques. On my show, my hunky assistants and I would always cut in before we roll walls. We'd use a 5-gallon bucket and a grid instead of a dippy little roller pan. We'd use a handle on the roller so our wrists wouldn't take the abuse, and we so we could paint comfortably all day. We'd use a two-step ladder to minimize stretching and over-reaching.   <br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Phony Budgets.</b></span> On my show, I'd be realistic about what the materials honestly, actually cost. Retail. And I'd elaborate on what labor would cost if you had to pay for all the electricians, plumbers, drywall guys, landscapers, tile layers, painters, and carpenters.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shoddy Materials. </b><span style="font-size: small;">Okay, I've been known to make furniture out of paper mache, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/make-your-own-decorative-vases-for-free.html">cover oatmeal boxes with wallpaper</a>, glue ribbon onto beach mats for <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/12/diy-no-sew-cafe-curtains.html">no-sew curtains</a>, and <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/06/99-centtray-makeover.html">cover a plastic serving tray with an old map</a>, but on my show, I'd never throw a yard of muslin over a curtain rod and call it a valance. I wouldn't bring in a bunch of Walmart metal-leg furniture and call it luxurious. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Your Turn.</b></span> Do you have some pet peeves that make you want to scream when you're watching the home makeover shows? What will your show be like when <i>you</i> win on Design Star?</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Are you staging a home for sale? Download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar.</i> I won't send you down a primrose path. I know the realities of selling a home.  </span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hgtv.sndimg.com/HGTV/2011/06/01/HSTAR6_Designer-Group-Shot_s4x3_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://hgtv.sndimg.com/HGTV/2011/06/01/HSTAR6_Designer-Group-Shot_s4x3_lg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">  <i>I need some high heeled sneakers and cosmetic surgery to join the group! How about you? </i></div>

How I Would Run My Own Television Show

Today the new season of Design Star begins on HGTV. I haven't decided if I will follow it. I've almost stopped watching the home reh...

Read more »