by Craftsmans Corner | Aug 4, 2016 | Painting Project
Are you thinking of painting your walls and are unsure whether you should do it yourself or hire a paint contractor? If you’re into DIYs, then painting your walls yourself is definitely a thought that has crossed your mind. But if you’re not one of those people, then painting your walls yourself is definitely something you consider a hassle. Either way, painting an entire room or an entire house may prove to be more work than you might actually think. To make your decision a little easier, here are some of the pros and cons of painting your walls yourself:
PROS
Control:
A DIY on your walls means you have full control over everything: which shade you want to paint your walls, how you want to paint them and what you want to do with your walls. Some paint contractors may not get the way you envisioned your walls to be colored (though this is unlikely with the right contractor). So, a DIY job will save you the hassle of explaining yourself to someone and will let you take charge.
Cost:
It is cheaper if you choose to paint your walls yourself. You can save a bit of money as the only things you would need to buy are paint supplies and paint. You won’t need to pay for the labor cost. If your family and friends are looking to take on a DIY project then you could ask them to lend a hand at a “Painting Party,” which could be quite fun. This will save you time and you won’t have to pay for the labor. Just provide pizza and beer!
CONS
Quality:
Quality is one of the few things you might have to compromise if you choose not to hire a professional. Your walls might not have the same polished and professional look and might end up with uneven coats of paints and mismatched spots. Professionals are called professionals for a reason.
Time:
Another downside of painting your walls yourself is that the work might not finish in the time that you allotted. The initial plan of finishing the work during a weekend can extend up to a couple of weekends. Plus, the paint finish might not be as you intended it to be. There are multiple things that can hold you back such as unplanned work commitments and family responsibilities and something you didn’t expect! Hiring a painting contractor will ensure your work is finished in an allotted time, something which will most likely get altered if you take on the task.
Skill:
Professionals can undoubtedly do a better job of painting spaces which required a bit of skill such as places with strange lighting or spaces that require a lot of preparation. It is better and more practical to hire a contractor and have their team get the job done well, than to realize that it’s just out of your depth, and hire a contractor after wasting time, energy and resources.
So are you still in a conundrum or have you made up your mind?
by Craftsmans Corner | Aug 1, 2016 | Painting
When it comes to selecting colors for our home décor, we stick to what we see in social media or to colors we are hardwired to like. Color consultations keep in mind your tastes and trends to come up with what appeals to a larger audience. Here are 6 reason why you should book a color consultant before selecting colors for your painting project.
Color Psychology
Any color used in décor can have a very strong impact on people. A color consultant is perhaps the best person who can accurately name shades that work best for you and your family. They can link the needs of our mind with a color to balance and add to a soothing comfortable décor. You might be able to state orange used in walls has a positive effect on a child’s brain but a color consultant will be able to tell you what specific shade of orange works best for your child’s room in accordance with lighting and space.
Knowledge
We may know stuff we read here and there, but color consultants are trained experts. If you are sick, you pay a visit to a certified doctor. Similarly, if you are feeling confused between colors, pay a visit to a color consultant. You may be a big fan of blue, but only a consultant can specify and explain the extensive number of undertones blue has.
They put your need first
Color consultants are hired to cater to your needs. You may think that you already know what you want and need, so why get a consultant? A consultant will actively participant in the discussion and refine your thoughts and wants to create a harmonizing color palette.
Expertise
A consultant will most likely have handled many more clients like you and they’ve experienced all the pitfalls that can arise when furnishing a space. In fact, once you brief them about your needs, an experienced consultant will be able to tell which shop to go to and what exact item you should get while having already calculated how the color will reflect with the space and shape of the area.
Cost efficient
If you’ve ever painted a room, you know that the color you chose on that little color swatch, rarely looks like the final result on your walls. The lighting and decor of the room has a major effect on how the color will look once it’s been painted on and dried. Color consultants have the experience to foresee this and will have a much better idea of what the final color will look like when all is said and done. This dramatically reduces the chance of you having to paint again once you have finished.
Whether you are planning to repaint one room or your entire house, a color consultant is the person who will clear your doubts and lead you through the most colorful path.
by Craftsmans Corner | Jul 29, 2016 | Painting
Thinking of repainting your foyer but are unsure as to make it into a DIY project or hire a professional contractor? Although, painting the walls yourself and saving some bucks might seem tempting, painting is a challenge that requires a lot of skill, finesse and patience. There is a reason why the professionals are called professionals. So, here are some of the benefits of hiring a professional to paint your space:
Prep work
Regardless of the quality of your paint or equipment, without the correct prep work, the paint job won’t look good and it will end up compromising the look that you’re aiming for. Professionals know how to correctly scrape the walls, clean out the spots and stains and smoothen out the surface to ensure the paint job will be durable and look perfect.
Cost effective
It may seem like painting your foyer yourself can be cost effective and save you the initial cost of hiring a professional, but in the long run it ends up being less cost effective. A professional contractor will advise you on how much to spend on paint and other materials and they can offer advice on color options for your foyer. Additionally, hiring a professional will save you the money of either buying or renting equipment, which is an expensive hidden cost. Plus, professionals do a better job because they know what they are doing, so the durability of your paint job pay off their price.
Quality
You might not get the polished and professional looking paint job if you’re painting it yourself. Knowledge about things such as color tint and quantity of paint to be used, is something that differentiates a professional from a non-professional. Also, uneven coats of paint can lead to premature discoloration and mismatched spots. These are things a professional can easily avoid, as they have the appropriate tools and experience to ensure that the job is done the best possible way.
Saves time
Taking on a painting job is an added task along with your existing work and family responsibilities. Given that you need to make painting a part of your schedule, the work that you planned to finish during a weekend can extend up to a couple of weekends. Professionals, on the other hand, have a dedicated timeline to complete their work and can complete your paint job efficiently. So, you can save time and and get a professional finish!
Hassle free
While people may decide to paint their walls themselves, they often forget that they have to clean up after their mess. Another advantage of hiring a professional contractor is that they have their own cleaning crew and will clean up after their job is done. Consequently, you won’t have to worry preparing or wrapping up.
If you are in the mood to revamp your foyer, painting it is a great options. Just make sure you let a professional take on the task.
by Craftsmans Corner | Jul 15, 2016 | Painting
Your dream kitchen can never truly be complete without a great wall color. You may have envisioned the layout of your kitchen space but ultimately it is the wall colors that will determine whether the outcome is grand and beautiful or plain sad and boring.
If you have been unable to decide what color to choose, this list of 5 popular kitchen wall colors might be helpful.
White
Because most people start their day in their kitchen, white walls are a great inspiration. Light and energizing, the color will instantly brighten up your room and day. It also feels clean and fresh and makes cooking in it an enjoyable and almost calming experience. White is also an easy color for you to match with shelves, cabinets and other accessories. You can have fun by adding in pops of color with your counter tops and back splash.
Red
Red is another popular color because it is believed that such warm colors stimulate the appetite. A versatile color, various shades of red can be used to really make your kitchen lively and vibrant. Though some consideration is necessary because red is a very strong color. Because red is bold, it can overpower the room and if not used sparingly, your room may feel too dark. When used properly, red kitchen walls are great for setting up a different mood in the kitchen from other parts of your home.
Green
Green is a great color that works very well with other parts and features of the kitchen. Colors such as apple green and mint compliment white and wood accents which are usually abundant in most kitchens. It is also a color that is earthy and soothing. Similarly, it lends an organic vibe and makes your cooking experience more exciting and natural. More striking shades like emerald green can be used for accent walls, cabinets, ceiling or floors to add a jolt of energy.
Gray
In recent years, gray has burst into the scene as a reliable and exciting neutral color. Most people choose to paint their walls gray and it can also work wonders in the kitchen. Gray, which is a soft color can ground kitchen space and can create calm in an otherwise very busy room. It is also a color that pairs very well with more vibrant colors. Gray walls and red cabinets or gray counter tops and blue shelves pair beautifully to create a sophisticated space.
Gray is often accused of being too cold, but, this can be avoided by choosing a right shade that takes into account the colors of cabinets and counter tops and also the amount of light entering the room.
Yellow
Just like a ray of sunshine immediately brightens up a room, yellow can also light up a room. Like red, yellow is also known to stimulate hunger. Yellow is a good option if your kitchen space is relatively small because it can brighten up a room and make it look bigger than it really is. It is a popular color among kitchen colors because it gives off a happy vibe too.
But, before settling on a color, you might want to consider going through magazines, catalogs and the internet to get an idea of the different shades and how to use them.
by Craftsmans Corner | Jul 1, 2016 | Exterior Home Painting
Painting the exterior of your home may not seem like a fun way to spend a weekend, but there are a few very good reasons to repaint your exterior if it hasn’t been done in a while.
Increase Market Value of Your Home
The most effective investments are those in which the amount you invest is a lot less than what you get in return. Repainting your exterior walls is one such effective investment. The cost of a professional paint job is typically overshadowed by the prospective increase in market value of your home. By maintaining the exterior of your house, you are looking at potential returns of up to 7%.
Protect Your Home
A study from Harvard University recently drew attention to the importance of exterior paint in the protection and upkeep of homes. Look at it this way, an exterior coat of paint is like the protective skin on your body. It protects the house from the weather, insects, and dust. Without it, the wood on the exterior of your home could begin to fail due to over exposure to natural forces. A good coat of paint will protect these areas from damaging effects of weather and will hold up under normal wear and tear. Taking the time and effort to protect your home from nature’s forces can avoid expensive repairs.
Reveals Areas of Repair
What happens if you do not repaint the exterior part of your house in time? It does not get the protection it requires. Most homeowners are unaware of the many minute things which are wrong with exterior until they take time to repaint it. The preparation work that goes into an exterior paint job will most likely reveal the various flaws that require attention. The great thing here is that under most circumstances, a new paint job will fix the minor flaws you come across.
Improve Curb Appeal
How do you make your house that house that everybody who passed it wished they lived in it? Just give the exterior a fresh new look. It goes a long way in reflecting the owner of the house and more than often, potential buyers will give initial consideration to how the house looks from the outside rather than what it looks like on the inside. It’s therefor only fair to assume if the house looks drab from the outside and has peeling paint, the interior is not worth viewing.
Step outside and look at your house’s exterior condition. You now have 4 top reasons to convince you into giving it a fresh new coat.
