Hi gang!
Today, I'm sharing an oldie but a goodie -- my primer on painting! Enjoy:
Repainting can dramatically change the mood of a room, and it's one of the first projects that many home designers choose to tackle. But it's not as simple as just dragging a brush across your walls! The better your paint prep is, the fewer disasters you will have and the better your paint job will look in the end. “Save now, spend later” – that goes for time and money.
If you need to save money, don’t skimp on paints. Better paints cost more…it’s a fact. Better paints have more pigments and binders and may mean fewer coats of paint and less work! The same is true for paintbrushes.
Follow these tips for a flawless paint job for your home:
Prime your walls first – it seems like an extra step, but primer is cheaper than paint and means that in the end you will use less paint and get a truer color read – and more durability long term. Definitely prime if you are going over a dark color or will be applying a dark color. The whole process will be quicker with primer. Many people don't know to prime at all - we often skip that step on TV shows because it doesn't make exciting television. But trust me, we always prime first!
Choose a great paint – many companies now sell primer and paint all in one. When you’re shopping, be thoughtful about the environment and use low or no VOC paints. A great brand I use is KILZ Primer. Find out where you can buy KILZ here!
Be prepared. Before you get started, make sure you have lots of plastic tarp for protecting flooring and furniture, paint rags for clean ups (you will need them!), a variety of paint brushes, a roller handle, and lots of replacement rollers
Tape it. Be sure you have a good quality painters' tape for taping off moldings, window trims, and the ceiling. Use tape as a guideline only. Tape is not an excuse for sloppy edge work. I need lots of tape guidelines because I drink soooo much coffee!
Choose the right tools. There are many types of paint brushes and they all handle differently. They all work well, so choose the kind that feels the best. When you're buying, hold the paintbrushes and test for hand comfort!
Know where to skimp and where to spend. Don't skimp on paintbrushes. You want quality brushes and rollers that will result in the best paint application. You can go cheap with paint trays, rags, and drop cloths.
While painting, avoid quick zig zag movements. Instead, apply paint with long and continuous rollouts, top to bottom. This helps avoid arm fatigue and paint pick up. Using an extension pole for all rolling, even at body level, is better for the back.
Don’t forget to turn on music and hydrate! You can skip your normal workout for the day.
Ciao!
Lisa
