Select the Correct Paint Sheen for Every Decorating Project

When selecting an interior paint most likely you wonder about which type and brand to purchase. Once you have gotten over the hurdle of choosing a color, there are some important facts to consider in selecting your paint type. You may take you color swatches to any retailer and purchase whichever brand you prefer. With the computer color matching systems available today your cards are all that is needed. (The retailers all steal each other’s color codes.) All you really need is a one inch square for the paint to be matched. Today, you can even bring a piece of fabric to be color matched! Just expect to wait a little while for your mix to be completed.
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When dealing with interior paint it is not the brand that matters so much as the sheen.

Flat Paint
No Sheen/Difficult to Wash
Hides any wall imperfections
Always use on ceilings
Not a good choice for walls especially if there are children in the home.

Eggshell Paint
Slight sheen/Washes Well
Hides most wall imperfections
Great for high traffic areas
My sheen of choice

Satin Paint
Fairly High Sheen/Extremely Washable
Wall imperfections will show
Only recommend for very high traffic areas
Typically used in baths and kitchens

Semi-Gloss Paint
High Sheen/Extremely Durable
Not a good choice for wall surfaces
Every wall imperfection will show!
Often recommended for baths and kitchens. (Not necessary)
Great choice for painting furniture pieces

Gloss Paint
Extremely High Sheen
Never use this sheen on your walls
Great choice for doors and trim
Perfect for furniture pieces

Author ~ Julie Rieman
Training Instructor ~ The All About Redesign Center
www.allaboutredesign.com
www.allaboutwalls.net

Spring Decorating and Interior Redesign Tips

It feels like Spring... Longer Days... Warm Breezes... Rain Showers... Green Grass... Everything is heading toward beautiful outside but what about inside?
Now is a great time to get going on that deep cleaning. Clear the clutter, scrub the walls, clean the carpets, wash the windows and HAVE FUN!
The first order of business is clear the clutter! To quote William Morris “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful” Yeah, right. That’s great to aspire to but in the real world let’s concern ourselves with clearing the counter and tabletops. Lose all the leftover Christmas decorations and any unsightly items that seem out of place. When it comes to addressing your walls, take a good critical look. Cobwebs and scuff marks aside, do the walls seem dingy? A fresh coat of paint is the least expensive way to breathe new life into your space. Changing from stark white to a soft neutral background will make the room more inviting. (Save leftover paint in a tightly sealed glass jar for future touch-ups) While cleaning your carpets your furniture is pulled out anyway so this is a great opportunity to rearrange it! Try to think outside the box. Place your largest piece at an angle and reload the rest of your furnishing in relation to it. It is amazing how a minor shift in placement can make a huge impact on your room. Contrary to popular belief, your upholstered pieces do NOT have to be placed against a wall. Windows...No matter how clean the room, a grimy window will draw attention and make the entire space feel dirty. Try using a squeegee for quick cleaning. These little inventions work great and leave no streaks! Now comes the fun. Shop your entire house for home accessories. Mix things up. Maybe the silk plant you have on the coffee table would look great in the dining room. Those candlesticks in the closet might make a perfect centerpiece alongside some stacked books. Consider moving a lamp from the master bedroom to the living room. Try to keep like items together for a designer look. Glass with glass, metal with metal, and similar color in groupings look best. Try some change. It won’t take long and does not cost a thing!
Thanks for reading!
Author Julie Rieman
Instructor ~The All About Redesign Center
www.allaboutredesign.com

Interior Redesign - What 's All The Buzz?

Interior redesign is the art of creative furniture and accessory placement. A professional can quickly determine the rooms focal points and place your furnishings appropriately. With knowledge and experience a good redesign professional can transform your room into something you only imagined! This form of thinking "outside the box" can really benefit most people. The redesign professional works with your existing furniture and accessories. Tips and suggestions about future purchases is typically included free of charge. The benefit to working with this type of professional is that you will not be coerced into making high ticket purchases. You will be using what you already own and treasure!
Many interior redesign professionals will meet with you first to discuss your lifestyle and the function of the proposed room. This is a great time to go over any special needs of a family member. Many husbands have a favorite TV/chair seating arrangement that must be addressed! If you want your project to be successful it is very important that these particulars are covered. Some, if not most interior redesign professionals will request you leave during the room transformation. This is typically a good idea. Distracting the decorator is not to your benefit and you will be much more excited during the reveal of your new room!
You should expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $600 per room. The cost will vary considering the amount of furnishings and accessories involved with the project. Any heavy pieces that would require moving assistance is also a key factor in pricing.
If you have a upcoming event, have inherited some furnishings or are blending a new family interior redesign is a great solution for bringing your home together! It is a cost effective way to bring order and beauty to your room in ONE AFTERNOON!

Author Julie Rieman
Instructor ~The All About Redesign Center
www.allaboutredesign.com

Interior Redesign Decorating Basics- How to Dress a Bookcase

What to do with that unsightly bookcase. How to make the most of a often overlooked but very important focal point.
When dressing a bookcase it is all about line, balance and scale! Typically a bookcase is the focal point in many rooms and should be given proper attention. Consider weeding out any books that are worn and tattered.. In fact, remove all paperbacks and store where they will not be seen. (These are not decorative items and should not be showcased.) Save only the best looking and most referenced books.
Positioning large items toward the top of the bookcase will give the appearance of being top-heavy and make the piece look unstable. Huge mistake! Position largest books and decorative accessories on the lower shelves. This not only places the “visual” weight where it belongs but helps anchor the piece. Start loading the bookcase from the bottom and work your way up. Adding smaller books and/or items as you go.
Look for decorative accessories to place in between groupings of books. Accessories should always be placed in groups of one, three or five with the taller items behind. Adding a plant is a nice touch and instantly softens the harsh lines of a typical bookcase. If you do not have a green thumb, purchase a fake plant. There are many beautiful and realistic silk greens available today.
Step back and view your progress as you go. One shelf may hold only books while another showcases family photos. Be creative and view your bookcase as another opportunity to showcase your favorite pieces.
Hope you find this informative and useful! Happy March!

Author Julie Rieman
Instructor ~The All About Redesign Center
http://www.allaboutredesign.com/