If you are like most people, you often spend time thinking
about how to make your home a better place to live. Nothing can
change the outer appearance or the inner mood of your abode more
easily or economically than a coat of paint. If you are new to
painting, you needn't worry. It is a great time to become a
do-it-yourself painter. Experts have plenty of great resources to
help you attain the results you desire.
If you are an old pro, you may be excited to learn that the age
of technology has not only improved paint products, but has also
brought new surefire tools to develop great color schemes.
Don't know where to begin? Just ask any of your favorite
suppliers here in Logan County, "What's new?" and they are sure to
tell you something you haven't heard about.
We contacted Sherwin-Williams in Lincoln to ask what they are
excited about in their product lines. Manager Jessica Colebar had a
lot to say.
An explosion of color is sweeping the country. The use of online
virtual tools is allowing visualization of unique color combinations
and greater expression of personality.
With "Chip
It!" you load a photo with the colors you like, and it instantly
gives you the top 10 corresponding Sherwin-Williams paint colors.
You can also upload a picture of your house or whatever room you
are working on and plug in colors to see what it would look like all
together.
There are also stock footage rooms if you don't have your own
photo to test color schemes. (https://www.sherwin-williams.com/visualizer/#)
Colebar said that a lot of times people bring in pictures, fabric
or a piece of their flooring and ask for help. She can help pull
tones from anything that is staying in the room, and that will help
coordinate colors. If you are doing multiple rooms, she will help
you choose colors that will flow from room to room.
"Staying on the same tone can make a big difference," she said.
The store also has color collection books that can be taken home.
Once you've selected your colors, you are ready to choose paint.
Exterior
One of the most popular Sherwin-Williams paints is a self-priming
paint. The first coat of Duration Exterior serves as a primer and
the second coat is the top coat, which saves time and money.
Advanced acrylic technology provides the longest-lasting coating
available. It is suitable for almost all external surfaces and even
covers well over darker colors of vinyl siding.
Colebar said they are excited about their new line, HGTV Home
Exterior Latex. Its low temperature tolerance extends the painting
season from spring into fall. Low in VOCs, it is environmentally
friendly and provides a durable coating. It is mildew-resistant,
which is great for spaces that have a tendency toward mold and
mildew. Places that are shaded or have bushes and plant growth or
standing water are definitely hot spots for mildew.
HGTV Home Exterior is easy to apply and suitable for use on
prepped wood, masonry, concrete block and metal..
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Interior
On the same line, Colebar says there are interior paints that are
mildew- and microbial-resistant (preventing bacteria growth), which
are highly suitable for bathrooms, basements, playrooms and
kitchens.
At the top of the line is Duration Home. It is mildew- and
microbial-resistant and highly washable
Harmony is mildew- and microbial-resistant. It is also the most
eco-friendly, with almost no odor during application, and has the
ability to reduce odors in a room, making it suitable for hospitals
and schools.
In recent years the store's most popular product has been its
SuperPaint. It is self-priming, making it good for drywall or going
over strong colors, saving time and money.
With the most difficult decisions on color and paint now over,
you'll want to ask what you need to do to prepare the surfaces and
what supplies you might need.
Colebar said they have everything you'll need in supplies, tools
and equipment. Applicators, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, joint
compound for dings, caulk for cracks, sandpaper, stain and adhesive
removers, tools, and much more are available. They also have
wallpaper and border remover supplies and a steamer to rent.
While the store no longer stocks wallpaper, there are hundreds of
patterns to be found in books that can be checked out and taken
home. Currently the natural "grass"-textured papers are very
popular.
You can also go online to
swdecorating.com, where you will find 150,000 patterns to choose
from. Swatch samples can be mailed directly to your home or office.
[By JAN YOUNGQUIST]
Sherwin-Williams is located in downtown Lincoln at 523 Pulaski
St.
Manager: Jessica Colebar
Assistant manager: Jason O'Connell
Phone 217-732-9222
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/
Visit the
2012 Spring Home & Garden Magazine for these great articles:
-
A fresh coat of paint
-
Marrying technology
and decorating
-
Lighting your
interior
-
Creating a cool
breeze
-
Weekend warrior takes
on the bath
-
Manicuring the lawn
-
Happy trees
-
New outdoor blooms
and foliage
-
Attracting
butterflies to your yard
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