From the Floors Up

Various Types of Paint Primer for Your Project

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There are so many different types of primers on the market today that it is confusing to know which one to use. To help, we have compiled a list of the kinds of paint primers and hope that this will guide you during your selection. Since there are so many types, we could not list all of them at one time. We recommend keeping a copy of this list for questions you may have at a later date, and we hope this helps!

What Is Primer?

A primer will allow for a top coat to dry the way it should naturally dry. If the topcoat dries by liquids soaking on the surface, this process will pull out the solvents in the wrong way, and the paint will dry too fast. Speaking of drywall, solvents that soak into drywall normally damage the drywall. Therefore, drywall primers don not have solvents that interfere with the drywall.

Acrylic Primer

Acrylic primer is high-quality, and the quality of the acrylic primer will reflect the price tag. Keep in mind that most high-quality primers are acrylic primers. Acrylic primers do a great job at sealing, filling in cracks, and bonding like no other.

PVA Primer

Poly Vinyl Acetate or PVA is a good primer, made to use on brand new drywall and mud finish. PVA is perfect, especially if you have an expensive topcoat paint, and you want it to cover without buying more topcoat paint. PVA primer will take a small amount of topcoat paint/tint color very well. The amount of PVA used to prime the drywall is less if a tint is added to the primer. PVA does a great job of sealing drywall and dries smoothly. Keep in mind that you might not want to use PVA as a primer in rooms that are very popular with your family, simply because it cannot compare to high-quality acrylic primers. Think about priming rooms that are less used in the home like a guest room.

Bonding Primer

Bonding primers are a good quality primer. They work great at adhering to glossy surfaces, drywall, cured plastic, masonry, wood, galvanized metal, and aluminum. Bonding primer blocks stains from knots, water damage, crayons, and grease. It is also a great primer for enamel undercoatings. If you have a problem area where the paint is already peeling, do not use a bonding primer. If you are using a good quality bonding primer when applied, it will grab onto and grip the surface tightly. If your surface is already peeling, a bonding primer will cause the peeling paint to peel even more.

We hope our research has helped to answer some of your questions, and please drop us a line with any additional questions you may have!

Wall Art

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Adding a painting to a bare wall is usually the first trick that comes to mind, but there are so many kinds of wall art that you can use to help modify your space. Wall art can be anything from three-dimensional wall décor to wall sculptures or even mirror sculptures. Adding wall art to your place is a creative way to enhance up your room’s aesthetic. Consider these three different kinds of wall art as an alternative to hanging a picture:
 
  • Abstract Sculptures
There is a broad spectrum of different abstract pieces you can put on your walls. From metal three-dimension art to colorful trippy art, there are so many kinds of abstract designed sculptures you can add to your walls. Papier Mache wall art can give a nice pop to your walls and is very stylish. These are great options to add over a headboard or even a couch as a focal point in the room.
 
  • Mirror Art and Mirror Sculptures
Mirror art is a great way to keep the room feeling open and bright by allowing the art to serve a dual purpose. Different kinds of mirror art can help you personalize it towards your specific design style. Consider mirrors cut into falling leaves to be applied sporadically to your wall or a giant conglomerate of mirrors facing different directions to add a contemporary look.
 
  • Vinyl Designs and Murals
Vinyl designs are a great way to personalize your room. With such a vast variety to choose from you can find exactly what you want to have in your place. Vinyl can add character to your walls and develop your room into what you desire quickly while being cost-friendly.
 
Different varieties of wall art can spruce up your environment and have it feel unique and fresh. Do not limit yourself to just mundane pictures without exploring all the different options available to enhance your walls. Try to find different pieces and art that best amplify your personal design style and your space’s atmosphere.
 

Filling Blank Walls (When paint is not an option)

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Whether you are renting your home or simply afraid to commit to something, filling your bare walls without the use of paint becomes quite the challenge. There are many different ways for various budgets on how to dress up the walls in your home. That is where we come in to help. Check out these effortless ways for decorating the walls without using paint.
 
Filling Blank Walls (When paint is not an option): 
  • Semi-Permanent Wallpaper
When it comes to wallpaper, you either love it or hate it; however, modern wallpaper is chic, and it can add color, interest, and design into any room. For a semi-permanent look, consider peel and stick wallpaper, which is easy to install and less permanent than traditional wallpaper. You can easily remove it when you want. 
 
Ultimately, wallpaper as an accent piece can be used to pull together the entire theme of the space. You can use wallpaper in every room or use it to make an accent wall.
  • Tapestry
Wall tapestry is a unique way to decorate your walls because you can use it to tell a story. During ancient times, tapestries were made by weavers who created patterns, portraits, and historical scenes through them. You can select a tapestry that features a bohemian or more creative design; it is all according to your preferences. You can hang it above a piece of furniture or in a wall nook; the options are endless.
  • Floating Shelves with Your Fave Knick Knacks
For wall decor that is both functional and stylish, you can install a few floating shelves on your wall and curate your accessories. You can mount the brackets on the wall or have them fastened into the wall. While there is no wrong or right way to arrange accessories on the wall, in order to give it that true designer look, be sure to give each item some space between them. When picking out items, choose some things that compliment the color palette used within the room.
 
  • Wall Decals
Wall decals are fun and they are a temporary way to liven up a monotone space. From full wall murals to customized decals, there are a plethora of options. Decals are especially great for creating a fun vibe in a child’s room. Decals, when installed indoors, can last indefinitely but can be easily removed.
 
How do you dress up your blank walls? We would love to know! Be sure to tell us in the comment section. 

Decor – Accent Wall

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The accent wall has been a favorite of designers and home owners for a while now. Some designers are big advocates of creating a focal wall with color while others prefer to have color encompass the entire room. One wall that is colorful, as this predominately white dining room, is the norm. Having more than one wall painted in an accent color can divide the space and begin to feel busy.

 

This dining room is a gorgeous example of how an accent wall can anchor a space, elevating it to feel more than ordinary. The soft blue grey paint of the accent wall is a nice contrast to the warmer wood tones of the floor and blonde wood table.  Orange upholstery on the chairs, another warm color, pops against the cool tones of the grey wall.

 

This contemporary dining room is typically minimalist.  There are no flourishes on the furniture or lighting, nor is there ornament on the accent wall.  The blank wall becomes like a large color field painting in the space.  The trapezoidal shades on the light fixture appear more sculptural against the grey wall. The off white shades would be lost against a white wall.  A neutral area rug beneath the table works with both the colors of the floor and table as well as both the orange and grey.

 

Keeping the furniture lines and color palette very simple gives more weight to the accent wall. Because this is a contemporary space, leaving the wall bare is an option that works.

Perfect for the Kitchen: Food Themed Art

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At first glance this photograph might appear to be of an exotic type of marble or granite. Or perhaps a marbleized paper or faux painting technique. It is none of those things. It is a cross section of a cabbage shot in close-up. Yes, cabbage.

 

Food based art and photographs can be beautiful and food themed art is also the perfect wall accessory for the kitchen and dining room.

 

Kitchen walls are typically filled with cabinetry and appliances, but rarely is ever wall surface filled. Most kitchens are left with some blank wall space and some more than others depending on the size and style of the kitchen layout. What to put on these blank kitchen walls can be challenging.

 

It is not wise to put original oil or acrylic paintings near a cooking area. Grease in the air can cling to the surface of the artwork. Dining rooms are a better choice for paintings like these that are not framed behind glass. Watercolors, drawings, collages and photographs can all be hung in the kitchen since the majority of time they are framed with glass to protect their surfaces.

 

Choosing what food themed art to hang can be based on several factors, including the style of your kitchen, your favorite food and other colors in the flooring and cabinetry of the kitchen. Traditional kitchens would do best with traditional still life style art, while contemporary and modern kitchens could have food art that was more abstract. Be inspired by food photography to take your own shots and frame them.

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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