From the Floors Up

Oil vs Acrylic Paints

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A fresh coat of paint can turn a scuffed-up wall or scratched piece of furniture into something brand new. Paint gives new life to things and can be a valuable asset in almost any home improvement project. However, a good paint job begins with getting the right paint for the job. Before you even choose your paint color, you have to determine what type of paint is best for your project. When it comes to paint types, your two basic options are oil and acrylic. Which one you use depends on what you are painting and your method of doing so. Knowing the specifics of each paint will ensure you get the right type for the project, and the best results every time.

Oil Paint

Oil-based paints, also known as Alkyd paints, are the slowest drying type of paint. The longer dry time and the fact that oil paints blend better than other paints make it the best choice for painting a large area of space such as a wall or ceiling. Oil-based paints emit strong fumes and can sometimes even be toxic. If you choose to use an oil-based paint, make sure the room you are working in is well ventilated and consider wearing a mask to reduce the amount of fumes you inhale. Additionally, if you are using an oil-based paint, make sure you have mineral spirits or paint thinner handy to clean your brushes or rollers.

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paints are water-based, making them the most popular of the choices. Clean up is much simpler than it is with oil, all you need to clean your supplies is use water. Plus, acrylic paints dry more quickly than oil, so using them to paint larger areas without streaking or leaving brush marks can be difficult. They can also have trouble adhering to things that were previously painted with oil-based paint, so it is essential to use a primer when going over anything previously painted with oil. Acrylic paints are an excellent option for painting door frames, window frames, and furniture.

A project is always easier if you start with the right materials. Knowing the basics of acrylic and oil paints makes choosing the best option a simple task. Next time you want to bring a fresh color to a wall or new life to a piece of furniture, make sure you use the right type of paint for the job.

The Various Kinds of Paint Finishes

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Are you getting ready to paint a room in your house? If so, we have compiled the information that will educate you on the various types of paint finishes. The finish that you choose will determine if the end result is shiny or matte once it has dried. Generally speaking, oil-based and latex paints can be found in every paint finish available. Oil-based paints are popular in semi-gloss and glossy finishes, while latex is usually a matte/flat to a semi-gloss finish. To help you better understand, we have listed below the various paint finishes and when they should be used:

Matte or Flat

A matte/flat finish is often used on walls and ceilings or in low-traffic areas because it does not stand up well to rubbing or cleaning. Matte/flat finishes do not reflect light, making it an ideal pick to hide small defects such as cracks or bumps.

Eggshell

Eggshell is similar to the sheen on an egg, and it is a little shinier than the matte finish. It also reflects some light, so it is a good choice for interior hallways.

Satin

This finish has a smooth, velvety look with more gloss or shine than eggshell. It is commonly used on window and door trim, but because most manufacturers formulate satin-finish paint to be able to stand up to some rubbing, it is a reliable option for bedroom or bathroom walls.

Semi-Gloss

Mostly applied to baseboards, molding, cabinets, and built-in-shelving in bathrooms and kitchens, semi-gloss dries with a subtle sheen without being too shiny, and it stands up to repeated scrubbing. Semi-Gloss can be used on walls and ceilings, but because it reflects light so well, proper surface preparation before painting is critical since it will show minor imperfections in a wall’s surface.

Glossy

You will want to use this finish in stand-out spots such as trim, cabinets, and furniture because it is similar to a plastic or vinyl coating. But because of the shine factor, prepping the piece (sanding; scraping) before painting is necessary.

We hope you have learned a bit more about various kinds of paint finishes and where and when to use them. Happy painting!

From the Floors to the Walls: Tips for Carpet and Paint

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When creating a room, two of the most influential design elements will be your paint and flooring. The colors you choose will set the mood since colors have a psychological impact on the environment. Neutral, warm, and cool tones can all make us perceive an atmosphere differently.

We physically walk on our floors daily; however, carpet is a softer flooring option. It makes a room more welcoming and inviting. Putting carpet in a living room, bedroom, or den can allow the floor to become an extension of seating. Choosing a paint and floor combination that works together is important. Today, we are going to look at pairing paint and carpet. Let’s get started!

Paint

You can start by choosing your paint or your carpet first. Remember to take your paint swatches home. Color can look different in certain lighting. Some paint shops may have overhead fluorescent lighting while you may have a more ambient style of lighting or natural light coming from your window. Additionally, remember that neutral colors are great because they tend to work with everything. If you decide to go more bold with color, you can purchase a test paint mix to sample on your walls prior to buying the whole paint can.

Carpet

Take your selected paint swab to your flooring store. Try to find a carpet that complements and matches your paint. Most fleck carpets are good at matching multiple colors while also hiding dirt and stains. Carpet can have slight changes in dye lots, which is important to note. You can also request to take your carpet sample home to see in your own lighting. Feel the sample and imagine it in your own home. Remember that padding is important to giving carpet its extra cushiony feel.

Paint and Install

Always paint your room first. While installation may scratch some of your walls, you can always fix them with touch up paint. However, paint splattering on new carpet may not be as easy of a fix. For both projects, you should clear your room or all the furniture before beginning.

In a short time, your room will look and feel completely different. It is amazing what carpet and paint can do to a home. While it may seem like the options are endless, selecting a paint and carpet combo can be fun. For more tricks on home improvement, make sure to subscribe.

2019’s Hottest Color Schemes for Summer

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Summer is almost here and with it comes an excitingly new color palette. Each quarter has colors which complement the season and can help you embrace the months. Fall is full of burgundies, reds, yellows, and oranges whereas winter decor is embraced with soft whites and spruces of red and green around Christmas. You also may be familiar that pastel colors enhance spring. So, what colors work best for summer?  If we use colors to help strengthen our decor and keep our home lively throughout the year, which colors represent this bright, cheery season. If you are unsure or need a little design guidance, keep on reading!

Bright Primaries

Primary colors like red, yellow, and blue demand attention. Primaries are great at making hard contrasts against one another. Add these energetic colors to your interior or exterior this summer for added flair and spunk. Items like bright red sun umbrellas, blue lounge chairs, and yellow flowering pots can help brighten your space while giving respect to the season. Since summer is upbeat and thrives well with these lively colors, you will be able to enjoy the warmth and your decor with these primary hues.

Soft Pastels

Fortunately, pastels can be carried over from spring and enhance our room’s aesthetics. Pastels are loved for their muted, soft hues that bring a little bit of color to any space. They mesh well with neutrals and other colors to create a timeless design. If you are unsure where to put your pastels, we recommend trying purchasing wall art that can be swapped during the different seasons. Different pastel watercolor prints will make a suitable wall decal during the warmer months while creating a stunning focal point.

Fun Patterns

Adding patterns is another fun way to create a theme during the summertime. There is something to be said about the interaction of repetition in a design. Adding striped or polka dot throw pillows during the warm months can be a seasonal twist on your decor. Repetition with patterns can create harmony in your home while adding interest and style. Try finding matching pillows, curtains, and lampshades to make your home feel like summer fun and balanced.

Coastal Hues

Nothing says summer like the beach. Coastal hues are always great to add to your home during the summer months. Plus, coastal homes have been using this theme for decades. It encapsulates the soothing, warm feels of summer daily. Morph the feeling of your home into a more casual retreat by adding coastal tones: lavender, coral pink, baby blue, and canary yellow. You can even try sprucing up your pool area with some coastal decor and colors for added charm.

Try sprucing up your summer with some of these tropical fun color options. Summer is all about fun energy, and as the days are growing longer, make sure you do not neglect your home’s exterior when designing. Enjoy this summer and stay safe. For more tips and tricks, make sure to subscribe to From the Floors up.

Color Psychology: Painting A New Home

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When it comes to painting your new home, many people struggle in deciding which way it is they actually want to go. Every single color in the world promotes different feelings within your body. The psychology of color is implemented in all the best business schemes. It is the reason why all fast food restaurants are red and yellow, and it is the reason why your food and drinks are colored the way they are. Why shouldn’t it be the way you put color into your home as well?

 

It only makes sense – paint your home the way you would like to feel most of the time. The best part about it as that you can get room specific if you wanted to, or just have a basic overall theme – whatever floats your boat. But next time you decide on colors for the home you will be living in for the next however many years – keep these color psychology tips in mind.

 

Opening Up Space

 

Remember the scene in Willy the Wonka Chocolate Factory where the room gets smaller and smaller? Well that can actually happen in your house when you choose to go with darker colors. Using light, bright, and vibrant colors with a little bit of tint like yellows and eggshells can really open up a room and add the illusion of space. Avoid white, as it is not as effective as other vibrant colors. One thing you can do if you do decide to go with dark colors is paint the ceiling white.

 

Room Specific

 

Red is known to increase appetite – which is why it is a perfect color for your kitchen. Remembering your old kitchen can make you feel at home as well, which is why it is said to be a good idea to paint your kitchen whatever color it was when you were a kid.

 

Relaxation is the key for your bedroom and bathroom. These are the rooms where you want to feel at total ease. Use shades of blue, green, or even lavender. Stay away from red (especially if you have high blood pressure) and brown (studies suggest brown rooms add to depression). If there is a place for darker paint, than these are the rooms for that.

 

If you have an office, you should really think about painting it green. Green is known to help you focus and concentrate and adding a green plant wouldn’t hurt either. It is also a color that is becoming very fashionable in homes.

 

The sun room and the hallway leading out of the house are two perfect places for the color yellow. Yellow is a joyful color, and when you are in your sun room or on the way out of your house, that is all that you want to be feeling.

 

Trust orange for a sick room or asthmatic child’s room: Orange is often associated with improved lung function as well as increased energy. As well as working well in any workout room, a mild orange can be very helpful to those recovering from illness or with lung problems.

 

The Overall Picture

 

Of course many will tell you it is just better to choose colors that you like and that can go with the overall theme of your house. If you are going to go this route, one way to do it would to be to choose colors from your past. That is one of the ways you can turn a house into a home, which is why we paint our homes in the first place.

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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