Painting Tip: Painting Baseboards

It's a little tricky painting baseboards. Generally the baseboard is a different color from the walls, so there's all that cutting in to do. Use heavy cardboard or stiff, thick paper on the carpet or floor so you can paint a nice clean bottom edge and keep your floor clean. Be sure to leave the cardboard there until the paint is completely dry.
You can paint the top of the baseboard without taping if you want, but you have to have a really steady hand to avoid getting paint on the wall. Your best bet is to buy a high quality painters tape and make sure it's evenly applied so the edge is nice and clean. I recommend the tape, especially for DIY'ers - much less aggravation.
Of course you're painting your baseboard with a brush (as opposed to a roller) and you want to make sure you're not leaving streaks. So the brush you use is really important. Don't buy a cheap paint brush - your baseboard will look like that's what you used. Expect to spend around $15 for a 3" brush.
Once you've done the prep work you can go ahead and paint. If you follow these tips and take your time you'll have fabulous, professional-looking baseboards. Have fun! And if it doesn't sound like fun, call me. I think it's a blast! 312.420.2367.

Painting Tips: Stripes - Before and After

Stripes are a great way to add interest to a wall. Here are the Before and After shots of the project I finished last week (see last week's video). It's hard to tell from the photos but the darker strips are semi-gloss and the lighter stripes are flat. It's a very cool effect and changes the whole look of the room.

Before

Think how creative you can be with colors and geometric shapes. How about diamonds? Or diagonal stripes? Squares? In this bedroom we went two shades lighter but if you wanted a more subtle effect you could go just one shade lighter. Use your imagination...the sky's the limit!

After

The hardest part of this project is the math! Make sure your stripes are even and straight. If you need help call me: 312.420.2367. We love transforming bland into beautiful.

Painting Tips: Stripes - Beginning the Project

This is a perfectly lovely bedroom but my customer wanted a little more interest. So we painted stripes in a color two shades lighter than the original. The most important part of this project is measuring your wall and being sure your measurements are precise.

Stay tuned...before and after photos next week!

Paint a Concrete Floor

What do you do with a concrete floor when you don't have the budget for carpet or wood? Paint, what else?! It's a great way to customize your look, it creates huuuuuuge interest, and it turns blah into fabulous.

Check it out:

Be sure to clean the floor thoroughly before you prime/paint, and I do mean thoroughly: wash, sand, vacuum, wash again.

You'll love the look and it's easy enough to do. But if you're lacking ambition call Painting Ladies: 312.420.2367. We love transforming bland to beautiful.

It's Never What You Do...

My friend Janice Koerber from Many Hats Homeworks says, "It's never what you do, it's what you don't do that people notice."

Isn't that so true? Here's an example: I recently painted a bathroom. It was a gorgeous, deep blue and looked fabulous when I finished (I'm manic about clean lines and straight edges, especially important with dark colors). Later, I went to an open house at the client's and when I went into the bathroom...horrors! the front part of the vanity had been removed, leaving a 2" gap between the edge of the new paint and the wall. In a situation like that your eye goes directly (do not pass Go, do not collect $200) to that unpainted area. It doesn't matter how meticulous the rest of the job is, THAT'S what you see. I wanted to put up a sign that said, "THIS IS NOT HOW I LEFT IT!" or run out and get more paint and fix it on the spot. I was mortified.

It's never what you do...!

Painting Project Completed in South Loop Chicago

Our most recently completed project is a new construction in the South Loop. Using grey and heather tones we integrated the master bedroom and bath, hallway, entry and livingroom. The feel is very modern yet inviting. Pictures to come!