What If Your Exterior Paint Job Could Last Longer

From a professional painter‘s point of view, exterior painting is the most important home maintenance project that can be done. Often the paint and caulking is all that is stopping damage from the weather and water.

Damage to your siding alone can cost thousands to fix. This is just one surface that is vulnerable to the effects of the weather and an inadequate paint job

If you plan on doing the painting yourself be prepared, typically exterior painting will be the most difficult and physically demanding home maintenance project you will do. Exterior painting will involve considerable time and physical effort. Why not do it right and receive the best value for your money plus gain the most time before needing to re-paint.

What If Your Exterior Paint Job Could Last Longer

It’s amazing that this thin film of primer and paint lasts as long as it does! Exterior house paint must stand up to the most extreme conditions that man and nature can dish out. Plus all buildings, including your home, are constantly moving around and breathing.

This happens as the temperatures rise (expansion) and fall (contraction). To top it off wood is constantly moving, splitting and warping. Now add the weather with wind, dust, rain, hail and snow. The best results will need a good method encompassing all aspects of exterior painting.

Following the best exterior house painting tips and using the best quality materials can add years to the life of the house paint before the need to repaint. Plus using top quality painting products, knowledge and practical experience will result in lower maintenance and less repairs in the future.

To top this off, there will be an increase in the value of your home, a win — win situation.

To find out more about how exterior painting can increase the value of your home contact Matt Kimble at Concepts In Color, Los Angeles CA

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Interior Painting – Who’s got time?

The most important spaces in our lives are inside our homes. Most of these spaces can benefit from a new look.

The most cost effective and quickest home improvement project is interior painting. You can transform the look of a room or your entire house just by using paint!

Interior house painting can be as simple or as elaborate as you prefer. In order to be the one in control, you need information. That’s what this page is all about. Connecting you to the basic interior painting information you need to complete the transformation of your living space successfully.

The cost savings and decorative improvement with painting a room can be substantial when compared to other improvements such as new carpet or furniture.

With the right colors, the feel of a room can change completely and become a more enjoyable living space. The use of dark or vibrant colors can add spice to a dull room. But beware. These are difficult colors to apply.

Confining vibrant colors to one wall for an accent wall is a great way to change the overall feel without breaking the bank. Painting just one wall can be a quick and easy way to achieve a new look.

Even though a do-it-yourself interior painting project is cost-effective, you must be willing to make a considerable investment of time and patience, which is not always easy after you’ve put in a full day at the office. Consider consulting a professional who can help you get the job done easily. Matt at Concepts In Color can give you a free consult to help you get started…

Concepts In Color, Inc is a professional interior and exterior licensed painting company located in the West Los Angeles area. We paint projects ranging from large residential and commercial contracts to smaller interior jobs. We offer free estimates for all house and commercial painting projects and stand by our work with a written guarantee.

Concepts In Color, Interior and exterior painting in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Malibu, Hollywood and more.

Choosing an Accent Paint Color: Tips and Tricks

Are you eager to choose an accent paint color for a wall or ceiling but feeling overwhelmed by the possibilities? With some simple tips, the right color choice can be easily found.

In recent years, accent walls have become a hot trend. Painting just one wall (or the ceiling!) a contrasting color is a great way to make a bland room come alive. Moldings, trims, and stenciled designs can also accentuate your main color and bring life into a space. Color can have a powerful effect on your mood; be sure to choose a paint color you and your house mates will be comfortable with.

Creating a Cohesive Look

Choosing an accent paint color that goes well with the rest of the room is critical. Take a close look at the room. Pay attention to the current wall color, flooring, and furnishings. If your decor includes art, take that into consideration as well. Eventually, a pattern should emerge, with some colors emerging as more dominant than others.

If you’re having trouble, ask a friend or neighbor to take an objective look. It’s easy to become blind to the things we see every day; a fresh perspective might be all you need to choose the right hue. Feel free to contact Matt at Concepts In Color, Interior Painting in West Los Angeles

Create a natural flow from room to room by using similar accent paint colors in each room; try using one color in your main living space, and lighter or darker shades of the same color in other rooms.

Another way to transition seamlessly from room to room is to use the same paint colors throughout the house; just vary the amounts. For example, imagine you love brown, beige, and blue. In the living room, beige walls, chocolate trim, and blue furnishings provide a calming atmosphere. In the bathroom, blue and beige striped walls are complemented by rich brown towels and accessories. And in the bedroom, chocolate walls, a beige ceiling, and a soft blue comforter provide a welcome respite at the end of the day. Too complicated? Try making it easier by painting one room white with gray accents, and the next gray with white accents.

What You Need to Know About Lighting

Lighting is another important factor to consider. A shade that looks fabulous in full sunlight might look terrible under incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. Think about how your accent color will look from different angles, or at different times of day. If you can, try painting a sample square and checking it out in the morning, afternoon, and at night. If you can live with it in any lighting, you’ve found a winner!

If you have a room that is naturally too dark or too light for your tastes, color can provide a refreshing illusion. Choose a buttery yellow or a bright white to make a dimly lit room feel airier; subdue a sun-filled space with a muted gray or deep burgundy. Find answers to your paint color questions.

Accent Doesn’t Always Mean Contrast

The decorating magazines may have trained you to think of accent walls as “contrasting” walls, but that doesn’t need to be the case. An effective way to liven up a space is to use an accent in the same color family as your base color. Wouldn’t your bedroom look great with misty blue walls and a navy accent behind your headboard? And wouldn’t your moss green living room look more exciting with an olive-colored rectangle to group your photos in? Find answers to your paint color questions.

Don’t Neglect Neutrals

Many people think of accents as a “pop” of color in an otherwise bland room. In fact, neutrals can be very effective accents. Silver, pewter, and gold, for example, go well with most colors and can lend a very contemporary look to your space.

Gray or brown can “bring down” a high ceiling and make a room seem cozier and more intimate, while white, cream, and yellow can “open up” a small space.

Using neutrals with high contrast will create a timeless look with visual interest; avoiding super-trendy colors can lend longevity to your paint job, because today’s hot shades will look dated tomorrow. Try adding polish to an otherwise white room by adding black baseboards, moldings, and door trim. Alternatively, you can punch up a dark, navy blue space with gloss white trim for a nautical feel. Find answers to your paint color questions.

For more info on Accent Paint Color contact Matt at Concepts In Color, Interior Painting in West Los Angeles

Thanks to House Painting Info at http://www.house-painting-info.com

Tips on Hiring a Painting Contractor

Hiring a Contractor

Ask for references. This is very important as it shows if their past clients were happy with the work performed, and the overall customer experience. Any professional painting contractor should be able to provide references.

Get a bid in writing and go over it thoroughly with the contractor. Not all bids are created equal. Some contractors exclude some costs and later charge these to you as extras. Find out exactly what the bid includes, a thorough bid with everything covered is what you are looking for. The more information provided here the better for both parties.

What prep work is included? Caulking, wall repairs, and filling nail holes, are the general steps you should see. Prep work is what makes a finish look great, and last many years. It is also very labor intensive and therefore time consuming.

How much will you be charged if the contractor encounters unforeseen problems? For example, removing wallpaper not installed correctly can cause damage to sheet rock. What might those charges run? Ask if they charge an hourly rate for extra work. Every successful painting contractor knows what their hourly costs are, and what they need to charge to make a profit. This should be given without hesitation when asked for. If they don’t know the answer to this simple question, chances are they haven’t been in business long, and most likely won’t be if you have a warranty claim to make.

Warranties. Does the contractor offer one?
Are they a licensed, bonded, fully insured company?
For example, Concepts In Color in Los Angeles is a licensed, bonded, fully insured company – offering free estimates for all house and commercial painting projects and stand by the work with a written guarantee.

In closing I would like to add, you must feel comfortable hiring a house painter. You are inviting them into your home or property so for peace of mind ensure there is a trust first. Knowing you can depend on a qualified professional helps ensure a successful project.

For More Info on hiring a painting contractor in Los Angeles, feel free to contact Matt at Concepts In Color

Los Angeles Exterior House Painting Advice

Everyone wants their home to be the envy of the street. Popular DIY shows spend countless hours and dollars working the landscaping and really trying to bring curb appeal to the property, but often the home itself is overlooked. Painting the home is an integral part of having that “pop” that sets your home apart. Not only is it important for aesthetics, but paint serves as a barrier between the elements and your investment. That’s why painting deserves star treatment!

Exterior painting allows you improve the appearance of your home and extend the life of its surfaces by many years. Only one coat of paint is usually needed on your home if it is not peeling or chalking, the substrate is in good condition and a change of color is not desired. Even the slightest color change will require two coats for optimal coverage. Two coats of paint are always preferred and often necessary. Several premium paints require two coats for their warranty to be effective. Different sheen’s and colors can also play a pivotal role in how long the life cycle of the painting job is going to last. Typically, paints with a flatter sheen are more porous and will fade quicker, while higher gloss paints tend to last longer. Darker colors also tend to fade sooner.

 

With a trained eye, you will be able to spot when your home needs a new paint job. If the paint is starting to get “chalky” (rubbing your hand on the surface leaves a chalky residue on your hand) it is time to paint! Putting this off now may mean more money later! When paint chalks, it is breaking down and no longer protecting your home the way it should. Peeling paint equals moisture problems. When paint peels, it allows moisture to come in contact with the substrate. It can also lead to additional damage to the remaining paint.

A good paint job will last anywhere from five to ten years. This depends on several factors: quality of the coating being applied, mil thickness of the paint, the substrate, but most importantly – THE PREPARATION! Proper preparation is the single most important part of any painting project. Any professional painter should be able to explain exactly what is going to take place during this process. I assure you preparation is 50% labor and 110% important to the outcome of the job.
Once the house is fully washed, scraped, sanded, caulked, primed and dry it is ready to receive paint. An important issue to keep in mind is the quality of the paint. Premium coating materials can leave you with a sense of “sticker shock” when comparing price per gallon. If you compare this price to the amount of labor involved to apply any coating, the pro’s outweigh the con’s.

The reality of all this is the homeowner needs to be informed, do their research and check to make sure they are getting what they pay for. The saying could not be more true, “You get what you pay for!” If you get three painting bids and the bottom line is drastically lower on one, throw it out! Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Just because the least expensive painter assures he will do all the prep, doesn’t mean he will. A cheaper painter has to do the same amount of work a more expensive painter has to do so how come they are so cheap? It is because they are NOT going to do things the proper way. They will cut corners and finish quickly so they can make a profit. Most homeowners assume when they hire a professional, they will not have to be double checking, making sure they are getting what they are paying for.

It is important to feel comfortable with the company you hired and rest assure you’re being treated professionally. A professional painter will take the time to educate the client and fully address all questions and concerns. They should not make you feel intimidated or embarrassed to answer even the simplest of questions. The unfortunate fact is “cheap” painters usually do “cheap” work and skip on the quality materials. A professional who takes satisfaction in their work will show up early, dress the part and work with pride. Keep all these factors in mind when choosing who you hire and you will get the results you want and paid for!

For more info on Exterior House Painting in Los Angeles contact Matt at Concepts In Color.

Some Cutting Edge Painting Ideas for Your Contemporary House

At Concepts In Color we know that one of the simplest and least expensive ways to revamp a room in a new style is through painting. Contemporary decorating is a comfortable approach to a more sterile modern aesthetic. It includes sleek, clean lines and contemporary materials such as wood and metal. Contemporary painting includes sleek and neutral walls with splashes of color.

Painting With Clean Lines

When painting walls for a contemporary room, it is important to have clean and level lines to enhance the sleek appearance of the room.  While some décor styles would encourage visible brush strokes and lines, contemporary design is about removing mess and clutter in favor of clean surfaces.

Contemporary Colors

Use contemporary wall colors such as neutral earth tones or light paint colors when painting your contemporary house. Avoid colors with too much intensity such as bright yellows, purples or greens. Instead, use washed out versions of those colors. This will make the rooms in your house look bigger. Popular contemporary colors are beige, light gray, white or light green. Need help picking a color?

Use Punches of Color

One complaint of contemporary design is that it appears too stark and uninviting for people that prefer a comfortable and warm style. If this is the case for you, think about accent colors on small walls in entryways, backsplashes, staircases and basements. Choose colors that fit with the color scheme in the room. Use very bright colors on very small walls and less bright but still vibrant colors on larger walls. This will keep your room balanced and contemporary.

Paint Boxes of Color

For a more retro and modern approach, paint boxes of color on various walls in your home rather than the whole accent wall. Choose bright but muted colors that mesh well with your home’s color palette. Paint these boxes of color around pieces of wall art to help accent the art, or to frame doorways and windows.

Matt at Concepts In Color can help you with some great ideas, not just with Contemporary Interior House painting, but with your exterior as well. Always feel free to contact Concepts In Color for a free consult about painting your home.

The Best Shades of White to Paint a Room

At Concepts In Color we are dedicated to make your project successful.

Concepts In Color knows that here are as many variations of white as there are colors in the painter’s fan-deck. The best white to paint a room is one that’s derived from one of the room’s other colors. Choosing which white to paint is a simple process if you understand a bit about color schemes and where they start. Shades of colors are made by adding black to the base color; tints are made by adding pure white to a color. This knowledge will help you make the right color choice for your interior painting and avoid the costly mistake of having to re-paint.

Color Scheme

The room’s color scheme is the key. Color schemes commonly start with two colors that are complimentary (those opposite each other on the color wheel). Green and red, brown and orange, blue and peach are common starting places for color schemes. Variations of these main colors produce the schemes used in fabric, and from an inspirational fabric a room’s color scheme emerges. A room’s color scheme may also come from an inspirational painting, a painted plate, or the view outside the picture window. Some professional painting websites, such as ConceptsInColor.com, provide free consultations to help you with your custom color schemes.

Color Value

Base colors can be overpowering in their intensity, so they’re adjusted, often by adding other colors (orange-red for example) to change the value of the base color. Additionally, the base color can be shaded or tinted. The blue and peach starting colors can become sun-glow orange and peacock blue, a very modern color combination.

The Right White

Wall color is chosen from the color scheme. If you’re using a fabric for inspiration, the background color of the fabric is usually a good choice for the wall color. The intensity of the fabric color may be too high, so the wall color may be tinted to produce a softer, “lighter” version of the fabric’s color. As more white is added, the color will appear to be closer to white than to the starting color; but it is, in fact, the starting color — just tinted to a very light value.

Where To Start

At Concepts In Color we can help you with your color choices. Contact Matt for a free consult and help getting started.

More Info: ConceptsInColor.com

Tips on Painting Colored Borders in a Room

Concepts In Color knows that a border will add visual interest to any wall it graces. Whether you choose to break up a large wall with a contrasting band of color or add a patterned border, the choices are plenty. Before you begin, consider the space the border will adorn and look for details like accents and accessories to come up with an ideal color scheme.

Painted Border

To paint a perfect border, use professional painter’s tape for clean lines. Whether you choose to paint one solid band or a collection of thin, pinstriped bands, painted borders add a focal point to tie the room together. The placement of the border depends on your personal taste. Ideas for placement include eye-level, 1/3 of the way up the wall and 2/3 of the way up the wall. The colored border can also act as a chair rail to separate two contrasting paint colors — one above the border and one below.

Stamped Border

For an organically shaped border decide the general area you wish to stamp and stamp the length of the wall in your chosen pattern. Ideas for stamps include large-format rubber stamps, stamps cut from potatoes, sponge stamps and any other stamp you wish to use. Ideas include trucks and cars for a child’s room, peony blooms for a bathroom border, and polka dots or other geometrics to liven up a dull office space. Don’t let the stamped border become overly busy, and use one image to stamp throughout the length of the border.

Stenciled Border

Choose modern or contemporary stencils to create a jaw-dropping stencil in your home. Modern stencils are akin to the patterns available with contemporary wallpaper. Patterns you can expect to find include damask, retro geometrics, Moroccan designs, cottage designs, Swedish and vintage florals and Old World European patterns. The colored border should add to the overall decor and never detract. Choose patterns to complement the existing design of the room. Look for inspiration in your favorite pieces. For instance, extract a pattern or color from a throw rug or colorful pillow.

Tips and Ideas

Buy quality tape and stencils for best results in your border painting. Don’t limit yourself to painting borders according to the materials available for purchase. Rummage through your home for objects like old coffee cans. Use the coffee can to paint a scalloped border around the perimeter of the room. Or, make your own stencils or stamps using vellum, a see-through type of paper. Other ideas include a border of colorful steps, piano keys, book spines and a chalkboard border for leaving notes in the kitchen or foyer.

For more information on interior and exterior house painting visit Concepts In Color.

The Online Checklist for Finding a Good Painting Contractor

Q: Who is going to paint my house?
A: The following checklist will help you sort through the process of finding a painting contractor that is right for you.

Start simple. Ask around.

If you see a house that’s been freshly painted, it’s a good opportunity to find out who did the painting. Sometimes you shall see a sign in the front yard advertising for the painting contractor. This is an indication that the customer is very happy and is willing to allow advertising in the front yard.

Successful word-of-mouth advertising doesn’t happen unless a painting contractor has satisfied customers. You can learn a lot about a painter from past clients.

Ask for references.

This step is slightly different from asking around. Now you’re speaking with a specific contractor. You want a list of references. If a painting contractor cannot give you references, it’s a good reason to check that contractor off your list. Ask for a minimum of at least three references, and follow through with contacting each person the contractor claims to have worked with.

Ask the right house painting questions.

How long ago did you hire the painter? A reference for a recent paint job isn’t as valuable as a reference for a paint job that was completed a few years ago. A customer is more likely to give you valuable information if the job has stood the test of time, and the customer is still happy.

Did the contractor do quality work? It’s important to understand what quality work looks like. Even if your friend is happy with the results, you might want to take a look at the finished paint job. Check out areas such as windows, doors and trim. Careful work in these areas is a positive indication of a good painting contractor.

Was the painter polite and pleasant to work with? This is more important than it might seem on the surface. It’s important to find a contractor you communicate well with and feel comfortable around. A courteous demeanor is a hallmark of professionalism and will save you unnecessary stress. Also, a painter who is enthusiastic about his job is more likely to do a good job than one who is burned out and just in it for the paycheck.

Did the work start (and finish) in a timely fashion? Good contractors let their customers know their planned schedule in advance. And professionals do their best to stick to it. Look for a painting contractor who arrived at a reasonable time every morning. Just remember that exterior paint jobs can be affected by the weather, so watch for customers who hold a bad rainstorm or unseasonably cold temperatures against the contractor!

Was a warranty included? A contractor that stands behind his/her work is a sign of a professional. Remember a warranty only has value if it is in writing and extends for a reasonable period. If the painting contractor only guarantees work for one year, it could be a sign that some aspect of the painting work could be low-quality.

Finding a Painting Contractor Just Got Easier – Get Free Price Quotes

Get more Info: Matt Kimble at www.ConceptsInColor Exterior Painting in West Los Angeles

Thanks: House Painting Info, Webtime Graphics and Consumer Reports.

What Are The Best Contemporary Interior Paint Colors?

Toss out the old paint chips, and mix up some contemporary color for your walls.

At Concepts In Color we know that designers and homeowners with a sense of style are experimenting with new shades of some old favorite paint colors with striking results. White walls are disappearing under coats of inky charcoal. Theatrical shades of rich purple, like aubergine and currant, are covering up the linen and pale blue. A green like antique glazed pottery is gleaming off entire walls. The paint in contemporary interiors is a carefully considered element of the artistry of the design.

Purples
Purple, the color of royalty, is asserting itself in contemporary décor in far more powerful hues than lilac and lavender. Real deep purple, with strong tones of red or blue or even black, is a choice for high-style reception areas like foyers and social spaces like studies, libraries and media rooms.

As reported in “Veranda” magazine, internationally renowned designer Nina Campbell mixed a black-currant lacquer for the library walls of her Chelsea flat in London. The vibrant berry tone is offset by white trim and ceiling and polished hardwood floors. A strong purple is a fabulous backdrop for art, dramatic in a dining room and fair warning in an entryway that the home you are about to enter is anything but boring and predictable. (What color is right for you? Ask Matt Kimble at Concepts in Color: Interior Painting in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.)

Grays
Slate, pewter, charcoal—gray is a new neutral and showing up everywhere from the pool house to the bedroom. A softer medium gray is rich when painted on walls in faux suede. But the sophisticate is a darker shade of gray, sometimes tempered with brown, sometimes verging on black. Dark taupe or charcoal is dramatic in a dining room or living room and is often bordered with white trim to accommodate contemporary furnishings. The darker grays are cozy in a den with a fireplace and crisp and neat in a kitchen with stainless steel appliances. (Ask Matt at Concepts In Color, Interior Painting in Los Angeles , for more great ideas.) Grays look terrific with wood floors, ceramic tile and terracotta floors, slate floors and hand-loomed Persian or geometric modern carpets. The darker end of the spectrum tends to feel claustrophobic when used with a lot of traditional furniture, heavy drapes and patterns. But it is stunning in a high-ceiling salon with elaborate period furnishings like Louis XV chairs and tall windows that let in plenty of light.

Greens
With Contemporary Interior Painting in Los Angeles, Celadon and sage are greens that invite more color. The shades hold the watery mystique of Venice and the appeal of the Arts & Crafts style. Naturally, they look gorgeous with Italian gilt furniture and Arts & Crafts pieces. But celadon also calls up Chinese court artistry and blends well with Asian styles. And sage is right at home with everything Western as well as earth-toned natural materials and country décor. Green is versatile enough to use as a glass tile backsplash in a kitchen, a penny tile bathroom floor, the wall color for the public rooms in the house—the living room, dining room, or den–the dusty blackboard paint wall in a children’s room, the single color wall in an otherwise all-white master bedroom. Celadon and sage green are calming paint colors but by no means unremarkable ones.

Read more: Concepts In Color
Contact Matt at Concepts In Color for help with Interior Painting in Los Angeles 

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Special thanks; Benna Crawford Journalist and New York-based freelance writer since 1997.