Painting a home yourself?

There are many articles on painting a home yourself vs hiring a contractor. There are many reasons why you should choose one or the other. The BIG question is, are you up for the task? Can you move the furniture, climb ladders for a good part of the day, and lift 5 gallon paint buckets from one area to another? If your answer is no, its time to shape up!

 If you're not in the best physical shape it will feel like the never ending job. Painting has been my life for the past 20 years. If I was not in good physical shape, this would be one tough occupation. To keep in shape I run at least 5 miles a week, walk on the treadmill, and every other day hit the weights. You don't have to be like Arnold Schwarzenegger, but you do need to "Pump yourself up".

I give credit to anyone who makes the attempt to improve their surroundings, but I see a lot of dreams fade due to the physical requirements of certain paint projects.Many people have an adrenalin rush while creating their vision for the interior or exterior of their home. Purchasing all the needed tools and supplies for the paint project can be very exciting. It looks easy, you have painted a little before and know some of the basics. After moving all the furniture, covering the floors and misc., removing the window treatments, taping the needed areas, and putting the ladders in place, your now ready! Or are you?

 So, take a good look at your project, ask yourself if this is something you can handle. If your answer is yes, go for it!  If not, hire a professional and go to the gym.

Ideas for Accent Walls

Here are some ideas for painting accent walls that may inspire you to move forward and create a fascinating area in your home. Ideally an accent wall is used to bring interest towards an area, to enhance objects, furniture and artwork. Just adding a single color to an area will change the dynamics of the space.
The photos below are just the beginning of what you can achieve with paint. There are endless painting techniques which will make your accent wall unique and stand out in a cookie cutter world.

 Solid brick red adds to conversation and appetite, you'll see this color in restaurants,dining rooms and kitchens. If you ask me, red looks great in many areas.
                             

                                         Dare to be different! Add a distressed wall
                  

                                 Ragging technique, lighter glaze over a darker base
 

                                      Distressed stripes add a whimsical feel   

                                              Tone on tone smooshing technique    
           

                                   Accent color taken from fabric, smooshing technique    

                                        Add painted moldings to enhance an area
                         

                                              Sponging technique using glaze

                                                        Faux inside a frame

                                                    Sponging over a light base

                                                          

                                              Multi  framed in areas faux painted                 

                                                            Distressed strie

                                                    Create a distressed faux brick wall     

                                     

                                               Metallic Blue painted wall, crosshatch technique

Strange way of getting work

                                                      Strange way of getting work

I have seen many strange things happen in my painting profession over the years, but this story I have to share. It is one of the craziest to date.

My customers sat down to a great fish dinner at home and decided to go to the movies when they were finished eating. Meanwhile, the smell from this delicious meal was going much further than the kitchen. While they were out a raccoon entered their guest bedroom window by tearing away the screen and jumping on the furniture. Their dog was startled from the noise and ran into the room to see who or what was there. As soon as they met, all hell broke loose.

The raccoon ran across the house and into the den trying to get away from the dog, who at this point,     was foaming from the mouth. The raccoon tore the window treatments from the wall and tossed the furniture while trying to escape. Finally the raccoon jumped through the window screen and disappeared.

The dog was not harmed and I think he did a great job protecting his home. The homeowners could not believe that the break in was not from a burglar.  It did not take long to see that it was a raccoon with its claw marks left across the walls and pieces of fur on the floor. I guess I have to thank my customers, and the raccoon, for the job. Are raccoons part of the economic stimulus package?

If you have any strange stories how you received a project in your profession, please add it in the comment box. Thanks!