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5 Reasons Why Quality Paint Matters

One of the easiest and least costly ways to make a dramatic change in your interior décor, repainting a room is often just what’s needed to change your home’s look and feel. However, your great design inspiration can be shortchanged if you choose low-quality paint. Here are five compelling reasons to spring for the best quality coating, courtesy of the experts at the Paint Quality Institute:

Better color retention. If you’re painting to change the color of a room, then you surely want your new hue to last. Top quality, 100-percent acrylic latex paint helps keep your colors true to their day-one appearance. Bargain paints? They tend to pale by comparison.
Better stain resistance. Nothing can ruin a new paint job quicker than a nasty stain – whether it’s due to a careless spill, dirty fingerprints, or something totally unforeseen. If you spend a little more for a quality acrylic latex paint, think of it as buying some insurance against these color calamities. This type of paint is highly resistant to many of the most common stains, especially in higher sheen levels, such as semi-gloss or high-gloss paint.
Paint and primer in one. Top-quality, 100-percent acrylic latex paint offers an important performance advantage over all lower quality, non-acrylic coatings: Many are “self-priming” – in other words, they do double-duty as both primer and paint. Just think how much time and effort you’ll save by having to apply fewer coats!

Good adhesion to various surfaces. Should your painting project involve several different materials, such as wallboard, wood, vinyl, or metal (think not just walls, but doors and trim, too), you’ll be able to paint them all with high-end acrylic latex paint. Go with lower-grade paint and you might have to buy several different kinds of coatings, complicating your decision-making and possibly adding to the cost of the job.
Best overall durability. Let’s face it, while interior painting can be a fun project, most of us are more than happy to put away the brushes and rollers, sit back, and enjoy the new colors. Quality acrylic paint offers exceptional durability, which will keep your room looking great until the next paint inspiration takes hold!

How-To Take Better Photos Of Your Home

If you’re photographing your home to prep it for sale, list it on a home rental website, or just for sentiment, it’s important to take the best photos possible. The following tips can help.

Camera matters. Skip the iPhone for this job. Rent or borrow a good digital camera, and make sure you have access to proper editing software to retouch the photos as needed.

Light it right. The more light, the more open and inviting your home will look. Schedule photos when the most natural light is available, open all window coverings, and turn on all interior lights as well.

Avoid the flash. Your camera’s flash can bounce off mirrors and windows and distort your image. Aim for lots of light instead.

Know your angles. Shoot from a corner or doorway to get as much of the room into your shot as possible. Whenever possible, shoot from an angle as opposed to straight on. And when shooting exteriors, try to avoid electrical wires, trash cans, parked cars and other unsightly additions.

Skip midday shoots. Photograph exteriors during morning or twilight hours which will offer the best lighting and minimize unsightly shadows.

Remodeling Projects for Your Rental Property

You finally moved into your new, rented home! You are so excited to put you own personal stamp on the home to truly make it yours when you realize, technically, it isn’t yours. What’s a renter to do? Here are a few guidelines – specifically for renters – that will allow you to add style and character to your home without breaking the lease. 

1. First of all, any remodeling project you embark on must be reversible. In other words, you must be able to restore the home to its original condition, should the landlord want it left in the exact condition as when you moved in. 

2. Any improvements you make should be relatively inexpensive; since you’re not the owner of the home, you won’t benefit from a return on your investment. 

3. Adding crown molding, ceiling medallions or wall trim offers a quick and affordable way to update the home’s style. However, these are often hard to remove should you need or want to take them with you when moving out. 

4. If you want to create more space in your rental home, consider lofted beds and dividers. Curtains offer a great, decorative way to add privacy, too. 

5. Changing out hardware is another great way to add your own personal touch to a home. Look for stylish doorknobs, cabinet knobs and pulls, and curtain rods and pull-backs. Be sure to save the original fixtures should they need to be restored when you move out. 

Above all else, make sure to stay in the confines of your lease and make sure all improvements are removable. 

Source: Yahoo! Real Estate

4 Tile Ideas for a Luxurious Bathroom Remodel

Everyone knows that updated bathrooms are key to fetching top dollar for your home. Even if you don’t plan on listing your house in the near future, it may be time to make some upgrades. If your bathrooms are feeling a little dated or worse for wear, here are several tile ideas to give them an elevated look.

Herringbone Marble Tile
For elegant bathroom floors, you can’t beat the combination of luxurious marble tiles arranged in a classic herringbone pattern. If you’re not the type who buys into trends, you can rest assured that this timeless design will look just as stylish twenty years from now as it does today.  

Patterned Encaustic Tile
Encaustic tiles have become increasingly popular in recent years and are an ideal choice for those who love vibrant patterns. Made from cement, the designs are inlaid into the tile and will last much longer than if they were painted on top. This trendy technique comes in a variety of styles, from geometric to exotic patterns, and can completely transform the feel of your bathroom.

Glass Mosaic Tile
If you want to make a splash in your bathroom, glass mosaic tiles are worth considering. They come in a stunning array of shimmering colors and are surprisingly durable. The best part is they can be a very eco-friendly option if you choose to go with recycled glass. These small, shiny tiles are usually either translucent or opaque, but no matter which one you opt for, you’re guaranteed to have a breathtaking bathroom.

Matte Black Subway Tile
If you’re going for a modern or minimalist style, then try using matte black subway tiles for a sleek design. You can get this low-luster look using stone, ceramic or even porcelain tiles. If you’re worried about it feeling too dark or cold, you can easily warm it up by introducing wood finishes and a few plants to bring your bathroom to life.