To help simplify the process, our professional painting team has put together this guide on the best sheens and finishes for different areas of your home – both inside and out.  Here’s how to choose the best sheen of paint for the rooms in your home:

Flat or Matte Finish

• Best for: Ceilings, interior walls
• Flat paint hides imperfections well and creates a smooth, even look. Some professional painting contractors recommend it because it provides excellent coverage.
• Avoid for: High-moisture areas & exteriors – Flat paint is porous and prone to staining, making it difficult to clean.

Eggshell Finish

• Best for: Interior walls, doors
• Slightly more durable than flat, eggshell offers a hint of sheen while still masking imperfections. It’s a great all-around option for most interior spaces, and recommended by most good professional painters.

Satin Finish

• Best for: Interior trim, wainscoting, bathrooms, exterior siding
• More gloss means better resistance to moisture and stains. Satin (or as some manufacturers refer to as “low lustre” in exterior paint) remains one of the most popular finishes for homeowners.

Semi-Gloss Finish

• Best for: Shelving, exterior window trim
• Semi-gloss is durable, moisture-resistant, and easy to clean, making it great for trim. However, its shinier appearance can highlight surface imperfections.  Some manufacturers label this sheen as “soft-gloss” for exteriors.

High-Gloss Finish

• Best for: Front doors, accent trim, decorative fixtures
• High-gloss is the most durable, highly reflective, and easy to clean. While great for accents, it can highlight imperfections, so it’s often avoided for large interior surfaces.

Selecting the right finish is key to achieving a polished, long-lasting look for your home. Some homeowners enjoy researching paint options, while others prefer guidance from trained and trusted painting professionals, like The Painting Craftsmen.  There are many great professional painting services in town, but The Painting Craftsmen is the best house painting company Jacksonville FL homeowners trust with their homes.  We’re the trusted painting service for homes in Ponte Vedra, Mandarin, Southside, Riverside, and throughout Jacksonville, and we’d love the opportunity to take care of your home’s painting needs as well!

The post Matte, Satin, or Gloss – How to Pick the Right Paint Finish first appeared on The Painting Craftsmen.

Here are some expert tips to help you achieve a durable and professional-looking exterior paint job:

1. Begin with a Clean Surface – Before you even think about opening a can of paint, make sure your house exterior is clean. Specifically, pressure washing is an essential first step in any exterior painting project.  Dirt, grime, insect nests, salt, sand, and other debris can prevent paint from adhering properly to the siding, making your job harder.  A clean surface is critical for achieving a smooth, long-lasting finish, so don’t skip this step.  Tip: All the best professional painting companies offer professional pressure washing as part of the exterior painting project, so one option for your house painting project is to hire the best professional painters right from the start!
2. Don’t Skimp on Prep – Prep work is the key to a paint job that stands the test of time, so don’t skimp. Take the time to remove rusty nails, fill nail holes, scrape and sand peeling paint, repair or replace rotten wood, and caulk and seal gaps and cracks.  If you skip prep steps, you’ll just make your painting job take longer.  If you’re unsure how to handle these tasks, consider hiring a good professional painting contractor.  They’ll have the expertise and tools to prepare your home thoroughly, ensuring the paint adheres well and looks flawless.
3. Use High-Quality Paint and Materials – The quality of your paint matters. While it might be tempting to save money with cheaper options, low-quality paint often requires multiple coats and doesn’t last as long.  Investing in highly pigmented, premium paint and topcoats will save you time and money in the long run.  High-quality paint offers better coverage, durability, and a vibrant finish that can withstand the elements.
4. Plan Your Project Carefully – Exterior painting is not a task to tackle on a whim. If you’re taking on the project yourself, set aside enough time for pressure washing, preparation, and painting.  Consider calling on friends or family to help, as the job may involve using ladders, handling heavy equipment, and making unexpected trips to the hardware store.  For a hassle-free experience, many homeowners choose to hire professional painters who can handle every aspect of the job efficiently and safely!
5. Focus on Doing It Right – Painting your home’s exterior is not an ordinary DIY project. It requires specific techniques and attention to detail to ensure a long-lasting result.  This includes properly caulking and sealing areas, applying paint appropriately for different types of siding, and working safely on ladders and other elevated surfaces.  For these reasons, many homeowners prefer to work with experienced professionals who have the skills and tools to deliver outstanding results.

While there are many painting contractors in the area, The Painting Craftsmen is the best painting company Jacksonville FL homeowners call on, and we stand out as the trusted choice for homeowners throughout Riverside, San Marco, Southside, and along the Beaches.  We’re dedicated to delivering top-notch service and results you’ll love.  When you’re ready to get started, contact The Painting Craftsmen today and let us bring your vision to life with a paint job that’s built to last.

The post How to Make Your House Painting Job Last first appeared on The Painting Craftsmen.

1. Determine the general tone you desire. Do you want a bold or dark color, or a neutral?  Do you want to stick with generally the same tone that’s already on the wall, or start fresh with a vibrant new color?  If you have a general idea of the value, intensity, and hue you want before you head to the paint store, you’ll be less likely to be overwhelmed by the color selection.
2. Use an app. There are many apps that allow you to upload a picture of your house or room and then apply different colors to the image to get a general idea of what the area would look like in a certain color.  These apps can be very useful, especially if you’re going into the repainting project with no idea what color to choose.
3. Confer with a professional. All the best professional painting companies offer help with color selection.  If you’re not sure what color will look best on your home’s exterior or in a particular room, and you don’t want to hassle with an app, call on a good local painting contractor and get input from the pros who work with paint every single day!
4. Choose your top picks. Zero in on your favorite colors and pick up swatches from the paint supply store.  Or you may choose to order a small sample can of each of your top color options.
5. Put color on the walls. Tape the swatches up on the wall, or if you ordered samples, apply a small amount of each color to the walls.  It’s best to apply the swatch or paint sample to several areas in order to see what the paint looks like in daylight, shade, next to certain objects, etc.  You need to get an idea of how the color will behave in all settings and scenarios.
6. Get second (or third) opinions. Once the swatches or paint samples are up, call in family members and trusted friends to help make the decision.  If you need yet another opinion, you can call on a local professional painting service and trust the pros to offer sound advice.
7. Make your decision! Once you’ve gone through these steps, it’s time to make your final decision.  Choosing which colors to paint your living room, bedroom, kitchen, or exterior is a big decision, but don’t get hung up on it.  You may need to just find the color you love and get painting!

More and more Northeast Florida homeowners are choosing to call on professional painters when the time comes for a fresh coat of paint.  The Painting Craftsmen is the best painting company Jacksonville FL homeowners rely on for repainting the exterior, applying a fresh coat to the interior, refinishing cabinetry, and more.  Our technicians are highly trained and skilled painting contractors with a passion for doing high quality work and taking care of customers.  Our customers in Ortega, San Marco, Southside, Riverside, and along the Beaches love the work we do, and we know you will too!

The post How to Test Paint Colors first appeared on The Painting Craftsmen.

1. Clean & Remove Dust – Prior to painting nearly any surface, you’ll lightly sand the surface in order to help the new coating adhere. In the case of preparing shiplap to be painted, you’ll want to be careful and take extra time to remove as much dust as possible from the grooves between the shiplap boards.  If you don’t clean the grooves, they’ll be trickier and more time consuming to evenly coat.
2. Prep Nail Holes – If nail holes are visible in the shiplap siding, remove any dust from around them and fill them with paintable caulk. When the caulk has dried, lightly sand the areas and wipe away the dust.  As you roll the paint, take note of the nail holes and be sure the areas are getting coated evenly.  If they aren’t you may need to re-caulk and re-sand them.  With shiplap siding, smoothness is the look you want!
3. Roller & Artist’s Brush – Use a roller to evenly coat the shiplap boards and use a small paintbrush, sometimes called an “artist’s brush” to paint inside the grooves between shiplap boards. When painting panels or shiplap, pay close attention to the grooves to be sure no area gets skipped.  Once you pass over the shiplap with your roller, use the small brush to make sure paint gets into every crack and crevice.

Different types of siding require different skills and even different types of material, and shiplap siding is no different.  Many homeowners in our area, including Ponte Vedra, Riverside, San Marco, Fleming Island, and the Beaches, choose to skip the hassle and call on a highly rated professional painting company for their interior painting projects.  The Painting Craftsmen is the best painting contractor Jacksonville FL residents trust with their homes, and it’s because of our commitment to quality, our attention to detail, and our devotion to our customers.  If you’re ready for a high quality paint job, call on The Painting Craftsmen!

The post Painting Shiplap first appeared on The Painting Craftsmen.

1. Supplies – First, there are a few supplies you need on hand for any great paint job, including trim painting: sandpaper or sanding blocks (100- or 120-grit), putty and knife, painter’s tape, dropcloths, paint brushes, paint try and/or pail, and of course the paint itself (high quality interior latex paint).
2. Clean – You’ll need to clean the surface of the trim or else your hard work will be in vain and the paint won’t apply correctly. Use a dry cloth to wipe away spider webs and dust.  Follow with a damp cloth to clean away grime buildup.
3. Sand & Make Repairs – After cleaning, go over the trim with your sanding block or sandpaper. The purpose of this is primarily to dull down any shine, but it’s also good to smooth down any imperfections.  If you see nail holes, dents, or cracks, fill them with the putty and smooth them over as you go.
4. Painters’ Tape – Painter’s tape plays a key role in achieving crisp, clean lines in your paint job. Take the time to apply long strips of painter’s tape, usually at least several feet long, and press the tape firmly onto the wall next to the trim you’ll be painting.  Be sure to press hard so the tape adheres firmly and evenly to prevent trim paint from seeping onto the walls.
5. Coatings – If you’re painting bare, unpainted wood trim, you’ll need to first apply at least one coat of high-quality interior primer. Let the first coat dry, and if you still see bare wood, apply a second coat.  Once primer coats have dried, finish with a smooth coating of high quality interior latex paint.  You can pull up the painter’s tape while the paint is still wet.

Once you’ve applied your final topcoat, just stand back and admire your good work!  It’s amazing what a difference a great trim painting job can make to the look of the room, and thought it’s careful, time-consuming work, it’s well worth it when you see those crisp, clean lines and bright white trim!

Great local painting companies can take care of the interior painting for you, too, including all trim work.  There are many good Jacksonville FL painting companies, but The Painting Craftsmen is the best choice for high quality work that will last.  Our expert interior painters are known for their eye for detail and precision as well as efficiency, and we’re the trusted painting contractor to homeowners throughout Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach, Ponte Vedra, Riverside Avondale, San Marco, and Mandarin.  We specialize in high quality coatings and great customer service, so if you’d like the job done right, call on The Painting Craftsmen!

The post Pro Tips for Painting Trim first appeared on The Painting Craftsmen.

Elements of Interior Design

When you change interior design, you’re not just changing a few curtains or getting a new rug- you’re changing it into a different space entirely. How the entire picture looks, how you use and live in the space, and even the way each room makes you feel, are all ways that interior design impacts your home. While styles of interior design can look and feel dramatically different, they all incorporate and balance the same basic elements.

• Color: Not only does color change the appearance of the room, it has a huge impact on people’s moods. This makes it an incredibly important aspect of design because the right color scheme can help you create the perfect atmosphere. As we mentioned in our interior paint guide, painting certain parts of a room with the right colors can even change how the actual structure of the room appears.

• Texture: Proper use of texture changes how the interior design feels, both literally and figuratively. Smooth textures tend to give a simple, peaceful feeling, while rougher textures tend to add a stronger, cozy feeling to the style. You can add texture or tone it down with your choice of furniture and accessories, by refinishing cabinets and painting walls, and by changing the lighting.

• Lighting: The type and amount of lighting can make or break any design. You can use lighting to make a room more functional, highlight focal points, create ambiance, and accentuate colors and textures.

• Form: For successful interior design, a room needs to have a good outline with the right proportions. The form of the room and furnishings creates lines that will direct the eye where to go and good design uses that to the best advantage.

• Furniture: Your choice of furniture has an impact on all of the elements of your design so it’s very important to consider its shape, placement, color, and texture.

• Accessories: The artwork, rugs, and special objects in a room are extremely important. While some things are chosen to accentuate the design, others might inspire the design to be created around them.

Basic Interior Design Styles

You know the design elements but which style has the right ones for you? Here are a few styles with notable features you might want to look at:

• Modern & Minimalist: Both aim for function over flair, and are known for using simple lines, subtle textures, and open space.

• Classic: Elegant without being over-the-top, with good balance, natural colors, and a clear focal point.

• Art Deco: Balanced and elegant but with more decorative accessories and bolder patterns than Classic.

• Urban & Industrial: Both use traditionally industrial materials, like metals and concrete and tend to highlight structure, using lighting for texture.

• Retro: Puts a new twist on styles from previous decades, featuring eclectic materials and objects and can vary greatly by which decade it’s modeled after.

• Country: Cozy and comfortable with lots of rough finishes, natural and plaid patterns, and varies to specific country culture (American, English, French, etc).

• Rococo: Very flamboyant styling along with ornate designs and decorations, and rich materials.

• Georgian: Tends to use luxurious fabrics, delicate furniture, and subtle color schemes for more understated elegance.

• Victorian: Known for being extremely luxurious and decorative with relatively plain walls and floors to emphasize extravagant furnishings.

Finding Your Interior Design Style

It’s much easier to examine different design styles once you know the elements that are involved. As you look at different interior design styles, it can also help to keep a list of the things you like and dislike about each style. Not only will it give you a more detailed impression of each style, it can also be a huge help if you decide to blend styles together.

• Look for inspiration to get a general idea of what you like and to help you decide on specific details. Find photos online or in magazines and books, watch a few shows on TV, or even look to some of the places you’ve been and the things that you love for inspiration.

• What style is the exterior of your home? You can find almost any style of architecture here in Jacksonville, from the heavy styling of Gothic Revival to the more flowing Prairie homes and everything in between. Whether you choose to coordinate your interior and exterior to match or contrast, consider the overall architecture of your home when you decide which style to use for your interior.

• Keep an open mind while you look at different styles, and allow yourself to be creative. A strict style is not for everyone. You might even find that blend of styles provides all the aspects you love and mixes them flawlessly.

• Which style feels best to you? Don’t forget to factor in your everyday living and comfort when deciding on your new design. The best style of interior design is one that makes you truly feel comfortable and at home.

• If you’ve figured out most of your interior design style but you still have a few things that you’re not sure about, don’t hesitate to ask experts for help. Our craftsmen are accustomed to working with residential repairs, painting, and refinishing; and we’re are always happy to help provide information and ideas to make sure you find exactly what you’re looking for to make your design perfect for you.

Whether you already know exactly what you want your home’s interior to look like in every detail, or you’d like more information about interior design, please feel free to contact our team of experts here at The Painting Craftsmen.

The post Find Your Interior Design Style first appeared on The Painting Craftsmen.

Home improvement projects not only make you feel like you are in a brand new home, but add a lot of extra value. The kitchen and bathroom are two rooms where that value goes the farthest. Quality appliances, spaciousness and aesthetic appeal in these two rooms can make all the difference. If you are looking to renovate, there are a few ways where you can save. Before going out to purchase kitchen cabinets or replacing your bathroom cabinets, consider an alternative.  Why replace when you can refinish?

Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen often represents the heart of the home. This is where families gather after their busy days to talk about their day. New kitchen cabinets have the ability to transform a kitchen. Kitchen cabinets may begin looking faded, discolored, or out of style.  Some cabinets accumulate a white film on them from being exposed to moisture; particular those located around the dishwasher and sink.  Replacing kitchen cabinets can cost thousands of dollars and usually requires major demolition of the entire kitchen that could take several weeks or longer.  New kitchen cabinet installation will require a new counter top, as well, which will increase the projects budget. Refinishing your home’s kitchen cabinets is an affordable and wise alternative to replacing them.

The Painting Craftsmen, a locally owned, full service residential painting contractor, has the resources and tools to update your kitchen cabinets for a fraction of replacement costs.  Most of the work is completed outside of the home so homeowner’s will not experience huge messes or a complete kitchen demolition.  Cabinet doors are removed and brought to the Craftsmen’ shop for their extreme makeover.  Whatever the style or look that is visualized for your kitchen, the artisans at The Painting Craftsmen will attain the results using state-of-the-art equipment.

Bathroom Cabinets

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house, you spend your mornings getting ready here and your evening relaxing in the bathtub. Having a spa like bathroom is not only a luxury, but adds huge value to the home.  However, this comfort level can be achieved without an all out, time consuming renovation. The good news is that same cabinet refinishing options you use in the kitchen can be applied in the bathroom. Other aesthetic touchups like new paint or wallpaper on the walls will complete the transformation. Feel like you are staying in a resort style bathroom from the convenience of your own home this summer!

Cabinet Services

1. Color and Finish Choices

There are almost unlimited color and finish choices available for cabinets.  Considerations will include the fact that some colors are guaranteed to look great decades later while others may be out of style next year.  Some professionals recommend the following popular colors guaranteed to help your kitchen or bathroom retain its value.

• Simple white, off-white, or eggshell colored cabinets are considered one of the best kitchen and bathroom cabinet color choices as they last for years without going out of style and make smaller areas appear brighter and more spacious.  White cabinets are the most popular choice across the country from contemporary or modern homes to cottages.
• Many modern homeowners are choosing to be bold with black or mocha colored kitchen or bathroom cabinets.  Darker cabinets tend to anchor the room and allow homeowners to use colorful and creative accessories and accent colors.
• Gray cabinets give kitchens and bathroom a high-end designer look similar to that in a penthouse apartment.  Gray cabinets are popular in modern and traditional homes that are aiming for a more conservative look.

2.  Cabinet staining and lacquer finishing

Some Jacksonville residents have expensive hardwood cabinets hanging on their walls but choose to have their cabinets stained a different color.  The professionals at The Painting Craftsmen will remove all paint from the cabinets through a careful process that involves several applications of remover.  Dents and deep scratches are then filled with wood filler followed by a thorough sanding that results in exceptionally smooth cabinet doors with no scratches.  Some homeowners are purists with regard to their wood cabinets and choose one of the copious shades of brown.  Other homeowners are selecting unexpected hues for their cabinet stains to add a custom touch to their kitchen or bathroom while still being able to enjoy the grain and texture of the wood.  Following are some popular stains for cabinets that dramatically impact the look of the space:

• Soft green stain gives cabinets a natural, green-washed look
• Dark gray stain compliments modern stainless steel appliances
• Silvery gray gives cabinets a soft, neutral look that works well with a variety of design styles, colors, and materials
• Grayish green is a great neutral stain that compliments earth tones and other colors
• Deep red cabinets work well in spaces that do not receive much natural light and have few embellishments
• White stained or whitewashed wood cabinets give kitchens and bathrooms a bright and cheerful look and have been around for centuries
• Ebony stained cabinets bring depth to a room particularly when combined with lighter countertops and backsplashes

3.  Hardware updating and replacement

For kitchen and bathroom cabinet refinishing, handles, hinges, and pulls are the final cabinet extreme makeover touch.  Hardware updating makes a tremendous impact on the overall look of your space and many different designs are available from old fashioned, modern, traditional, or designer.

Now a stay-cation is sounding more and more appealing, right? Transform the look and feel of your home without the overhaul of a demolition. All work performed by The Painting Craftsmen in Jacksonville is 100% guaranteed for one year.  So, before replacing kitchen or bathroom cabinets, consider a beautiful, affordable alternative. Why replace when you can refinish?

The post Why Replace When You Can Refinish? first appeared on The Painting Craftsmen.

Spring is the perfect time to make changes to the home. New color brings fresh light and energy into the space, revitalizing you for spring. The palette trends in 2014 are taking a turn to colors with a fresh, energetic, and sophisticated mood. Soft blues, greens, yellows and lavenders will be the colors to keep in mind when creating designs for your homes spring remodel.  A spring remodel doesn’t have to be as intensive as it sounds! Our professionals are ready to help you, no matter how big or small the project you want. If you can visualize it, we can make it happen.

Create a space that is uniquely your own, starting right at front door. The front door has become a unique space for homeowners to experiment with color. Bright reds, purples or yellows on the front door are a perfect way to welcome guests into your home this spring. Brightening up the faded color of your fence will also instantly make your home look refreshed. Combine these two updates with the landscaping project you’ve been planning and the neighbors will all take notice. If you are considering a more drastic change to the exterior of your home, we can help! The Painting Craftsmen specializes in exterior painting and staining services on almost any material. Our services are great solutions for stucco, wood siding, cedar shake, brick, trim, shutters, vinyl, gutters and more. Our professionals are experts in knowing which painting and prepping techniques to use that will last against Florida’s extreme weather, keeping it beautiful for years to come.

After this long winter, swimming in your pool is probably more tempting than ever…unless of course the deck could use a little TLC. After years of use, every pool deck starts to look dull and dirty. We offer several pool deck services such as concrete stain coatings, acrylic concrete coatings, paver cleaning and sealing and concrete crack repair. No doubt your pool gets a lot of use during a Florida summer, so let us help to keep it looking beautiful summer after summer, year after year.  The wooden deck might have suffered during the winter months, as well.  The late spring is the best time for wooden deck repairs , as the summer heat will create a brutal work environment.  For more information about our pool deck or wooden deck services, click here.

Having a fresh, new exterior will make you proud to come home to it every day. However, the interior may be even more important to you.  The difficult thing with choosing a color scheme is that this time next year, you might already be over it. Careful consideration must go into the colors you choose for the rooms in your house, since you will be forced to look at it every day. It may seem like an overwhelming task, but there are several free color tools available online to help you pick the right ones.  Here are a few things to keep in mind when picking a color for your space:

• Just as you buy clothes based on color and pattern, decorate your home with colors and designs that you feel comfortable and look good in.
• Just because a room is small, don’t shy away from bold colors. Choose personal and comforting colors over a pale color just because you are hoping to make the space appear larger.
• Color schemes are trending towards becoming more eclectic. Create a room with layers of colors versus making every design aspect match perfectly.
• Try surprising color combinations to refresh the look of your home.

The good thing, however, is that the color isn’t permanent! We also offer wallpaper removal services, cabinet refinishing and textured ceiling repair for all those previous decorating decisions you are now questioning.

The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. Families congregate after work and school to share stories about their day and friends gather around the dinner table on weekends making memories for the years to come. If your kitchen isn’t providing a comfortable, enjoyable atmosphere you may want to consider the interior painting services and cabinet refinishing services offered by our pros.  The dream kitchen you pinned on Pinterest isn’t as far from your reality as you may think. The cabinets are the centerpiece of the kitchen and whatever you envision in your home’s most important room, we have the services to make it happen. The benefits of our cabinet refinishing services include: unlimited color and finish choices, cabinet staining and lacquer finishing, hardware updating and replacement and cleaning and touch-ups. For more information and a full list of benefits, click here.

When you think wallpaper, do you imagine your great aunts green, floral wallpaper in the guest bathroom? Think again. Custom wallpaper is making a comeback, in a big (and improved) way. Wallpaper is now a popular way to compliment your furniture and decor while adding pattern, texture, depth and interest to the room.  Hanging the wallpaper is where the real conflict arises. Our team of experts understands that preparation and an eye for detail are key factors when it comes to completing a successful wallpaper project. Here are a few ways to incorporate wallpaper into your home’s spring redesign:

• Apply wallpaper between the kitchen cabinets and counter tops to create a decorative, inexpensive back splash.
• Add wallpaper on the back of a glass-front cabinet or bookshelf to add depth and eye catching detail.
• Dress up the formal dining room with wallpaper as the background, a decorative accent on one wall or below the chair rail.

Spring is the perfect time to start these interior and exterior home upgrades that will invigorate you and your home. Instead of daydreaming about the changes you’d like to make, call us for a free estimate.

The post Why Spring is the Perfect Time to Make Changes first appeared on The Painting Craftsmen.

The 2014 design trends are demanding bold colors that are not in a neutral family. The focus is on blending items with unique color combinations into your current environment. Stick with blues, yellows and greys to nail the look. The range of color within the three is quite wide. Choose shades anywhere from extremely light to extremely dark. Mustard yellows may make a return in order to better compliment the different shades of blue, as well. Varied shades of grey seem to be replacing the neutral beiges and creams. Also keep your eye out for shades of jade and emerald. If you aren’t sure what particular shades you want, you can always consult a professional in home design.

Floral patterns are making a comeback. Although in truth, they never really died out completely. They were always available on the market in years past. High end designers have repeatedly offered timeless floral prints.

Watch out for another new trend hitting the market; 3D wallpaper patterns! Designers utilize drop shadows behind design motifs to create a floating effect on the repeated image. Within this same thought come varied ideas that would add some flare to any home this year. These include optical illusion wallpaper, personalized illustrated wallpaper or even faux library finishes that give the illusion of bookcases. There are so many design options to choose from that there truly is something for everyone.

If you are into more conservative contemporary designs, you may be drawn to a more traditional approach. Classic brick patterns and wood grains that were once popular back in the 1950’s and 1960’s are also very in demand this year.

Textured wallpapers, which began in the 1980’s, are also hot on the market this year as more and more people turn to a deep sensory experience. What was once in style only in East and West coast homes is now being incorporated into homes all across the country. If this is the look you want, be sure to pick textured wallpaper shades that will compliment glazed tiles in watery blue hues and washed woods to capture the cool coastal feel that’s sweeping the nation. To be sure everything turns out right, you might want to consider hiring a professional in interior or exterior painting or wallpaper services. Our professionals at The Painting Craftsmen are trained to do the job correctly and you’ll be more satisfied with the results if you don’t have experience with wallpaper techniques.

While the thought of installing new wallpaper might seem like a daunting task, new poly fabric wallpaper makes it easier for you to do the work yourself. New poly fabric material has an adhesive that lets you reposition the wallpaper if you happen to make a mistake. If you’re new to interior design, traditional wallpaper tears easily and can fold over on itself, making the job more expensive then you may have anticipated, but with the poly fabric material you won’t have to ever worry about those things happening which makes it a much better bang for your buck and easier process.

Before implementing any new wallpaper you’ll want to remove the old one first. Removing wallpaper can be easy or challenging depending on what type of wallpaper was used the first time. You always have the option to call a professional that can aid you in the removal process. If you choose to remove the wallpaper yourself you will first need to identify what type of wallpaper you have and the type of adhesive that was used to adhere it to the wall. Take a look also at the condition of the wall behind it. You might need to use a spackling compound to patch any dings in the wall before adhering the new wallpaper, otherwise it will not be a smooth even surface and your new wallpaper will have dips in it. If there seems to be a great deal of damage to the drywall or plaster walls, sometimes it’s best to leave the old wallpaper where it is and simple put the new wallpaper over it. The choice is yours. With so many design and color options on the market this year, your new wallpaper purchase is sure to be the envy of all your friends. Call us for a free estimate to get you started.

The post 2014 Trends in Wallpaper first appeared on The Painting Craftsmen.