Author Archives: Dan Hansen

EP158: Notre Dame Update, Painting the Ceiling, and Stripping Grandma’s Wallpaper

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LISTEN NOW:

Segments 1 and 2: An Update on Notre Dame

It's hard to believe it's been a year since the tragic fire at Notre Dame. Here's a quick update in case you've wondered how things are progressing!

Segment 3: Don't Forget the Ceiling

With all the room repainting that's going on now, it's easy to forget about the ceiling. But a new coat of paint up there will definitely improve the look and feel of the finished room. And, if you're feeling a little bold, why not try a color?

CEILINGS THAT WILL INSPIRE!

Segment 4: Wallpaper Stripping Pitfalls

Many people right now are stripping wallpaper and getting ready to repaint those walls. If you're one of those folks, here's how you can avoid a messy mistake!

 

 

Old Mrs Susan

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She beckons the butterflies with her sultry, dark “eyes” as she sways with the gentle breeze. She’s been in these fields for hundreds of years; she’s withstood the test of time. She’s simple and sturdy and wild and free. She stands tall and proud among the long waving grass. Her seeds, carried, in a strong prairie wind. She’ll be back next year, dotting the landscape with her sunny face and sultry, dark “eyes.”

What Paint Sheen Should I Use in My Bathroom?

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As is usually the case with paint and coatings, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer. Before recommending a finish paint and sheen for any room, there are questions that must be asked. In this case, we’re dealing with a bathroom, so the first question is this: Is it a half bath or a full bath? If there’s a shower or tub present, the recommendation is potentially different than if there isn’t.

Other questions we’d ask would concern any problem areas or situations that have manifested over the years.

  • Are mold and mildew a routine issue?
  • Is the current paint in good condition, or are there areas where it’s peeling?
  • And on and on….

It’s always good to talk to someone personally to get a recommendation that fits your space and your needs. However, with that said, we can make some generic recommendations.

So What Sheen is Best?

For the most part, the answer hinges on the product used more so than the sheen itself. Aura Bath and Spa from Benjamin Moore is our favorite bathroom paint. It’s designed for high humidity environments, is mildew resistant, and hides and covers extremely well. Best of all, it does all of that in a matte finish.

That means you can finally have a bathroom that fits in with the rest of your home! Before Bath and Spa, we were forced to choose shinier paints for our bathrooms and we just had to tolerate the look. Now, there’s an option to get a matte look and still get excellent durability.

If you don’t want to use Aura Bath and Spa, we’d most generally recommend a satin sheen. RepcoLite’s Hallmark line offers mildew resistance and great washability. 

If you have a bathroom fan that moves the moisture out of the room quickly, or if the tub/shower doesn’t get a lot of use, Hallmark Eggshell would also be an option to consider.

If it’s only a half bath, your options are wide open when it comes to sheen.

Always Talk It Over!

In the end, we love to recommend Aura Bath and Spa. In our experience, it’s the perfect bathroom paint and eliminates most of the issues that you’ll ever run into when painting that room. But always call, chat on our website, or stop in at any Repcolite, Port City Paints, or Snyder Paints and talk through your exact situation before buying your paint! 

Old Faithful

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“They don’t make ’em like they used to,” the old man said with a grin. And deep down I knew he was right. Back then, things were more simple. People were more simple. Life was more simple. And some things seemed to last forever. It was a time when summer meant riding bikes, playing in puddles, fishing in streams, and smelling fresh laundry as it blew in the breeze. It was when simple meant a stick shift and a single cab with a bench seat.

Simple is always being able to just jump in, turn the key and go. Simple is that old, faithful truck that always starts and whisks you away in the blink of an eye.

Calming Aspen

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Now is the time to plan your escape. Time to leave the mixed up world behind, if just for a short while. Maybe it’s a dream you’ve always had. Maybe it’s lands of rolling green hills and cloudy gray skies that suddenly drop to the sea. Or maybe it’s somewhere you’ve already been; a trip back in time as you climb mountains so high to find aspen dripping with moss.

Wherever it is, a hill or a mountain, find your place of calm. Draw a deep breath and be still. Treasure and enjoy the peace that awaits for those who take time to seek it.

 

EP157: Wall Decor Ideas and Questions from the Web

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LISTEN NOW:

Segments 1 and 2: Wall Decor Ideas for Now (and Later)

If you're trapped in the house right now, there are still some great, creative things you can do to add some fun, color, and texture to your walls using items you probably have sitting at home right this moment! Also, in Segment 2, we tackle a few more projects that are perfect for when we can finally get out and about!

Segment 3 and 4: Paint Questions from the Web

With everyone stuck at home, we're getting TONS of questions about paint projects. So we pick a few of the best ones!