House of Paints, Inc.

"Sprucing up for Summer"

2011-07-29T23:44:00.001-04:00

According to - Benjamin Moore on Facebook

2011-03-16T13:21:00.000-04:00

" Facebook/Benjamin Moore: This week's color palette is Orange."

"Freshen up for Fall" Easy Quick Decorating Tips

2010-10-19T23:14:00.000-04:00

If your room is already painted in a neutral tone, choose one wall and re-paint it with a punch colour. Freshen up the rest of the décor by introducing other colour combinations through accessories, pillows, bedding or throw rugs.

Have a block party:

Colour blocking — painting blocks of different colours on a neutral wall, whether stripes or rectangular patterns — is becoming increasingly popular, and it's a simple way to change a room.

Create Squares of color over a neutral wall. This is especially sweet in a childs bedroom or play room.

Tips for Painting the Bathroom

2010-08-21T23:22:00.000-04:00

Here are a few bathroom paint ideas as well as some tips and hints to painting the bathroom that might make the task a bit easier.

It is important to know what type of paint you will use to paint your bathroom.

Many homeowners don't even know that there are different types of paint out there. Since your are dealing with an area of the house that can be dampened due to things such as the shower steam you want to ensure that there are no damp areas before you paint.

If there are, be sure to let these areas dry before painting. Also, check all areas of the bathroom for mold before you begin. If there is mold, you may want to consider calling a professional to come and remove it. Once all the preparation is done you want to get a paint that is mold and mildew resistant. This type of paint can save you a lot of headaches in the future.

As I stated before, the bathroom can be an area of your home that can get humid and steamy. Protect your bathroom with a mold and mildew resistant paint, like Aura Bath & Spa - Waterborne Interior Paint.

Just as important as what type of paint you will use is what color paint you will use in your bathroom makeovers.

The trend now a days in paint colors are very soft and inviting colors for your bathroom. Today, homeowners prefer soft pastel colors that give you a calm feeling while you are in the bathroom.

Some people prefer their bathroom to be an extension of the master bedroom so they make the colors very similar while others prefer the bathroom to be a totally separate room so they make the color totally different.

Whatever you choose, just make sure that it works for your design concept. If you have a small bathroom, and you want to feel as though the space is bigger than it really is, make sure that you use light colored paint instead of a darker color.

Some desingers feel that using lighter colored paint will make it look as though the room is larger and that you have more space, darker colored paint will give the appearance that the room is smaller than it really is. You can pull off darker colors if you break them up with decor, carpet color, tile color, trim/frame color, mirrors, etc. A solid, dark wall looks small, but you aren’t limited by color to add the feel of volume to the room. Furniture arrangement, natural light, using light colored towels in a bathroom, etc. Lighter colors is just one of the ways to do that.

If your bathroom is already large than you can go with either lighter or darker paint. I hope these bathroom paint ideas, painting tips and hints have helped you make a few decisions that will make your bathroom renovation project go much smoother.

What is Color Consulting?

2010-08-10T15:31:00.000-04:00

Color consulting allows a homeowner to bring all the great elements of their space together with color. A color consultant will help you express your own sense of style. Keeping a flow from room to room is what gives your home character. Placement of color can make your space feel brighter or bigger. A ceiling color can allow your space to feel more comfortable.

Everyone reacts differently to color. A consultant's job is to make the color work for your lifestyle. The place you come home to every day should be a space that is comfortable, and functional. Color can affect your mood, and can make or break the feeling of a space. It is amazing how your walls, ceiling and trim can make all the difference in making a large space feel warm, or a small space feeling more open.

Our consultant will give you paint colors that work for your environment. Your space can be greatly enhanced with color. Even a well chosen neutral palette can make a more interesting environment.

The right color palette will express your personality. Whether you go for bold colors, or soft neutrals, your home can be your oasis.

Color Consultations can also be done for commercial spaces, restaurants, and offices.

For an in home design consultation contact Tasha at our Sea Girt Location at 732-449-9129 or you can reach her at decorator@houseofpaints.net or For your nearest House of paints location Click here

One of the most exciting times in your life is when you are expecting a child.

2010-07-31T21:01:00.002-04:00

Creating the space where they will sleep, play and grow will add to that excitement. When designing your nursery it's important to make it a place that's comfortable for both your little one, and yourself.

The foundation of any room will always begin with wall color. The House of Paints carries a full line of Benjamin Moore Paints, including the eco-friendly, zero-VOC Natura paint. So you and your family can breathe easier. Natura paint is available in an unlimited color palette. Natura covers flawlessly and withstands repeated scrubbing, so kids can be kids. Need help, we offer affordable in-home paint color consultations.

After you have established your color scheme, begin by selecting a sturdy crib. The style of your crib will set the tone for the rest of the furnishings. You will need plenty of soft bedding (there's not always time for laundry) including several fitted crib sheets, at least two mattress pads and 2 or 3 soft blankets.

Next add a changing table, one that converts to a dresser for when your child gets older is an excellent choice. Many dressers include toppers that convert them to a changing table. Your changing table pad will need a soft cover too, and having a few extras on hand is also a necessity.

If you are short on closet space a dresser or armoire to store your baby's clothing and bedding is also very important.

You will also want to soften the space with coordinating window treatments, another reason to stop by the House of Paints. Our window treatment department has a vast selection, and we offer free measureing and installation. Call for your FREE, In-Home Consultation. 732.920.0437 http://www.hopwindowtreatments.com/

Some final suggestions, set up a rocker or glider for feedings, snuggles and story time. Stock the room with shelves, baskets and bins to keep things organized, and pull it all together with a soft rug that invites little hands and knees to crawl on it. Hang personal photos and artwork on the walls, and you've created a restful sanctuary you can both appreciate.

Also if you are a fan like me of Pottery Barn Kids, below is a list of some of the colors used in their Fall 09 Catalog. All Colors are available from The House of Paints.

VOCs in paint: Why & How to Make Healthier Choices

2010-07-20T14:46:00.000-04:00

Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs:

In reality lots of things have these potentially harmful gases that are released into the air.

new furniture smell

odor from the acetone in nail polish remover

car exhaust pipe smoke

When it comes to paint, VOC's are a major issue -When you paint your home, you're living in it and you're exposed to whatever was in that can! Now, although it is so improtant to demand the right color, that is just not enough? Shouldn't we also require the paint that we use to be both environmentaly responsible and be durable?

With the introduction of Aura over the last few years, Benjamin Moore has created a high performing, low VOC paint. The technology that allows this low VOC is proprietary and hasn't been duplicated.

Benjamin Moore is taking another step in the right direction through a paint called Natura. It's zero VOC in ANY COLOR. That's a big deal because it's a little known fact that many other paints, though they start out as zero VOC, become laden with VOCs once colorants are added. Natura is made with colorants that don't add any VOCs.

For those of our customers who have already tried Natura , they couldn't believe that they could sleep in there bedrooms the same day it was painted. If you have young children, any elderly people, a sensitivity to odors yourself, or simply want a more responsible and durable option for paint, try this product. Natura exceeded their expectations and we know it will do the same for you.

Natura available from the House of Paints.

New Ways To Be Green

2009-07-16T22:17:00.010-04:00

Nuance Spring Issue 2009

LIGHTING YOUR HOME

2009-06-20T13:35:00.001-04:00

Lighting is one of the most vital aspects to interior design. Without proper lighting, you cannot see the design that has just been created! There are 3 basic types of lighting - general, task, and ambient lighting. General lighting is the main illumination of the room, so you can function within the space. This can include recessed lighting or ceilingmounted fixtures. Task lighting is necessary for exactly that - performing particular tasks.

Under-cabinet lighting allows you to focus in on food preparation. Table lamps or desk lamps are necessary for reading, paying bills, or completing paperwork. Ambient lighting adds that extra touch of sparkle to a room. Examples include lighting within curio cabinets, recessed spotlights focused on artwork, and even candles. This adds that warm and interesting touch to a room. A proper lighting design encompasses all 3 types of lighting, and will vary with the function of the room. Below are some descriptions on successful lighting ideas:

Kitchen: The main lighting necessary in this space general and task lighting. General lighting can be achieved with an overhead fixture of some type - recessed, ceiling mount, ceiling fans, etc. Task lighting typically consists of under-cabinet lighting, and other counter-lighting, such as pendants over an island. For ambiance, there are a few different options: decorative pendants on a dimmer switch can create a soothing mood. Candles throughout add a touch of warmth and cast an inviting glow. If you have a decorative tile backsplash, your under-cabinet lighting can also act as ambient lighting. While entertaining, try leaving these lights on to accent your tile and create that designer feel.
Living Room: Again, general lighting is necessary in any room, and is achievable many ways. Table lamps are a great way to illuminate a room, but can also serve as task lighting while reading. Ambient lighting is also key in the living space. Sconces, spotlights, and curio display lighting can all add that extra touch to your space.
Dining Room: The dining room is typically more formal than most other rooms in the home, so lighting can be a bit more adventurous. A chandelier with exposed, incandescent
bulbs can light the room efficiently; add a dimmer switch, and you can create a soft, intimate dining room, or a bright and lively space. Also, an exposed chandelier
bulb adds a bit of sparkle and ambient lighting. Decorative sconces are a nice way to bring in additional lighting, and a bit of ambience as well. No electrical sconces? No
problem! Many home stores carry candle wall sconces, which serves the same purpose without the hassle of an electrician.

The possibilities for lighting are endless. Just keep in mind these key points: try to incorporate all 3 types of lighting in every space; be sure your lighting provides both form and function; never underestimate the power of a dimmer!

At House Of Paints, we can offer name-brand lighting at an affordable price. For an in home design consultation contact Tasha at our Sea Girt Location at 732-449-9129 or you can reach her at decorator@houseofpaints.net

or Call one of our 8 locatons for more information, to find your nearest House of paints location Click here.

WALLPAPER - IS IT IN OR OUT?!

2009-06-16T13:17:00.001-04:00

First things first - wallpaper is NEVER out! Wallpaper came into mainstream society as early as the 15th or 16th centuries. Although the type of paper and patterns have changed countless
times, the appeal of wallpaper remains the same. It is a great way to bring color and texture into the home at an affordable price. Many people become turned off to the thought of wallpaper, yet the paper itself is almost never the culprit.

We hear time and time again, homeowners are swearing off wallpaper, usually due to paper-removal headaches. The key to a painless wallpaper installation and future removal is this - a qualified, respectable, and professional wallpaper hanger. If the paper is not hung properly to begin with, with proper wall preparation, the paper will never come off smoothly. Today’s wallpaper has come a long way since generations past. Many manufacturers offer “easy hang/easy removal” paper to minimize these adverse effects, as well as pre-pasted wallpapers.

Wall coverings can completely transform the look and feel of a room. At The House of Paints we have hundreds of papers to choose from. Stop in and browse through our extensive wallpaper book library - We have over 200 Wallpaper Books!

If it’s your first time exploring with wallpaper, or if you’re giving it a second chance, take things one step at a time. Try an accent wall with a bold pattern or color; a powder room is a great place to experiment as well. The staff at House of Paints is ready to help you throughout your
project, and can help find wallpaper that fits your style and your budget. We carry major brand names such as: Thibaut Designs, Antonina Vella, Robert Redding, Carey Lind, Tommy Bahama,
Stacy Garcia, Printers Production Guild, York, Sandpiper, and many many more!

Send us any of your paint and decorating questions, problems, and tips! Your question may be featured in one of our newsletters! decorator@houseofpaints.net

For your nearest House of paints location Click here

We offer affordable in-home paint color consultations, custom draperies, blinds, lighting, artwork, accessories, and more!

2009-06-05T11:39:00.001-04:00

The staff at House of Paints© is ready to help you throughout your entire project!

Offering professional Service with our Interior Designer - Tasha Rothlisberger

Tasha has over 2-1/2 years of professional design experience. She holds an Associates of Science in Interior Design, and is continuing for her Bachelors. Work experience includes hospitality and healthcare design, space planning, furniture and fabric selection, custom window treatments, wallpaper, and paint color selection. She has performed well over 100 in-home consultations with House of Paints, selecting paint colors, designing custom window treatments, and providing decorating advice.

Why Work With A Designer?

Interior designers are passionate about improving their clients’ lives through style, comfort and concepts that are unique to the individual. They are experts at balancing design excellence (pattern, color, texture) with functionality (space planning, organization, technical/performance requirements). The knowledge of a professional interior designer can bring your vision to life and provide extraordinary results.

For an in home design consultation contact Tasha at our Sea Girt Location at 732-449-9129 or you can reach her at decorator@houseofpaints.net or For your nearest House of paints location Click here

Kids' rooms deserve special consideration!

2009-05-24T14:08:00.002-04:00

Window treatments in a child's room can really tie together all the decorating elements. Our design team can help you find something charming, colorful, and effective at cutting the light.

It is so very important that any window covering chosen for a child's room be safe, functional, colorful, stylish, and fun.

Avoid long draperies in a child's room. Little hands tend to grab and can pull down long panels as the little one crawls or walks around the nursery.
Window treatments should not have any decorations, beads, or cording that could be pulled off and swallowed. Any decorations should be embroidered on and carefully attached.
Cords on blinds can cause strangulation if the child is not supervised. New blinds offer breakaway cords which actually break when pulled too hard or better yet you can purchase cordless shades.

Below are some suggestions for fun window treatments for a childs room. The most important rule is keep it simple.

Window treatments for a child's room should be as light and airy as possible. Avoid long draperies for very young babies and children who might grab and pull on the panels. Shades, blinds, or shorter curtains are a better option.

Soft fabric shades with blackout linings can be custom-made to fit a window. Raising the shades completely for light or view in the day time and lowering them for privacy and to darken the room for nap times.

Remove any temptation for grabbing hold near a crib, book shelf, or changing table. All window treatments should be out of arms reach at all times.

Mini-blinds or wood blinds can be easily adjusted to control light, are very easy to keep clean, and they have a clean contemporary look for a tidy child's room.

Old-fashioned roller shades can work well in a nursery. They come in light-blocking styles and can be ordered with your choice of decorative fabric attached to the front of the blind. Roller shades can be raised during the daytime to allow natural sunlight into the room.

To bring color and style into the child's room, try a fabric valance over a simple blind or shade. Choose a gathered or ruffled style for little girls and a plain style with tailored box pleats for boys.

A cornice box can be custom-made for you, then painted, covered with wallpaper, or padded and covered with decorative fabric.

Cornice boxes hide the hardware of a blind or shade and they work great to continue the decorating theme of the child's room. Collectibles can be placed on top of the board.

When using fabric on your window treatment, try to repeat that fabric around the room in at least 3 or 4 other places, putting accents of the fabric on chair cushions, throw pillows, quilt squares, lamp shades, or on a bed skirt.

Simple window treatments can be trimmed with contrasting borders, cheerful and fun appliques, and ribbon ties.

Window coverings are usually the last step in the decorating process but they are the most important. At The House of Paints we carry window treatments from basic shades to high quality draperies, blinds and verticals.

Call today for your FREE, In-Home Consultation. 732.920.0437 To Join Our Window Treatment Mailing List Click Here NOW

2009-05-22T13:50:00.002-04:00

With New Window Treatments you can
• Save Money on Energy Costs
• Enjoy Comfort & Privacy

We can offer
• Affordable & Competitive Pricing
• Plantation Shutters
• Wood & Metal Blinds
• Shades—Cell, Roller & Pleated
• Sheer Luminette
• FREE Installation
• FREE Measurements

Hardwood Shutters from Hunter Douglas

Horizons Custom Draperies

Roller Shades from Comfortex Window Fashions

Call today for your FREE, In-Home Consultation. 732.920.0437
To Join Our Window Treatment Mailing List Click Here NOW

A World of Color Revealed on iPhone:

2009-05-17T07:49:00.000-04:00

Benjamin Moore Develops App to Digtally Match Colors

(MONTVALE, NJ—MAY, 2009)— Benjamin Moore is wedding its color authority to the technology of iPhones.

The company, known for its premium paints and as the No. 1 color source for designers and architects, is debuting ben® Color Capture™, an iPhone application that, with the tap of a key, lets you snap a picture of any color inspiration, anywhere in the world, and instantly match it to one of the more than 3,300 hues that comprise Benjamin Moore's color system. And since color touches us everyday, everywhere, ben Color Capture allows you to save your favorites for instant color coordination and comparison. What's more, the new ben app can access the iPhone's GPS system, locating the Benjamin Moore retailer nearest to wherever the user is at that very moment.

"Anyone interested in color must have the ben app – it's functional, fun and a sure way to capture color on the run," noted Carl Minchew, Benjamin Moore's director of color technology. "While Benjamin Moore offers an assortment of professional color tools for designers and architects, we wanted to extend the simplicity of identifying color you love in an instant. With the ben app, iPhone users have the world of color at their fingertips."

The Ben app is intuitive and easy-to-use. Simply glide a finger across the digital photo taken with the iPhone's built-in camera, zoom into a color, and tap the "match" key. In just seconds, a strip of colors will appear below the photo, with the closest paint match highlighted. A simple shake of the phone and ben will provide up to four coordinating colors, creating an entire harmonizing palette based on the original selection. Favorites can be saved and enlarged to the size of the iPhone screen for easier viewing. There's access, as well, to the full spectrum color wheel, which expands or contracts by fingertip control to focus on a color preference. That, too, can be translated into a Benjamin Moore color and saved as a favorite for future reference.

The application is free and can be downloaded by visiting the AppStore Web site, http://www.apple.com/iphone/appstore; search for ben and select to install.