Painting Straight Lines Without Painter's Tape
Once you've painted just about every room in your house (and sometimes, twice), you learn to paint straight lines without needing painter's tape.
There are a few techniques out there (and all of them requiring practice), but here is how I do it:
1. With a loaded (angled) brush, swipe a paint streak about a half an inch below the line you're about to make. It's important that the paint in this spot be wet but not drippy (you'll see why in a sec).
2. Now that you've unloaded most of the paint onto the wall, use this as a place to basically pick up paint and drag to the line you're going to create.
3. By keeping the brush smushed and half-loaded with paint, a line is actually pretty easy to create. When the line gets streaky, just move the brush down to the stripe to load more paint onto the brush, and continue on.
4. Of course, all you're concerned with really is getting the straight line. When you're done, it's likely your straight line will also be streaky.
5. One more swipe of a loaded paint brush, and you'll have both a straight and solid line.
There you have it. It may take a steady hand and a little time to concentrate, but it will save you plenty of time (and money) in the long run when you don't have to tape every baseboard, windowsill, and doorway. Plus, the pride of knowing you're painting skills are pro quality is great, too!
There are a few techniques out there (and all of them requiring practice), but here is how I do it:
1. With a loaded (angled) brush, swipe a paint streak about a half an inch below the line you're about to make. It's important that the paint in this spot be wet but not drippy (you'll see why in a sec).
2. Now that you've unloaded most of the paint onto the wall, use this as a place to basically pick up paint and drag to the line you're going to create.
3. By keeping the brush smushed and half-loaded with paint, a line is actually pretty easy to create. When the line gets streaky, just move the brush down to the stripe to load more paint onto the brush, and continue on.
4. Of course, all you're concerned with really is getting the straight line. When you're done, it's likely your straight line will also be streaky.
5. One more swipe of a loaded paint brush, and you'll have both a straight and solid line.
There you have it. It may take a steady hand and a little time to concentrate, but it will save you plenty of time (and money) in the long run when you don't have to tape every baseboard, windowsill, and doorway. Plus, the pride of knowing you're painting skills are pro quality is great, too!
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With Any Luck
A few decisions were made over the weekend.
For one, a gallon of Benjamin Moore's Hale Navy made its way into the house. It wasn't the easiest paint purchase, but I got it done just before the store closed. Normally, when visiting Big Orange, all that I have to do is tell them what other brand and color name I'd like them to match to (it's not even necessary to have an existing swatch; their database already has the color mix stored), and I'm on my way. This time, however, the store told me their system had been malfunctioning lately and much of it had been wiped out. Since I already had a test sample of the color, I would have to go back home, retrieve the mix numbers, and have them put it into their computer.
Unfortunately (or as it turned out, fortunately), I didn't have time to go home and back. It was my grandmother's birthday dinner, so I had to run across town. When dinner ended, I thought I'd try my luck at the Big Orange near the restaurant. Just before the store closed, I emerged with a gallon of Hale Navy (or its equivalent) under my arm. I guess what malfunctions at one store's database doesn't necessarily hurt another.
Also purchased: the fabric for my study-o chair. I'd narrowed my choices down to two distinctly different patterns, both of which were about the same price (as in, both very expensive!). But thanks to a President's Day half-off sale, I was able to narrow my selections to one. I'm really looking forward to showing you which fabric I chose, but first I have to figure out how to take the chair apart, reupholster it, and somehow put it back together. I'm hoping that since I have the day off, I can spend at least half of it working on the study-o. Or I can just show you a swatch right now:
With any luck, I'll have painted the study-o (or at least the two navy ones) and made progress on the chair by the end of the week. And since I'm still learning the whole balance between school and projects on the house, let's throw in cleaning out the rest of the room, painting the bookshelf, and finishing the stairs.
Yeah, probably not. But I'll give it a try. Wish me luck!
For one, a gallon of Benjamin Moore's Hale Navy made its way into the house. It wasn't the easiest paint purchase, but I got it done just before the store closed. Normally, when visiting Big Orange, all that I have to do is tell them what other brand and color name I'd like them to match to (it's not even necessary to have an existing swatch; their database already has the color mix stored), and I'm on my way. This time, however, the store told me their system had been malfunctioning lately and much of it had been wiped out. Since I already had a test sample of the color, I would have to go back home, retrieve the mix numbers, and have them put it into their computer.
Also purchased: the fabric for my study-o chair. I'd narrowed my choices down to two distinctly different patterns, both of which were about the same price (as in, both very expensive!). But thanks to a President's Day half-off sale, I was able to narrow my selections to one. I'm really looking forward to showing you which fabric I chose, but first I have to figure out how to take the chair apart, reupholster it, and somehow put it back together. I'm hoping that since I have the day off, I can spend at least half of it working on the study-o. Or I can just show you a swatch right now:
 |
| Waverly strands |
Yeah, probably not. But I'll give it a try. Wish me luck!
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Giving Up The Ghost
My vacuum cleaner is finally toast.
Last time I'd needed a new vacuum, my parents gave me their old one for free. It worked great for a while, but after putting in the new floor (where it was used to suck a multitude of dust and debris), it just wasn't the same. The filters would clog, pet hair would snarl through every bend in the tube (there are quite a few based on its design), and the dirt would get stuck in places that couldn't be dumped out without snaking a coat hanger through the tube.
Vacuuming is already a chore; the idea of adding the chore of cleaning out the tubes, filters, and brushes with every use is just too much. When I have only two carpeted rooms that require an upright vac (the Eureka cannister vac works great for the bare floors, but doesn't work on carpet), I want to get in there, zip around for a few minutes, and go on with my day. Anything more than that works against me since I'm prone to procrasinate (the longer the task takes, the less likely I find the time to do it).
As of late, the vacuum was clogging about every five minutes (the suction power of a vac is great until it collects too much dust and dirt to continue to function after just a few minutes of cleaning). Once that happened, the vac coughed out clumps of dirt like it's giving me a refund (no, you keep it; I have plenty to go around). But the final straw happend this week when Charlie decided to use my dusty old dinosaur's electrical cord as a chew toy.
I probably should have seen it coming when she was using the vacuum as a sparring partner. She ran around last week with one of her toys, bounced around like a rabbit, and accidentally jumped on the power button of the vacuum. The sudden loud noise scared the crap out of her, which I found hilarious (I'm going to be such a good mother someday). Once I turned it off, Charlie seemed to have it figured out: the monster could be defeated. A few unsupervised minutes the following week resulted in the end of the cord being chomped to bits. No more power, no more loud noise.
It's time to get a new one. As I do with every new appliance purchase, I'm doing my research to find a vacuum with features that experience has taught me I need:
Last time I'd needed a new vacuum, my parents gave me their old one for free. It worked great for a while, but after putting in the new floor (where it was used to suck a multitude of dust and debris), it just wasn't the same. The filters would clog, pet hair would snarl through every bend in the tube (there are quite a few based on its design), and the dirt would get stuck in places that couldn't be dumped out without snaking a coat hanger through the tube.
Vacuuming is already a chore; the idea of adding the chore of cleaning out the tubes, filters, and brushes with every use is just too much. When I have only two carpeted rooms that require an upright vac (the Eureka cannister vac works great for the bare floors, but doesn't work on carpet), I want to get in there, zip around for a few minutes, and go on with my day. Anything more than that works against me since I'm prone to procrasinate (the longer the task takes, the less likely I find the time to do it).
As of late, the vacuum was clogging about every five minutes (the suction power of a vac is great until it collects too much dust and dirt to continue to function after just a few minutes of cleaning). Once that happened, the vac coughed out clumps of dirt like it's giving me a refund (no, you keep it; I have plenty to go around). But the final straw happend this week when Charlie decided to use my dusty old dinosaur's electrical cord as a chew toy.
I probably should have seen it coming when she was using the vacuum as a sparring partner. She ran around last week with one of her toys, bounced around like a rabbit, and accidentally jumped on the power button of the vacuum. The sudden loud noise scared the crap out of her, which I found hilarious (I'm going to be such a good mother someday). Once I turned it off, Charlie seemed to have it figured out: the monster could be defeated. A few unsupervised minutes the following week resulted in the end of the cord being chomped to bits. No more power, no more loud noise.
- made for carpet
- upright
- doesn't need to specifically say "pet" to work for my dog hair needs, but strong suction is key
- not too many bends in the hose to limit clogging
- central suction; hoses that are on one side or the other tend to clog more
- if possible, a retractible cord so Charlie can't eat it (this is a new addition to the list)
- inexpensve - even the best vacs won't last forever
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What Kind of Pants Does Mario Wear?
Denim denim denim. Get it?
In an effort to completely shirk my paper-writing responsibilities (or maybe only avoid them for an hour or two), I stopped at Big Orange on my way home last night to pick up some inky paint samples for the study-o. When you last saw the space, I had just finished building my own desk (and first piece of furniture ever) and was considering a few more redos in the room with a Craigslist chair and thrift store bookshelf. Sad looking, aren't they?
But now that I'm fully realizing my new school workload (midterms are just a week away!), my desperate need to have a tidy, finished space is really getting to me. And as much as I could really use a nice chair to sit in, I would like it even more if I could sit in a nice chair while looking at sophisticated navy walls. At the very least, it couldn't hurt to test out a few colors and give myself a better idea of what this room is really going to look like (especially when a paint color can set the tone for the whole room). So, off to the store I went.
I knew I wanted a denim-navy-inky-blue with just the right amount of gray, and by many accounts online (like here, here, and here), Benjamin Moore's Hale Navy seemed like the perfect fit. But since lighting can make a huge difference in a paint color's appearance, it's always smartest to test the paint color in the actual space. Thankfully Big Orange keeps most competitor brands in their database at the ready, so grabbing a test pot was easy. Just to be sure I had enough for comparison, I also picked up a few more samples from Behr, Martha Stewart, and Glidden (called Starless Night, Wrought Iron, and Blue-Grey Slate respectively). Above them, I painted the BM Hale Navy test sample.
It's a no-brainer (ignore the unfinished trim; that will get a coat of white before the paint goes on the wall). I really like the Starless Night color (the largest paint chip in the middle), but once the walls are saturated, I'm fairly certain it will be a little too vivid. And since I'm only planning on painting two of the walls navy (the entire room would be swallowed up if every wall was dark, so the other two will be Decorator's White), the blue and gray in the Hale Navy sample looks balanced and clean. Here's a shot into the hallway - those tan walls will eventually go away, but think dark floor, navy walls, and white trim... can you see where this is going?
Darn. Now that I've picked a color, this means that I really do have to get to writing that paper. Hopefully I'll be able to tackle the paint this weekend, which will also give me enough time (I hope to see the sample in the daylight and reconfirm the decision). Unless, of course, I get another school assignment begging to be avoided... then it may be sooner.
What about you? Have you been procrastinating lately too? Did you do it by working on a home project, or did you do it by avoiding one?
In an effort to completely shirk my paper-writing responsibilities (or maybe only avoid them for an hour or two), I stopped at Big Orange on my way home last night to pick up some inky paint samples for the study-o. When you last saw the space, I had just finished building my own desk (and first piece of furniture ever) and was considering a few more redos in the room with a Craigslist chair and thrift store bookshelf. Sad looking, aren't they?
But now that I'm fully realizing my new school workload (midterms are just a week away!), my desperate need to have a tidy, finished space is really getting to me. And as much as I could really use a nice chair to sit in, I would like it even more if I could sit in a nice chair while looking at sophisticated navy walls. At the very least, it couldn't hurt to test out a few colors and give myself a better idea of what this room is really going to look like (especially when a paint color can set the tone for the whole room). So, off to the store I went.
I knew I wanted a denim-navy-inky-blue with just the right amount of gray, and by many accounts online (like here, here, and here), Benjamin Moore's Hale Navy seemed like the perfect fit. But since lighting can make a huge difference in a paint color's appearance, it's always smartest to test the paint color in the actual space. Thankfully Big Orange keeps most competitor brands in their database at the ready, so grabbing a test pot was easy. Just to be sure I had enough for comparison, I also picked up a few more samples from Behr, Martha Stewart, and Glidden (called Starless Night, Wrought Iron, and Blue-Grey Slate respectively). Above them, I painted the BM Hale Navy test sample.
It's a no-brainer (ignore the unfinished trim; that will get a coat of white before the paint goes on the wall). I really like the Starless Night color (the largest paint chip in the middle), but once the walls are saturated, I'm fairly certain it will be a little too vivid. And since I'm only planning on painting two of the walls navy (the entire room would be swallowed up if every wall was dark, so the other two will be Decorator's White), the blue and gray in the Hale Navy sample looks balanced and clean. Here's a shot into the hallway - those tan walls will eventually go away, but think dark floor, navy walls, and white trim... can you see where this is going?
Darn. Now that I've picked a color, this means that I really do have to get to writing that paper. Hopefully I'll be able to tackle the paint this weekend, which will also give me enough time (I hope to see the sample in the daylight and reconfirm the decision). Unless, of course, I get another school assignment begging to be avoided... then it may be sooner.
What about you? Have you been procrastinating lately too? Did you do it by working on a home project, or did you do it by avoiding one?
___________________________________________________________
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Resolute
Remember that New Years plan where I was going to try a new look and spend a few more evenings out of paint-spattered clothes (and show you more pictures of myself so I'm not just a pair of hands doing tutorials)?
I'm happy to say that I'm still sticking to it. Granted, we're only halfway through February so far, and this is supposed to be a goal for all of 2012... but I'm getting there. What do you think of the new 'do? It's a bit more upkeep, that's for sure - but that also means I am forcing myself to look more put together. And the confidence boost is amazing.
Have you tried any new looks lately? (Oh, and to all of you, whatever status yours may be, I wish you a very Happy Valentines Day!)
I'm happy to say that I'm still sticking to it. Granted, we're only halfway through February so far, and this is supposed to be a goal for all of 2012... but I'm getting there. What do you think of the new 'do? It's a bit more upkeep, that's for sure - but that also means I am forcing myself to look more put together. And the confidence boost is amazing.
Have you tried any new looks lately? (Oh, and to all of you, whatever status yours may be, I wish you a very Happy Valentines Day!)
___________________________________________________________
If you liked this post, click the image below to subscribe. You can also find me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter!
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