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PEGGY'S
LITTLE
CORNER
Painting Basics
After my sister got into redecorating her home, I got a lot of painting basics questions. Most are covered here.
September 25, 2014

I had not thought that painting a home was anything that really required much skill, but according to both friends and family, many people approach both color and paint with timidity.  For example, I was surprised to discover the color of a home’s walls can be a deterrent in buying a home. Color can always be changed, and painting is so simple and fun, I do not know why it is not considered more often. If a dream home has all the bones you want, but the paint is garish, just paint it.  If you feel inspired, but fear for your home’s resell value later, you can always go back to neutral colors.  One gallon can of good paint is often sufficient to cover an entire room.  When transitioning from a much darker color to a lighter one, or in dealing with a large room, more paint may be needed, but leftovers are great for touchups, and I tend to keep old cans on hand for many years just for this purpose.

Using Old Paint

Throwing away old paint in a trash can is costly and not advisable.  Many trash services simply won’t take old paint left in a can, and it is definitely not great for the environment.  There are recycling centers that reuse this old paint for charitable causes, where all colors are mixed to create one new peculiar shade, often a kind of beige.  However, I keep my latex paint for years, until every drop is used.  There are always touchups every spring, and having those old cans means I do not have to worry about continuity in my colors.  I simply make sure my can lids are sealed tightly by hammering them on and then store them in the cool of my basement.  To date, I have not had any mold grown in any of these cans, and mold would be the only thing that would ruin the paint.  Old paint can separate pretty badly, however, but this is easily remedied with some vigorous shaking. I simply make sure my cans are sealed tightly and shake the cans from top to bottom, back and forth, upside down and topside, and I even put them on their sides on the ground and roll them with my foot like a barrel.  After all this shaking, I unseal the can with a paint can opener, and use a wooden stirring stick to complete stirring the paint around. If the paint has become a bit thick, as it sometimes does, I simply add a little water and mix again.

Picking the Right Shade

In general, when picking a new paint from the many beautiful sample chips available, I find what I want and go just one or two shades more saturated from that color.  The  reason I do this is because paint tends to become more light reflective once it covers a wide area, like a wall, and therefore will be much lighter than what your eye sees on a tiny square of plastic.  As a rule, however, darker colors tend to lessen the space of a room and lighter colors tend to widen them, so small spaces often look larger from lighter paint, while big rooms tend to shrink with darker shading.  This being said, however, when adhering to historical coloring, these rules sometimes get broken.    

Matte, Eggshell, & Gloss

Different types of paint finishes do different jobs.  Matte is a very specific finish, is very light absorbing, and is best left as an artistic accent.  My milk paint is best described as a type of matte finish paint, and is really fun to paint with and touch once it dries, but I have limited its use to specified pieces of furniture. The use of matte is a creative choice, but does lend itself to historical pieces.  However, using a matte paint, while fun, can later prove to be laborious, as it does not clean very easily and absorbs stains readily.  Eggshell is the preferred paint for most surfaces, inside and out of the home.  It is a nice medium between matte and gloss. You do not really notice any shine with eggshell, but do get the same cleaning benefits of a gloss paint, as little sticks to it.   Gloss paints, like matte, should be used sparingly and as artistic accents.  This being said, gloss is not really as shiny as what one might assume it to be, and I prefer it for woodwork and trim.  It is a nice way to make accent pieces stand out from their backgrounds, without anyone being able to figure out why they do, and like the eggshell paint, is easy to clean.

Rollers vs Brushes

Rollers are a great way to cover a large area smoothly, but I always follow up with a brush to get to the edges of my walls.  Often, if you use a combination of the two you can avoid using tape all together. I also use brushes where thinner or smaller areas need paint, like wood trim and baseboards.  Whether you are using a roller or a brush, however, never get too much paint at one time.  Pans are great for eliminating excess on rollers, simply roll several time on the shallow end of the pan to wipe off the paint. Similarly, wiping a brush inside the rim of a can is a great way to remove excess paint from a brush.  Glopping too much paint is messy, will take forever to dry, and often will peel straight off.

Color Matching: Machine vs. Human

I always prefer to have my paint mixed by the same guy, Terri, at my local paint shop.  Terri has a true eye for this sort of thing, and has been mixing my paint for years.  I always get great advice from him and will be truly sorry when he retires one day. In expectation that one day I may no longer be able to call upon his services, I have tried several color matching machines in various home supply stores and compared them to paints Terri has mixed for me.  I have found them to be fairly accurate, but they do come with one caveat: be careful about what surface your color sample is on.  The machines tend to pick up on the other colors reflected on a paint chip sample. For example, if you take in a shade of red on a white piece of a paper, the machine will pick up on the reflection of the white and the resulting color, no matter how close it seems in the store, will eventually dry into a paler oxidized version of the original shade.  Similarly, a purely blue paint on a green spoon would make the resulting blue have some green-blue tint, rather than the original pure color.  Though it may seem small, if you have ever had to finish half a wall with a paint sample that is even a little bit off, it will be noticeable in natural light and look streaky.

There is no way to really ruin a room through color, though.  Sometimes you make mistakes and pick the wrong color or shade, but you can always change it back.  The most expensive gallons of paint will cost you around $40, and many brands are much less.  Paint is something that is an extension of the home owner’s creativity and personality.  Much can be discovered about a person simply by the color of their walls.  For me, my home often is my vacation resort, and the color is both a reflection of where I want to be and how I want to feel every day.

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January 6, 2022

Repurposing old storage containers and celebrating with a 12th Night feast.

April 21, 2021

Crazy weather, the greenhouse is packed and flourishing, Easter happiness, and waiting for the arrival of new baby chicks.

February 17, 2021

Wrapping up the holidays, jumping into a painting project, and cleaning the house from top to bottom.

November 19, 2020

For years I would sit and stare at my house and wonder why it didn’t have that colonial feel that... View Article

November 18, 2020

Seed starting begins again, just before the busy holiday season gets into full swing.

November 9, 2020

November begins with cool weather and blustery days. The seasons change and Harry enjoys the days.

November 2, 2020

Once again the coop needs some attention and some much needed safety additions. My joints just can't take the bend to feeders anymore!

October 31, 2020

Rushing to finish a big job never helps, but some last minute trim ideas make a big difference, and all in time for Halloween

October 20, 2020

When it rains it pours. Both the weather and the power tools conspire to keep the porch from being repaired.

October 19, 2020

A quick autumn stir-fry that is both healthy and tasty

October 19, 2020

A hearty one pot soup for all the leftovers or just in anticipation of Thanksgiving

October 12, 2020

Cool days give a taste of fall weather. I spend some time in the greenhouse and muse over the animals enjoying the day

October 5, 2020

Spring bulbs arrive for next year and Harry discovers a toad

I begin the porch project with some early painting and decorate for the season

Non-native problems continue but I tarry on with the season all the same.

Anniversaries can never just run smoothly, can they?

I start looking towards the holidays with an old fashioned recipe, and I look backwards as I transplant some wildflowers

The old yew bushes are removed to make way for a porch face-lift, and I attend to some inside repairs

Some late season planting, ordering bulbs for the coming year, and tackling a new antique project

August 17, 2020

Where has time gone? Visiting a familiar old house that has gone to ruin.

July 12, 2020

The stars and moon align to make a magical Fourth of July

July 3, 2020

The weather has switched to summer heat and it is searing. Time for the garden to explode with weeds and produce.

June 27, 2020

It's my birthday again. Strawberries are in season, and I spend some time hauling rocks . . . again.

June 20, 2020

I do some late season gardening and try some greener products again, this time, with sheep milk

June 13, 2020

The garden has been giving us a preview of what is to come, and the weather gives us a taste of storms ahead

The package saga continues, and some early summer sounds kick into high gear

May 31, 2020

Some cat trouble ensues and the weather plays havoc with the garden

May 23, 2020

I finally bring an old idea to fruition and make a nice little grill cart

May 16, 2020

Mother's Day arrives, and amidst enjoying my homemade tea room I deliver some lovelies straight from the greenhouse

The wildflowers are here. I begin planting the last bits of my spring order and gift an instant garden to my sister

May 2, 2020

Warm weather comes a bit early for us, but my toad friends are back for another year of bugs

April 25, 2020

More deliveries as Covid continues. Each day is full, and only the inconvenience of a few missing packages affects the Little Corner

April 18, 2020

As we all adjust to Covid, Harry helps the Easter Bunny and delivers a bit of springtime cheer to family

April 11, 2020

We tackle the window project and find a few surprises, meanwhile my tattersall rugs arrive in time to give the house a lift for spring

April 4, 2020

We begin ripping out the old windows in preparation for the new installation, meanwhile spring burst forth all around us

March 28, 2020

Some fruit trees arrive, including some very old varieties, and I do a massive replant in the new section. Time to make that little forest grow.

March 22, 2020

We experience a strange St. Patrick's Day as the first Covid birthday gets underway, and the fencing project finally comes to a completion

March 15, 2020

While the country seems to be poised for a lockdown, we keep plugging away at the fence, and work in a little landscaping too

March 7, 2020

The fence project continues, while we have a quick birthday for Doodles and a little bit of cherry pie to celebrate the day

February 22, 2020

We start the task of fencing in the whole of our 5 acres, and with the weather shifting between snow and warmth there is a lot of mud

February 15, 2020

I get creative with trying to solve an old puzzle -- just what did that old baker use to make such perfectly sweet red icing?

February 8, 2020

Our great prognosticator has predicted an early spring, and we begin preparations for the new parcel

January 31, 2020

A new phase of the Little Corner begins with the beginning of a wildlife habitat and expanded sheep field

January 25, 2020

It is already time to think about the garden and time to think about getting cuttings from my salvaged fall pots

January 19, 2020

Our snow for 2020 looks like it is going to remain a bit spotty, but Harry still gets some time to play, and I tackle cutting the petunia trees

January 13, 2020

I begin the New Year with spring cleaning, a repair inventory, and some Moses Eaton styled floor cloths

January 6, 2020

This year the flower color palette for the Vienna New Year’s Day concert was in shades of pink and yellow. ... View Article

December 31, 2019

I end a busy 2019 sharing my best wishes to everyone and a wish for the 'quiet life'

December 25, 2019

The season marches forward with Christmas bakes, and I try a few experiments on some old favorites

December 7, 2019

With Christmas on its way, I take a look at the 400+ seedlings in the basement, and Harry helps . . . or so he thinks.

November 30, 2019

I substitute an old favorite in our rarely altered traditional meal, and my family and I head to the tree farm again

November 24, 2019

My daughter's birthday inspires some unicorn decorations and the sky seems to join in the fun

November 17, 2019

After so much heat, and still so much green hanging on the trees, an early snow surprises us all

November 9, 2019

I get my husband to make a late season alteration to our coop, which will hopefully help my bones this winter

October 31, 2019

I make some last minute adjustments to the yard, just in time to catch the last of the warm weather

October 20, 2019

The frost finally shows up and autumn activities accelerate to match the change in weather

October 13, 2019

I scurry around gathering seed tops and cuttings for spring 2020

October 6, 2019

When we should be thinking of hot drinks, the weather keeps summer barreling into fall, which makes late season gardening miserable

September 30, 2019

As we wind down the year towards the fall season, another repair presents itself, this time our refrigerator

September 22, 2019

Following a recipe mishap years ago, I attempt use up some of our pear bounty and make a tasty chutney

January 6, 2022

Repurposing old storage containers and celebrating with a 12th Night feast.

April 21, 2021

Crazy weather, the greenhouse is packed and flourishing, Easter happiness, and waiting for the arrival of new baby chicks.

February 17, 2021

Wrapping up the holidays, jumping into a painting project, and cleaning the house from top to bottom.

November 19, 2020

For years I would sit and stare at my house and wonder why it didn’t have that colonial feel that... View Article

November 18, 2020

Seed starting begins again, just before the busy holiday season gets into full swing.

November 9, 2020

November begins with cool weather and blustery days. The seasons change and Harry enjoys the days.

November 2, 2020

Once again the coop needs some attention and some much needed safety additions. My joints just can't take the bend to feeders anymore!

October 31, 2020

Rushing to finish a big job never helps, but some last minute trim ideas make a big difference, and all in time for Halloween

October 20, 2020

When it rains it pours. Both the weather and the power tools conspire to keep the porch from being repaired.

October 19, 2020

A quick autumn stir-fry that is both healthy and tasty

October 19, 2020

A hearty one pot soup for all the leftovers or just in anticipation of Thanksgiving

October 12, 2020

Cool days give a taste of fall weather. I spend some time in the greenhouse and muse over the animals enjoying the day

Spring bulbs arrive for next year and Harry discovers a toad

I begin the porch project with some early painting and decorate for the season

Non-native problems continue but I tarry on with the season all the same.

Anniversaries can never just run smoothly, can they?

I start looking towards the holidays with an old fashioned recipe, and I look backwards as I transplant some wildflowers

The old yew bushes are removed to make way for a porch face-lift, and I attend to some inside repairs

Some late season planting, ordering bulbs for the coming year, and tackling a new antique project

August 17, 2020

Where has time gone? Visiting a familiar old house that has gone to ruin.

July 12, 2020

The stars and moon align to make a magical Fourth of July

July 3, 2020

The weather has switched to summer heat and it is searing. Time for the garden to explode with weeds and produce.

June 27, 2020

It's my birthday again. Strawberries are in season, and I spend some time hauling rocks . . . again.

June 20, 2020

I do some late season gardening and try some greener products again, this time, with sheep milk

June 13, 2020

The garden has been giving us a preview of what is to come, and the weather gives us a taste of storms ahead

The package saga continues, and some early summer sounds kick into high gear

May 31, 2020

Some cat trouble ensues and the weather plays havoc with the garden

May 23, 2020

I finally bring an old idea to fruition and make a nice little grill cart

May 16, 2020

Mother's Day arrives, and amidst enjoying my homemade tea room I deliver some lovelies straight from the greenhouse

The wildflowers are here. I begin planting the last bits of my spring order and gift an instant garden to my sister

May 2, 2020

Warm weather comes a bit early for us, but my toad friends are back for another year of bugs

April 25, 2020

More deliveries as Covid continues. Each day is full, and only the inconvenience of a few missing packages affects the Little Corner

As we all adjust to Covid, Harry helps the Easter Bunny and delivers a bit of springtime cheer to family

April 11, 2020

We tackle the window project and find a few surprises, meanwhile my tattersall rugs arrive in time to give the house a lift for spring

April 4, 2020

We begin ripping out the old windows in preparation for the new installation, meanwhile spring burst forth all around us

March 28, 2020

Some fruit trees arrive, including some very old varieties, and I do a massive replant in the new section. Time to make that little forest grow.

March 22, 2020

We experience a strange St. Patrick's Day as the first Covid birthday gets underway, and the fencing project finally comes to a completion

March 15, 2020

While the country seems to be poised for a lockdown, we keep plugging away at the fence, and work in a little landscaping too

March 7, 2020

The fence project continues, while we have a quick birthday for Doodles and a little bit of cherry pie to celebrate the day

February 22, 2020

We start the task of fencing in the whole of our 5 acres, and with the weather shifting between snow and warmth there is a lot of mud

February 15, 2020

I get creative with trying to solve an old puzzle -- just what did that old baker use to make such perfectly sweet red icing?

February 8, 2020

Our great prognosticator has predicted an early spring, and we begin preparations for the new parcel

January 31, 2020

A new phase of the Little Corner begins with the beginning of a wildlife habitat and expanded sheep field

January 25, 2020

It is already time to think about the garden and time to think about getting cuttings from my salvaged fall pots

January 19, 2020

Our snow for 2020 looks like it is going to remain a bit spotty, but Harry still gets some time to play, and I tackle cutting the petunia trees

January 13, 2020

I begin the New Year with spring cleaning, a repair inventory, and some Moses Eaton styled floor cloths

January 6, 2020

This year the flower color palette for the Vienna New Year’s Day concert was in shades of pink and yellow. ... View Article

December 31, 2019

I end a busy 2019 sharing my best wishes to everyone and a wish for the 'quiet life'

December 25, 2019

The season marches forward with Christmas bakes, and I try a few experiments on some old favorites

December 7, 2019

With Christmas on its way, I take a look at the 400+ seedlings in the basement, and Harry helps . . . or so he thinks.

November 30, 2019

I substitute an old favorite in our rarely altered traditional meal, and my family and I head to the tree farm again

November 24, 2019

My daughter's birthday inspires some unicorn decorations and the sky seems to join in the fun

November 17, 2019

After so much heat, and still so much green hanging on the trees, an early snow surprises us all

November 9, 2019

I get my husband to make a late season alteration to our coop, which will hopefully help my bones this winter

October 31, 2019

I make some last minute adjustments to the yard, just in time to catch the last of the warm weather

October 20, 2019

The frost finally shows up and autumn activities accelerate to match the change in weather

October 13, 2019

I scurry around gathering seed tops and cuttings for spring 2020

October 6, 2019

When we should be thinking of hot drinks, the weather keeps summer barreling into fall, which makes late season gardening miserable

September 30, 2019

As we wind down the year towards the fall season, another repair presents itself, this time our refrigerator

September 22, 2019

Following a recipe mishap years ago, I attempt use up some of our pear bounty and make a tasty chutney