Photo: M/I Home Builders

White doesn’t have to mean boring, plain, and blah! Most of us consider this paint color uninspiring, neutral, and uncreative – so not true. White paint can actually make or break a room and transform it into an open, airy, and expansive space just waiting to be fuelled with the right décor.

When it comes to choosing the right shade, most of us want to choose the paint color and either paint the walls ourselves or and hire a professional to do the job, like a renovation contractor. Whatever you decide, the starting point is knowing how to choose and use your paint for the best results and if to consider hiring house painting services.

A Fresh Start to Decorating

Photo: C&C Partners Design Build/Firm

White paint acts as a blank canvas and provides your home’s interior with a fresh start, giving you the opportunity to build up a whole new look – if you know how! You want to be careful with white, as it can either transform a room into a cool clean space that inspires, or it can create a room that is devoid of warmth and personality.

White gives you the opportunity to choose any color scheme you want to decorate with. A monochrome theme, rustic Mediterranean styled décor, the choice is yours – just make sure to stay far away from a sterile hospital feel! 

Use The Right Shades to Set the Mood

Photo: Palindrome Design, LLC

Different shades of white can affect the temperature of a room and reflect different tones of natural light throughout. For example, Behr’s new Cottage White is a soft and creamy white with a hint of yellow, which casts a warm glow over a space. This makes it a lovely choice for a bedroom where its soft undertones bring out the beauty of classic white linens.

Meanwhile, a silvery white like Pratt & Lambert’s Silver Lining creates the perfect balance between warm and cool, which makes it super easy to live and decorate with. Light plays well with it, sets a peaceful mood, and makes the perfect shade for an elegant family room.

Layer Different Shades of White

Photo: Sheffield Furniture

The trick to decorate with white is to use a few different tones of white in a layered combination. Paint your walls a soft creamy white and add contrast with crisp white curtains and another shade, such as ivory coloured bedding. A combination of shades helps achieve welcoming warmth that you may not thought was possible with such a “neutral” colour.

If you are looking for a cool look such as in your living room, cool pure white walls with matching white furniture and curtains, creates a stunning contemporary vibe and a space that is actually quite calming and offers minimal contrast and distraction.

Compliment Your Wood flooring

Photo: Drury Design

What is really trending in the decor industry for 2016 is making a clean, sharp contrast between your walls and flooring. This means light walls and dark flooring, a look that is elegant and rich looking. If you want to make your kitchen look designer-grade, opt for white cabinets and ivory walls, and then pair that with deep wood flooring. A bland kitchen instantly looks stunning with some sharp, trendy contrast. Ahh, the power of white!

People often wish they had a magic wand to transform their backyard into a beautiful, welcoming feature.  If one’s outdoor space is more miserable than magical, it’s time to figure out how to change it from jungle to joyful!

Creating a stunning outdoor space that works well for the family and looks good won’t happen overnight – magic wands simply don’t exist. This season we are spending more time outside than ever, which makes it critical to have our backyards in tiptop shape! With a little bit of planning and the right set of quality tools from my fave supplier Psep.biz, you can transform your outdoor space into your own private oasis the whole family will enjoy all summer long!

Analyze Your Space!

Before starting you project take a good look at your backyard space. What time of day does the sun reach it?  Does the yard need more privacy from neighbors?  Does an unattractive view need to be blocked?

Choose Your Backyard’s Purpose

Once you have decided what needs to be changed, take into account the fact that the backyard will be a place for fun and play for a number of years. You may also want the space to be an attractive oasis for relaxation, or a pleasant place for entertaining. The garden may even be transformed into a practical space where one can grow an assortment of fruit and vegetables.

Purchase the Right Tools and Equipment

To start creating your dream outdoor space don’t skimp out on purchasing quality, durable tools! A spade, rake, and hoe will help keep you on top of the gardening, but heavy-duty goods like chainsaws, lawnmowers, and power screwdrivers will help speed up your garden revamp

Create a Stunning Focal Point

The keep to an effective landscaping makeover is to create a focal point.  What this could be depends on the type of garden you want, but creating a seating space or even a water fountain is always a good idea.  Who doesn’t want an attractive, tranquil space in which to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor?

Revive Old Garden Furniture

Give your old garden furniture a quick makeover with a fresh lick of paint and turn some spare fabric into chair cushions, to achieve a new look for next to nothing.

Create a Shady Spot

If the outdoor seating area gets a lot of sun, it may be a good idea to ditch the parasol and construct a more solid structure for shade.  A wooden arbor can make all the difference in making a bland space magical. A small metal barn can add an industrial touch as well. Plant some climbing shrubs like honeysuckle by the arbor and create a gorgeous scented area to enjoy time with family and friends.  Make sure to add some beds or containers full of sweet smelling plants like carnations, lavender, or stocks.

Quick Outdoor Flooring Tip

If you are short on time, a tiled or gravelled section for your seating area is a good choice.  Just add containers full of flowers to add a splash of color, sit back, and enjoy!

Steven Paul

Keep it Simple

If it’s your first deck project, keep your skill level in mind and opt for something simple like a single platform with one set of stairs. The worst thing is to tackle on a complex project loaded with trial, error, and wasted materials.

Renewal Design Build

Choose Materials Wisely

Real woods like cedar and redwood may be traditional, classy choices but don’t last as long down the road. You may get a luxurious rich appearance, but be prepared to re-polish and lacquer your deck every few years. Synthetic materials such as vinyl cost less and last decades. Visit Davies Timber and get accustomed to some of the best supplies to use for your deck.

Sarah Greenman

Invest in Good Quality Screws

Don’t opt for the cheapest screws on the market! Invest in high quality stainless steal or coated screws to avoid a rickety deck, and even discoloration on the wood to extend your deck’s life.

Tim Barber

Place the Bark Side Up

When laying your deck’s boards, remember to keep the bark side facing up and so that the end grain growth curves upward. This way, you can prevent water from pooling in the middle of the deck, and drain off of it instead.

Jeffrey Gordon

Use Invisible Screws

If you want a flawless look to your deck, hidden fasteners will leave your deck’s surface with a clean look rather than having loads of screwheads visible throughout.

Steven Paul

Choose Your Deck Levels

If you need more space on your deck but are limited with a smaller yard, construct two or three levels on your deck instead of making the platform bigger. This way you can have multiple areas for entertaining, like one for the seating area, barbeque, and the hot tub.

Anthony Cusat

Protect and Seal Your Deck

The final step to completing your project and making it last as much as possible, is to properly seal it to help prevent the wood from rotting. The best way to preserve your deck is with a water repellant preservative from your local home improvement store. Shop around and find the best option for your decks environment and your budget.

Slater Associates