Is it time to re-decorate your family room or playroom? Do you need to paint the kids’ room? There are many factors to consider before you just pick out a selection of colors and let the kids choose which one they like best. Parents, learn what to do and what NOT to do!

First, make sure you know what you are painting over. Chip off a piece of the current paint and take it to your local paint store to determine if the paint is latex, oil or lead-based paint.

If the existing paint is lead-based, check with the local building codes in your area. They may require removal before repainting.

If the paint is latex-based, you can simply paint right over it. If the existing paint is oil-based, you need to prime the room with one or two coats of a latex-based primer. Let the primer dry one or two days before applying your top coat. You may need to paint a second coat to get your desired color.

For the best results, use an oil-based primer if your top coat will be oil-based, or a latex-based primer if your top coat will be latex-based paint.

Color…

Can it really change your mood?

YES IT CAN!

Psychologists, Physiologists, Decorators, and Architects have all completed studies on how to use color to affect moods. Know you colors and create different moods in each of your rooms.

WHITE is pure and innocent. Too much white can make a room feel cold and empty but it can make a smaller room feel bigger with an open feeling. White with color splashes work well in smaller, less sunny rooms.

BLACK can give the feeling of power but can also feel aloof and evil. Depending on the room, it can be comforting or closed in. To use black, make sure there is plenty of lighting.

BLUE has shown to decrease blood pressure and aid in relaxation. Blue in the bedroom has proven to aid insomnia. Blue has also proven to increase thought processing therefore add it to your kitchen or home office. It will increase your productivity but remain relaxed.

GREEN connects with nature. It creates the feeling of relaxation and laziness. It can also slow breathing. Use it where you want to relax.

YELLOW stimulates the brain, speeds up metabolism and enhances concentration. With that said, yellow is also the hardest color for the eye to perceive, so without soothing colors to off-set the stimulation, it can be overpowering and create tension. People tend to become angry in too much yellow and babies cry more in a yellow room.

PURPLE is peaceful and soothing. It is also associated with wealth and romance. Purple occasionally is used to aid nervous disorders. Purple tends to sooth emotions and creates a peaceful feeling.

RED stimulates stamina and vitality. Red also can increase heartbeat, blood pressure, appetite and breathing. Red is often used for accent to add liveliness to a room.

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Making plans for the new baby’s nursery décor is just one of the many tasks at hand for new Moms-to-be. The baby’s crib and other coordinating nursery furniture, crib bedding, wall decorations, baskets and other storage items - these are just some of the items that must be purchased. And an important decorative decision is the paint colors for the room. In the midst of all of these decisions, a simple matter that may be ignored is the different finishes or sheens of paint that should be used in the nursery for both decorative and practical reasons.

Interior paints are made in a variety of finishes or sheens. Each of these sheens refers to the paint’s gloss level and, thereby, its reaction to light. The important practical and decorative characteristics of each sheen are: ability to hide imperfections; stain resistance; washability; and ease of application and touchups. Determining which sheen to use for any particular application requires an evaluation of the relative importance of each of these characteristics. We will focus on four of the most common sheens - flat, eggshell, satin, and semigloss - and the three general applications in the nursery - ceilings, walls, and trim.

At one end of the sheen spectrum is flat paint. Cured flat paint has a chalky appearance and rough feel and reflects little light. Its characteristics are as follows:

• Because it diffuses light, it is the most effective at hiding nicks, dents, repaired holes, drywall seams, and any other surface imperfections.

• Without a glossy surface, flat paint tends to be least effective at resisting scuffs and stains.

• Flat paint is the least washable sheen, both because it tends to absorb stains and because rubbing it during the cleaning process tends to "polish" the finish and make it look different than the surrounding surfaces.

• Paint application imperfections - brush and roller lines, drips, and varying rates of application - are the least noticeable with flat paint. It is also the easiest to touch up, with the new paint’s sheen, or lack thereof, blending very readily with the existing paint surface.

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