5 Ways to Add Curb Appeal to Your Home in Summer

June 20, 2013 By

Add Curb Appeal to Your HomeAre you trying to get your home looking its absolute best before putting it up for sale? Or perhaps you’re trying to market it as a rental property and you want it looking great so you’ll attract more visitors? Or, maybe you just want to improve your home’s curb appeal even though you aren’t planning on moving out any time soon! Whatever your motivations may be, summertime can be a great season for adding some oomph to your home’s exterior.

Here’s a look at 5 easy ways to boost curb appeal without having to spend a lot of time and energy.

1. Neat and Clean Windows (Keep them clean and free of cracks!)

Sadly, many homeowners forget to tend to their windows during their regular home maintenance. This is a shame because nice, clean windows can do wonders for both your home’s interior and exterior. It will make your home look brighter, more inviting, and it will help fill your rooms with natural daylight.

In addition to having your windows thoroughly cleaned (inside and outside panes), you should check around the window panes for cracks or other minor damages, either to the surrounding wood shutters or to the window glass itself. If you notice anything, go ahead and fix these issues now. If you see some cracks in the wood, make a quick run to the local hardware or home improvement store to get some wood putty filler and paint. Simply follow the directions on the putty for filling in wood cracks and then paint over the treated area once it has set. If you notice a crack in the window glass, you can pick up some waterproof silicone sealer. You’ll use it much like the wood putty – simply fill the crack or small hole with the sealer and smooth it out so that the sealer is flush with the surrounding glass. A putty knife or popsicle stick does the trick. Remember, this is a temporary fix and you’ll probably want to replace the window glass at some point.

If you’d rather not do these projects yourself, you can always contact us! Colour Solutions is pleased to offer comprehensive painting services to residential properties throughout the Wilmington, NC area. Additionally, Colour Solutions can handle a variety of other small home improvement jobs. Call us today for a free estimate. (910) 686-3067.

2. A Welcoming Front Entrance (Add some fresh paint to the front door, keep walkways and front porches swept and free of clutter, add some attractive house numbers)

When visitors come to your home for the first time, their first look at your home will include the entrance. A first impression is important, so spiffing up your home’s entrance should be a priority, especially if you’re planning on putting your home on the market.

To do this, make sure you keep your front entrance free of leaves, grass, dirt and other debris by sweeping regularly. You could also spend a few dollars on some nice, new house numbers to add to your home’s entraceway. You can find these at any home improvement store and they’re usually about $4 each.

Finally, adding a coat of fresh paint to your front door can be a powerful way to boost your home’s curb appeal. Just make sure you choose a color that complements your home’s exterior color. If you’re not sure about what color to select, you can always call us at Colour Solutions for paint samples. Remember, the way the colors will look on the swatches will be different than they way the color looks in natural sunlight. When comparing swatches, be sure to do it outside, standing near your front door to get the best idea of how the color will look.

While you’re at it, why not go ahead and paint your window shutters and some other small features? You mailbox could probably use some fresh paint and your window shutters would look great in a color that matches the new front door shade!

If you’d like to leave the painting projects to the professionals, feel free to contact Colour Solutions – Wilmington, NC’s home painting experts! Don’t think you can afford to hire painting pros? You might be surprised how affordable it is! And, if you’re only painting a front door, shutters, and other small areas, your bill will be much more manageable than if you were painting an entire house.

3. Neat Landscaping (Don’t overdo it, just maintain what you have)

People rarely enjoy doing yardwork in the hot, humid summer months. Here in the Southeast, most homeowners put off even the simplest tasks like mowing their lawn because the heat can be unbearable. Even though it’s tough, try not to fall behind on your lawn maintenance. Don’t worry too much about adding anything into the mix like extra flowers, shrubs or trees – the less you have to take care of the easier and cheaper this will be! Simply focus on maintaining what you already have in the ground and, if you begin to feel ambitious, maybe add a few small touches like solar powered landscaping lights or fresh mulch.

4. Mildew-Free Exterior (Power wash your home’s exterior to keep mildew at bay)

Pressure washing your home’s exterior is a quick, fairly simple process that will keep your home looking great for several months. A lot of homeowners choose the “do it yourself” method when it comes to pressure washing. While this can often save you a few bucks, keep in mind that pressure washing involves the use of chemicals to remove mildew and other bacteria that can accumulate on your home. If you plan to pressure wash your home on your own, be extra careful when handling the cleaning substances and when operating the device.

For those who might not have the time or ability to pressure wash their own homes, Colour Solutions offers professional pressure washing services at affordable rates.

5. Painted Porch & Porch Ceiling

Got a fabulous front porch? Show it off with a fresh coat of paint! And, while you’re at it, don’t forget the porch’s ceiling! It might sound strange, but having a nice, clean and neatly painted ceiling can add a whole other level of appeal to your porch. While some visitors might not take much notice of the nice, beautifully painted ceiling – potential home buyers will. When buyers view a home they’re considering, they look in all the spaces, nooks and crannies that your typical house guest wouldn’t dream of peering into. So, if you want to really make a good impression…don’t forget the ceilings!

Colour Solutions can provide clients in the Wilmington area with a variety of outdoor paint styles and colors that are perfect for porches. Speak with one of our representatives today to set up a consultation!  910-686-3067

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Classic Paint Colors Ideal for Wilmington NC

June 5, 2013 By

Historic Wilmington NC HomeOne of the greatest things about Wilmington is its colorful landscape – from the sandy browns and cool blues of the beach to the soft pinks and lush greens of downtown’s historic homes, Wilmington is a vibrant place with a great mix of color. If you’re thinking about giving your own home a classic Wilmington-inspired look, here are a few color ideas to consider:

Historic Colors
Some ideas: Confederate Grey, Honeysuckle Yellow, Soft Sky Blue, Candlewick Beige, Soft Rose

Locals and visitors alike are drawn to the beauty and charm of the Wilmington Historic District. The century-old buildings and old-fashioned homes make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, to the antebellum days of horse-drawn carriages and brick-paved streets. One of the coolest things about historic downtown is the abundance of beautifully restored homes. These homes are perfect examples of historic color. A quick stroll down any of the streets in the historic district, and you’ll see a variety of traditionally historic colors. From soft yellows to cool blues to hazy greys, Historic Wilmington’s color palette evokes the ambiance of the Old South while preserving the look of today.

Coastal Colors
Some ideas: Sea Foam Green, Sand Castle Beige, Driftwood Brown, Sea Glass Green

Coastal colors are typically soft, muted shades of green, blue and brown, but fortunately, you don’t have to be restricted too much when it comes to choosing a color that’s reminiscent of Coastal North Carolina. When you think about the colors of Wrightsville Beach, for example, you might also think about the brightly colored kayaks you’ve seen going through the channel or the bright blue roof of Bluewater Grill. You could even have the best of both worlds by choosing a lighter, more neutral color for your home’s exterior and complement it with some bolder, brighter color for the doors and shutters. Maybe a sandy beige exterior with turquoise shutters would help your coastal home “fit in.”

Bold Colors
Some ideas: Azalea Pink, Tomato Red, Wilmington Hammerheads Blue

Want to give your home a Wilmington-inspired color that will really catch people’s eye? Why not go bold? As most of you may know, Azaleas are a common sight here in Wilmington and are sort of a trademark for the area. The bright pink and vibrant purples of these shrubs’ flowers can evoke feelings of cheer, warmth and energy. (Just make sure your home owner’s association will approve such a dramatic color choice!) Likewise, bright reds are becoming a popular choice for homes, particularly for interior rooms and exterior accents like doors and window shutters. Choose a bright, hearty red – one that reminds you of a fresh summer tomato or bell pepper (common sights in many Wilmington residents’ gardens). If pinks and reds aren’t your favorites, why not go for the opposite end of the color wheel and pick out a bright, bold blue. A bright aqua blue would not only be pleasing to the eye, it would be a great nod to the local soccer team, the Wilmington Hammerheads!

Want more ideas for your home’s color makeover? Contact Colour Solutions today for a free consultation and project quote: (910) 686-3067.

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Summer Home Improvement Ideas

May 22, 2013 By

With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, most homeowners are starting to think about ways they can improve the look and value of their homes. Summer is a great time to tackle some of those big home improvement projects and Colour Solutions is always happy to help homeowners check some of these projects off their to-do lists:

Deck and Patio Maintenance1. Deck and Patio Maintenance
Get ready for those summer cookouts by giving your patio, deck or porch a makeover. Whether your wooden deck needs staining, your cement patio needs pressure washing or your front porch could use a fresh coat of paint, Colour Solutions can provide a wide range of services to make your outdoor living space the envy of the neighborhood. And the floor surfaces aren’t the only places that may need attention – porch ceilings, posts, doors and exterior walls can also be painted, stained or washed to give your space a completely new look.

Interior Painting2. Fresh Paint Indoors
Summer is a great season to paint indoors. Here in the Southeast, high outdoor temperatures can make it challenging to complete exterior paint projects in the summertime, but interior paint jobs can be done quickly and easily without worrying about the heat and humidity complicating the project. If you’ve been thinking about giving your indoor rooms a new look, Colour Solutions can offer homeowners top-quality interior painting services at reasonable prices. From choosing a new color scheme for your bedrooms to painting your kitchen cabinets to adding a faux finish in the dining room, we can provide clients with a full range of options – after all, painting is our specialty! Adding fresh paint indoors can also take care of those pesky scuff marks and scratches that may have occurred throughout the years. Colour Solutions knows how to effectively prep the wall surfaces to ensure your new paint job covers up small imperfections.

Yard with Fence3. Beautify Fences
If your home has wood fencing, you might want to consider having it professionally cleaned or painted. Because fencing is subjected to the elements every day, all day, it can tend to accumulate mildew and lose its original attractiveness. Quick, fairly inexpensive ways to improve the overall look of your home is to thoroughly clean or paint your fences. If you’re thinking of paint, Colour Solutions can even offer professional consultations on choosing a complementary color and offer suggestions on the type of paint to choose. This project is best done in early summer, before the extreme heat of North Carolina sets in; however, if you do decide to hire us to paint outdoors, we at Colour Solutions can strategically perform the task to ensure the paint doesn’t dry too quickly before it has time to set.

No matter what time of year, Colour Solutions is dedicated to offering clients throughout the Wilmington area the best painting and home improvement services at affordable prices. To get started on your next summer home improvement project, feel free to give us a call. In addition to painting, staining and cleaning, we can also do light carpentry, wallpaper removal, yearly maintenance packages and more (see our Services). Call us today to hear more about our services. (910) 686-3067

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Three Unique Ideas for Interior Painting

April 29, 2013 By

Faux Finishes for Stained CabinetsWhen people think of interior painting, they usually just think of painting the home’s interior walls, baseboards, doors, window frames, and maybe the ceiling. But did you know that there are a number of unique home painting projects that can add a whole new look to your home’s interior? Believe it or not, there are plenty of painting projects that a homeowner might hire a professional for – that don’t have anything to do with the home structure itself!

Here are three examples:

1. Furniture – Even though a lot of folks decide to paint furniture themselves (after all, it’s fairly easy to do and doesn’t cost much), others prefer to hire a professional painter. It could be for any number of reasons. Some people just don’t want to devote the time it would take, others would rather trust a professional to make sure the paint job is completed in the best way possible and some people, while they love the look of freshly painted furniture, just don’t have the desire to do the work themselves. A few ideas on painting furniture to transform the look of your space include, kitchen tables and chairs, large items such as a hutch or buffet, living room end tables, coffee tables, dressers, bookcases, and so on.

2. Upholstery – That’s right. You can actually paint the fabric on your sofa, armchair, pillows, etc. The process is a bit more complicated that regular painting, which is why hiring a pro might be a good idea for this particular project. In order to successfully paint upholstery, you will need to use a mixture of water, fabric medium (can be found in craft stores and some home improvement stores) and latex paint. Be sure to let your upholstery dry thoroughly before allowing anyone to sit down on it!

3. Appliances and Fixtures – From refrigerators to washers and dryers and even countertops and faucets, you can bring a new level of style to your home by adding a fresh coat of paint. The most popular type of paint for appliances and household fixtures is metallic, but you can go with something simple like black or white as well.

If you’d like to hear more about unique ways to improve your home’s interior through painting, contact the painting professionals at Colour Solutions. Serving the Wilmington, NC area, Colour Solutions can offer expert advice and helpful design suggestions for your painting needs. Call (910) 686-3067  or visit Colour-Solutions.com today for a free estimate!

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Ideas for Chalkboard Paint

April 22, 2013 By

Chalkboard paint is very popular these days. It’s fun, simple and offers a way to feed your artistic side when at home. Chalkboard paint can also be used to create more practical projects. From functional organizing to labeling to list-making, chalkboard paint can provide numerous ways to help you get organized in style! Here are a few of our favorite ideas for chalkboard paint:

1. Kitchen – No matter how you use it, chalkboard paint can really come in handy in the kitchen. Paint it on a wall or wall section to jot down recipes, plan the week’s menu or make grocery lists. Decorate your kitchen’s backsplash area with colorful, changeable chalk drawings. Add paint to the inside panels of your cupboards to leave hidden messages. Here’s a cool example from Pinterest.

2. Kids Playroom – What kid hasn’t tried to draw on the walls at some point, leaving their moms and dads with a major mess to clean up or paint over? Well, with chalkboard paint, drawing on the walls is the whole idea! Add some in a nursury, playroom or child’s bedroom to bring loads of fun and creativity to your kids’ world. And here’s an extra tip – affix some upside down drawer pulls to give kids a place to store their chalk when they aren’t using it.  A Pinterest example.

3. Office – If you work at home, you know how important it is to stick to a schedule and stay organized. By adding chalkboard paint to the walls in your home office, you’ll be able to easily jot down any phone numbers, appointments or last minute tasks. You can also use it to create a large, wall-sized calendar that can be changed every month. This would come in handy in keeping track of meetings, Skype conferences and deadlines.

4. Furniture – Repurposing old and vintage furniture items is quite popular these days. If you’ve got an old piece that could use a makeover, consider using chalkboard paint. The great thing about this paint is that it is so versatile – it can be used on just about any type of surface. Coffee tables, dresser drawers, dining hutches and headboards are just a few examples of furniture pieces that can be boosted by chalkboard paint. Here’s a neat idea for using chalkboard paint to repurpose an old footboard.

5. Doors – Entryways can get a whole new look with a bit of chalkboard paint. Use it on the entire door or simply paint the panels for a nice contrast. Use it to leave love notes in your bedroom, shopping lists in your pantry or just go wild and use it to write or draw whatever you want! That’s the beauty of chalkboard paint – you’re free to do whatever you choose, and if it doesn’t quite work out, you can just erase it and start over! Oh, and that reminds us…chalkboard paint isn’t just limited to black, gray and green. You can get chalkboard paint in a wide variety of colors. For instance, check out this bright pink chalkboard door.

Have more ideas? Leave a comment and let us know your favorite ways to use chalkboard paint at home or at work!

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