So this past weekend I finally found the time and energy to repaint the walls in my kitchen. As mentioned in my previous post about my vision for the kitchen, I did stay with a neutral color, but decided to postpone changing out the color of the cabinets for now (more than I could handle in one weekend). I did opt to add an accent color though, and used this across the header that runs above my cabinets to help offset their still natural finish. My final color choices were “Harmony” (a cool beige) and “Kona” (a warm brown) from the Benjamin Moore Affinity line.

It had been quite a while since I painted, so as I finished the projects I thought it might be helpful to share some tips for those of you out there who may be planning to finally tackle a project of your own. The real key to a beautifully finished product is to take the time to prep the room properly before you even open the can of paint. While this can be a bit tedious, you’ll be really glad you did it when all is said and done. So, be sure to:

• Remove as many items from the room as possible. This will make putting down drop cloths and moving around the room as you paint much easier.
• Purchase the right supplies before you get started. For an interior project you will need drop cloths, painters tape, plastic drop cloths, a good 1” and 2” brush, a roller handle and 2 roller covers, a Whizz and roller covers (this is a mini roller and will come in handy for tight spaces), a paint tray and some plastic liners (makes clean up a cinch), a paint can opener, some clean rags, and a step ladder.
• Make friends with the painters tape. Use it to tape off things that can’t be moved, but are not being painted. In the case of my kitchen, I ran it down the side of my refrigerator. In the bathroom I ran it across the top of the tiles in my shower. You can also run it around the trim if you’re worried about being able to cut in a straight line.
• Cover up any other big items or areas that aren’t being painted with plastic drop cloths. I secured plastic drops to the tops of my cabinets with painters tape and draped down to the floor to keep my cabinet faces free from any drips (good thing too )
• Wear a hat and some form of protective eyewear, as well as clothes you don’t mind getting paint on (it’s bound to happen).
• Be prepared to apply a second coat. Some paints may cover in one, but to ensure a crisp clean finish two coats is always better.

So as I mentioned in the title, I decided to tackle my bathroom too (used the same cool beige). Most high quality paints dry fairly quickly, so I figured, “I’ll paint the kitchen and while I’m waiting for the paint to dry I can take care of the bathroom in a jiffy”. Needless to say, my “Saturday project” ended up spilling over into Sunday as well. So, unless you plan on starting first thing in the morning and putting in a full day, I suggest painting one room at a time. I am glad that they’re both done though, but it may be a while before I dust off my brushes again.

So as I diligently began my research for the 2010 Fall Color Trend report this week, it occurred to me that some might also be interested in how the home color and design trends are determined each year. So here’s a basic overview.

Information is gathered from a wide variety of sources and influences, including technology, our natural surroundings, the entertainment world, current socioeconomic conditions, lifestyle trends, and consumer desires. Once all things have been considered, we usually see a “trickle down” effect, starting on the big screen, then moving onto the runways, into the general consumer market and finally into home furnishings and interior paint colors.

For example, in 2009 the focus was on the environment (remember the trends are determined a year in advance) and the color palette featured many earth tones with a few vibrant accent colors for some added punch. Then, in 2010 the focus shifted to stability and sustainability and the neutral palette was made up of softer and more versatile colors. Conversely, the accent colors focused on a need for rejuvenation after the economic crash of 2009, and bolder colors were featured to help lift our spirits.

No matter what the trend, there are a few things you can usually count on:

1. There are always neutral colors and coordinating accent colors to choose from.

2. There is rarely a drastic change from year to year. Subtle shifts from bolder to more muted colors are more common falling in line with the general feeling in the consumer world.

3. When it comes to interior painting, all colors can be toned down to suit your specific comfort level (with the help our experts), so there’s no need to be intimidated by the often bold and bright accent colors.

For more information visit the Color Trends page on our website, and be sure to check back soon for the Fall Color Trends and a sneak peek at Spring 2011.

For us Neills, Wednesday night is reserved for “family dinner”. My brothers and I don’t make plans unless it’s something unavoidable and my father doesn’t schedule any appointments with customers. My mother prepares a delicious home-cooked meal, my daughter helps set the table and we all gather in the dining room to enjoy a few hours of good food and great conversation.

After mentioning this to several friends and acquaintances, I’ve come to realize that we are the exception to the norm. And after some further research I was saddened to discover that many homeowners no longer use their dining rooms for dining at all. With the new open kitchen design plans in most homes built over the past 10-15 years, it seems there is no longer a need for a formal dining room. For many it has become a collection room cleared out only as needed (and I’ll be the first to admit that my dining room table is currently covered with mail and projects my daughter brought home from art camp last week). Some homeowners are even opting to convert their dining rooms into rooms that will be used on a daily basis, such as a den or home office.

Although many of us may not use our dining rooms on a daily basis, research also shows that most of us still like knowing that it’s ready and waiting for the next holiday gathering of family and friends. I say, why save it for special occasions?

If you haven’t used your dining room in ages, maybe it just needs to be updated with a fresh coat of paint or some new window treatments. You may also want to consider eliminating some of the formality and making it more warm and inviting. The days of rooms that you’re afraid to sit down in are long gone (my best friend growing up had a formal dining room that we were never allowed to set foot in). If you turn your dining room into a welcoming space that you truly love you’re more likely to use it, and don’t wait until you having company over for dinner. You’re special too, so enjoy your next meal at the fancy table and use the good china.