Ghaster Painting & Coatings Blog

From Our Blog

Color Selection: Benjamin Moore Expands Baseball Collection

Benjamin Moore celebrates its sponsorship of the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees with the launch of the Sports Colors Collection, a series of paint colors featuring iconic hues representative of each team. The collection is now available at select Benjamin Moore retailers in the Chicago, Kansas City and New York Metro
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How to Select Industrial & Commercial Paint Colors

As experienced industrial and commercial painting contractors, we at Ghaster Painting & Coatings often get asked for our opinion on color selection.  While a business may have a color scheme in place for general painting, when it comes to the specifics of industrial painting, customers often want to know what colors are appropriate for specific
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Sherwin-Williams Paint Shield® Anti-Bacterial Coating Stops the Spread of Infection In Commercial Settings

  When millions of people visit the hospital each year to get treatment and medical attention, the last thing they think they will get is a staph infection.  Unfortunately, what many patients are finding out is that the risk of staph infection is very high in healthcare settings. ABC News describes the significant problem, “As
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Under the Lid

  When to Prime and Which Primers to Use All paints have four main ingredients; pigment provides color, coverage, and gloss control; binders bind the pigment together and provide film integrity and adhesion to a surface; liquid, also known as the solvent, provides desired consistency and makes it possible to apply the pigment and binders to the surface; additives are ingredients that
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Sherwin Williams Buys Valspar

And then there were three. The coatings industry was further transformed on March 20th, 2016 with the surprise purchase of Valspar by Sherwin Williams. Why did we see a Sherwin Williams Valspar merger? What does this mean for the coatings industry? Are there any broader implications of this deal? First, the details of the purchase
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Got Milk?

Real Milk Paint Company offers more than 55 milk-based paint options that are both non-toxic and environmentally friendly to be used on a variety of interior and exterior applications. With so many paint options available today, Milk Paint is the best choice with zero odor during application and while drying! The richness of colors, combined with the dry flat look, is unmatched by
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Moisture – The Exterior Curse (Part 2)

As we mentioned in “Moisture – The Exterior Curse (Part 1)”,  there are three difficult exterior issues that affect paint appearance and longevity and they are all caused by excessive moisture.  Below we further explore  those exterior issues as well as how to minimize the moisture problem and renew the substrate with quality paints and
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Moisture – The Exterior Curse (Part 1)

Three difficult exterior issues that affect paint appearance and longevity are all caused by excessive moisture. Minimizing the moisture problem first and then renewing the substrate with quality paints/coatings is the key to success. Mildew is an unsightly fungus that can grow on many surfaces including paint. The mildew feeds on nutrients available in both the paint
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Color Selection: The Meaning of Color I

Color in design is very subjective. What evokes a particular reaction in one person may evoke a very different reaction in someone else. Often this is due to personal preference, and other times due to cultural background. Color theory is a science in itself. Studying how colors affect different people, individually or as a group,
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Working with Elastomeric Coatings

When it comes to working with vertical exterior surfaces using the best elastomeric coating available is vital to a successful job. Ideal for use on these types of substrates — such as stucco, concrete and concrete blocks — are the Dunn-Edwards lines of ultra-premium ENDURALASTIC™, which are 100% acrylic elastomeric wall coatings that provide exceptional
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New Valspar Coatings Sparkle — Literally

Valspar’s new Nova color family offers richer, deeper hues with an intense sparkle as part of the recently introduced Fluropon Effects line of 70 percent PVDF architectural coatings. Nova can be matched to nearly any color – including neutrals, bright colors, pastels, whites and black – with a gold or silver sparkle finish. Available for
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Sherwin-Williams Launches Paint Shield

For 2016, Sherwin-Williams Introduces a breakthrough paint…the power to kill bacteria Paint Shield becomes first EPA-registered paint that kills greater than 99.9 percent of certain bacteria*after two hours of exposure on a painted surface. Sherwin-Williams announced Paint Shield, the first EPA-registered microbicidal paint that continuously kills these difficult-to-treat, infection-causing bacteria after two hours of exposure
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Watch Out For These Professional Painting Hacks

When hiring a painting contractor, it can be tempting to go with the contractor that gives you the lowest bid or with the first contractor you come across because you just need to get the job done and a painting contractor is a painting contractor, right? Wrong. Many people call themselves a painter, but a
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Valspar Introduces a New Line of Professional Coatings

Professional coatings in the commercial and industrial setting are not only incredibly functional but aesthetically pleasing as well. While professional coatings may have had a limited selection in the past, technology continues to evolve and now there are more options than ever before. Professional coatings help provide durability and safety, preventing slips and falls and
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2016 Paint Color Trends

As a new year begins it always feels good to start fresh, whether it is through changes to lifestyle, wardrobe, home decor and even paint. Whether the paint colors in your home or business are starting to feel dated or just tired, a fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into any room. Trends
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Featured on Arizona Mornings

Brad Ghaster of Ghaster Painting and Coatings is featured on Arizona Mornings. Proudly serving the valley for over 40 years.

Proud Sponsor of The Property Brothers on HGTV

Ghaster Painting and Coatings is a Proud Sponsor of The Property Brothers on HGTV. Proudly serving the valley for over 40 years.

Non-Slip Floor Coatings Create a Safe and Beautiful Workplace

Falls that result in injuries can happen in the workplace. While they can happen on any kind of floor, they are more common on hard surfaces such as concrete or tile floors. Surfaces that that can be slippery are dangerous for everyone. It is also risky for the business owner who may then have to
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DUNN-EDWARDS INSTACOLOR

Mobile App Point your hand-held device at any scene, take a photo and see your inspiration matched to colors from Dunn-Edwards Perfect Palette® color system, including the 300 new colors of our Then, Now & Forever™ collection. Color Visualization Tool Try before you buy! Give your walls a paint job without ever lifting a brush with
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Glidden’s ‘Colortopia’ at Epcot

The Glidden paint brand is rolling out a new colorful world in INNOVENTIONS at Epcot, part of the Walt Disney World Resort. Glidden Paint has collaborated with Walt Disney Imagineers to create a highly interactive color experience called “Colortopia”. Opening to park visitors in fall 2015, construction is currently underway to bring the Colortopia experience
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How to Create Luxury with Paint Color

Paint can be used in many ways to convey a lot of different things. A single color of paint can convey joy, intensity, creativity, uniqueness, subtlety, serenity and more. A pattern or unique paint application can create visual interest in a room, make a statement, highly architectural features or stand on its own as a
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Colors That Increase Sales in Retail Settings

There is a lot to be said for color psychology. Research has shown that, generally speaking, people find certain colors more relaxing, or certain colors more energizing, certain colors enhance hunger and certain colors improve productivity. But, color psychology does not stop there and businesses need to take notice. Certain colors can directly impact sales
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How to Navigate the Portfolio of Green Paint Product Offerings

From increasing consumer demand to stricter government regulations and green building standards, the call for ecological paint solutions is on the rise for residential and commercial settings. Today’s consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever before. In fact, more than half of global consumers are attracted to companies that have demonstrated a certain level of
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Bring On the Bling: Wallcoverings Trend Toward Intricate Designs

There are new trends and innovations in wallcoverings that are leaning toward flock, bead effects and metallic and foil papers that provide more variety for consumers. “People are going toward wallpapers that have special effects and textures, while the trend used to be more smooth papers,” says Alise Heemstra, U.S. development manager of Wallpaper Direct.
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Dunn Edwards 2016 Home Color and Design Report

We are excited to unveil our 2016 Home Color and Design Report! Home is where the heart is — and nothing is truer than that for 2016. Whether you’re looking for the romance of opulence, the untethered simplicity of ranch life, the excitement of glamor-filled globetrotting, the nostalgic comfort and ease of summer camp, or
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Painting Occupied Spaces

Working in an occupied space is one of the most challenging and gratifying aspects of our business. Homeowners and businesses alike want fresh looks for their properties but are often concerned about the disruption and potential downtime required to accomplish the job. Let’s face it – having your home or building painted can be quite
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Fun Stuff: Minion Yellow

Pantone, Illumination Entertainment and Universal Partnerships & Licensing unveil industry’s first-ever character-branded color inspired by Illumination’s Minions PANTONE Minion Yellow to Debut this Summer In an industry first, Pantone, the global color authority, Illumination Entertainment and Universal Partnerships & Licensing today announced the creation of an official new PANTONE Color, Minion Yellow, based on the
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Color Selection Valspar Paint Brings Color to the Colorblind

Color can be at once both powerful and empowering. It can reflect one’s personal style, make a statement and evoke distinct emotional reactions. The visual impact of color is incomparable. Yet, 300 million people around the world are colorblind, unable to distinguish colors, in particular red and green. With a mission to bring color to
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How to Select the Right Paint Finish

How to Select the Right Paint Finish

How To Choose Exterior Paint Colors

“Babouche”; “Pravda”; “Swazi”; “Murex”… Rare tropical diseases? European politicians? Expensive appetizers? Nope, they’re paint colors! If you’re thinking of painting the outside of your house you might be wondering whatever happened to red, green, and blue! Paint Paralysis The dizzying array of color choices and their associated names are enough to give a homeowner a
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9 Tips for Hiring a Professional Painting Contaractor

Benefits of Antimicrobial Paint for Hospitals and Homes

About 10% of hospital patients get more sick or contract a new illness during their stay after coming into contact with germ-laden equipment and surfaces. This results in about 100,000 deaths each year in the U.S. and more than $20 billion in added healthcare costs. Doctors and hospitals across the globe have talked for years
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What Are Elastomeric Coatings and How Are They Used?

Elastomeric coating is an above-grade exterior wall or roof coating that is approximately 10 times thicker than paint. It forms an incredibly thick yet flexible coating that helps waterproof the exterior of a structure. Unlike other types of coatings or paints, it can bridge hairline cracks to complete an airtight waterproof seal. It is a
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How to Choose Interior Paint Colors

When you decide to have your home’s interior professionally painted, the last thing you want to do is choose a color or color scheme, have your home painted, and then realize it clashes or looks strange. Often, people choose a color that looks great on the swatch but once an entire wall is painted that
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Should You Use Wallpaper or Paint to Create an Accent Wall?

When designing a room, whether in a home or office, there are a lot of things to consider. You have to choose furniture, artwork and the paint color. One option to add more variety is to add an accent wall. Whether it is a pop of color to draw attention to one wall, a painted
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Common Painting Mistakes – Why You Should Leave it to the Pros

“Do It Yourself” is all the rage right now. From planting a garden, to building a table, to painting projects, everyone wants to believe they are a professional chef, handyman, plumber, contractor and painter, all rolled in to one. But, it is simply not true and not everyone has the skills, time and knowledge necessary
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Colors That Increase Productivity in the Workplace

Whether you run a major corporation or primarily work from home, you know that productivity is very important. An 8 hour day can be incredibly productive but if an employee is feeling run down, distracted or otherwise disinterested, that same 8 hour day may not be particularly productive. Rather than trying to perk yourself or
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Phoenix Towers gets $5M renovation, newly painted exterior

Phoenix Towers is a unique high-rise residential community in the heart of Phoenix’s arts district, just north of downtown on Central Avenue. Built in 1957 as a resident-owned cooperative community, Phoenix Towers is now considered an outstanding example of mid-century architecture and is listed on the Department of the Interior’s register of historic buildings. Located
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How a Professional Painter Prepares a Room

Paint can be a transformative change in any space. Whether it is an office, home, industrial space, hospital or any other setting, paint makes a significant aesthetic change to create any desired atmosphere you may have. Once you have chosen your paint color, your professional painter will help you choose the appropriate finish and supplies.
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What to Expect From Professional Drywall Repair and Painting

Any time that a painting project is about to begin, it is important to properly prepare the walls so that your paint looks its absolute best. After properly cleaning the walls, it is also important to inspect the drywall for any damage, cracks, holes or flaws so that the drywall can be repaired before being
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Proper Painting Process

7 Steps To Properly Plan Your Next Painting Process

Painting That Brown Lawn Green

Painting That Brown Lawn Green As the drought drains the color out of once-lush lawns, property owners are seeking ways to get their green back without triggering penalties for wasting water. But instead of installing expensive synthetic turf to jazz up their curb appeal, some are turning to paint. Some residents are stuck in a
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“Positive Safety Culture Traits”

Leadership safety values and actions Leaders demonstrate a commitment to safety in their decisions and behaviors. Problem identification and resolution Issues potentially affecting safety are promptly identified, fully evaluated, and adequately addressed and corrected commensurate with their significance. Personal accountability All individuals take personal responsibility for safety. Work processes The process of planning and controlling
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“10 New Year’s Resolutions for the Servant Leader “

While the New Year may have already begun, it is never too late to set some goals. As the year winds down, many leaders are preoccupied with the question of how to be more effective in the New Year, so take the time to evaluate now. According to a study at the University of Scranton,
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“Multitasking”

Here are a few facts on Multitasking, and why it may not be so beneficial to the work environment after all: On average, employees who use a computer at work are distracted once every 10.5 minutes. According to the New York Times, in a study of Microsoft employees, workers took, on average, 15 minutes to
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5 Big Trends that Will Dominate Office Designs in 2014

Offices have clearly changed over the last 50 years (watch any episode of Mad Men and this will be quite clear). But even in the last 10 years we have seen a major evolution for office spaces as companies migrate toward a more open and communicative workspace. “From integrating the latest technology to increased collaboration
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Best 5 Colors To Increase Productivity

Try to think about a color that has the most positive impact on you. If you are responsible for choosing the most suitable color for office environments or your home, you should be aware of the effect of each color on people’s behavior. Which colors increase concentration and productivity? On the other hand which colors
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“Valspar Paint Unveils 2014 Color Outlook”

Valspar predicts color palettes inspired by minimalism, blended traditions and customization will refresh and redefine homes in the year to come CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 9, 2014– Delivering on the promise to help people connect to the power in color, Valspar Paint® reveals its 2014 Color Outlook and trend palettes. In 2014, Valspar predicts the theme of
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“Industrial Space Demand Could Approach Record Levels in 2014”

A new report released by the NAIOP Research Foundation says that net demand for industrial space could reach 250 million square feet in 2014, surpassing the near-record level of 233 million square feet set in 2013. This significant level of absorption is due to the expected return of housing construction, which requires warehouse space for
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“Trash Talk: BOMA to Launch Golden Dumpster Awards”

BOMA Greater Phoenix announced it will launch the Golden Dumpster Awards, a sustainability program that promotes and encourages waste reduction and environmental efficiency. According to the City of Phoenix, city workers drive nearly 7 million miles to transport solid waste every year. The amount of trash sent to the landfill each year could fill Chase
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“Tax Proposal Would Lower Construction Tax Rate to 25 Percent”

U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) Feb. 26 released a draft of legislation designed to reform the tax code that proposes lowering the top tax rate for construction businesses from 35 percent and 39.6 percent to 25 percent, regardless of entity-level structure. The proposal confirms that the 25 percent
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“The incredible elephant that can probably paint as well as you! Animal creates art using its trunk”

No trip to Thailand would be complete without a picture of an elephant… unless of course you can get one by an elephant. This art-loving pachyderm with a penchant for Picasso has wowed audiences with its portfolio of paintings all created using just a brush and its trunk. The Asian elephant is one of a
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Lost da Vinci Artwork Unearthed Beneath Paint

A mural on the roof of the Milan castle where Da Vinci work was recently recovered. The mural is made up of 16 mulberry trees bound together by a knotted rope.Comune di Milano Art Lost to the Ages Drawings sketched by Leonardo da Vinci are emerging from the walls of an Italian castle, announced restorers
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“Insurance Requirements–What Subs Need to Know”

Construction subcontracts have specified types and limits of insurance coverage to ensure that responsible subcontractors are considered for work. Supervisory contractors should review a subcontractor’s insurance certificate before directing the subcontractor to start work. If the contractor waits until after subcontractors have started work to reject insurance coverage as failing to conform to the insurance
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“Color Selection: The Basics”

Color has fascinated mankind since cavemen dodged dinosaurs; maybe it started with a warm sunrise flickering through a jungle landscape or a spectacular sunset exploding over a lake. Today, in the paint and coating application industry, selecting, mixing and matching has become a lost skill or a feared territory to enter. Outside of the decorative
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“Find the Perfect Paint to Showcase Your Restaurant”

A restaurant is a meeting place to enjoy good food with family and friends and a haven from the busyness of life. So, the décor should be welcoming and pleasant and set the mood. One of the best ways to accomplish these things is with color. When doing restaurant painting, there are important principles to
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“Choose the Best Paint for Your Bathroom”

Bathrooms are functional spaces yet they can give a dramatic impression when decorated in a pleasing way. When it’s time to do some decorating, and you’re trying to decide on the right painting for bathrooms in your home, there are several important points to consider. You will need to choose the proper kind of paint
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“What Electrostatic Painting is and Why it Works so Well”

Electrostatic painting is a process of using a magnetic field to apply paint to metals and various types of plastics. It is based on the principle that “opposites attract”. By giving the object to be painted a negative charge and the paint a positive charge, the attraction is created and the result is a durable,
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“Putting Color to Work In Your Office”

Color is one of the most powerful tools a business owner can put to work in the office environment. It has the ability to stimulate conversation, induce feelings of calm and relaxation or create energy. Yet, many business owners overlook how commercial painting can benefit them and simply higher office complex painters to paint their
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“Save Money by Refurbishing Furnishings and Fixtures with Electrostatic Paints

In today’s tough economic climate, business owners and homeowners alike are looking for ways to save money. Using electrostatic paint is a cost effective way to give your existing furnishings and fixtures an entirely new look and feel rather than investing a large amount of money in new ones. New furniture is nice, but refurbishing
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“Wall Paper Removal 101”

Wall paper has made a comeback in recent years. While the patterns tend to be more chic and modern, they are still very taste specific. You may not be as enamored with the wall paper in your home as the previous owners were. Or, perhaps you have just grown tired of the wall covering that
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“Five Tips to Getting Better Commercial Painting Results”

One of the tricky parts of owning a business is getting the perfect look for your building. You want to appear professional and interesting in order to differentiate your business from your competition. Take the right steps to get great results from your commercial painting project to enhance the look of your building and your
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Tips and Tricks to Painting Your Industrial Building

Industrial buildings may not be known for being luxurious, but this doesn’t mean that they need to look completely utilitarian or shouldn’t have a quality paint job. Using contemporary color schemes and proper coatings can improve the overall look and feel of your industrial building. Here are a few tips that may be helpful if
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Getting Better Results When Painting Your Home by “Following the Rules”

If there’s one home improvement task that many homeowners procrastinate about, it’s painting the exterior of their homes. While some may attempt to do their own minor interior painting, the natural elements in the Arizona environment can create problems that make exterior painting much more complicated than interior painting. As in other situations, “following the
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All About Elastomeric Coatings

“Elastomeric coatings were developed in the 1950s to answer the problems of paint cracking and peeling on masonry substrates; concrete, concrete block, cinderblock and stucco. Most substrate materials, particularly masonry, will contract and expand when exposed to heat, weather, moisture in the form of humidity and other climatic conditions. Elastomeric coatings are formulated to handle
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Be Inspired by Color!

Color is my passion” says Jackie Jordan, the color expert (or ‘color maven’, as she has been called) at Sherwin Williams. “I’m inspired by new and fascinating color combinations, reflecting design trends from around the world. For 25 years, I’ve been helping people bring color into their homes and commercial spaces through colorful paint. So
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Rise in Mortgage Rates Prompts Slow Down in New Home Sales for July 2013

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the sales of newly built, single-family homes declined 13.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 394,000 units in July 2013. This is due to the rise in mortgage rates and lead to a pause in buying activity. These figures come from newly released data from
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History of Painting Craftsmanship

There are many people who pick up a paint brush or watch a video tutorial on how to faux finish a wall. Many will try to hang wallpaper or paint a specific design on a wall, but does that make them a professional? Anyone could pick up a pair of scissors and say they can
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Why You Should Care About Your Building’s Paint Job

“You can’t judge a book by its cover”, or so the saying goes. Well, that doesn’t stop people from doing it anyway. Exterior commercial painting can have as much influence on drawing potential clients to a company as any advertising or marketing efforts. Yet, all too often, more attention is paid to signage and/or landscaping
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