We're always on the lookout for new products -- and when they're eco-friendly, we consider that a bonus. So when we stumbled across Green Planet Paints, we were intrigued by the claim on their website.
Green Planet Paints are all-natural, plant-based interior paints that are so safe the company claims you can bathe in them. Wow - talk about an inventive sales pitch! We have to admit - we were a little tempted to fill up the tub with a couple of gallons of eggshell and have a nice, relaxing soak. Instead, we'll leave the paint where it belongs -- on our walls!
So what's the secret of Green Planet Paints? They combine mineral pigments with plant chemistry, creating a sustainable formula that's completely VOC-free. The paint is as high-performance as other interior brands, meaning you don't have to worry about sacrificing quality for non-toxicity.
If you live in an older home, it's likely that you have wood trim in at least one (or all) rooms of your house. We've talked before about the pros and cons of painting wood. For purists, painting older wooden trim is nothing short of tragic. For others, however, painting the trim is a way to freshen it up and, in a lot of cases, brighten a darker material. And sometimes, you just need a change!
If you're worried about compromising the quality and look of the wood but can't take its existing condition/hue any longer, why not try staining it as opposed to painting? Stains are available in a wide range of shades, meaning you could go for a rich, dark hue or try something that's on the lighter side.
Plus, the stain will allow the grain and details of the wood to show through, rather than obscuring them with paint. Think of it as a happy medium between doing nothing and painting.
I have rather strong feelings about wood paneling. As in, I hate it. I don't mean to offend you if you're a wood paneling fan, but I think it darkens and dates a room. So what can you do if faced with a room full of wood paneling?
The obvious choice is to tear it out, of course -- and who doesn't love a little good ol' fashioned demolition? But as I was browsing a fantastic Before & After compiled by Ethan of One Project Closer, I realized another inventive solution: paint!
Angela from Fixing It Fancy shared her bedroom transformation, and, wow -- looking at the "before" photos makes the "after" all the more impressive! One of the first steps in the project was to remove the wall-to-wall wood paneling in the room.
The ceiling, however, proved to be a different story. It was also paneled, yet Angela opted to cover it with white paint instead of removing it. That, combined with crisp white trim and a grayish Tiffany blue for the walls, creates an airy, relaxing aesthetic that's perfect for a bedroom.
The great thing about paint is that it can be applied to almost any surface or object and is one of the easiest ways to launch a full-fledged makeover within your home. When you're preparing to paint, you probably think of walls, trim, cabinets, shelves and other pieces of furniture. But what about adding a fresh coat to some of your home's interior doors?
Interior doors are typically filed under the "functional yet boring" category--they come in handy when it's time to close off a space, but other than that, they don't add much visual impact to a room.
By painting them, however, you can liven up the door and add pops of color throughout the room. Sure, you can go the classic route and pick a crisp white or other neutral hue. Or you can head to the other end of the spectrum and try chocolate or black, which will complement dark trim. Maybe you'll want to meet in the middle with a soft sage, a smoky blue, a buttery yellow or even a muted orange--it all depends on your existing decor and how crazy you want to get with colors. If you're really craving visual impact, try a brighter shade like canary, turquoise or even pink. These shades work great if your existing room palette is neutral or a classic combination like black and white.
