Are you ready for house guests? Here are three EASY tips: 1) Make an extra set of keys 2) Collect your hotel sample shampoo & lotion in a basket 3) Wash even the clean linens … nothing better than fresh smelling sheets to make someone feel at home!

Designs for a new decade: Top home decor trends for 2010

(ARA) – During unsettling economic times, people tend to get “back to basics” by cocooning more with their families, avoiding high-ticket expenditures and looking for ways to repurpose and re-use existing items. Next year’s home decorating trends clearly reflect this comfort-focused and cost-conscious mentality by emphasizing soothing color palettes, natural materials, environmentally friendly products, and “old made new again” furnishings, wall murals and textiles.

Leading trend experts and interior designers across the country offer these top home decor trends for 2010:

Color our world
Ask almost any designer, and you’ll hear that gray is the “new brown.” According to Kenneth Ludwig of Kenneth Ludwig Home Furnishings, Ltd., gray mixes well with brown, taupe, light lilac, light green and yellow, and many wood furnishes now have a gray wash or gray undertone added to them. He also predicts the resilience of such strong hues as bright orange, bright green and magenta.

Designer Andrea Vollf sees color being used to bring comfort, harmony and serenity home. She envisions silver gray, lilac, purples and off-white being especially popular in 2010. Inspired by the fashion industry, Jessica Henn of Crusiet Corporation also notes endless possibilities of metallic bronze, gold and silver accented with berry rich colors like plum and red-based purples for interior designs.

Let there be light
For the past few years, consumers have opted for ultra energy-efficient LED lighting as a way to save money on energy-related costs and make their homes more environmentally friendly. LED lighting will continue to build in momentum, according to Jeff Dross, senior product manager of Kichler Lighting, whose LED under-cabinet fixtures and LED rail lights will take “being green” to a higher, more stylish level.

Dross also sees homeowners making big statements with simple changes, by investing in eye-catching lighting fixtures such as elongated linear chandeliers that complement rectangle-shaped dining room tables, kitchen islands and the long farmhouse kitchen tables currently in vogue.

Add “wow” to walls
Due to their versatility and affordability, wall murals will continue to be a popular way to transform the look and feel of any room in the house. Todd Imholte, president of www.MuralsYourWay.com, has seen a surge in orders over the past year, fueled by economic conditions that have inspired consumers to use decorative wall murals as a cost-effective way to give their living areas a fresh look. These relatively small changes can make huge, personal statements in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and home offices. Imholte envisions bold geometric patterns, edgy, urban graphics and Asian-inspired prints being especially hot in 2010, with nature and travel scenes remaining perennial favorites.

The fabric of our lives
Textiles will take their cues from natural materials such as felt, cork and even tree bark, predicts Henn. Pattern on pattern will be increasingly popular, with homeowners intentionally mismatching products to allow endless possibilities of blends and textures. Mary Lou Kalmus of Designing Edge, also sees more fabrics combining durability with style – once relegated to crushable chenille and fragile silks – as they become more available in manmade and natural fabrics for use in upholstery and drapery-weight materials.

Fabrics will host a “big party” of large graphic prints and floral patterns this year, adds design expert, TV host/spokesperson and best-selling author Kathy Peterson. She sees dark navy backgrounds mixed with bold patterns in lavender, mint green and sea foam, as well as plum backgrounds mixed with strong floral patterns in red and pink. Turquoise mixed with tangerine will also be trendy.

Fun, functional furniture
Linda Navara of LMR Designs sees furniture being comfortable and functional, yet elegant – reflecting consumers’ continued need for a refuge in which to relax and escape their busy lives. Furnishings will be a more eclectic mix of neo-classic, Asian and art deco styles, by incorporating mirrored furniture, chinoiserie, bamboo, and vintage furniture. Ludwig also sees a juxtaposition of old-world formal and casual lifestyle with refurbished European overstuffed club chairs, arm chairs, two-seater settees and ottomans showing up everywhere from cottages and country homes to urban lofts.

Transitional to contemporary collections will still dominate in 2010, according to Adele Lampert of Page One Interiors. Maple and alder will remain popular cost-efficient wood choices, with bamboo appealing to environmentally-conscious consumers. Clean lines and classic style will be in; excessive ornamentation will be out.

Go for the green
Unlike Kermit the Frog’s song, it is easy being green as more and more Americans are turning to eco-friendly design options. Everything has been going “eco” as more attention is drawn to “green” products, adds Kalmus. She envisions design leaning toward nature in the use of sustainable products such as bamboo, as well as fresh products introduced using recycled glass, reclaimed wood and manufacturing byproducts. Henn also sees a trend toward “eco luxury,” blending sophisticated products with environmental benefits to create an air of elegant sustainability.

Au naturel
Ludwig predicts increased interest in repurposing items found in nature, such as using bleached-out branches as art sculptures, an old worn tree stump as a coffee table base or a console table and teak branches assembled as a screen or room divider. He also foresees baskets, bowls and planters made from blocks or chunks of unusual woods.

Radical rugs
Echoing the trend in fabrics, Peterson envisions rugs inspired with outrageously large graphics and bold combinations of colors such as aqua, lime, medium greens and white. Due to the ongoing popularity of hardwood floors, Dross also sees a comeback in area rugs, with heavily patterned rugs with bold prints and geometric patterns becoming the focus point of many living rooms.

Courtesy of ARA Content

http://absolutepainters.com/

1854 SE Bush Street – Hillsboro, OR 97123
Phone: 503-330-4928 Fax: 503-530-8673

Don’t let your house take a beating this winter … check our blog post: http://ping.fm/L1b70

Don’t let your house take a beating this winter

(ARA) – No matter what part of the country you live in, the winter months can be downright abusive on your home. From frozen Minnesotans dropping heaps of water-logged clothing on the floor after digging out of five feet of snow, to tanned Floridians grinding gritty sand into their carpeting, every home takes a beating in the winter.

As harsh as we can be on our most expensive investment, a variety of easy and inexpensive precautions can greatly diminish the amount of winter wear and tear imposed on our homes.

A foot in the door
It all starts at the doorway. For northerners, winter means traipsing in and out of the house with mud, salt and snow on your shoes. And, being bundled up carrying groceries many times means you nudge the door open with those muddy boots, leaving scratched paint and stains on perhaps the most visible part of your home. A simple solution to this is investing in a durable kickplate.

Kickplates are available in a variety of sizes, finishes and quality. Choose something that complements the door’s hardware (doorknob and knocker) and will be an appropriate size. Standard 6 1/2-foot doors should use the corresponding 34 inch wide by 6 inch tall kickplate. Larger doors allow for taller and wider plates.

Baseboards that say “bring it on”
Baseboards are often overlooked until they are so dirty and worn that they stand out like a sore thumb. By design, baseboards are meant to preserve the lower portion of walls and withstand normal bumps and scuffs. However, choosing an appropriate paint for these baseboards can make all the difference when it comes to durability.

Paints designed especially for heavy traffic and easy cleaning are best for baseboards. Look for interior latex paints infused with stain resistant materials. One paint manufacturer, Pratt & Lambert, actually offers a line of paint called Porcelain, which contains tiny porcelain particles that bond together in such a way that stains cannot penetrate the surface of the paint. And, because of the paint’s strength, if dirt or spills do splash the surface, you can scrub the paint without damaging the finish.

Clean carpets
Tile, laminate and wood flooring are incredibly easy to clean because they are not extremely porous. Carpet, on the other hand, is designed to be lush, meaning there are ample nooks, crannies and spaces for dirt and grime to hide.

Investing in a stain-resistant carpet cleaner that repels such substances from entering your carpet will maintain your carpet’s vitality and cleanliness. Keeping do-it-yourself spot carpet cleaners on hand when minor spills occur is essential when entertaining. Just a few sprays and a little elbow grease will diminish stains and not put a damper on the party.

Slip and slide
Even through your house may have tile, laminate or wood floors, tracking outdoor substances such as muddy water or slush on them can add wear and tear, especially during the holiday season. And constantly cleaning up after guests’ muddy footprints can be exhausting.

Simple carpet runners can help prevent these unsightly and potentially dangerous issues. Many retail stores sell solid-colored and seasonally styled carpet runners that have a non-skid backing and are machine washable. Placing a few of these in heavily trafficked areas will reduce damage to all types of flooring and will provide safe pathways for walking.

Kitchen consideration
You might not think of it at first, but kitchens take quite a beating during the winter months. As the central point of congregation for holiday parties, dinners and simple evenings at home, kitchens see quite a bit of traffic during the winter.

Because of the increased use, kitchen cabinets endure a lot more bumps during the winter, but cabinet finishes can be spared with a few easy solutions. First, if your cabinets are not painted, apply a varnish that will act as a barrier against scuffing. If they are painted, reapply the color in a paint that is meant to withstand heavy traffic. A quality Purdy brush is critical to a flawless finish.

Any local hardware store should stock corner protectors. The edges of your kitchen cabinetry or islands often take the brunt of the damage because you have to maneuver around them. Wood or plastic corner protectors will help diminish this damage and can, if you like, be removed at the end of the winter.

These simple tips will protect some of your home’s most frequently damaged areas, and help ensure a lasting durability.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

http://absolutepainters.com/

What are your New Year goals? Most popular resolutions: 1. Get Fit 2. Loose Weight 3. Reduce Stress 4. Quit Smoking

It’s beginning to look a lot like WINTER in Portland! Is your home ready? Contact Absolute Painters & find out what you can do to prepare!

Who do you think is the better Quarterback? Brees (New Orleans Saints) or Brady (New England Patriots)

Happy Thanksgiving Portland! We are thankful for our many wonderful clients, amazing family, & a beautiful place to live! Thank You!

Looking for tips on shopping for Black Friday? Visit the Absolute Painting Blog: http://ping.fm/sZwIB

Olivia is ready for the holidays … Are you?

Starting this Friday the stores will be crowded with everyone stressed looking for the perfect gift. We believe in taking the same organized and well planned out approach we take to every job to the holiday season which is why Olivia has already started wrapping her gifts!

If you do venture out for the sales on Black Friday we at Absolute Painting wish you the best of luck and hope you are safe.

Plan ahead using this helpful website: Black Friday Info

Live sustainable, shop local, eat local! When you are out shopping in Portland, Oregon stop by Stumptown Coffee they are open on Friday!