Category Archives: Color Me Home Podcast

Color Me Home Episode 11: Brighten Your Basement Walls!

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On today’s episode, Betsy and Dan discuss a question that comes up at RepcoLite Paints all the time: how do I paint my basement walls? Basement walls often present homeowners with a number of unusual obstacles when it comes time to paint them. In this episode, you’ll discover everything you need to know to confidently brighten up what can often be one of the darkest, dreariest places in your home!

Episode Outline

  • Check for Moisture and Determine the Cause! (2:28)
  • What is Efflorescence? (6:50)
  • Fixing Moisture Issues Inside! (8:27)
  • Fixing Moisture Issues Outside! (12:16)
  • Getting the Walls Ready for Paint (16:17)
    • Dealing With Efflorescence (16:40)
    • Remove Flaking Paint (18:36)
    • Remove Dirt and Grease (19:48)
    • Kill Mold and/or Mildew (21:30)
    • Dry the Walls (22:22)
  • Painting a Bare Wall with No Moisture (23:03)
    • Betsy’s Easy Test for Moisture (23:45)
  • Painting Bare Walls that Have Moisture Issues (26:58)
    • WaterBlock (27:10)
    • Applying WaterBlock (30:24)
  • Painting Previously Painted Walls (33:16)

WaterBlock by Insul-X

As we mentioned in the episode, WaterBlock is a masonry waterproofer that needs to be applied over bare concrete in order to be effective. In the episode, we debated whether or not it was tintable. Turns out, it is! You’ll be limited to lighter colors, but it definitely can be tinted. If you’d like more information, check out the podcast. Or, you can click the button below and download the Technical Data Sheet!

Download WaterBlock Info

Color Me Home Episode 10: Inexpensive Kitchen Updates

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On today’s episode, Betsy and Dan discuss some inexpensive projects you can tackle to update your kitchen! They discuss a quick way to make your old cabinets look new again, a way to cover up those old, dated tile backsplashes, and much more!

View our Pinterest Board for Episode 10!

Episode Outline

  • The Gel Stain Fix! (0:52)
  • Can I Lighten My Stained Cabinets With Stain? (5:49)
  • Painting Your Cabinets  (7:10)
  • Get Creative! (20:42)
  • How Do I Apply the Paint? Do I Spray It? Brush It? Roll It? (24:08)
  • Replace the Hardware! (27:01)
  • Update That Dated Tile Backsplash! (28:50)
  • What Finish Should I Use on the Cabinets or the Backsplash? (33:16)

The Gel Stain Fix

Betsy started the episode talking about an easy way to update old and scratched cabinets. Yes, it takes some work.  And yes, you need to do the right prep work . . . but if you do, this can be a great way to update your cabinets very quickly and for very little money. Here’s a blog post that explains the process in detail. And below are some of the photos sent to us by our customer who had such great results!

 Painting Your Cabinets

A second solution we discussed for updating your kitchen is a pretty basic one:  painting the cabinets. It’s not a complicated process, but it does take some time and it definitely requires that you do the proper amounts of prep work to make sure the finished product holds up well. Here are the steps we discussed in the podcast and a brief description. For more information, listen to the podcast and/or check out our blog post on painting kitchen cabinets!

STEP ONE:  Remove the hardware and hinges and label the doors with their location.

STEP TWO:  Clean the surfaces thoroughly using TSP.

STEP THREE:  Scuff-sand the surfaces you’re going to paint.

STEP FOUR:  Prime the cabinets with STIX Waterborne Primer.

STEP FIVE:  Topcoat with a Benjamin Moore’s Advance or RepcoLite’s Hallmark Ceramic.

Those are the basic steps we cover in the podcast. Again, listen to the episode for more details or check out our blog post on painting your cabinets! (Or, better yet, stop out at any RepcoLite, Port City Paints, or Snyder Paints location and we’ll walk you through the whole process!)

Painting An Old Tiled Backsplash

Another topic we discussed on the episode was painting an old, tiled backsplash. The backsplash in a kitchen can often look dated. And usually, people have no idea how to easily fix it. After all, ripping out the tile involves a lot of demolition, sweat, and (in my case) blood. But, there is a quick fix if you’re looking for an easy solution that will buy you some time. And of course, we’re talking about paint! Here are the basic steps. Again, if you’re looking for more detailed info, please check out our blog post on the topic!

STEP ONE:  Clean the surfaces thoroughly using TSP.

STEP TWO:  Prime the cabinets with STIX Waterborne Primer.

STEP THREE:  Topcoat with a Benjamin Moore’s Advance or RepcoLite’s Hallmark Ceramic.

Color Me Home Episode 9: Tips For Selling Your Home Quickly!

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On today’s episode, Betsy and Dan discuss some tips for those of you who are thinking about putting your homes on the market. Even though homes are selling faster than they have in recent years, there are still some things that you can do to make sure your home sells quickly AND for as much money as possible….

View our Pinterest Board for Episode 9!

Episode Outline

  • First Impressions Matter (0:52)
  • Start Outside (2:58)
  • Organize, De-Clutter and De-Personalize (11:56)
  • Make Those Small Repairs (19:58)
  • Paint the Walls Neutral? Or Go Bold With Color! (23:42)

Color Me Home Episode 8: Repurposing Your Furniture

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This week, Betsy and Dan talk about repurposing furniture. Specifically, we focus on a variety of uses for those old entertainment centers that don’t fit modern HDTVs. We also highlight some interesting uses for old dressers. (And if you’re really interested, check out the BONUS CONTENT feature below. So many of the projects we talked about involved removing the drawers from the dressers. Well, what do you do with those extra drawers? Is there a creative way to use them? Of course! We talk about 4 different projects in the BONUS CONTENT, so check it out!)

View our Pinterest Board for Episode 8!

Episode Outline

  • Repurpose Your Entertainment Center (1:07)
    • Diaper Changing Station (2:00)
    • Potting Station (for you gardeners out there!) (4:58)
    • Coffee Bar (7:15)
    • Betsy’s Shoe Display Center (10:04)
  • Repurpose Those Old Dressers (14:57)
    • Storage Shelves (15:10)
    • Kitchen Islands (17:25)
    • Dan’s Little Throne (or Seating and Storage and Things Like That) (19:50)
      • Dan’s Voice Breaks while saying “Bop” and Betsy Makes Fun (24:16)

Bonus Content and Outline

  • Repurpose Those Drawers
    • Under-the-Bed Storage (0:35)
    • Drawer Dollhouses (4:15)
    • Shelves and Shadow Boxes (6:08)
    • Make Tables (9:31)

Anaglypta Wallpaper

anaglypta2 Anaglypta wallpaper is a textured, paintable wallpaper. In this episode, we talk about using it on the backers of entertainment centers to provide a unique, interesting backdrop.

However, these papers can be used anywhere. They are reasonably priced and look great on walls, on furniture, on stair risers . . . and on and on and on.

Be sure to check out our Pinterest page for this episode for a variety of photos showing painted and faux-finished anaglypta paper. We have books you can look through in our Lakewood, Plainfield, and 17th Street RepcoLite locations. If you have any questions at all, please stop out, email, or give us a call!

Color Me Home Episode 7: Creative Kids’ Rooms (The Chalkboard Paint Episode)

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This week, Betsy and Dan discuss specific projects that will help you design remarkably creative kids’ rooms! They discuss ways to use your kids artwork on the walls of their room to add color and interest! And then they shift gears and talk about a number of interesting projects involving Benjamin Moore’s Chalkboard Paint. Also, (and perhaps most importantly), Betsy finds herself unable to say the word “great”, and in the process makes great radio memories….

View our Pinterest Board for Episode 7!

Episode Outline

  • Using Your Kids’ Artwork in their Room (1:26)
    • Betsy Can’t Say “Great” (1:40)
    • Empty Frames (2:33)
    • Corkboard Frames (4:56)
    • Clipboards (5:52)
  • Chalkboard Paint Projects (7:25)
    • There Are Some Dumb Projects Out There (8:02)
    • Paint the Wall (but not in the boring way you’re thinking!) (10:42)
      • Paint Random Shapes (11:08)
      • Replace Your Wallpaper Border with Chalkboard Paint (12:45)
      • Cityscape (14:07)
      • A Tree (15:47)
    • Paint some furniture! (16:35)
    • Chalk Markers (This is Awesome!) (22:21)
    • Various Accessories (27:43)

Frame Their Artwork

We had a lot of fun with this topic and really, we only scratched the surface. This is such a great project for a kid’s room or playrooms because it gives you the chance to put some of their creativity on display, give them some input in the room, and bring in some (typically) bold, vibrant colors without letting them overpower the room.

The ideas we talked about were designed to be easy to change out. When your kids create new art, you (or even they) can swap out older art for newer. The walls can be updated regularly, often, and best of all, easily!

Check out the ideas in the podcast and then, if you come up with something even better, be sure to let us know! Email your photos to colormehome@repcolite.com!

Benjamin Moore Chalkboard Paint

We spent a fair amount of time in this episode talking about Chalkboard Paint from Benjamin Moore. And that’s because we really believe this to be one of the coolest paints available! If you’re even mildly creative, it’s not going to take you long to dream up hundreds of uses. And remember, as we mentioned, Benjamin Moore’s Chalkboard Paint is available in ANY Benjamin Moore color. So, say goodbye to black chalkboards! (Unless of course, that’s what you want.)

Chalk Markers

chalktastic_markers

Betsy made a remarkably bold statement when we started talking about Chalk Markers. She declared that chalk markers were, and I quote, the “greatest invention ever.” Yes. Not one given to overstatement, Betsy firmly places Chalk Markers above electric lights, automobiles, moving pictures, and even computers on her list of “Greatest Inventions of All-Time”. Sorry Edison, Benz, and all you other thinkers and inventors. Sure, Betsy enjoys driving, having lights that go on with the flick of a switch, watching movies, and using her new Mac. But all of those things pale in comparison to doodling with Chalktastic Markers.

I, on the other hand, am a little more grounded and would likely place chalk markers just slightly further down on the list. Still, they’re pretty cool. And they’ll keep a lot of the chalk dust and mess off your floors. Click here for a link to purchase your own set from Amazon. (These are the ones Betsy uses and recommends. And remember, she says they’re the “greatest invention ever.”)

Color Me Home Episode 6: Decorating Kids’ Rooms

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This week, Betsy and Dan talk about decorating kids’ rooms. These are great projects and can be a lot of fun: you’ll get to use colors you might not typically use and you really get to put your creativity on display! But how do you create something that the kids will love–with all their favorite colors–without having the whole thing turn into, quite literally, a circus? That’s what we talk about in this episode, so give it a listen!

View our Pinterest Board for Episode 6!

Episode Outline

  • Involve Your Kids With the Decorating! (0:30)
  • What Do We Do When the Kids Pick Crazy Colors? You Compromise! (4:32)
    • My Son Embarrasses Me In Public (5:00)
    • Pick a Lighter Version of the Color (8:02)
    • Pick a Muted or Muddier Version of the Color (10:11)
    • Paint an Accent Wall (13:43)
    • Doors, Window Frames, Ceilings . . . (15:0o)
    • Accessories (16:30)
  • Choose the Right Paint and the Right Finish (17:30)
    • The Right Paint (17:57)
    • The Right Finish (21:46)
  • Our First Email Question! (23:06)

Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint56295-9030107

In the podcast, we mentioned ceilings as a potential area to bring in some color. If you’re going to give that a try (and you should, because it’s a very cool idea that’ll payoff with great results!) then you should definitely be using Benjamin Moore’s Waterborne Ceiling Paint. It’s specifically formulated for ceilings, and provides an ultra flat finish that easily hides common ceiling imperfections. It’s easy to work with, has minimal spatter and dries very quickly for fast recoats.

  • Superior hide for a flawless finish
  • Flattest finish offered by Benjamin Moore
  • Conceals common surface imperfections
  • Easy application with fantastic results
  • Formulated for minimal spatter

Recommended Paints for Kids’ Rooms

We covered 4 different products that would be perfect. Here’s a quick summary in case you didn’t have a note pad to jot all the good ideas down while the podcast was playing:

Hallmark Ceramic Paint by RepcoLite

Hallmark is our Premium interior paint. It’s created with Ceramic microspheres and provides exceptional washability and durability even in our matte finish. Hallmark is available in a Matte, Eggshell, Satin Sheen, and Semi-Gloss.

Aura by Benjamin Moore

Aura delivers remarkable durability and offers the most advanced way to bring color to life. Using Benjamin Moore’s exclusive Color Lock® technology, Aura paint brings you discernibly richer, truer color. Aura is ideal for kids’ rooms whenever you’re using colors with poor coverage or if you’re covering over other bright and bold colors. The reason? Aura’s specifically formulated to cover and hide better than any other paint out there. If you don’t want to fuss with 3 or 4 coats, choose Aura!

Regal by Benjamin Moore

Regal paint stands up to today’s active lifestyles in colors and finishes that create the home you’ve always imagined. A premium quality coating featuring Advanced Particle Technology® which includes our proprietary 100% acrylic resin. This makes the finish itself more durable, providing for superior uniform coverage as well as easier touch-ups. Additional benefits include spatter resistance for easier clean-up, and superior coverage for a flawless finish in fewer coats.

Natura by Benjamin Moore

Natura Waterborne Interior Paint continues Benjamin Moore’s commitment to providing the most environmentally friendly paint. Natura goes beyond zero VOC* to offer zero emissions** and no harsh fumes***, making it a safer paint for your family and the environment, all without compromise to performance or color selection. Natura is truly “Green Without Compromise®.”

Carefree by RepcoLite

While we didn’t mention Carefree in the podcast, we certainly should have! Carefree is a tremendous product for walls, will give you great washability and durability, and will price out below all of the other products here! If you’re working on a budget, Carefree might be a great option to consider.

Recommended Finishes for Kids’ Rooms

When it came to finishes, we strongly recommend either Satin Sheen or Semi-Gloss for your trim, doors, and furniture. Semi-Gloss finishes hold up well and wash up readily.

For your walls, however, our favorite choice is an Eggshell Finish. It’s dull enough to hide wall imperfections (Betsy kept referring to the dings and dents made by someone bouncing a ball of the wall . . . perhaps something she was guilty of long ago) but it also has enough of a finish to be washable.

Further Reading

We drew from a lot of articles and posts when we gathered info for this podcast. Here are just a few of them if you’d like to read further!