scmedia

You’ve gone to the paint store, chosen a color swatch and looked at it in the room you want to paint. You may have purchased a sample of the color and painted a test area on the wall. You’ve looked at the sample in daylight and at night. It looks great, so you have your room painted. But, what if, when the paint dries, you just don’t like it? Here are a few tips that you can do for damage control.

The most obvious answer may seem to simply re-paint the room a different color. Instead of going for something completely different, try a shade one step up or down on the color card, depending on if your color is too light or too dark. If the color is “right” but the tone is not, you can have the paint store reduce the percentage of color in the paint by 50% or more to lighten it up, and vice versa to darken.

If repainting isn’t feasible – maybe you don’t have the budget or the time to choose another color – you still have options. Add back your décor by hanging pictures and drapes back on the walls to cover some of the space. Take photos or art from other rooms to create a different style that may change your opinion of the color.

Another option is to add a faux finish over top. Easy ideas include sponging, color meshing, or rag rolling. Stay tuned to future articles for details on how to do these techniques yourself!

If you’re still not happy with your chosen color, give us a call and we will help you pick another. Spear Paint provides in-home paint color consultations to help you get your walls just right. We want you to be happy and love where you live!

Looking for the perfect summer menu for your next dinner party? Just add your favorite sides, and this one will be sure to keep everyone talking and wanting more.

Pineapple Coconut Mojito
Ingredients

6- oz can pineapple juice
1/2 cup coconut water
2 Tablespoons lime juice
4- oz. rum
1/2 cup La Croix Lime sparkling water
Garnish: pineapple wedges, cherries

Directions

In a cocktail shaker, combine pineapple juice, coconut water, lime juice and rum. You can either serve over ice immediately or chill in refrigerator until your party starts.

Fill 2 tall glasses with ice and divide rum mixture evenly. Add 1/4 cup sparkling water to each glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge & a cherry, if desired. If making a pitcher, add sparkling water just before serving.

Asian Cucumber Salad

Ingredients
2 cucumbers thinly sliced
Salt to taste
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions
1 clove garlic minced
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Crushed red pepper to taste

Instructions

Place the sliced cucumbers in a bowl and sprinkle with salt, to taste. Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together the rice wine vinegar, granulated sugar, sesame oil, cilantro, scallions, garlic, and ginger. Drizzle the mixture over the cucumbers.

Sprinkle salad with sesame seeds and crushed red pepper, to taste. Serve immediately.

Grilled Teriyaki Salmon
Ingredients

4 thick salmon fillets, 6-8 oz each
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the Teriyaki Sauce:
1/2 cup Teriyaki Sauce
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
Juice of 2 fresh orange wedges
1 1/2 TB cornstarch, dissolved in 1 TB water
dash of ground ginger
Garnish: toasted sesame seeds, thinly sliced green onions

Instructions

Make the Teriyaki Sauce: In a heavy medium pan, combine all sauce ingredients. Whisk to combine well. Bring to a boil. Lower to simmer and whisk until sauce is thickened, about 1 minute. Keep warm.

Thoroughly dry salmon fillets with paper towels. Sprinkle a light layer of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides (or just top side, if bottom has skin on) Grill on preheated grill until just cooked; do not over-cook. About 2-3 min per side, depending on thickness.

Drizzle generously with teriyaki sauce and garnish as desired. Serve immediately.

Dessert: No Bake Peach Delight

Ingredients
For the topping:
1 cup sugar
4 Tablespoons cornstarch
Pinch salt
1 1/2 cups water
1 3 ounce package peach jello
For the crust:
2 cups crushed graham crackers (about 12-13 whole grahams)
8 Tablespoons butter, melted
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
For the filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
8 ounce tub whipped topping, thawed
5-6 peaches, sliced

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, stir together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add the water then bring the mixture to a gentle boil, whisking often, until it forms a thick gel-like consistency. Stir in the jello and continue to cook until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

Combine the graham crackers, butter, and brown sugar in a bowl then press the mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Beat in the whipped topping. Spread the mixture over the graham cracker crust. Top with sliced peaches.

Once the jello mixture has cooled to room temperature or is just barely warm, pour it over the peaches. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve cold.

Are you tired of the beige walls that have been in your living room for 10 years and wanting to change things up in your home? Picking a new paint color can be overwhelming, which is why so many of us keep the wall with the “waving wheat” color for years. Don’t let choosing a paint color scare you, it’s just paint! Scrolling through pinterest or going to the paint store and looking through all the swatches can definitely give you inspiration…but how do you choose? Here are a few tips that might help you.

• Be Aware of the Surrounding Colors and Light

The first thing you will want to do once you have picked out some swatches of your favorite colors is to place/paint them on the wall you are wanting to change up. Color can be tricky and even an optical illusion at times. For example, if you are wanting to paint your walls a shade of cream and there is red couch near that wall, when the light hits the couch, it could make that wall look a little pink because of the way the light reflects in that room.  Also, test the color out at different times of the day. The morning light through the window hitting the walls might be the perfect shade of blue you were hoping for, but then at dusk you might decide it looks too gray. The natural ambience, lamps, or other lighting throughout your home can definitely change the look of the paint color, so be aware of that when making your final decision.

• Make Sure the Paint Color Fits with the Style or Theme of Your Home

If you are only changing up one room of your home, you will want to make sure that it will still “flow” with the rest of your home. Usually warmer colors go with a more traditional style home, and the cooler colors are usually in a more modern style home. Move the swatches around the house, and make sure that it all fits cohesively with the rest of your furnishing and accent pieces.

• Just Go With It

Once you have picked the color, be confident, and just go with it! Remember it is only paint. Decide on the style/theme you want for your home and the paint color will only enhance that. Color is all about creating a mood, so pick the color that you want to come home to everyday.

At Spear Paint we have been transforming people’s homes for over 40 years. We specialize in the repainting of fine homes/estates. We can help you pick the perfect color for your home. We want you to love where you live, and are here to help you achieve this goal. Call us today at 713-664-5150 so that we can get started on your project.

With the temperatures warming up and school winding down, we are in full on summer planning mode. This time of year might give you the “bug” to redo or spruce up your outdoor living spaces. With every season comes new trends, this year brings some fun details you might want to add your space.

1. Inside trends outside

One thing you might notice when shopping for new items is that materials you normally would find indoors are making their way outdoors. Luxurious materials are showing up on patios. Don’t be afraid to use materials like linens for pillows or with your table settings. Also, brass accessories and fixtures are showing up everywhere, and will make a nice addition to your decorating.

2. Mix your materials

Combining mixed materials always brings in a little character and happens to be a big trend this year. Mix your woods, fabrics, and metals. You might see outdoor seating that combines a metal frame with rope detail, mixed complimented by a bright colored fabric. Also mixing contemporary finds like tables, with a beautifully aged piece of furniture will also help you achieve the look of this trend.

3. Neutrals

Neutral colors help create a peaceful and rejuvenating setting. They can give off a coastal vibe or blend in with nature. Adding beautiful hues of blue will set this trend in motion. Keeping things neutral is timeless, so keep your main pieces neutral and then change the look by adding in new colorful accessories to keep it up to date without breaking the bank!

Whether you are completely giving your outdoor space a new look, or just adding in a few new details, these trends will be popping up everywhere. At Spear Paint we can help you create the outdoor space of your dreams. We specialize in painting fine homes and estates, and can get started on your outdoor project today. Visit us at www.spearpaint.com, to see how our craftsmanship and attention to detail sets us apart.

It’s safe to say that most of us find ways to save money any way we can. Whether it is waiting on your favorite annual sale, searching to find the best discount on that 70” high definition TV, or holding out for the BOGO deals. While bargain shopping is a rewarding strategy towards making your purchases, there are some items that require the opposite approach. When choosing paint for the interior of your house, the quality should be of high consideration- if not the top priority. Quality paint is going to be worth the extra dollar in regards to your long term investment.

Consider this, the finer the product the better the ingredients, right? Think about your food, or your colognes and perfumes. When you pay the extra dollar for the better ingredient or product, you are likely to have a better experience. The better the ingredients, the more likely you are going to enjoy your meal. The better the ingredients used to make your new scent, the longer it lasts and the fresher you feel wearing it.

When it comes to paint, a higher quality paint is going to give you a smoother finish as it is applied. High quality paint will last, preventing you from frequent touch ups in the future. The pigment and consistency will result in less coats before reaching full coverage. Paint is made up of pigments, resins, and solvents. The cheaper brands of paint will use diluted ingredients, resulting in a less consistent coat. When you purchase high quality paint, you are going to see a paint that has better color retention, is stain resistant, has better adhesion, and with long lasting durability. The alternative to quality paint is a cheaper brand that is sure to be a waste of money when considering things in the long term.

Just as important as choosing the right paint, it is also important to choose the right paint company to help you. Spear paint uses only high quality paints as we specialize in the repainting of fine homes and estates. Craftsmanship is critical to the quality of every job at Spear Paint, our painters are all extensively trained in the craft. Call us today at 713-664-5150, so we can help you select the perfect paint!