_—_ Sample Your Way To A New Paint Palette (NAPSA)—Giving your home a color makeoveris easier and more economical these days with handy tools such as paint samples that let you try out new looksforless. Here are three easy steps to help you get started: 1. The Color “Today, many of the most popu- lar colors are often versatile ones,” according to Erika Woelfel, color expert for Behr Paints. “Weseecolors appearing that have complex, hybrid qualities; they can live in multiple color families. They can shift in one direction or another and complementother hues.” You can get a preview of what a wall will look like with help from small paint samples and some good advice online that can save you time, trouble and money: Before you buy large cans of paint, you can also purchase 8ounce paint samples through the Behr from Home program at www.behr.com or at any The Home Depot store. The samples, priced at less than $3, can be tinted to any of the company’s Premium Plus Ultra and most Premium Plus paintcolors and cover an area aslarge as 4’ by 6’. You don’t have to commit to any color until you’ve tried several shades. Take a digital photo of the room to be painted. Go to www.behr.com, register for the complimentary Paint Your Place program through ColorSmart by Behr, choose from over 4,000 colors and browse color cards, color families, stripe cards and product brochures. View the “How to” and “Help” demos online andgetstyle, design and color advice from experts, preparation and cleanup guides, step-by-step instructions and recommendations for products and equipment. Perk up your place with a change of pace using a colorful paint palette—you can even try a few different shades on your walls. 2. The Wall Consider whether you want to paint all the walls or just one. Creating an accent wall is a simple and quick way to add depth and style, showcase your decor and highlight the architectural features of your home. Choose a color that pairs well with your existing wall color or, if your room is a neutral hue, add a bold shade. Just remember, warm colors advance and cool colors retreat. 3. The Way Once you’ve decided what color to place where, begin painting. Pour thoroughly mixed paint into a bucket and use a quality 2”- to 2%”-wide nylon/polyester brush. When using more than onegallon of paint, combine the containers for better uniformity ofcolor. With your brush, paint (cut in) around the perimeter of the wall. Start at a top corner and continue along the ceiling, down theside corners and around the baseboards. Tap excess paint off against the inside wall of the bucket. From the bucket, pour paint into a paint tray and work your roller into the tray until it is fully loaded with paint. Use a %” to %” roller cover for a light texture and a %” to 1” roller cover for heavier texture. For larger areas, consider a 5-gallon bucket and bucketgrid. Starting in a 3’ by 3’ section at a top corner of the project area, roll the paint onto the wall in a “W” formation. For an even application, begin 3” to 4” away from the cut-in section. Work the roller back and forth across the section until the “W”is completely filled in. Roll over the cut-in area. Forming a column from ceiling to floor, paint the next 3’ by 3’ section directly below the previousone. To blend the sections and ensure a uniform finish, lightly pass the roller over the newly painted area. Repeat until the project is complete. Then apply a secondcoat. Learn More Moretips and inspiration can be found at www.behr.com. Behr products, including the new 8-ounce paint samples, are sold exclusively at The Home Depotstores.
