(NAPSA)—First impressions can be priceless when it comes to a home’s exterior. While many homeowners spend all their time and creative energy on the interior of their home, they too often overlook the exterior facade, which sets the tone for a home and introducesits personality. “A welcoming exterior entryway makesa positive first impression and says a lot about the people who live there,” says Barbara Richardson, director of color mar- keting for Glidden. “In addition to giving a homea distinctive per- sonality, it also enhances the curb appeal which can actually improve the perceived value of the home.” The good news is homeowners don’t haveto drain their resources to improve the exterior appear- ance of their home. In fact, the old saying “a little goes a long way” holds true. According to Richardson, sprucing up an exterior entryway can be as simple as addinga splash ofcolor: Create a dramatic welcome by painting the front door a rich accent color. Deep greens and burgundy tones continue to be popular choices. Highlight a home’s architectural details, such as porch posts and columns, cornices, balusters and mouldings, by painting them in colors that accent the exterior paint. Set the stage for the home’s interior by applying the same color scheme showcased in the interior of the home to the exterior entryway. This will produce a smooth transition between the two areas. “If your foyer or living room features warm, earthy greens and golds, try using the samecolors outside—only go one shade darker,” suggests Richardson. “Then use the lighter tones as accents in a wreath or other outdoor decorative accessories.” — = —————————— Sprucing up an exterior entryway can be as simple as adding a splash of paint color. Look up...and down! An increasingly popular way to spruce up an entrywayis to paint the porch ceiling or floor a surprising, contrasting color. For an even more creative touch, consider stenciling stars or floral designs on the porch ceiling or floor to cast a unique welcome. And, try painting the stair risers in bold colors, which will help direct your guests’ eyes towards the front door. * Don’t forget the mailbox. Sprucing up the mailbox with paint is a quick and easy way to add visual interest to a home’s exterior. Paint the post the same color as the facade or the front door, or get really creative with stencils. When applying these decorating tips, Richardson says it is important to choose the right paint for the project. For all exterior paint projects she recommends paints with a semi-gloss or high gloss finish. This will provide a hard durable surface that will keep that freshly painted look longer and can be cleaned easily. Also, look for 100 percent acrylic latex paints. When used on siding andtrims, acrylic latex paints will last for many years with little maintenance. Whenpainting metal, Richardson suggests lightly sanding the surface to remove any shininess. The item should then be primed and painted with an oil/alkydbased paint that effectively adheres to the metal. For porch floors, it is important to use a spe- cial “porch & floor” paint. For more painting tips, visit www.glidden.com.
