7 Ways To Dazzle Your Guests

The home is where the heart is, but it isn’t complete without people in it. To infuse soul into your homes, you ought to have it brimming with energy – be it from the family members who live there or the guests that drop by. Maintaining a welcoming home requires you to be creative and innovative. Here are some sure shot tips to help you dazzle your guests.

1. Refreshing aesthetics: 

House interiors always evolve and change, but it isn’t practical that you continuously spend on large-scale renovations and refurbishments. There is nothing wrong with sticking to the same theme, but we have to admit – it doesget boring in the long run.Here’s a little trick to amp up the theme of your living room. Extend your creativity not just to the guest lounge, but to the hall and dining areas as well! Try changing a small element every month and surprise your guests. Wondering how? Start with the basics. Use a bold centerpiece to begin with. Dare to mix and match colours, furniture and decorative pieces.Gradually introduce a mobile garden unit, a display trolley or a book holder – one step at a time.

2. Evoke your feelings with textures:

Has your house ever felt bland and boring? If it has, it’s time to work up a texture-play. Dazzle your guests instantly with minimal effort by working your way through different textures in the living space.You can use a combination of patterns and colours to lift the face of the guest area or add different coloured blinds to your living room – the possibilities are endless! In the next phase, introduce a new element, like a magazine rack or a vintage shelf. Bored of the same old curtains? You can make it interesting by choosing layered fabrics – throw in some textured rugs and sequined cushions to the sofa set and you are done! This textural contrast could look very classy and intriguing at the same time. Just remember to stop as too many textures can be overwhelming on the eyes.

3. Make it pop:

Bright colours radiate happiness and vibrancy.Even if your theme is monochromatic, you can still introduce some colour pop! If you like varied shades, spruce up some magic with a splash of bright or metallic tone. Be sure to plan your colours well and start off with a plain wall. You can even be creative with it – adding a layer of textured paint to the wall every 2-3 months or simply colour one stripe of the wall. Sometimes, placing colour cubes on hollow frames could work too!

4. Let your inner designer flow:

Who says impressing guests with your sparkling home ought to be an expensive affair? You don’t have to spend too much on a fresh look. Monotony is the true enemy. Find DIY tactics online and begin your experimental project!You can add designs to the wall, change wallpapers, create a small indoor garden or simply use those drills and grills to string up some greeting cards with creepers on your wall. Additionally, you could also paint your wheelbarrow or fancy flower pot and place it in your theme corner with potpourri. Simple yet presentable ideas, right?

5. Shine on:

Here’s a zesty approach to sprucing your home:add some zing by incorporating interesting colours and elements that make the space vibrant. Special effects  can be easily created on the walls using metallic colours, pearl tones, and vibrant spray paints. Have fun with colours and be brave to experiment on a bare wall! To woo your guests, add some spark to the drab space. Go big. Go bold. Go metallic.

6.Simply elegant:

While you should be experimental, avoid over-cluttering the colours! To make your life easier, use paints that can withstand dust and can be easily wiped off in case of staining. Simplicity and beauty go hand in hand!

7.Remember the first impressions:

First impressions count – dazzle your guests with new design styles each time they enter your home! Keep it fresh, modern and easy to maintain. Fragrances are an inexpensive way to add allure to your home and it also shows your guests that you care more than just the visual aesthetics! With durable paints, long-lasting wall finishes, and furniture varnishes to keep your house clean and safe, you could also save a lot of effort and money in repairs and replacement. A vibrant home also brings happy smiles and positive attitudes!

Sprucing up a home is no difficult task. Sometimes, it just requires a little creativity and patience. Keep at it and don’t give up! Remember, if you adore your dream home and work towards making it a warm and cosy space, your guests will too.

10 House Painting Rules That Should NEVER Be Broken

Whether you DIY or go with a pro, make sure each step of the process is done right.

Source: Getty Images

No home improvement program revives, protects and beautifies a house as quickly, effectively and affordably as exterior painting. A new coat of paint can completely transform a house, and while painting a house can be a big job, it’s a project that can be completed in a week or two.

If you hire a professional painter, expect to pay from N150000 to N500000 or more, depending on the size and condition of your house. By doing the work yourself, you can save the labor portion of the cost – typically more than half – but it will take some serious effort.
Regardless of whether you hire a pro or you do it yourself, painting your house is something you won’t want to repeat in a few years. With this in mind, here are 10 critical rules that will ease the work and help ensure a beautiful, lasting result.

1. Don’t skimp on materials. Pay for top-quality paint, primer and caulking compound. Top-quality paint lasts longer, and flows and covers better than poor-quality paint. Buy paint that has a lifetime warranty against defects in the finish.

With most house paint, you get what you pay for – the best ingredients are expensive. High-quality exterior paint typically costs from N15000 to N20000 per gallon, up to N35000. Be sure to choose 100 percent acrylic paint.

Top-performing exterior paint brands include Dulux Paint, Plascon Paint costing between N25000 and N35000 per gallon.

Flat finishes, preferred for siding, do a good job of hiding defects and irregularities. Satin and semi-gloss enamels, used for trim, are more durable and easier to wash.

2. Do the necessary preparation. For paint to adhere well, it must be applied to a surface that is clean, dry and not flaking or peeling. Depending on the condition of existing siding and trim, this often means considerable scraping and sanding may be required before you can paint.

Begin by washing the surfaces. You can use a hose and a scrub brush with water and detergent, or a pressure washer. If you use a pressure washer, you must be careful not to drive water deeply into the joints between siding or erode the surface of the wood with the high-pressure water spray.

To remove loose, flaking paint, you’ll need a scraper. Then, for removing tougher paint and smoothing the surface, a 5-inch disc power sander or a random-orbit sander will work well. Start with 60-grit sandpaper and follow-up with 100-grit sandpaper.

The idea isn’t to remove all of the paint, just to remove loose paint and smooth the surface. Use a putty knife and wood filler to fill cracks and holes. Let the filler dry, and then sand these areas again. Brush off all of the dust, caulk the joints, and allow the caulk to dry before applying primer.

3. Beware of lead paint. Though today’s house paints do not contain lead, old paint applied before 1978 is likely to contain lead. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns any home improvement work around lead paint can create a lead dust or chips that can be hazardous to the health of children and adults.

For lead testing and removal, the EPA recommends you contact local lead-safe certified renovation contractors, which can be found through the EPA’s website.

4. Don’t skimp on coats of paint. Begin with a high-quality oil-alkyd primer if you’re painting over bare wood or metal for your base coat. Some painters like to tint the primer toward the final paint color to minimize the need for two finish coats of paint. Others prefer to tint the primer to a contrasting color, which will highlight any spots where the final coats haven’t completely covered.

Apply the first finish coat and, after it becomes tacky, apply a second top coat.

5. Use the right tools. A high-quality brush, roller and, for some houses, an airless sprayer can be rented at most home improvement centers or tool rental outlets. The easiest way to apply primer and paint to textured surfaces is to spray it on with an airless sprayer, and then back-roll it by hand with a roller to ensure adhesion.

If you have never used an airless sprayer, pay close attention to the equipment’s directions and gain a little experience by painting a less-conspicuous side of the house first. Work from a 5-gallon paint bucket and use a paint strainer so paint doesn’t clog the sprayer.

6. Be realistic. Don’t paint your house yourself unless you have the time, tools, skills and stamina to do the work. Depending on the size and height of your house and the condition of the existing siding, preparing and painting a house on your own can be a tedious, difficult job.

7. Wait for temperate weather. Don’t paint on hot days, in the rain, or during windy or dusty weather. Ideal temperatures for painting are between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot weather causes the paint to dry too quickly, as does direct sun. When possible, follow the shade. Temperatures below 50 degrees may prevent the paint from adhering to the surface properly. Dampness or dew can bubble surfaces.

8. Cover everything else. Protect decks, shrubs, gardens, patios and walkways from paint spills and splatters with drop cloths or plastic sheeting. This will save you from big cleanup problems later. If you use an airless paint sprayer, masking and covering will be absolutely imperative – overspray can even coat your neighbors’ cars.

9. Paint using proven techniques. If you’re a painting novice, do your homework. You can find lots of free information on the web, including videos by pros and experts that show specific techniques.

Work from the top down, starting with overhangs so fresh paint won’t drip on newly painted surfaces. Paint the siding, and when that’s dry, tape around windows and doors, and paint the trim. As soon as you’re finished painting the trim, remove painter’s tape or masking tape so it won’t leave a residue. After all of the paint has dried, touch up where paint hasn’t covered fully.

10. If you hire a pro, get bids and references. from at least three painting contractors, and ask them for the names and phone numbers of satisfied customers. Call two or three of those customers or, if possible, visit their homes to inspect the workmanship and confirm the customers’ satisfaction.

5 Steps To Painting Your Dream Home by Oluwaseyi Akinpelu

They say home is where the heart is. If your heart has found its way to a new house, it’s time to set it up in style!

1.Prepare for the dream project:

There is nothing better than getting ready to start working on something you love. Let’s get painting!

To start, clear out all the items in the room. A space makes for a conducive work environment. Gather all your painting tools and put them in a dedicated bucket or basket. Grab some old sheets and pieces of cloth to cover immobile pieces in the room you are going to start painting in. Use masking tapes and tacks to seal them from paint splashes. Simultaneously, gear up emotionally and physically as you embark on a great undertaking.

Getting the colouring tools and equipment ready is the first step to a hassle-free paint job. Picture source: Pixabay

2.Pick the right colour:

Designing a home for anyone is a big deal. It’s something dear to their hearts – be it newly-weds, well-knit families or home-owners who are moving into their dream homes. Before you take the plunge, you ought to understand what kind of paint you really need and what colour will suit the interiors of the home. Is it going to be in sync with your décor, garden, pieces of furniture etc.? Feeling overwhelmed by the overload of decisions you have to make? No worries, we got you covered! Contact KINGSMEN TOUCHES™ for an exclusive and exquisite colour insight. 

There is no shortaged of options for picking the colours you desire. Picture source: Pixabay

3.Let the walls talk:

Get your walls paint-ready Clear out dust or dirt from the walls, keep them clean, use a coat of primer if needed and keep the colour palette in mind so that you start painting in the right order. Always remember that some paints change colour with the application of two coats. Check the right shade and get set for the splash party! If you have to paint, paint in style. Let the walls come to life and do all the talking.

Walls speak to you, not through words, but through colours to tell your story. Picture source:Pixabay

4.Design it right:

It’s not all about the walls and the colours you use. Integrating the elements of your home design in mind, observe the patterns and textures at home. Whether it is a monochromatic affair, heterogeneous motivation or contrasting hues, you must consider the house as a whole unit. Prepare your timelines according to the pattern you want to follow, while keeping all the elements of design, including fixtures and installations in your frame. After that, you are set!

Keeping the other elements of design help in choosing the right scheme. Picture source: Pixabay

5.Seek expert advice:

Feeling lost? You can hire the services of a professional painter or watch some quick video tutorials to learn it yourself! Who knows? You might be a young Picasso at heart. Do a paint test on a small patch to check your skills. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Make a well-informed decision after seeking help and gear up fo Make a well-informed decision after seeking help and gear up for your dream home. Picture source: Pixabay

Dreams can turn into a reality – just include the right activities in the formula mix! It takes both dreams and actions to convert a house into a dream home. Painting is one of the most important critical activities to take aspects that bring life to your walls and home as such. Colours could make or break the sequence, thus give it a good thought and invest in a good colour scheme wisely.