COLORS

Image:  Tomas Espinoza on HGTV

This year, all those buttoned-up gray/white/black combos so beloved by house flippers are taking a backseat to color. There’s no one hue at the top of the heap—we’ve seen everything from calm coastal shades to vibrant vintage vibes to deep moody hues. And by color, we don’t just mean paint on the walls; check out those beautiful glazed tiles in the image above, from the guest bathroom in HGTV’s Smart Home 2024.

PATTERNS

Image: Little Greene on RealHomes.com

Wild wallpapers, mosaic tiles, deeply veined marble and patterned floors are all showing up in designer bathrooms—even on some ceilings. And why not? The most personal of spaces, a bathroom is a place you can let your inner decorator go a little wild. Or maybe a lot wild. Your call.

CURVES

Image: KBB Focus

Sinks and tubs have come in circular and oval shapes for generations, but rounded edges on counters, arched entrances, and mirrors with arched tops or rounded corners, etc. are popping up in bathrooms everywhere. Curves are naturally more relaxing than sharp, pointy edges so why not make your surroundings as soothing as possible?

NATURAL MATERIALS

Image:  Decorilla

Last month we talked about bringing the outdoors into your home office and the back-to-nature trend doesn’t stop there. Organic materials, wood tones, natural stone and plants are a big part of current bathroom designs. It does make sense to surround yourself with nature when going au naturel, right?

PLASTER WALLS

Image:  Studio 1 Plaster

Say your dream bath is in… Tuscany, or somewhere equally romantic. Plaster walls will give you that dreamy old-world vibe. On the other hand, if you’re a modern minimalist, smooth plaster walls may be just what you need. Venetian plaster and limewash are both beautiful and potential DIY projects. Pro tip:  Talk to us before you decide to tackle it yourself.

You can’t avoid your bathroom; sooner or later, you’re going to have to spend time in there. So why not make it as nice as it can possibly be? Let us know if we can help turn your tired bathroom into the spa of your dreams.

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1. ADD COLOR TO YOUR CABINETS

Image:  PWD Lighting

If you always sigh in envy at the cabinet color combinations you see in magazines, this is the perfect place to try one out before committing to an entire kitchen. It’s also a good place to go a little wild and add a punch of your favorite color. Then when you’re faced with a mountain of dirty clothes, the happy cabinets will give you something to smile about.

2. ADD DRYING RACKS

Image:  Jennifer Allwood Home

Remember what your mom used to say:  if you hang up those clothes as soon as they’re dry (or as soon as they come out of the washer, depending on the item) you won’t need to iron them. But what if you don’t have enough—or any—hanging space?

You can mount drying racks to the wall that fold up when you don’t need them, or follow Jennifer Wood’s lead and hang an old ladder from the ceiling. The beauty of using a ladder, Jennifer says, is, “By using a ladder, we now have two ways to hang our clothes, sideways or up & down.” Find out how she did it here.

3. WAKE UP YOUR WALLS

Image:  Etsy

If colorful cabinets aren’t your thing—or even if they are—the laundry room is also a great opportunity to go bold on the walls. Paint them a cheerful color, add stripes or designs or an ombre effect…how about a fun wallpaper? Most laundry rooms are fairly small, so you won’t have to buy that much and the stick on kind makes installation easy. Well, easy for wallpaper, anyway.  

4. MAKE STORAGE PRETTY

Image:  The Idea Room

Elevate the laundry experience with elegant storage solutions. Decant detergent into a glass container, tuck your dryer sheets into a tissue box cover, or set up baskets to keep the necessaries conveniently located but looking good. Don’t forget to add something that can serve as a lint bin. You can find cute magnetic ones that can stick to your dryer, but almost any pretty container will do.

5. HIDE IT IN PLAIN SIGHT

Image:  Heather Bullard

If your washer and dryer are out in the open or in a closet, you might take a cue from Heather Bullard and hide the appliances with cute curtains. Not only is it more attractive when the curtains are closed, the shelf on top makes this space available for more than just laundry duty. It could serve as a bar at a party or a place to display things you love but haven’t found the just right place for…yet.

6. SHELVE IT

Image:  @psdstudio on Steel Lighting

Add wall shelves to store supplies and décor. Depending on how much space is available next to or between your washer/dryer, you might also be able to squeeze a small shelf, a rolling cart with pull-out drawers, or even an old bookshelf to help with storage.

7. MAKE SPACE

Image:  This Old House

If you need more storage—and who doesn’t? —take a cue from the tiny home movement and use every bit of available space. Raising your washer and dryer with a riser (from a kit or DIY) will not only make them more comfortable to use, it adds room for pull-out storage underneath. You can also add magnetic baskets or hooks to your washer or dryer to corral items. Imagine the possibilities!

8. DON’T FORGET THE FLOOR

Image:  Armstrong Flooring

Depending on where your laundry room is located, the floor may be consistent with the rest of the house. But if not, consider adding interest with new flooring. It doesn’t have to be expensive—the one pictured is a vinyl sheet. (Bet you thought it was tile; we did, too, at first glance.) If the floor is fine as is, adding a pretty rug will not only make your floor look better, it’ll feel better underfoot the next time you’re tossing a load of stinky clothes into the wash. That’s worth something, right?

Whatever you decide to do (or not do) with your laundry room, may your clothes never shrink, your colors never run, and all your stains come out. Have a great day!

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TRANSFORM A CEILING

Image: Elle Décor

European castles and stately homes have beautiful ceilings. Why shouldn’t you? You’ll need a smooth surface to start with, so if your ceiling is textured or ‘popcorned’ that will need to be addressed. Fortunately, we know just the folks who can fix it…us! Request a consultation and you’ll have Insta-worthy ceilings before you know it.

CUSTOMIZE SHELVES

Image: DécorPad

Even a bookshelf you put together yourself from a box can look like a million bucks when you dress up the back with a beautiful pattern. Hint: If you are using an assemble-it-yourself piece of furniture, apply the wallpaper to the inside back before you put it all together. That way you can do the whole thing in one big sheet and save yourself a lot of fiddly measuring, cutting and sticking.

CREATE A HEADBOARD

Image:  Hannah’s Treasures Vintage Wallpaper Blog

This budget-friendly project doesn’t use much wallpaper and is easy enough for beginners. You can apply your wallpaper headboard directly to the wall, but if you’re one of those people who likes to rearrange the furniture on a regular basis, you might opt to stick it on a piece of plywood for easier move-ability.

MAKE ART

Image:  Laurel Home

An easy-peasy way to make a big impact. Just pick a wallpaper and a frame and put the one inside the other. Bonus: it doesn’t take much wallpaper to do this project, which keeps costs down, and it’s easy to change with your style or mood.

REIMAGINE FURNITURE

Image:  The Homes I Have Made

Maybe you need a new item of furniture…or maybe that tired piece in the corner just needs a refresh. Wallpaper can do more than jazz up the back of a bookshelf. Check out this post from The Homes I Have Made for ideas and advice on how to use peel and stick wallpaper to breathe new life into your existing furniture.

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If “wallpaper” makes you think of your granny’s 70’s plaid kitchen or those maroon and forest green swag borders that were all the rage in the 90’s, think again. Modern wallpapers are created for a modern aesthetic. Here are a few of the styles we’ve seen designers using this year that will help you to. . .

CREATE YOUR OWN VIEW

Image:  Wallmur.com

If you want to live in a jungle, outer space, on a private island—or just about anywhere else you can think of—you can! Through the magic of murals you can turn any wall into the view of your dreams.

MAKE IT METALLIC

Image:  Graham & Brown

Metallic wallpaper adds a touch of glamour to any room—and when that shimmer catches the light, it will reflect beautifully on you. There’s a pattern to suit every design style from the historic arts and crafts style pictured here to art deco and uber-modern. Silver, gold, bronze…which color will you choose?

GO BOTANICAL

Image:  Wowza Wallpaper

Bringing the outdoors in is a trend that never goes out of style, but how you do it reflects your own personal style. From big graphic prints to teeny-tiny florals, dramatic darks to palest pastels, there’s bound to be a botanic print out there with your name on it.

TRY TEXTURE

Image: Wayfair 

Maybe a strong statement is not for you. Something a little softer—but arguably just as interesting—is a textured wallpaper. Not only do you get the tactile pleasure of running your fingers along it, even a neutral color can be compelling when it’s not flat (or even satin or semi-gloss).

GET QUIRKY

Image:  Burke Decor

Looking for something out of this world? It’s out there. Or maybe you just want something out of the ordinary, like Benjamin Franklin blowing chewing gum bubbles? (Friendly warning: once you see that image, it’s hard to get it out of your head.) The point is, whatever you’re into it’s almost a given that somebody somewhere has designed a wallpaper that pays homage to your thing. If not, it’s surprisingly easy to have custom wallpaper designed just for you.

There are so many more wallpaper options out there and we haven’t begun to talk about where you might apply it. (Hint:  just because it’s called wallpaper doesn’t mean it only goes on walls.) Maybe we’ll share that in a future post. Until then, have fun browsing the multitude of options and picturing them in your home.

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UPDATE YOUR WALLS

Depending on how much wall space you have in your bathroom, this might make the biggest impact. We hear wallpaper is making a comeback, so if you want pattern that’s always an option. Apartment therapy suggests choosing a vinyl wallpaper to help resist moisture. (If you already have wallpaper and don’t want it anymore, we can remove it for you.)

Or you can keep it simple with a fresh coat of paint in a new color. Then all you have to do is pick a color and decide between moisture-repellent paint or mold- and mildew-resistant paint or… did we say simple? It is if you let us help you find the perfect paint. Request a consultation and let’s talk about it.

REFRESH THE VANITY

While a new vanity—or one of those new/old vanities crafted from a piece of furniture—is a great upgrade, you can get a lot of bang for your buck with a couple coats of paint on your existing cabinets. That’s much less expensive than a replacement and you can do it yourself over a weekend or two or we can do it for you in even less time. Thinking of tackling it yourself? See how Carrie did it over at Lovely Etc.

PUT SOME JEWELRY ON THOSE DOORS

If your cabinets don’t have knobs or handles, you’ll be amazed at the difference adding them will make. If you do have handles, but they’re a little tired—or you’re just tired of looking at them—consider replacing them with something new and shiny. Or new and matte. Whatever suits your style.

SPLURGE ON NEW FAUCETS

Faucets are a great investment since they’re something you’ll see and use all the time There are an almost infinite number of options these days, from finishes to styles to fancy features like touch free. Check out this helpful article from HGTV for advice on how to pick the right one for you.

CONTAIN COUNTERTOP CLUTTER

Maybe all you need is to reorganize and redecorate your countertops. Give your toothbrush a pretty place to rest, invest in a few attractive containers or shop your house to see what you can repurpose, add a tray or a candle, maybe some new hand towels…

Happy redecorating!

The post BATHROOM RE-DO: SMALL CHANGES, BIG IMPACT appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

1. Incorporate Texture

We’ve mentioned before, but we love a good pairing of color and texture. For example, this deep green hue and vertical panels are match made in heaven!

2. Be Matchy-Matchy

If you’re not sure where to start with an accent wall, gather some inspiration by looking around the room! Try coordinating with a piece of art, your favorite piece of furniture, or even a throw blanket or a pillow on your couch.

3. Bring Back Wallpaper

If you’re a little apprehensive when it comes to wallpaper, you’re not alone! Tacky wallpaper was a staple of the 80s and 90s, but we’re here to let you know that it’s safe to get back in the water!

Wallpaper can be an incredible way to create an accent wall—just avoid overly busy patterns and find one that feels like a classic that you’ll love for years to come!

4. Embrace Nature

Sure, the reclaimed wood has been a little overdone thanks to Chip and Joanna Gaines. But incorporating wood textures or panels can be a wonderful way to bring some dimension to a room with lots of white space.

So there you have it! We hope you’ve gained a fresh appreciation for accent walls and the character they can add to your home.

Are you in Middle Tennessee and need a free quote for your next home improvement project? Contact our ProTek Painting Services team!

The post How to Perfect the Art of the Accent Wall appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

Looking for professional help with your wallpaper removal job? If you’re in MIddle Tennessee, our Protek Professional Painting Services team would love to help! Reach out to us right here.

Always do wallpaper removal before painting

Whenever possible, you should always try to completely remove your wallpaper before painting your space. This will give you smoother, more professional-looking results that last for longer. Wallpaper under the paint can cause it to bubble and detach from the wall. Wallpaper that has been painted over is also extremely hard to remove later on. Even if there are a lot of layers of wallpaper or you’re facing a generally tough job, it will always be worth it to remove the wallpaper completely first.

Test your wallpaper

If you’ve spent any time researching beforehand, you’ll know there are a handful of different methods for removing wallpaper. To test the initial ease of your wallpaper removal, we recommend using a great utility knife to pry the paper up in an area that’s not easily noticeable. Can you pull the paper down the surface of the wall? This is great news! You most likely will not have to soak, steam or dry-strip the walls. If you have a tough time pulling the paper off by hand, you’ll want to look into soaking, steaming or dry-stripping instead. 

Know your walls

So your wallpaper isn’t budging by hand. How do you know which method to try next? First, find out if your walls are plaster or drywall. Homes that are 50+ years old typically have plaster walls, while newer homes use drywall. Drywall is much more delicate, so keep in mind that you won’t want to soak or steam-strip it and you’ll need to consider other options. 

Make sure you have the correct tools for the job

With the right tools, a wallpaper removal job can be relatively easy, even though it is time-consuming. Once you know if your wallpaper is easily peelable and if you have plaster or drywall, you can choose the best tools to get the job done right the first time. If your wallpaper can be stripped, all you’ll need is a great utility or putty knife and your hands! If you have plaster walls and decided to use a soaking method, grab a liquid stripper concentrate from your local home improvement store and a large brush or sprayer. You can find more in-depth instructions for this method right here. For a steam removal, you’ll need a steamer, scoring tool, gloves, and goggles. You’ll also want some extra help from a friend. You can find more instructions on this method here. 

Hit a dead end? Don’t be afraid to reach out to the experts.

Sometimes in the wallpaper removal process, you may encounter damage or unexpected complications. In those cases, it’s always best to reach out to a professional for help before moving forward. Our ProTek team is licensed and insured and has expansive experience with the wallpaper removal process. If you’re in Middle Tennessee, specifically Williamson or Davidson County, we’d love to help you with your job!

Fill out a contact form right here and we’ll have a member of our team get back with you as soon as possible. 

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