Earlier this week, we posted an article featuring expert tips on selecting colors for an interior painting project. One tip suggested utilizing tools like the monochromatic color scheme, as well as a color wheel for locating complementary hues. To learn about these in greater detail, watch this informative video by Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Yefim Skomorovsky of Classic Shades Painting Co.

To learn more from local top rated companies, visit our Diamond Certified Expert Reports at experts.diamondcertified.info. Read more

As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, I’ve been busy having three bedrooms and a bathroom painted, which forced me to clean out my closets. The project was time-consuming, but I’m happy to say I didn’t spend a lot of money. It made our home more aesthetically pleasing and I’m looking forward to having houseguests again.

That got me thinking about other little things my husband and I could do to spruce things up that wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Read more

I’ve been tidying up my house since mid-January. To be truthful, I didn’t intentionally set out to declutter and reorganize my home. Instead, it was a byproduct of my latest home improvement project. After nine years, it was time to re-paint a bathroom, three bedrooms and all the closets in my house. Every organizer will tell you to completely empty your closets and then edit the things you’re going to put back into them. So, that’s how my tidying got started. Now, I’m continuing to tackle other rooms and even our garage. I’m on a roll!

Popular organizing books suggest only keeping things that you truly love and giving or throwing away everything else. Read more

Overview
Founded in 1884, Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) is a national trade association dedicated to promoting high standards of excellence in the painting and decorating industry. Today, with more than 2,000 members throughout North America, PDCA continues to benefit contractors and consumers alike by endorsing professional ethics and education.

Industry standards
PDCA established its Industry Standards to protect contractors and consumers by defining proper procedures and workmanship expectations. The PDCA Industry Standards also serve as a time-saving resource for contractors when it comes to composing work bids and contracts. Read more

There were a lot of great Diamond Certified Tips in 2014, but the following six are particularly noteworthy for the practical information they provide for Bay Area consumers. Visit www.facebook.com/diamondcertified for many more helpful tips in 2015!

1. Window maintenance
If your property has hard water, be sure to aim lawn sprinklers away from your home’s windows. Over time, the constant barrage of hard water can cause windows to become permanently stained, requiring special chemicals for removal. As a proactive measure, routinely treat your windows with a silicone sealant—it’ll repel rain and other sources of water.

2. House painting
When choosing exterior house paint, avoid excessive use of dark colors—they’re more susceptible to fading, Read more

When planning to repaint a room, it’s easy to get preoccupied with choosing wall and trim colors. However, there’s one wall that many people neglect to address altogether: the ceiling (also known as the “fifth wall”). Even though its role in a room’s aesthetics is somewhat subtle, a ceiling’s function is nonetheless crucial; in some cases, it may constitute the difference between a good-looking room and a great-looking one. Read more

Sometimes when an auto body shop fixes a damaged car, the color of the newly painted bumper may not appear to perfectly match the color of the body. Considering the complex nature of paint matching, there are a few possible explanations that may account for this:

• The character of paint often differs between metal and plastic surfaces due to dissimilar rates of evaporation during the drying process.

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