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Frequently Asked Questions About Painting a Room

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Paint can completely transform a room. It is simple enough that you can do it yourself while being cost-effective. However, if you have never painted before now, there are several questions that may concern you. To help, we gathered a few of the most commonly-asked questions to give you a better idea. Here is everything you should know before starting a paint project:

Q: How Much Paint Do I Purchase?

A: A general rule of thumb is one gallon covers 350 square feet. To calculate your wall’s square footage, measure the height and length of each wall. Multiply these numbers together to get your square footage of each wall individual then add all of the numbers together. Remember, some paints will need more than one coat, so a little more is always a safe bet.

Q: Where Do I Start?

A: Typically, you can start by “carving in” the room. This process is done with your paintbrush rather than a paint-roller. You will want to paint all of the areas that will be hard to get to with a roller. These areas can be seams of corners, where the ceiling meets, and at the baseboard. Next, you will choose to paint from the bottom up or vice versa. We recommend painting top to bottom since running paint can be inevitable.

Q: How Do I Remove Wallpaper?

A: Decide if your wallpaper was made to be stripped. If so, take a knife or a scraper and peel back a corner. This feature can make a project much easier, and it comes off in strips. That being said, you may need to use chemicals to help break the wallpaper free. Note that any chemicals used on the walls need to be removed before painting. You can also use a steamer to help break the bond of the adhesive. Typically, this will allow the wallpaper to peel off with ease.

Q: Does the Paintbrush Really Matter?

A: Experts and novice painters alike will agree that a quality paintbrush can make or break a project. In fact, the higher the quality of the brush, the better it will be at holding and releasing paint onto your walls. This feature will help minimize streak marks left behind by the brush. Additionally, you will want to clean the brush appropriately. Do not let the brush sit overnight with excess paint on it.

Q: Do I Need a Primer?

A: If you are using traditional paint (i.e., not a paint-and-primer option) then yes, you will ideally want to use a coat of primer. We recommend primers because of their helpful properties. Primers smooth the texture of a wall while properly sealing it for your paint. In essence, it creates the very foundation of your paint job.

Painting is one of the easiest do-it-yourself projects. It is quite cost-effective and can make an incredible difference in your design. Before you start, make sure you get all your supplies and clear the room of any furniture. Additionally, you may want to get a ladder and tarp the ground as well before starting.

Did you ICC Home features Benjamin Moore products? We are your one-stop-shop for everything design related. Be sure to stop in today for all of your paint needs and let us know if you have any additional painting questions.

Transitioning Your Home as You Age

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Anyone born during the years 1946 to 1964 is considered a Baby Boomer. Baby Boomers make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population. In fact, they got their unique name from the significant amount of them born after World War 2 and the 1960s. And if you do the math, Baby Boomers are currently 56 to 74 years old.

With Baby Boomers being in the retirement age bracket, remodels can be an ideal choice for many of them. In fact, there are several remodeling features that Baby Boomers favor due to their functionality and ease-of-use. Some may even find it to be the perfect time in their lives to transition their homes for their new retirement lifestyle.

To help your home grow with you, ICC Home wants to create a seamless transition for Baby Boomers. This process begins with remodeling various areas of your home. The different areas will need to be focused on safety, functionality, ease-of-use, and efficiency. With all of these factors in mind, ICC Home has put together five remodeling projects for aging in place. Let’s take a look!

Comfortability

As we age, we may have the occasional accidental slip or fall. Much like with children, it can be important to create a soft barrier for any accidental falls. Since the word accidental is operative here, we believe that you can never be too careful. That is why we recommend carpeting for Baby Boomers. It is soft enough to act as a barrier between a fall while being slip-resistant to help prevent the fall in the first place. Plus, you can even incorporate carpet in areas like your kitchen and bathroom through the use of area rugs.

Accessibility

Most seniors will agree that their bathroom‘s accessibility needs assistance. If you are planning on staying in the same home as you age, you can make some customizable updates to your bathroom. These updates will help you move throughout your bathroom with comfort and ease. They can include:

  • Grab Bars Next to Bathtub
  • Comfort-Height Toilets
  • Walk-in Bathtubs
  • Curbless Shower Systems
  • Additional Lighting

Mobility

If mobility is your issue, you will want to take a look at the flooring in your bathroom. In general, the bathroom can be a hazardous area for accidental falls. While carpet cannot be installed in bathrooms, you can incorporate slip-resistant tiles. These tiles help give you more traction on your floors. Plus, you can incorporate area rugs throughout your design for additional comfort.

Practicality

While the kitchen may not be the first place to come to mind, it is important to transition your kitchen as you age. There are simple upgrades that you can make that will make life a little easier. These upgrades include:

  • Shallow Sink Basins
  • A Microwave at Countertop Height
  • Increasing Your Amount of Drawers
  • Eliminating Barriers and Trip Hazards
  • Installing Slip-Resistant Tiles

Affordability

If you are looking for a slip-resistant floor for your kitchen and bathroom and do not want to go the ceramic tile/natural stone route, luxury vinyl can be an excellent option. It provides a slip-resistant, water-resistant, and durable surface that is perfect for bathrooms and kitchens alike. Plus, you can get the authentic look of hardwood or tile for a great price.

Like we previously mentioned, at ICC Home, we want to help you transition your space as you age. Be sure to visit our showroom to view our beautiful room scenes and talk to one of our sales representatives about your needs. We look forward to working with you!

Take a Good Look (Design Exercise)

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Today, we wanted to feature a design exercise. This exercise will help you better understand your design needs and goals. To start, we want you to choose a room that you love and a room that you dislike in your house. The size of the room does not matter, so in essence, you could choose a laundry room and kitchen, and it would work perfectly fine.

Once you choose your two rooms, we will begin with the room that you love. In this particular space, you will want to look closely at the design elements and architectural features. What do you love about this space? Perhaps, you love the color scheme or maybe its the lighting provided by the windows. Make a mental note of everything that brings you joy in the space, and features that you are proud to own.

After you complete the room that you love, you will want to transition over to the room that you dislike. If you cannot figure out what you dislike about it, homeowners may find it helpful to look at these key areas:

  • Flooring
  • Cabinetry
  • Countertops
  • Wall Color
  • Furnishings
  • Lighting
  • Layout
  • Spaciousness
  • Flow
  • Decorations

These areas can help determine the overall aesthetic of your space; therefore, they may cause you to hate this room. If you feel like one element is weighing down the space, you will want to make note of it. However, if you cannot seem to pinpoint the exact flawed area, it may be best to work backward and think, “what do I wish this space look liked.”

While thinking about what you wish the room looked like, you may begin to change elements of the design in your head. For instance, your flooring may be a dark hardwood; however, in your imagination, you have light and airy floors. Or perhaps, your room feels condense, so maybe you realize that there is too much furniture. Whatever it may be, you will want to take into consideration how those specific elements have effected the overall design.

At the end of the exercise, you may come to the conclusion that you want to borrow design elements from the room that you love. Fortunately, at ICC Home, design dreams can become a reality with our expert staff, wide range of products, and efficient store layout. In fact, if you had trouble pinpointing your design disappointments, you do not need to worry. One of our expert sales associates would love to assist you. We can help you create the space of your dreams (literally).

Solid Hardwood Flooring Pros & Cons

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Hardwood is a timeless flooring option that can increase your home’s value. Many people love the authentic look and styling hardwood has to offer. Even flooring options like tile and luxury vinyl planking mimic this highly-sought-after flooring. If you are considering authentic solid hardwood in your home, there are several things you should consider. While every floor comes with its own set of benefits or drawbacks, hardwood is a beautiful flooring option. To help you determine if it is right for you, here is everything you need to know about solid hardwood floors:

Pro – Durability

Hardwood is timeless and for a good reason. This flooring option is not only beautiful but extremely durable. While it can scratch and gouge, typical foot traffic will not damage this flooring.

Con – Costly

Hardwood flooring is a highly-desired flooring. Being made from trees, there is a process in which each plank must go through to be created. This process can make hardwood a pricey option. Therefore, if you are looking for the most cost-effective option, solid hardwood flooring will not be the best choice. Instead, you may want to consider looking into engineered hardwood.

Pro- Increases Market Value

Though the initial investment is expensive, there is still a significant return-on-investment with hardwood floors. In fact, solid hardwood flooring is a home improvement investment that can increase your home’s market value!

Con – Scratching

Hardwood floor is durable, but not indestructible. Moving heavy furniture or animal claws may scratch the floor. Be educated in the type of wood that is used. Some woods like pine can be softer than a hardwood like hickory.

Pro – Can Be Refinished

Hardwood can scratch and scuff over time. Fortunately, your floors can be sanded and refinished over and over. Solid hardwood can be refinished several more times than engineered floors, making it look brand new.

Con – Cannot Be Installed in Every Environment

Hardwood is wood and can expand and contract. Water can be a significant variable on how the floor responds to where it is installed. This factor can also be due to the humidity in the air or moisture coming up from the subfloor. If your floor is glued, it may be able to be installed over concrete. However, you need to test for dryness and perhaps install a moisture barrier. Hardwood is truly limited to the application and environments in which it can be installed.

In essence, you will want to learn what wood is used in your hardwood flooring. Each wood has its own set of benefits. Some woods are less or more susceptible to staining or damage. Hardwood is a great option, nevertheless, and will look great in any home. For more information on ICC Home‘s hardwood selection, you can view our online catalog here.

New Year, New Design Goals

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With the New Year, it is time to set some goals for your design. And while the New Year does not mean you need to revamp your design completely, it is time to start taking proactive steps in your home’s design. Educating yourself on design tips and tricks to use in your home can only go as far as you allow it. So, you will need to start by setting goals. For instance, do you have a room that does not have the most functional layout? Or, do you have a space that feels like you have not designed it? Perhaps, you have been talking about remodeling your kitchen, yet never got to the task. Well, this year is going to be different. We are going to set achievable and obtainable goals to help our design theme reach the next level, and here is how:

Types of Goals

Before you can make a goal, you need to understand the three types of goals. You can have long-term, medium-term, and short-term goals. 

  • A long-term goal may be something like a kitchen remodel or an addition to your home. It can take a significant investment, incorporate many mini-projects, or consist of a long period of time to complete. 
  • A medium-term goal may be redesigning your master bedroom’s theme. Perhaps, you need to invest in a new bed frame, mattress, furniture, and bedding. You may be able to complete this within a week. 
  • A short-term goal is almost just daily maintenance. Doing your dishes or cleaning up after yourself.

SMART Goals

Now, it is time to create your goal with a plan. The SMART acronym is designed to help you easily obtain your goal with structure. Some refer to this method as the oars and rudder. Your goal is your oars to your boat. The plan of how you are going to carry out this goal is your rudder. Without the rudder directing your boat, you are meaninglessly paddling and will not reach your destination.

Specific

Make your goal specific. Having a goal like “remodel my kitchen” is not very specific. A goal that says, “I want to have new cabinets, countertops, and flooring in my kitchen by May 1, 2020.” This goal has specific actions and deadlines.

Measurable

A good goal is trackable. Make sure you can measure the progress of your goal. If your goal is to have your home’s flooring all redone, you can measure this goal by how many rooms you complete. If you have three out of four bedrooms’ flooring redone, you are 75% of the way complete.

Attainable

Make sure your goal is obtainable for you. If remodeling a bathroom is not in the near future budget, do not set this as a goal. Setting an unattainable goal can set you up for failure.

Realistic

Likewise, you do not want to make an unrealistic goal. If your home has zoning laws or limited property, do not set a goal to add to your home. This goal . is not realistic because your home cannot have this addition feasibly.

Time-Bound

Lastly, set time boundaries. You can use short-term and medium-term goals to help you obtain your long-term goals. If you are looking to finish your basement, setting aside a budget from each paycheck can be your short-term goal, while each project in and of itself could be a medium-term goal. Perhaps one month, you put up drywall and paint it. The following month you add flooring. These medium-goals can help move you along to the grand scheme plan, so make sure to set dates.

Setting these goals can help you obtain and achieve them. What are some of your design goals? Let us know below in the comment section. Remember, they can be all different sizes. Sometimes, stacking goals can actually make you stay more focused, so try not to overwhelm yourself.

How to Host the Holidays

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At first, the idea of hosting the holidays can be overwhelming, especially if it is your first year hosting guests. With family and friends traveling from all over for this one occasion, we are sure that you, like anyone, want it to be perfect. To help you become the perfect host/hostess this holiday season, we wanted to focus on five helpful tips. These are tips and tricks that we have learned ourselves over the past couple of years and wanted to share with you. Let’s take a look!

Game-Set-Match

We know it seems tedious, but you should start preparation by writing down your game plan for the holidays. This list can contain who is coming, when they are coming and from where (i.e., airport pickups), how many days each person is staying, meals ideas including dietary restrictions, holiday activities you would like to do as a group, bedroom assignments, a cleaning list, etc. Trust us; although it may seem like the last thing you want to do when you feel overwhelmed, taking a moment to write it all down can help clarify the upcoming days.

Supermarket Sweep

Another great tip that we have picked up over the past couple of years is to never grocery shop the day before the holiday (i.e., Christmas Eve). We say this because that is when everyone decides to go shopping. However, if you have the ability to go grocery shopping two or three days before the holiday, you will find it a little less chaotic than the day before the holiday.

Cleaning Machine

Some might argue that the most dreaded part about hosting the holidays is cleaning your home. While it is not everyone’s preferred pastime, you can make it less stressful the day before everyone arrives by tackling cleaning projects leading up to their arrival. Since every household is different, you will want to write down a list of areas that you can clean and will stay clean before your guests come. Whether it is cleaning the guest bathroom and marking it off-limits until their arrival or deep-cleaning the finished basement, you will want to tackle feasible areas for your lifestyle.

A Little Prep Never Hurt Anyone

Since you had the ability to clean a little beforehand and perhaps already grocery shopped, next, you will want to meal prep what you can for the big day. In fact, the day before your holiday festivities can be an excellent time to prepare anything that is able to be refrigerated and kept overnight. First, take a look at the list that you previously wrote and look at the meals that can be prepped the night before your festivities. Try to prep whatever meals you can in advance to give you more time with your family on the actual holiday.

Help, Please

Lastly, being the host/hostess does not mean that you are inclined to never ask for help. In fact, since you are hosting your entire family, they may be more willing to help than you realize. If you are feeling overwhelmed, try to ask for help whenever possible. We understand that it can be awkward, especially if you are a do-it-yourself kind of person. But in the end, this holiday is about coming together and celebrating; therefore, you may be surprised by their reaction when you just ask. Even one person helping you can make a world of difference during the holidays.

If you have hosted before, what are some tips and tricks that you have learned over the years? We would love for you to share your advice with other reads below in the comment section.