Note :The article below describes a variety of fun outdoor painting projects that can successfully be done indoors by anyone. For more information, please contact Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert for the Paint Quality
Institute, by reply email or by calling 215-962-5551. Thank you.
Submitted by Debbie Zimmer
of Paint Quality Institute
of
Spring House, Pa — Even when the weather’s too hot for exterior painting,
you can still do some “outdoor” painting indoors, suggests Debbie Zimmer,
design expert with the Paint Quality Institute.
“Just focus on fun items like birdhouses, mailboxes, and planters that can
be colorfully painted in the comfort of your home, then moved outside later
on,” she says.
The most straightforward approach is to give these “satellite” items the
same color treatment as your home’s exterior. If your house is painted
green and beige, for example, you can use the same color scheme on your
outdoor elements to create a totally coordinated look.
But if your taste trends more toward tutti-frutti and less to plain vanilla,
you can have even more fun painting these items. They all take on even
greater personality when given more whimsical treatment, the quirkier the
better.
Take a birdhouse, for example. Why shouldn’t your fine-feathered friends
have a look all their own? And why not in showy colors as vibrant as their
plumage? You can use paint to celebrate their presence with bright colors
and interesting patterns that mirror their own natural beauty.
Focused instead on your mailbox? Then adopt a color scheme that sets yours
apart from the crowd. If you’re patriotic, why not add some stars and
stripes? If you like gardening, paint some colorful blooms on your box.
Like sports? Why not embellish your mailbox with your favorite team’s
colors?
Planters, too, can benefit from creative treatment. Choose paint color that
enhances the flowers or foliage they house. For extra pizzazz, embellish
your planters with appealing patterns and designs.
Every one of these items takes on even more panache when imaginatively
constructed. If you’re handy with a hammer, why not build a birdhouse,
mailbox, or planter that resembles the house you live in? Or, create a
custom piece appropriate to your locale, or one that reflects a personal
passion, hobby, or interest.
Whatever form your outdoor items take, you’ll want to protect all your
handiwork with the most weather-resistant exterior paint. According to
Zimmer, that typically means using a top quality coating made with 100%
acrylic.
“Paints and coatings made with 100% acrylic are extremely durable,
fade-resistant, and flexible enough to expand and contract in extreme
temperatures,” she says. “As a result, they can protect outdoor creations
from the elements for many years to come.”
Once you complete your colorful craft items and place them out of doors, you
can be sure they’ll bring a smile to the faces of all who see them. And,
since they’ll be a great reflection of your own creative talent, one of the
biggest of those smiles will be yours!
To learn more about creative exterior painting, visit the Paint Quality
Institute website at paintquality.com, or go to blog.paintquality.com.