There are many ways to choose an interior paint scheme, there is no right or wrong way to do it, but CertaPro offers tips to help point you in the right direction.

A good way to go about choosing a color scheme is to find out what inspires you or what steals your attention. There are many ways to find out the things that pique your curiosity and inspire you, these items or objects can be anything from furniture, and art pieces to rugs, books, and bookcases. Once you have put together a collection of the items or objects that inspire you look for a consistent theme, whether that theme is a color or a style depends on your taste.

After you have an idea about your style you can decide if your color schemes favor a cool and relaxing scheme that promotes moods of relaxation and tranquillity, or a scheme that conveys warm and enticing feelings. After you have adopted your style you can select a general palette that will help you decide on some of your expensive purchases like countertops, flooring, and cabinetry. These items can always be customized to fit your style perfectly with the use of fabrics and different paint colors. After you have the main design influences in your space it is time to add accents and features that will exemplify your unique style and show your individuality. Drapes, upholstery, rugs, and pillows can easily be changed every few years to keep your home fresh.

The final, and often most dramatic design touch for interior color schemes is the paint color that you choose. CertaPro recommends this step last because your style will already be portrayed in the furniture, flooring, and accessories you chose, it will be much easier to draw a color scheme from these objects than it would be from an empty room. With your floor plan laid out in front of you, simply compare your color choices until you find what works best with your style.

Many customers share the CertaPro Painters love of paint and take on projects to satisfy their creative side. Faux painting or finishing is one popular, and often spectacular, way of enjoying paint and all it can do.

Faux techniques cover an impressive spectrum of decorative painting. Taking its name from the French word faux, meaning false, this style of painting has been around for thousands of years but gained popularity in classical Greece. Apprentices were mentored for ten years or more, learning how to create faux marble, faux wood and the realistic style of mural painting that would become known as trompe l’oeil.

Today, fans of the faux style are creating their own decorative finishes on walls, floors and furniture. The technique is especially effective on walls, to which it adds considerable depth and personality. In appreciation of the beauty of faux, CertraPro Painters some tips on the technique.

• Quality drywall is essential for successful faux painting, so you may need to repair and patch here and there. After washing the wall, spackle any holes or cracks and then apply primer to these areas.
• Though you may be tempted to use that masking tape in the garage, be sure to use actual painter’s tape. This blue tape is easy to remove from just about any surface without doing damage. Once you’ve got the tape laid down on your surface, inspect it to make sure it is flat and has completely adhered so paint won’t bleed into the areas you meant to protect.
• As always, CertaPro Painters recommends using only quality paint and materials. The possible extra expense is well worth it.
• Wash loose fibers off of new paint rollers before you use them. Also, use a pole extension with your roller so you can reach ceilings and other high areas.
• When you’ve finished painting, avoid pulling paint off with your tape by first using a utility knife along the edge of the paint and tape.

And the most important tip of all? Have fun creating your own faux masterpiece.

Franchise companies have added over 1.2 million jobs since the recession began in 2001. Between 2010 and 2011 nearly 18,000 franchises were purchased, signifying how successful franchisees continue to be, even in a fluctuating economy.

CertaPro Painters Franchise is a member of the largest franchise system in the world, the Franchise Company System. This company owns many of the largest franchises in the U.S., and for the past six years CertaPro Franchise has been ranked in the top 100 of Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 for Fastest-Growing Franchises and Top Home-Based Franchises. There are many reasons that point to the success of CertaPro and the franchise market in general, but most franchise owners will tell you that success is directly related to the fact that customers are already aware of the brand and trust has already been established.

CertaPro representatives are accessible by telephone to assist all franchise owners with any problems or difficulties that may arise. CertaPro’s goal is to make sure that every franchisee is in a position to be successful as soon as possible; their time-tested training system is a testament to that as well.

Even in a difficult economy CertaPro franchises continue to grow. Not all franchises experience the type of success that many of the CertaPro franchises have garnered. This can be attributed to the fact that many franchises in the personal service industry continually need to be used. Painting needs to be done year after year and once someone has discovered a trusty painting company then they tend to show their loyalty and even refer that painting company to friends or colleagues.

There are three great reasons to buy a CertaPro franchise, you have complete control of the business affairs, the CertaPro system has proven to be profitable, and success has been seen with many of the already established franchisees.

The purpose of the CertaPro franchise system is to allow people to build their own successful business and take control of their financial future with the help of a trusted and nationally recognized brand.

About CertaPro Painters: CertaPro Painters, the largest North American residential painting company, was founded in 1991. Specializing in servicing both high-end residential and commercial customers, its success is based on exceeding customer expectations by delivering certainty at every juncture of a painting job from start to finish. CertaPro Painters now operates across America and internationally. For further information, contact 1-800-462-3782 or visit http://www.certapro.com.

Imagine a world without color. If, like man’s best friend, all you saw was in shades of black and white, what a terribly boring world it would be. The sun would appear like a gray ball in a lighter gray sky, the rolling ocean, white caps on gray water, and that new furniture in your living room you so painstakingly shopped for to compliment that particular shade of green in your carpet is now just as gray as the walls, ceiling and the world outside your picture window.

Now close your eyes and think about the world we live in. Picture the purple hues in the valley as the sun sets over the mountain tops, the frothy greens of waving fields of Midwestern corn, or the bright, sunny yellow as light pours into your baby’s nursery. Rich, vibrant, saturated colors inspiring the kind of emotion that can add joy to our lives, calm us after a touchy day at the office and even help us fall in love.

In its simplest form, according to CertaPro Painters, color basics is how one color compliments or contrasts another. Through our use of color, we show how we feel about the world around us, and that includes the colors we choose to paint our homes.

Most of us don’t think about emotion when it comes to color, CertaPro studies show, but it’s there. Yellow is cheerful, orange is luscious, red is vibrant, blue is calming, green is serene and purple is majestic. Deep tones can make a dynamic statement, delicate pastels such as pinks and blues are non-threatening, even caressing. Earth tones such as beige and brown are sophisticated yet restful.

Use the CertaPro Painters color wheel to zero in on prospective paint colors as you start the selection process, taking into consideration the different colors of fabrics in the room—colors you might want to pull out to compliment the sunny color of your couch.

When it comes to color, choose whatever inspires you and you won’t go wrong.

As the seasons change and the calendar winds down, in many areas of North America, it is not a time to get the outside of your house painted. The colder weather usually is not conducive to paint drying, and can actually damage the quality of your project. And with snow and rain coming down, it would be difficult to really paint the exterior of your house. But what about the inside of your house?

December is a month where typically people travel to their family and friends’ homes to celebrate the holidays. Whether it involves sipping hot chocolate while opening presents next to the Christmas tree, or gathering around the television to watch football, December is a month where people convene in homes for good times.

Have you not had a large amount of visitors in your house but are now expecting some this holiday season? Have you started looking at all of the nuances in your home to find all of its deficiencies? Did you notice that the foyer needs to be revamped? Then perhaps you should check out CertaPro Painters holiday special.

This is CertaPro Painters’ lowest price of the entire year, coming at a perfect time to invite visitors into your home. CertaPro Painters wants to professionally paint your two-story foyer, which includes your walls and ceiling or your walls and trim. In addition, CertaPro Painters will paint an additional room in your house with the dimensions of a maximum 15 feet by 15 feet, totally free! And it gets better. Once the paint dries, CertaPro Painters will send you a brand new wreath to hang on your door, totally free too! The wreath is authentic, with noble fir, juniper and incense cedar, topped off with pinecones and a velveteen bow.

The offer is valid at all participating CertaPro Painters franchises.

Now and then, CertaPro gets the opportunity to give back to the community where it’s located…and sometimes to the country as well.

Such was the case when Operation Homefront-Illinois approached CertaPro and other local area businesses and asked them to help remodel the basement of Round Lake Beach resident, Army Master Sergeant Christopher Winling. For those who don’t know, Operation Homefront-Illinois is a non-profit organization that offers emergency assistance to active duty military families that have a spouse who has deployed and returned home from service.

Arriving from Afghanistan on a 30-day leave, Winling was surprised to enter his home and find the uninviting and spooky old basement had been remodeled. It was now a light, airy, and welcoming family room, complete with a large flat screen television and new carpeting…and a fresh, professional coat of beige paint, courtesy of the folks at CertaPro. The company also participated in the revamp of the family’s living and dining rooms. The total cost of the project was approximately $50,000.

Winling, recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart of Meritorious Service after he was wounded in an IED blast, was more than a little happy with the changes. Prior to the remodel, Master Sergeant Winling wouldn’t allow his twins to play in the basement unsupervised, the room too dank and inhospitable. Winling’s neighbors, also happy with the remodel, were eager to help their returning friend break in his new family room.  Anything to forget that the Sergeant would be returning to Afghanistan in less than 30 days.

The Sergeant’s wife and children, thrilled with the new family room, were understandably even more so to have daddy home again. Also understandably, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

CertaPro salutes the men and women of America’s Armed Services, grateful for the chance to give back a little to those who have given so much for their country.

If the state of your home is getting you down, don’t break your wallet trying to fix it! Applying a fresh coat of paint can make an amazing difference in your home that you will not only see but feel! When it comes to house painting, many homeowners are do-it yourselfers, so here are a few things to consider from CertaPro Painters Founder Ed Waller on how to make sure your paint job looks professional.

Choosing the right paint type is critical to creating the perfect vibe. Make sure to know what each type of paint will really look like:

• High gloss paint is the shiniest, most durable and easily washable. This type of paint is usually used for accents and trims.
• Semi gloss paint is les shiny, but still easily washable and durable. This type of paint is perfect for bathrooms.
• Pearl or satin paints are easily washable and have a nice sheen to them. These also look extraordinary in bathrooms.
• Eggshell paints are durable, washable and do not have any type of sheen. This paint should be used in a moisture free room.
• Flat paints are the ones that people use most often. They are not washable or durable and cannot be used in a room with moisture. This paint should be used in bathrooms.

Preparing your walls is a step that many homeowners skip, however it can mean the difference between perfect and imperfect walls. Remove all nails from your walls and fill all holes with spackle. Make sure that it is completely dry before sanding it down. To remove dirt and save yourself an extra coat of paint, make sure to wash your walls. Cover your floors with a drop cloth to save your floors from possible paint spills. Remove light switches and door knobs to prevent painting those as well. CertaPro Professional tip: punch holes in the can’s rim with a nail and hammer to prevent paint filling the rim.

When painting, use a roller and an edging brush versus common paint brushes. Prime your walls with a tinted primer if you already have a bold color. Make sure to always start painting from the top down, moving from ceilings to walls to doors and finishes. Do not paint walls with vertical strokes, start with an M and then use horizontal strokes to finish it up.

Once you are done, make sure to open the windows and keep your rooms ventilated for an entire day before returning your furniture. Clean your brushes and rollers as soon as you are done using them. If the paint dries in them, then they will be useless in the future. Before reattaching the lid, clean the rim so that you avoid paint splatters.

About CertaPro Painters:

CertaPro Painters, the largest North American residential painting company, was founded in 1991. Specializing in servicing both high-end residential and commercial customers, its success is based on exceeding customer expectations by delivering certainty at every juncture of a painting job from start to finish. CertaPro Painters now operates across America and internationally. For further information, contact 1-800-462-3782 or visit http://www.certapro.com.

Blue is a beautiful and relaxing color famous for reminding people of the ocean and serenity.  This summer, why not try and incorporate a fun shade of blue somewhere in your home that can bring summer from the outside in.  Using some CertaPro blue paint, here are some fun ideas that you might want to try in your home:

1. 1. Paint your powder room.  Your powder room or bathroom is a great place to try color out in.  As you can always easily close the door from the whole house, try some blue out and see how it makes you feel every time you walk in.
2. 2. Embrace the weathered blue look.  If you’re more rustic, why not try one of CertaPro beautiful blue paint and give it a finish that makes it look like it’s from an old Nantucket beach house.
3. 3. Blue cabinets.  It might sound a little bold, but a beautiful shade of bluish gray cabinets with white countertops can be a great combination.  CertaPro offers advice from cabinet master Patti Lank who can help you decide on the perfect approach.
4. 4. Indulge in stripes.  Stripes are a fun and eclectic way to bring different shades of blue into your home.  Try navy and white for a classic and bold look or soft shades of blue with a metallic finish on top.  The pattern is the same but the result is different and daring.

However you decide to bring the outside in, embrace blue this summer as a color of unparallel beauty.  Add a touch to unexpected walls or even paint a great piece of furniture with CertaPro paint if you prefer to keep the blue more minimal.  Blue is a great color that promotes serenity and peaceful thinking.  Enjoy it to the fullest this summer and year round inside your home.

You’ve picked some beautiful painting colors for your walls and the job is done– now what? It’s time to redecorate on a dime! Bringing back all the same furniture and accessories may not flatter your new paint. So instead of buying all new things, consider these money-saving tips from CertaPro.

1. Rearrange. The methods of Feng Shui will create a more harmonious space, make it look bigger and most importantly, make your new paint color pop. Pull furniture away from the walls to create walkways. Try to position furniture on an angle and if possible, have it facing the door. This will create a much more inviting room, as you won’t enter to see the backs of people’s heads as they’re sitting on the couch.

2. Clear Clutter. When redecorating, think like a minimalist. Declutter your space with stuff that has been there for ages and only select your most favorite pieces. Then group these items together in threes. Odd numbered groupings are more pleasing to the eye and three is much less cluttered than five.

3. Don’t Forget Window Treatments. If you must purchase something, make it new window coverings. Look for sales and pick a solid color that is complimentary, so it will be easier to match with your existing accessories. If you’re good with a sewing machine, make your own! A simple seam usually does the trick. Pick from a variety of colors at your local fabric shop for half the price of buying.

4. Swap. Go shopping in your own house! Sometimes accessories from other rooms will look better in the room you are redecorating. Swap out items and bring new life to an old piece!

Taking these cost-efficient redecorating steps from CertaPro will help tie your space together, create a way for you to express yourself and make your fresh painting colors pop!