"Oh, come on, not again! Not now! I mean, really??"
The flush in my face faded fast while the purple-blue spot on my foot spread quickly. I had been painting my daughter's kitchen and cabinets all week, and with a swift turnaround, I tripped on an upside-down container cover that I used to prop up the cabinet doors. I inevitably damage my left foot - ALWAYS the left - whenever I am in the throes of a daunting task. Such habitual injury is a clear sign from the universe that I need to rest. Due to the swelling, my middle toe looked like a stubby Italian sausage, but the pain was manageable. So what did I do? After popping a couple of Tylenol, I hopped back to it despite the gnarly appendage secured during the process.
When it comes to painting your space, there are two approaches. The first is to hire professional help, and the second is to do it yourself if you have the physical and mental preparedness to take on the challenge.
I have been a self-painter for over twenty years and learned that painting requires a lot of strength, endurance, and discipline, especially when you go up and down a ladder, stretch, reach, overreach, balance, calculate, and maneuver with the flexibility of a contortionist in tight spots. The size and shape of the room determines the complexity of the job.
It all begins with a solid decision to make a change. Choosing comfortable colors is crucial and will answer important questions like, what mood do you want to embody? What is your purpose? The character? How can it be improved or transformed? The colors you choose will affect the overall disposition. A bright, fun yellow feels very different from a deep, moody forest green. Wild, vibrant cerise expresses an excitement rather than subdued, complicated greige.
Once you select your colors, you must decide on the sheen. Typically, you will choose somewhere between flat, matte walls with little to no sheen and gloss, which is all shiny and reflects light. If you're looking for a middle ground, then semi-gloss is a good option since you can easily wipe the dirt away. Stains sit and linger on a flat surface.
Planning with the correct step-by-step method and tools is critical to accomplish the job efficiently. First, assess all walls, patch any conspicuous holes, chip away peeling spots, and sand the surface smooth. For serious labor, brushes, rollers, trays, buckets, and band-aids should be on hand. Some start with a roller to cover as much surface as possible in a short time using broad sweeping strokes, while others prefer sharp cutting-in with an angled brush for the corners and edges with a steady hand and vision. Both approaches meet to complete the job.
During the whole process, it is wise to step back without tripping and evaluate the overall tone to understand the emerging statement.
Is it what you envisioned?
Stamina is essential. It's easy to lose steam halfway through when you look around and feel overwhelmed by the remaining work instead of how far you've come. Sometimes, it's pure mental exhaustion. Other times, it's a physical strain that a drug of choice can alleviate. Minor surface injuries incurred might need a temporary band-aid. It's best to step away and rest if it's a combination.
Once completed, you will experience utter transformation—fresh, awakened, warm, and cozy. You will be home. Lounge or lodge, you decide.
Remember, over time, scratches, scuffs, and marks are inevitable with circulation. Keeping touch-up tools like extra paint saved in a jar and small brushes on hand makes for hassle-free work.
That is, until the color no longer feels right, it's time for another change.
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