Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Brush?

As a professional home stager I observe the best and worst in people's homes. The one on thing I see most often is white walls-yuck! Countless home owners have told me they had intended to paint when the moved in but either they couldn't decide on a color, they ran out of time or....they were scared! I've always wondered how a can of colored liquid can be so terrifying but I guess it's not the actual paint they are afraid of, it is more likely the process and potential outcome. If you are one of the "fraidy cats" listen up, you can do it and it won't cause nightmares, I promise.

First, choose your inspiration. It may be a piece of art, a pillow or a picture from a magazine. Then ask yourself a few questions: Why am I drawn to this item? What am I going to use the space for? How do I want to feel in this room (relaxed, energized, happy)? Unless you plan to sell your home in the near future, don't limit yourself to something boring and neutral. Do something different, step outside your box and be daring! Once you've established these basics, grab your inspiration piece and head to the nearest paint counter.

Don't panic if you weren't' able to find inspiration on your own, the home improvement stores make it so easy nowadays. They have dozens of brochures illustrating complimentary color pallets and you can purchase tiny little "testers" for about $3, so go ahead, get a few samples (and a decent brush) and have some fun! I suggest painting a pretty good sized test area, at least 2 ft. square. Some colors can change dramatically depending on the light so you will want to live with it for a while to see how it looks at various times of the day. Also keep in mind that when the whole room is painted the color will seem much darker or brighter.

If you've never painted before here are a few words of advice:

• Start Small- Try painting an office or bathroom before taking on the entire house
• Invest in good tools- Quality brushes, rollers, etc will make the job easier and are crucial to your success
• Take your time- I think the reason many people are "bad" painters is because they get in a hurry. It is normal for the prep work to take as much time as the actual painting

For me painting is therapeutic, cleansing and renewing, I enjoy the entire process. Maybe you can enlist the help of a friend and then return the favor. Put on some music, grab a cold drink and enjoy the experience. You will be amazed at the transformation, and that my friends is nothing to be afraid of!