Last time Larry talked about paint, but now comes the best part, the painting! It doesn’t have to be hard, and anyone can do it. Here are some of my tips for getting a great paint job – by doing it yourself!

There are plenty of sites that offer how-to’s on painting, but here are some of the basic ideas with my tips that I have used on my many painting projects.

Most of the difficult and tedious part of painting is the prep work, and about 75 percent of your time will be spent doing this.

Patch holes and cracks with a filler product, sand lightly when dry; home centers or paint stores have knowledgeable personnel to guide you to the best products for the job

• I like to use my finger to apply, especially if it is a  small patch – that  way you have very little sanding to do
• I also like the colored fillers that dry white – no more guessing if it is  dry
  

Remove light switch and outlet covers and any hardware or light fixtures that     you can, replace the screws in the outlet if you have a tendency to lose things, then tape over what is left on the wall

• If new switch plates are not in the budget and the existing ones look    sad,they can be painted separately and then re-attached – just don’t    paint them in place or you won’t be able to remove them very easily

If you can’t remove something, cover it with plastic bags or plastic wrap and      tape edges

• Use plastic grocery bags for this (tape a few together if you need a larger size), don’t buy anything special

Sand or clean areas to be painted; any old dirt, grime, flaking paint, dust or  debris left on the wall could cause your new paint to peel

• Use a flat sanding block to make quick work of large areas

Tape all door and window trims and baseboards; this keeps goofs from getting on the trim

• Tedious, I know, but it really should be done

Cover the floor with a plastic or canvas drop cloth

• I like to use cardboard for this (flatten out a box and tape flaps together); it’s easy to move along with you as you paint, and you don’t have to cover the entire room at once – not to mention, the plastic drop cloths stick to your feet!

Paint the wall edges and trim areas first, using a brush

• I like a decent quality angled brush, 2” to 2 ½” wide – I use one with a long handle and one with a short rubber handle, good for tight spaces

Roll paint onto the walls with the correct roller cover; using a long handle extension keeps your ladder usage to a minimum

• I tend to roll slowly to prevent the tiny paint splatters, and you can see how good the coverage is – don’t try to “stretch” the paint too far – make sure an area is completely covered before moving on
• I like to work an area no bigger than 4’ x 4’ at a time, blending into the next area so the edges don’t dry
• If your roller cover is new, use masking tape to help get loose fibers off  before painting

If you need more than one day for your project, cover your paint tray, can, roller, brushes, etc. with plastic, making sure to get as much air out as possible to keep tools from drying out – that way you only have to clean up at the end of the job

• In our dry desert climate, I do this even when taking a break

No matter how careful you are, there will be some goofs; I like to keep a        bucket of water and a cloth rag nearby to clean up anything before it dries

Remove tape from trim and baseboards, don’t let the tape stay on for longer than a day or two

• For a really clean line, cut the dry paint with an Xacto knife along the tape edge, otherwise you may pull your new paint off the wall

Paint the door and window trims and baseboards using a paint brush – never a roller

• Put a strong rubber band across the top of the paint can to use for scraping your brush off; this keeps the can’s lip clean

If you have a fairly steady hand, you can skip some of the taping and paint    your trim freehand or use a painter’s edge – just wipe the edge off each      time you move it to keep from smearing on the newly painted wall

• Remove all jewelry
• Wear old, but comfortable clothes
• Wear slip on shoes
• Protect your hair with a scarf, shower cap, or baseball hat
• Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from splatters
• Wear gloves to protect your hands and nails – paint is difficult to remove if you are wearing nail polish
• If you can’t wear gloves, try applying hand lotion to keep the paint from sticking to your hands
• If you must have your phone nearby, keep it inside a plastic bag to protect it
• Play some music to get you going
• And don’t be shy about asking your friends to help – some people really do like to paint!

-Carol

We all hope that you had a good holiday season and are getting your engines going
for 2012! 

Things are already off to a busy start this year for WHL Design Group in both the Las Vegas and Dallas offices!

If you recall our last blog, we discussed some new things for this year. Well, the WHL Virtual Designer is here! After about a year of development, we are up and running, so we encourage you all to check it out under the website tab (Online Interior Design) or just click the banner below!!

In conjunction with this exciting new way to design, we are pleased to announce that we are now part of the Fox Entertainment KVVU 5 Las Vegas Morning “MORE show”with a monthly segment “Recreate the Space”!  

You can also find the WHL “Virtual Designer” link on the Fox 5 “MORE” home page at http://www.fox5vegas.com click on the “MORE” tab, or just click the photo below to be taken directly to the "MORE" Page!

Look for Larry’s first air date on January the 19th that will become a monthly feature on the MORE show with Monica and Jason. We will be talking about the new culture and ways of designing in today’s market. For those of you that are not in the viewing area, we will be streaming on the Fox “MORE show” home page as well. Keeping in mind that the new Virtual Site is global, not just dedicated to Las Vegas, Nevada!  

Also equally exciting, we are now in commercial advertising on Fox too! 
 
Here is the latest!

Coming soon, look for brand new interior photography of WHL Design’s 2011 latest design efforts!

Bye for now!

Larry

Christmas time - to some it is the most wonderful time of the year! And to others? Well… stress comes to mind!  Entertaining, shopping, decorating, cooking, travel- shall I continue? 

Let’s take the sting out of decoration! Don’t let your holiday control you! You control it! There are many simple, very designer chic and impacting techniques that will make the house festive and jolly, yet will not break the back, spirit and most of all, the bank!

Here are some wonderful ideas courtesy of Kendall Cronstrom and Annie Schlechter…

Take several lengths of heavy-gauge wire, knot one end of each, and string through a jingle bell and a Clementine (yes, your hands may get a bit sticky). Twist all the wires into a cluster and secure with a large bow. Hang on a newel post or your front door.

Try hanging something unexpected on the tree, like a bunch of fragrant cinnamon sticks or a sparkling metal garland inspired by nature.

Fill pretty glassware with sugar and mini marshmallows, then stuff old-fashioned stick candies inside, for a holiday display that looks good enough to eat. 

Here’s one roaring fire that isn’t a huge bother to get started. Simply slip this DVD into your laptop and place the virtual flames on an end table.

Show off some of your most eye-catching ornaments (that might otherwise get lost in your tree). Thread them with different lengths of thin ribbon or string, then tie them to a long, wide grosgrain ribbon wound around a banister. 

Gather a bunch of doilies in white and silver, then tape them together (or secure with a dab of glue) to form a one-of-a-kind table runner. For an inexpensive wintry centerpiece, fill glass vases and large compotes of different heights with pinecones. Spray-paint them gold and silver for extra sparkle, or leave them as nature intended.

If each member of your family has, oh, four or five scarves, put some of them to work as a tree skirt. Arrange in a pinwheel fashion around the base of the tree and secure with safety pins.

It’s all about trying to keep it simple, easy and impacting!


 Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at WHL Design Group!

There is no limit to what you can find out there. Just keep searching!

-Carol

Ah the cooler temperatures… It’s a time, especially here in the southwest United States, where we see a return to cooking and the fall comfort foods. It’s hard to believe that it is already Thanksgiving, and at no other time is the kitchen the most prevalent room in the house next to the dining room. Most of us don’t pay much mind to the size and functionality of our kitchens when it is the height of summer, but now we all wish we had more kitchen space and a larger area for dining. Here are some lovely images to stir the mind and the palate, and that just might help you in designing your future dream kitchen. 
 
Let us all remember to stop and be thankful for our lives and those around us, where we are, where we have been and where we are headed! 

Happy Thanksgiving and Bon Appétit!

September is whizzing by!

Nothing makes you feel more AWARE of time (and the lack of) when you are on the hook and committed to turn back a company’s operation, whether it’s a restaurant, office or REALLY time sensitive spaces like casinos, hotel rooms or suites! You become very accountable to your client for getting them back in service.

This month we are at that touchy point of being in the spotlight as the contractors begin to wrap up some projects that have been cooking all summer! You get to a point where you have no margin left for error and everything MUST go as scheduled. Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of logistics, factories and suppliers to fabricate, ship, deliver and install, all at the same time from many different points. 
 
It’s a juggling act!!! 
 
If one thing goes wrong or is damaged in shipping or is delayed, it can affect the whole interior project and perhaps delay getting back in operation! That is the worst case when you have a client that has booked those rooms or planned a grand opening! UGH!  Now THAT is the non-glamorous part that the vast programming on HGTV leaves out on all the design shows.

It takes an army to produce and execute a design. Most people say that “Interior Design must be such an exciting and fabulous profession!” Well… it is when things go as planned and it isn’t when things fall apart, which happens more often than you think! Then you have to be very creative to figure out how you are installing furnishings when the flooring has not arrived! Truthfully, the design process and conceptual side of things is indeed wonderful, but honestly, it’s about 20% of the process. The other 80% is business, money, negotiation, whip cracking and problem solving, and at times can be very anxiety inducing and exhausting!

HGTV shows share the artsy and glamorous part in that 30 minutes, but never show you the months of planning or REAL costs, and the production army behind the scenes. 

Now that’s the real design process!  
 
Below are some images from yesterday’s installation. We were waiting with the installation team for that semi to wheel up to the hotel for rooms and lobby furniture!  Still missing accessories and final finessing! We had to wait for the adhesives to set. Yes! It is commercial artwork and lighting needs to be locked down! 

Next time you are in a space, remember, it’s a lot more work to get that together than you might think!!

-Larry

 

As we approach the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our country, you may ask “What do interior design and 9/11 have in common?”

Well, for one thing, art.

 
Art is very personal, whether one is the artist or the viewer. Artists throughout our country and the world were affected on that day. For many, the artistic outlet provides a form of healing, whatever the medium, and no matter the training or skill of the artist. Here are some websites that have some unique expressions.

And, of course, there is children’s art, sometimes more moving for its raw simplicity (all from“The Day Our World Changed: Children’s Art of 9/11”).

Inevitably, we went to war, and are still at war. But, how many of you know we have a military Art Program? If the quote above is true, then we have a wonderful visual diary from the Army.

Follow this link for a brief history of the program and to view  the artist’s works. It also has a link to the National Constitution Center’s Art of the American Soldier Exhibition.
 http://www.history.army.mil/museum.html#tab_3

Here are a few of my favorites.

No matter what your political views, the end result is human lives have been changed forever by all wars.

In closing, please consider supporting the Wounded Warrior Project and/or Christmas Can Cure to show your appreciation for the sacrifices made by our military and their families. 
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
http://www.christmascancure.org/


-Carol

Never heard of it? Well, if you are looking for a place to lay back and relax, and if you are an avid golfer or hiker, you need to check it out! It’s a nice quiet city, about 89 miles north of Fabulous Las Vegas! I have to think it was probably what Vegas might have been like circa 1940’s. Why Mesquite, you ask? Well, we have been very instrumental in helping to form and develop one of the strongholds there for years!

You might be surprised to realize that Mesquite, and especially Eureka, offers all the fabulous amenities like spas, fine dining and entertainment that Vegas can provide, just at a simpler yet still exciting pace. We have designed and provided some of the most lovely accommodations and venues that would rival larger cities. Eureka is a real first class operation, and a pleasure to have as one of our anchor clients! We would be lost without them. They really understand and appreciate the value of good design for their clients and guests. Here are just some of the examples of our successes with them:

I highly encourage you to explore Mesquite and the Eureka! You will be pleasantly surprised! Check out their website
www.eurekamesquite.com before you go.

-Larry

Hi! Back again! I pondered for a bit this week on what I wanted to share. I recently experienced the new Disney spectacular “The World of Color” and it got me to thinking… you know what? Let’s talk a little about color.  

 “Ahhhhhhh!!!!” you say? 

Scary word for some when it comes to things like clothing and even more so, interior spaces!  

It’s funny to us that over so many years of practicing design just how intimidated people and clients are about the use of color!

Come on now, be brave! Color is naturally present in everything around us. So, why not more color in what we choose to wear and even more so, the spaces that we inhabit, both in our private and public spaces? 

Color has a mysterious and magical quality that has the ability to make us react and feel. We see it in symbolism, like the Royalty of Purple and the Passion of Red. We have all subconsciously reacted to and experienced color, whether we are aware of it or not.
  
Color changes and dances; color interacts with light to create different affects. In the same setting, colors will appear different, just from differences in the time of day or type of lighting. It’s really a very fascinating thing! Color can reflect and also absorb, creating different feelings in the same spaces.

Imagine you're driving by a green field of grass, punctuated by yellow wild flowers. You’ll notice the yellow flowers more than the green grass, because yellow is the first color our eyes notice. Painting walls a pale yellow mimics a sun-filled space and creates a soothing feeling for the room's occupants. White lace or sheer curtains,  tinted with a tiny amount of pale yellow dye, will make a home feel sunny and cheerful.

However, bright yellows can cause feelings of turmoil and hostility. Therefore, bright yellows should be used sparingly, especially in high-anxiety centers such as kitchens. Also,  naturally bright rooms that have been painted bright yellow may over-stimulate some people, contributing to angry feelings. However, that very same dazzling yellow room may be just the perfect place on an overcast day in a cold climate.

Red is the strongest and longest-lasting color our eyes process. Red is like a cup of tea or coffee; it awakens the senses. Dining room walls painted dark rouge red are not only romantic and festive; but they also help make food taste fabulous. At night, in low light, dark red is lavish and sensuous. In the morning, the same red enlivens and motivates you to live the day fully.

Many people are afraid to use red on walls because they mistakenly believe red to be an angry or blood-associated color, but red is auspicious, not caustic. Artwork often looks more important with a red background as opposed to white, and almost everyone looks great with rich red as a background color.

Light sky blue has a soothing effect on humans. This is because the pituitary gland releases tranquilizing hormones when we look at sky blue. If you want the feelings generated by baby blue but reject the color as "babyish," add a little black and use a complex grayed-blue.

White suggests cleanliness and reflects the most light. It's the purest of all the colors and psychologically denotes
respectability and attention to hygiene. Brilliant white adds coolness to hot color schemes. Too much white will cause squinting and eyestrain, however, and it's uncomplimentary to pale-skinned people.

Gray makes rooms seem refined and exclusive and denotes prudence and humility, while bringing an aura of elegance. The only color that leaves no after image, gray instills creativity, imagination, and meditation, but should be avoided in areas where the natural daylight is often diffused by overcast skies.

Color affects human beings on a variety of levels, including changes in our very body chemistry. Therefore, a considerable amount of thought should be given to the color scheme of a room, depending on its use and the effect you're trying to achieve. 

It’s interesting that all color begins with the three core colors in their purest form: Red, Blue and Yellow. The millions of colors are all derived from this trinity. And these three in the purest form cannot be broken any further! It is fascinating when you think about it!

One of the great joys that we experience as interior designers is when a client is brave and open to working with color. It’s just color and can be dialed up and down very easily when you create a palette! 

Hopefully this will allay some reservations that you may have and allow you to be more receptive and adventurous the next time you redesign a space or select a new outfit!

 -Larry


Colorful based interior spaces: