I paint a lot..... Ok, I paint a LOT.  I paint so much that my dad lovingly says, "Pretty soon the paint is going to be thicker than the baseboards" and "I think your room sizes have shrunk a couple inches since you moved in."

But, painting gives me instant gratification. A fresh amazing color on the walls can inspire.  A crisp seaside blue, warm amber tones, sunny and bright, rich deep bold colors, I love them all.

A true paint lover also appreciates tight edges, smooth transitions, and consistent quality work.

Years of practice (and many "oops" moments) have led me to believe I found the Holy Grail of supplies for the job.   

Here is the best brush I have ever found! The Wooster 2" Shortcut Brush.  I buy mine at Home Depot or Lowes, but I'm sure they are sold other places as well.

Advantages of this brush are countless.  I appreciate the light weight as it doesn't cause my wrist to hurt the next day after painting.  The 2" size is just right for cutting in around baseboards, moldings, and ceilings. The rubbery handle is flexible and basically becomes an extension of your own hand.  This allows for more control and clean edges.

I have tried other brushes, lots of other brushes, but they were heavy, hold too much or too little paint, the bristles are either too soft or too ridged and overall aren't universal enough for every job.


I have had many a discussion about roller types with the paint pro at my local home improvement store. At first I liked cheap, thick, disposable rollers so I could get the job done quick and have no clean-up to worry about. The problem with that mentality is I spent a ton of money throwing the roller covers away and the paint tended to splatter onto the floor or baseboard during the process.

Finally, I took the paint pro's advice and splurged on the "good stuff". 




And what could do the job better than a lamb's wool roller.....nothing!
This is my new best friend. It's soft, thick nap doesn't leave fibers in my paint while working, you can wash and reuse it within minutes as the wool dries quicky, and the BEST part is it typically gives one-coat coverage. Overall totally worth the extra bucks it cost.

So for some final tips:

• Use a disposable paint tray liner. They cost pennies and will save your sanity after long hours of painting.  

• Personally I only re-use the paint brush if I can get all the paint cleaned off.  Otherwise you will have crusty paint chip remnants next time you try to use it. 

• Wash out the roller immediately after use with warm water and air dry.

So everyone has to start somewhere, and here is mine.

I have always felt like I have a lot to say - and my husband can corroborate that. I constantly ask myself, "Who would care to read what I have to write about?" But, over the last 10 years in real estate, I have given hundreds of useful tips to clients on cleaning, organizing, purging, renovating, storage solutions, decorating ideas on a budget, along with just misc. information I have gathered while touring literally thousands of homes.
 
Everyone has something they enjoy, and for me (as crazy as it may sound to some people) it is the feeling I get when I stand back and look at a project I have just completed. This can be as simple as organizing my pantry or as complex as building my deck. On a daily basis I have a list of 10 items I want to re-do around my home.  After years of research, I have found specific items that work better than others to accomplish the job.  So I hope you will sit back, read, and enjoy what advice I have to offer.

Hmmmmm...... now what to write about..... I think my second post will be about my favorite paint brush.

Stay tuned!