Century Paint by Benjamin Moore

America’s favorite paint company introduces 75 new colors and first-ever soft touch matte finish.

Earlier this spring Benjamin Moore launched CENTURY, a new line of pre-mixed, small batch, ultra-premium paint in a “soft-touch matte” finish. The palette consists of 75 brand new colors, ranging from mid-tone to dark shades, intended to enrich the color collection of interior designers.

 “We needed something for the architects and the designers—something more elevated and more studied,” says Benjamin Moore creative director Ellen O’Neill, who has been working on the collection for more than five years. “So we really went back to the hand of the artists.” It started with texture or, as O’Neill puts it, making “more of a covering than a coating.” She explains: “You can almost see a nap in it when you turn a certain way or see it in profile. It beckons you to touch.

Century Paint | Cobalt

{how hot is too hot? advice for exterior painting in a heatwave}

When temperatures reach the 80’s or higher, you might not even be tempted to leave the air-conditioned confines of your home or workplace, let alone work on house projects outside.

But these high temps beg a pretty common question — how hot is too hot for painting?

The ideal temperature depends on what type of paint you use.

We recommend 100% acrylic paint for most exteriors, and these latex paints work best when applied in temperatures between 50° and 85° Fahrenheit. However, if you decide to use oil-based paint, their ideal range is slightly broader — 40° to 90° Fahrenheit.

High temperatures bake paints.

At best, a too-high temp will cause the paint to dry too fast. With too hot of a surface, the paint never gets a chance to adhere and possibly leaving you with a cracked, peeled, or blistered exterior (below).

But Midwesterners know that temperature isn’t everything when it comes to working conditions! When painting the exterior of your home, you also have to consider precipitation, humidity, and wind speed.

Don’t work in wet or humid conditions.

You probably know that you shouldn’t apply fresh paint during, before, or after rain — but did you know that high humidity can lead to almost as many issues? The paint wants to dry but it can’t dry. Humidity causes condensation, which affects adhesion, which can result in streaks or faded spots.

The wind is no friend to paint.

Windy conditions blow debris into your paint and can lead to uneven drying. If the wind is blowing more than 15 miles per hour, it might even blow you off your ladder! The best wind speed for painting is anything under 8 mph — which is basically a gentle breeze.

Consult weather forecasts before scheduling time to paint.

Check your forecast for:

• Temperatures between 50° and 85° Fahrenheit
• Mild humidity between 40 and 70%
• A stretch of time that will avoid precipitation – 24 hours before and after application

If you’re looking for a reliable weather report resource, forecast.io aggregates several different predictions together to give the most likely weather possibility.

Consider the house and the painter.

For best results, paint opposite the sun.

Painting between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on a mild day will:

• Ensure you have plenty of light to see what you’re painting
• Let the house dry off any morning condensation
• Give the exterior time to warm to the right temperature
• Allow the paint to dry before the cool night comes

And if you have additional questions about painting conditions, ask the experts in our paint department. They love to help!

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

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{friday finds: millennial pink}

Sonhas Rosa! An old Portuguese phrase for what we are all doing – dreaming in PINK!

It’s no secret, pink is having a moment. Whether you’re wearing it or drinking it (hello rose), it has come to be the defining color of the millennials, so much so that is referred to by many as “millennial pink”. But why?

{how to pick the right paint color for your home}

Painting the exterior of your home doesn’t happen often, so when you’re deciding on a color, you have to be 100% confident that this color will be timeless, elegant, and beautiful.

At Hirshfield’s, we carry countless exterior paint colors to choose from, giving you the freedom to explore to find the exact color you are looking for.

Siding: Sag Harbor Gray HC-95 Windowpanes: Midsummer Night 2134-20 Door: Gloucester Sage HC-100 All by Benjamin Moore

Here are some tips to consider when deciding on an exterior paint color for your home:

• Consider pre-existing factors such as roof color, chimney, trim—if you aren’t planning on painting it—and landscape. Roof color is especially important because unless you completely re-roof your home, it isn’t going anywhere for a while. So instead, find an exterior paint color that complements the color of your roof.
• If your home has stone, copper, or brick accents, consider a color that will accentuate the current elements that make your home truly beautiful.

Revere Pewter (HC-172), Night Train (1567), Firenze (AF-225)

 

• When deciding on an exterior color, feel free to focus on not only the body of the home, but also the trimming, shutters, and door. It can really make a home come to life if all three of these components complement each other seamlessly.
• Be aware that paint samples can often look darker or richer in-store than they will appear when they are applied to the exterior of your home. Don’t be afraid to sample paints before tackling the entirety of the project.
• Take note of the color palette of the surrounding homes or landmarks in your neighborhood. Originality is important as you don’t want to completely blend in among the masses. However, showcase your individuality without stepping on neighbors’ toes (i.e. painting your home Pepto Bismol pink when the neighborhood has chosen a more neutral palette!)

Lower Body is Hirshfield’s Historic Tankard Gray, Upper Body HC-87 Ashley Gray, Trim and Shutters, 0197 Thistle Gray. Color schemed by Mark Masica, Hirshfield’s Color Services

Neutral exterior colors have remained timeless and popular in Minnesota throughout the years. The above homeowner chose a neutral palette which really played up their stone accents nicely.

When selecting exterior paints be sure to check out Hirshfield’s and Benjamin Moore paints for durability, ease of application, resistance to mildew, mold, and UV rays, and overall performance.

REGAL SELECT ON SALE

Now through June 17, Regal Select Exterior and Interior Paints are $10 off per gallon.

Regal Select Interior available at all Hirshfield’s stores; Regal Select Exterior available at select Hirshfield’s locations. Regal Select Exterior may be special ordered in, or Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior may be purchased at $10 OFF msrp at all Hirshfield’s locations.

Happy weekend and painting!

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

{friday finds: savings on exterior stains}

 

This is the weekend to buy. No, seriously, let me explain.

Memorial Weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer in the midwest. ‘Tis the season to be outdoors as much as possible, on either your deck or patio. I’m sure you’ve already determined if your deck needs refinishing. This is the weekend to buy your deck care products during the Hirshfield’s Memorial Day Sale:

• Cabot Stain –  Save $10/gallon with Mail-in Rebate thru June 4
• Sikkens SRD Transparent -Save $10/gallon with Mail-in Rebate thru July 8
• Storm – Save $5/gallon with Mail-in Rebate thru June 4
• Ready Seal – Save $11/gallon thru May 31

Hirshfield’s is making your job easier with sales associates who are experts in deck care. At Hirshfield’s, our experts are always willing to share their product knowledge and help guide you through the important steps to success. You’ll also find a great online video library on decks at this link.

Get all the details for the Memorial Day Paint Sale right here. Have a safe and fun weekend.

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

 

 

{spring home makeover: front porch edition}

The return of warm weather means it’s time to get outside in Minnesota! Spring is the perfect time to open up your windows and revamp your front porch so you can enjoy the outdoors for the months to come.  But time is wasting, so here are some decor tips  for a quick and easy front porch makeover.

Paint the Front Door

Minnesota ASID Showcase Home 2015

For the biggest impact, add some bright, inviting color to your door and accessories. Whether you go bright or light the key is using complimentary colors. For every blue, green, or violet, choose an orange, red, or yellow.

Credit: Hannah Brown

If you’ve got warm brick or siding, try a cool color like spring green, teal, or turquoise. If you’ve got white siding, no color is off limits — not even this canary yellow.

Credit: LDa Architecture & Interiors

Plant Your Flowers

Flowers and planters are another quick fix, but you need to be thoughtful for maximum impact. These planters are a great choice because they are similar to the chandelier in shape, but opposites in finish — traditional warm metal compared to a contemporary cool plastic.

Credit: Historical Concepts

Turn On The Lights

Adding new lights will give new life to your porch. It will make your entrance bright for all those late-night comings-and-goings if you’re looking for safety and security. Don’t forget about scale. People often make the mistake of not buying large enough outdoor fixtures. Looking for the soft glow of porch ambiance? Welcome your guests with a string of decorative twinkling lights.

Credit: JS Interiors LLC

Add More Furniture

If you have enough space, consider adding more furniture to create a room with a view. Whether it’s conventional wicker furniture to create a three season sitting room, or the right rug, and chairs, you’re sure to enjoy the warm breezes all summer long.

Minnesota ASID Showcase Home 2015

Give it a Swing

And if there’s one look that’s made for any porch lover it’s the porch swing. This updated swinging sofa completes a classy yet comfortable porch combo – perfect for enjoying a late night in the still summer air.

Minnesota ASID Showcase Home 2015

Whether your goal is extra color or extra comfort — or both — the right choices can add to your curb appeal and the enjoyment of your home. So, now that you’ve been inspired, how will you make over your front porch?

Check out Benjamin Moore’s photos for an inspired exterior. Paint is your best friend when it comes to upping your curb appeal!

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

{bachman’s spring ideas house 2017}

Photo credit MSP Magazine

Urban Farmhouse

Each year the Bachman’s Spring Ideas House marks the end of winter and welcomes  a season of warmer weather and beautiful spring colors.

The theme for the 2017 Spring Ideas House is Urban Farmhouse. This transformation from season to season takes place in the historic Bachman family home on Lyndale Avenue. Truly an urban farmhouse.

A neutral background palette allows the colorful spring florals and accessories to be  focal points throughout the home. If you’ve never been to an Ideas House the design team does an amazing job creating charming vignettes with new items, up cycled pieces, and vintage pieces.

Look for these key trends for 2017:

• Fresh contemporary meets vintage permanence
• Shades of grey against farm fresh white to create warm contrast
• Floral Patterns and Ditsy Prints add dimension to our simple farmhouse decor
• Galvanized metal and reclaimed wood used for accent and function
• Botanical greens from dominant fiddle leaf figs to refined ferns

Photo credit MSP Magazine

{NuWallpaper by Brewster Home Fashions}

Playroom goals from @terrimchugh

Peel and Stick Wallpaper

NuWallpaper is the latest innovation in wall decor. This peel and stick wallpaper collection has all of the beauty of modern wallpaper styles while being easier than ever to apply and remove.  NuWallpaper goes up in minutes and comes down in seconds!

Printed on a premium substrate that is completely removable and will not damage walls, this new peel and stick solution saves you both the time and money of ordinary wallpaper. Simply peel and stick on any smooth, flat surface.  You might recognize some of the patterns from traditional wallpaper books.

{magnolia home wallcovering}

It was only a matter of time, right? Joanna Gaines has partnered with York Wallcovering for her first wallcovering collection aptly named  Magnolia Home.  This new wallpaper collection offers 16 signature designs in multiple colorways, with the core of the collection in neutral, black, and white. 

The designs and colors in this collection reflect Joanna’s very approachable style to decorating that we see on her TV show Fixer Upper. Patterns include shiplap, blueprints, quiet polka dots, vintage farm toile, botanicals, 1930s newsprint and a watercolor buffalo check.

An added bonus for consumers is that her wallpapers are backed with York’s Sure Strip® technology making for easier installation and easier removal.

Skinnylap – not to be confused with shiplap!

{friday finds: creating aged gray wood}

 

This is it. These are the only supplies you’ll need to start and finish this DIY project.

Are you a fan of the look and feel of rustic well worn barn wood? Beth (Hirshfield’s Woodbury) shares her quick and ridiculously easy tutorial on how to age wood using Cottage Paint products.

Here are directions for creating gray barn wood from new pine boards.

Quickly sand the wood with 60 grit sandpaper. Distress your boards and dust.

Cut one of Hirshfield’s yellow cellulose sponges into 10 pieces (so it’s a nice size to fit in your hand). Get it wet and wring it out so it’s pretty damp. With the sponge, pick up a little Cottage Paint in Antique White, and wash the board so you can still see the grain. Allow the board to dry at least an hour.

Using another damp sponge* piece, pick up some Cottage Paint Asphaltum Glaze and wash it over the paint.

If your project needs additional protection, Cottage Paint Flat Varnish works great.

Hirshfield’s Credit Manager shares this tip: If this finish is too dark, use the same procedure except after the white dries, lightly dry brush on Cottage Paint Shadow for a nice antique look.  Ben did an entire wall with his method and it turned out great.

Check out the back of Roseville’s Cottage Paint display – Do you see the “weathered” boards in different colors? The possibilities are endless using the Cottage Paints and glazes.

 

Oak sample showing the different steps.

How’s that for an easy-peasy DIY? Beth, and all her Cottage Paint skills, works her magic at Hirshfield’s Woodbury.

*wash out your sponges, as they’re reusable

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.