Window Treatment Wednesday: Window Covering Safety Month

October is Window Covering Safety Month

The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) want to remind everyone about the hazard window covering cords can pose to young children and pets. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says window treatment cords are one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes, with infants and children accidentally becoming entangled in window cords. Their message needs to be heard by everyone, not just parents or caregivers.

Here are some tips from the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) to keep in mind:

•  Install only cordless window coverings in homes with young children.
•  Continuous-loop pull cords on draperies and vertical blinds should be pulled tight and anchored to the floor or wall.
• Move all furniture, cribs, beds and climbable surfaces away from windows and window cords.
• Make sure tasseled pull cords are as short as possible.
• If you cannot replace older window treatments, this link offers instructions on how to retrofit them.

Not quite certain what your options are? Hunter Douglas has a wide array of lifting systems for child and pet safety. Also, the Window Covering Safety Council website has tons of valuable  information.

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.

 

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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{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.

{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.

{benjamin moore 2017 color of the year: shadow 2117-30}

Shadow 2117-30 | Benjamin Moore

The reaction to Benjamin Moore’s 2017 Color of the Year has been a bit of surprise and delight. Shadow 2117-30 is a deep, dark, subtle mixture of charcoal and purple.

House Beautiful called it “anything but neutral,” and Architectural Digest discussed the versatility of the “moody, amethyst hue.”

“I love it. It’s sophisticated, warm, and fresh. I can see it in a library or a small office. It would make a room feel cozy,” says designer Ally Banks of Ally Banks Interiors in the District, who is using the color on chairs, accent pillows and stools in a current project. – Washington Post

{product spotlight: hirshfield’s platinum ceramic paint}

When you think of ceramic tile — or anything else for that matter — you probably think of high quality, easy cleanup, and a long-lasting finish. And “ceramic” paint is no different.

Hirshfield’s PLATINUM CERAMIC™ with Ceramic Stain-Release Technology is a premium acrylic latex interior paint that helps walls maintain that just-painted look in homes, schools, health care facilities, offices and more — thanks to the power of tiny ceramic microspheres.

What are ceramic microspheres?

Hirshfield’s PLATINUM CERAMIC™ paints contain ceramic microspheres which are manufactured exclusively by 3M. The ceramic microspheres are tiny, microscopic beads that look like a fine white powder.  The ceramic beads combine with a high quality, 100% acrylic resin to create a hard, smooth surface that is extremely resistant to stains, burnishing, and abrasion. Plus, because of their smooth shape, the paint applies with improved brushing and rolling qualities.

{interior trim 101: five fool-proof whites for all your rooms}

Picking a trim color can be tricky. You want one color to tie all of your rooms together, but you also need to complement the colors in each of those rooms.

The answer is off-white, right? Not so fast.

If you’ve ever tried a white with a green undertone in a pink-toned room (or maybe cream with red undertones in a blue room),  you realize that all whites are not created equal. Some are much more neutral than others.

So, we turned to experts from our Hirshfield’s stores —Sherry from Baxter and Faye from Woodbury — for some of their favorite fool-proof whites that will work in any room.

{fall painting tips: when is it too cold to paint?}

 

There’s a chill in the air and a few leaves are already falling. It’s autumn in the Midwest, meaning time to pick vegetables from the garden, visit an apple orchard or pumpkin patch, and enjoy the fall colors.

But it’s also time to check your to-do list and finish up the projects you skipped during the summer. It’s not too late to paint your front door, exterior walls, or outdoor trim, but the clock is ticking.

Fall is a great time to paint your home. After all, you don’t have to fight the summer heat. But you should follow these rules:

• Most exterior paints and stains should not be applied in temperatures lower than 50° F. However, Hirshfield’s Paint Manufacturing has a line of premium 100% acrylic latex paints and primers that have been specially formulated to be used in temperatures as low as 35°F.
• Temperatures should not drop below 35° for 36 hours after application to allow proper drying and film formation.

Here are some other tips to make your fall painting project successful:

• The best hours to paint in the fall are between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
• During this summer’s heatwave, we advised painting in the shade. In the fall months, paint your way around the house in the other direction. Follow the sun to speed up drying times.
• Paint dries more slowly in lower temps, so if you need a second coat, wait at least 24 hours to let the first coat fully dry.
• Watch those dew points! Paints, stains, or primers should not be applied unless the surface temperature is at least 5° higher than the dew point. (The dew point is the temperature at which moisture will condense on a surface).
• Check the wind speeds. During the summer, a nice breeze is harmless. Now, even a 10 mph wind can fling falling leaves onto your wet paint! So be careful!

If you have any more painting questions, or need help choosing the perfect fall color, visit our experts in the paint department at your local Hirshfield’s location in Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, or North Dakota.

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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{5 ways to be adventurous with your trim color}

It’s amazing how much you can change the look of your walls, even the mood of the whole room, with the trim color you choose. Maybe, you want more of a design statement than trim painted white? We have some colorful inspiration: five ways designers used less conventional combinations to create different moods.

Cool Contemporary

Trim: Gettysburg Gray (HC-107) | Walls: French Canvas (1514)

Credit: Dresser Photography

In this remodel, Gary Dresser decided to paint the trim darker than the walls. He says, “I spend time just sitting on my sofa admiring the way it looks. It’s crisp and modern but somehow mellower than the other way around. And it works in any style room with any style trim.” Here’s a similar look in a bedroom, where mellow means marvelous.

reDesign home llc

 

Desire To Inspire

A long and dark hallway off the main room in the above photo is painted red, from floor to ceiling. Ka-pow! | Desire To Inspire