Stained vs. Painted

                Multiple times a week I am asked “Which is better? Stained or painted cabinets?” Today we will look at the pros and cons of both. Just like with any finish, there are pros and cons, but the ultimate questions you have to ask yourself are…What do you like the best? What fits in your home?  What fits your lifestyle?  What are you going to be happy living with for a long time? Only you can make that decision.

Stained Pros:

-Shows wear less. Nicks or scratches on a stained cabinet are less visible than on a white painted cabinet. It doesn’t mean that it won’t nick or scratch, it’s just that those imperfections will be less visible.

-Typically a neutral base that can work with many different accent colors. This is great if you like to change up your colors with the season…

-Allows you to see the beautiful grain of the wood.

Stained Cons:

-Typically darker, not as bright as a white painted cabinet

-Fewer color options

Painted Pros:

-Brightens up a space, depending on the color used.

-Limitless color options.

Painted Cons:

-Shows wear more.

-Potential to get tired of the color.

Do you have any other pro or cons to add? Do you have a favorite? Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com

Help! I have stippled ceilings! Part 2

                “Help!” may be what you feel like yelling when you have stippled or popcorn ceilings.  Last time we explored why this type of ceiling treatment is done and the pros and cons of it. Today we will explore your options for removing it.

In today’s interiors stippled or popcorn ceilings are not preferred. This could be a drawback to purchasing  or selling a home. If you have this type ceiling, what can you do about it? There are 3 common options.

1.       Leave it. Yes, you could leave it, repair it, paint it, live with it. In making this decision, there are a few things to consider. How much does it bother you? Is your home value worth the time and expense to change it? Is there asbestos in it? I have stippled ceilings in my current home. As much as I despise them, I’ve opted to keep them for now. I’ve done some repairs, which look great and I’ve also had to paint the ceiling in the kitchen due to a leak from the upstairs bathroom.  They might not be ideal, but there are ways to make them work.

2.       Scrape it. What I consider, possibly the worst option, many people are willing to try their hand at. This requires scraping a wide flat blade, think large putty knife, on a long pole or standing on a ladder, across the surface of the ceiling to remove the texture or popcorn treatment. Once it is all removed, then the ceiling has to be mudded and sanded and mudded and sanded until the ceiling is nice and smooth. Think neck breaking and messy.

3.       Cover it. You can apply beadboard or 1x6 boards to the ceiling to add a decorative element to the space while still covering up the stippling or popcorn. Or more common is adding a ¼” thick sheetrock over the existing ceiling and taping and mudding it like a typical sheetrock ceiling. This is the option we use most often.

So there you have it. Your options for your stippled or popcorn ceiling. Keep in mind, whatever option you choose, sheetrock work is messy and that dust can find it’s way into every crack and crevice.  Be prepared, cover things up or remove them. Have questions or a funny experience regarding stippled ceilings? Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com