DIY Interior Painting
When painting interior walls, I have several suggestions to consider as part of your to do items. These are my DIY (do-it-yourself) experiences. Some steps to consider that were not apparent and important enough that were almost overlooked.Think about amount of natural light cast throughout the room from the morning to night. Light will affect the color/shade used may have an indirect affect with your feelings and mood. What was bright and cheery during the day may appear somehow darker at night. Prepare with additional, relocate table or floor lamps. Track and recessed lighting have brought so much variation introducing us to being green with low voltage choices.So with a wall color(s) in mind, get a sample swatch or small amount of paint(s) to test on the walls. Paint a section, leave it on, and look at it from time to time. Take 2 to 3 colors that you may have it narrowed down to. Believe me there can be mistakes made here. Custom paint colors are not returnable. So select wisely and take your time. While you are at the home improvement store, take the swatches and walk outside to see how the color truly appears. How does it look now, different? Definitely I’m sure. Walk under an industrial fluorescent or halogen lighting. Place the swatch against a wall and use your hand to block and shade some of the direct light. Different? Now decide if you have the color you will optimally be satisfied with.Observe the amount of light that is in the room throughout the day and evaluate how it presents to you. Darker colors will require 2 coats of paint, even those that appear just a shade or so. A primer base coat may also need to be considered. Keep in mind that what was a light cool color may turn into something so bold, bright, dark or dreary. Especially those depending on the pigment color or if it is oil based. Climate affects paint adhesion. Seasonable cool or warmer areas will need a paint additive. Not much is required, but helps with blending paint strokes with a brush and roller.Find a starting point and work clockwise around the room. Mask and tape the door case trim, baseboard, doors and ceiling. Use drop clothes to protect the floor, carpet and furniture. Use a fan to speed up the drying time.Kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms, it’s recommended that a semi-gloss finish be used. Higher humidity and cooking surfaces have the need to protect, repel moisture and quick clean up. Flat and eggshell finishes are for living, dining, bedrooms and family/recreation rooms. Trim and door casing are contrasting items to frame a room and to match crown molding and baseboards. Also semi-gloss finishes are recommended as well.Checklist before going to the home improvement or paint store:o Select several paint colorso Take home color swatches and small paint sampleo Take note of the amount of light throughout the day in the roomo Darker colors will require 2 coats of paint, even those that appear just a shade or so darkero Climate affects paint adhesion.- Seasonable cool or warmer areas will need a paint additiveo Lighter colors appear even more and you may have to go a few shades darkero Estimate the amount of paint needed-Standard 12′ x 12′ room will take 1½ gallons to completeo Purchase paint from the same store, especially when more is needed for consistency- Reason: Color could be slightly different when buying additional paint- Paint mix delivery nozzles could be dirty or low levels- 3M brand 1½” blue masking tape- Generic 12″x 8′ masking paper- 4″ wide brush- Roller brush (nape will depend on wall texture)- Drop cloths 2-3 to cover floor area and furniture- Paint thinner and bucket to soak/clean brushes- Razor utility knifePaint is material that is easy enough to change, but how often do you do it as a weekend warrior? Mistakes (many) are there to be made. Don’t the home and garden television shows just make it so easy! Hey, they have so many hints and definitely encourages each of us to complete the finished project. Best thing to do is to just do it and learn from your mistakes. Talk to friends that have done it before. Talk to the professionals. Take advantage of the freebies at the home improvement stores and take their mini weekend clinics. Use the internet’s resources and scour the DIY sites and home improvement blogs. Do your research instead of going in blind.Best of all, include the family for input and efforts. After all when it’s said and done, the extra hands will be quicker then when it looks great they’ll all take credit. Remember painting is one of the projects that can easily be changed if you don’t like how it looks. Most of the time you can highlight the use of two color walls to change the appearance. Perhaps that mistake now looks great.Nothing like new paint and color to liven up dull boring walls, revive furniture contrasts and making your home more comfortable for that cozy feel.
10 Reasons to Buy Original Art
Why should a person purchase original art? We could all save some money and buy a cheap poster to hang in our living room or a mass-produced dew-dad to hang out on the coffee table. There are many people do the aforementioned and are quite happy. But for those of you who like to step out of the ordinary and do buy or are thinking of buying original art, here are ten fantastic reasons to buy original art.
You can buy original art simply to feel or be inspired. Art that inspires you and effects you in a meaningful way should be in your home. Not many things can inspire and make you feel like a great piece of art. Art that inspires and connects deeply with you is to be valued and be seen often. This connection allows you to share in the passion, expression, creativity and inspiration of the artist who created it. The art moves you and enhances your life.
It’s certainly alright to buy original art to simply enhance and beautify your living or work space. The right piece of art and the aesthetic quality that comes with it can change the whole feeling of a room, a home, or a building. If you have a space in your life that needs a new energy, a new feel, a fresh look or a bold statement, start your search today at a local art gallery or on the web.
Some people buy original art simply for its uniqueness. A one of a kind creation is certainly unique, and you could say the owner would be somewhat unique for owning it. The piece of art can not only be unique for what it looks like, but for what it does to the people who get to see it and experience it. Or, it could be completely personal to you and no one else. A cheap poster that is just like 100,000 others just doesn’t do that.
Making a statement is a great reason to buy original. Maybe a collector wants to show off their art and impress others. A show of success. Why not? People do it everyday with things far less relevant than art. There is no doubt that owning certain Art can be somewhat of a status symbol. The original art you own can also be a part of your legacy, something to leave for others when the time is right.
Buy an original piece of art to make a connection with the artist. You can look at an original painting on a wall of an artist who you know of, respect, and admire. You feel the light. You see the brush strokes.. In most cases the artist probably cares deeply about their work, and you can share in the vision and commitment. Maybe you know this artist. This artist is here with you because of that painting. You support this artist with your patronage. Your support keeps this real life artist creating more fantastic art and getting even better at their craft so you and others can share even further in the experience.
Buying original art for purely financial and investment reasons is nothing new. You are not only investing in the art, but the artist as well. While there is certainly no guarantee, some, but not all art tends to increase in value with time. That’s a good thing to consider because so many of the items we buy everyday do exactly the opposite. Ever try to sell your stuff at a garage sale? That piece of clothing you bought a couple of years ago that was so in style probably isn’t worth too much now.
Original art is bought for intellectual reasons too. It’s been said that great or very good art advances our thoughts of who we really are and where we have been. It helps reminds us of our place in this world, or our own humanity. A certain style or school of art,the artists involved, and their attitudes on life may speak directly to you and will not let you go. The art and artists may have historical significance. This art may not speak to others but to you it’s deeper than the mere surface.
Buy original art and start your own art collection. People collect all kinds of things don’t they? Baseball cards, stuffed animals, die-cast cars, Barbie dolls, etc. I really don’t know why people collect, they just do. The home of a serious art collector is a quite something to behold indeed.
Buy original art just because you like it. You want it. It makes you feel good. It may make you smile. You feel it was created just for you…and maybe it was. You view it every day and you feel a connection to the painting or sculpture that just makes you feel good. What’s wrong with that?
If none of the above reasons work, you could always buy an original piece of art to match your carpet color or go good with your curtains.
You don’t need a bunch of reasons to buy original art. Just one will do, although there are several. I personally buy art for four reasons: I love it, I’m inspired by it, I want a personal connection to the artist or the subject matter, and the desire to possess something with those qualities that is absolutely unique.You don’t have to spend a fortune to have quality art in your home. Start where you can because original art does not have to ruin your budget. Even though every so often you here about these astonishing prices for older paintings, you can start a collection at reasonable prices and see where it takes you. Your soul just might thank you for it.
2018 BC Health Care Awards Recipients Revealed
VANCOUVER – Recipients of the 12th annual BC Health Care Awards were announced today at a gala luncheon in Vancouver. Twelve Gold Apple and six Award of Merit recipients were honoured.Presented by the Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC), the awards recognize British Columbians who are providing outstanding care and support. Awards are given in 11 categories to projects improving delivery through innovative and collaborative approaches and to people making a positive impact and inspiring those around them.”BC’s medical professionals – including support staff – genuinely care about delivering quality care to British Columbians,” said Michael McMillan, HEABC’s President and CEO. “The BCHC Awards are an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the individual and team contributions made by these individuals.”New this year – Dianna Mah-Jones Award of Excellence in Person-Centred CareNamed in honour of Dianna Mah-Jones, this award is for a team or project that makes use of leading practices to improve care for patients, residents or clients by focusing on the needs of the person rather than the needs of the system or service. Dianna Mah-Jones, an occupational therapist at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, was tragically killed, along with her husband Richard Jones, just three months after being named Provincial HC Hero at the 2017 awards. Our hope is that this ward will help to keep her memory and legacy alive by recognizing others who strive to deliver care that is respectful of the needs, values and preferences of individuals.2018 Gold Apple winners Provincial HC Hero & HC Hero – Provincial Health Services Authority Glenn Braithwaite – District Supervisor, Emergency Coordinator, BCEHSGlenn Jay Braithwaite is a Paramedic and District Supervisor at BC Ambulance Service, recognized for providing exceptional emergency response and for his clinical leadership abilities. He’s received several professional accolades for his heroic actions, and his outstanding commitment to patients, colleagues and the broader community.Provincial HC Hero & HC Hero – Island Health Dr. Ramm Hering – Physician Lead, Primary Care Substance Use, Island HealthBy passionately and effectively advocating for improved services for patients dealing with substance use and addiction, Dr. Hering has inspired his colleagues to work together to develop new programs and create an efficient, client-centred system of addiction services.HC Hero – Affiliate Dr. David Agulnik- Emergency Physician, St. Paul’s HospitalHC Hero – Fraser Health Mits Miyata – Pharmacy Manager, Lower Mainland Pharmacy ServicesHC Hero – Interior Health Lynda Martyn – Registered Speech-Language Pathologist, Coordinator Kelowna Cleft Lip/Palate ClinicHC Hero – Northern Health Debbie Strang – Health Services Administrator, QuesnelHC Hero – Provincial Health Services Authority Dr. Faisal Khosa – Associate Professor, Radiology, Vancouver General HospitalDianna Mah-Jones Award of Excellence in Person-Centred Care International Seating Symposium – Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, Provincial Health Services AuthorityThe International Seating Symposium has created an international forum that fosters an exchange of ideas and a network of consumers, rehabilitation therapists, physicians, designers, and manufacturers of positioning and mobility equipment. This has inspired improvements in rehabilitation equipment and technology that have improved mobility, comfort and quality of life for people with disabilities.Dianna Mah-Jones Award of Excellence in Person-Centred Care Residential Care for Me: Megamorphosis – Seniors Care and Palliative Services, ProvidenceThe goal of Residential Care for Me: Megamorphosis is to change the residential care culture from an institutional to a social model of care, and improve quality of life for residents by rapidly testing and implementing changes that focus on emotional connections, allow residents to direct each moment, and create the feeling of home.Top Innovation SNIFF: C. Difficile Canine Scent Detection Program – Vancouver Coastal HealthAn innovative and dedicated team of people and a growing roster of pups known as the C. Difficile Scent Detection Program is pioneering a cost-effective method to improve and enhance C. Difficile surveillance and improve infection control and prevention practices.Workplace Health Innovation VGH Emergency Department Healthy Workplace Initiative – Vancouver Coastal HealthVancouver General Hospital’s emergency department formed a multi-disciplinary team with the goal of working together to improve workplace health and safety, leading to an improved working climate where staff report feeling engaged and better able to provide the type of quality care that emergency patients deserve.Collaborative Solutions Improving Indigenous Cancer Journeys: A Road Map – BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, BC Cancer (Provincial Health Services Authority), First Nations Health Authority, Métis Nation BCThe Indigenous Cancer Strategy is a collaborative strategy that will improve indigenous cancer outcomes by addressing all steps of the cancer journey, from prevention and treatment, through to survivorship and end-of-life care.This year’s Awards of Merit recipients are:Dianna Mah-Jones Award of Excellence in Person-Centred Care • Resources and Needs Review – Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Island HealthTop Innovation • Symphony QuickCall – Workforce Management Solutions, Provincial Health Services Authority• Fall-unteers: A Volunteer-Based Falls Prevention Strategy in Residential Care – Holy Family Hospital Residential Care, ProvidenceWorkplace Health Innovation • Reducing Workplace Injuries through Leading Practices – Menno PlaceCollaborative Solutions • Regional Strategy for Reducing Ambulance Turnaround Times – BC Emergency Health Services, Provincial Health Services Authority, Fraser Health• Vancouver Shared Care Team – Doctors of BC, Providence, Vancouver Coastal HealthSince the awards launched in 2007, more than 200 Gold Apples and Awards of Merit have been awarded to health employees who are improving BC’s healthcare system and patient care.The 2018 BCHC Awards are generously supported by Great-West Life, Healthcare Benefit Trust, and Pacific Blue Cross.Visit BCHealthCareAwards.ca,to learn more about the 2018 awards winners.The Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC) is the accredited bargaining agent for most publicly funded health employers in the province, representing denominational, proprietary and affiliate health employers, as well as the province’s six health authorities. HEABC coordinates the labour relations interests of 250 publicly funded healthcare employers and negotiates five major provincial agreements covering more than 120,000 unionized employees. Media contactRoy Thorpe-DorwardHEABC Communications604.767.2307 or [email protected]