Many homeowners are aware of the benefits of improving the appearance of their home. Painting is a popular interior design project. Interior panting is popular because it adds the basic décor, sets a mood for a room, and provides an updated appearance. You can begin your planning with the resources of Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL).
You may have many questions in the beginning. Do you do it yourself or hire a professional? How do you paint a room? How do you select paint and paint colors for a room? How do you prep the walls in a room prior to painting? It can become very stressful and confusing. A great place to answer many of these questions is MCPL.
MCPL has a wide range of print and online resources to assist you. The library catalog is a great source to help you find books about house painting and interior decorating.
Three databases, Consumer Reports, the Home Improvement Reference Center, and Washington Consumer Checkbook (in-library access only) will get you started with your interior painting project. Consumer Reports, for instance, provides a paint buying guide, plus ratings and reviews of specific brands.
The Home Improvement Reference Center offers how-to videos on prepping prior to painting, patching drywall, and selecting paint. It also has articles on basic design, color, and decorating principles. Many of the articles in this database are from magazines such as Complete Guide to Painting & Decorating, Australian House & Garden, and Arts & Crafts Homes & the Revival, which may be hard to find at your local hardware or big box store. You'll also find articles related to selecting paints low in volatile organic compounds, which have fewer hazards to those who with chemical sensitivities. Finally, the Home Improvement database has articles written by interior designers and home improvement experts to ease any confusion about selecting paint from the paint chips cards found in the stores' paint departments.
Washington Consumer Checkbook provides rating for local professional contractors in the Washington metropolitan area, customer reviews, and contractor contact information. You can narrow or limit your search of local contractors to those closest to your neighborhood. Washington Consumer Checkbook also provides information about paints and which paints are less toxic.
So, when you think about your interior painting projects, start with MCPL’s online resources and home improvement books. Our librarians are also available to help you develop search strategies and locate materials in print and online resources. MCPL is a great resource to locate helpful information and learn how to manage your project.
Labels: Books, Databases, Research
