Crisp nights and shorter days are signals of the approaching holiday season. In preparation for seasonal entertaining, now is a great time to freshen up your living space with simple and easy painting ideas.

Debbie Zimmer, of the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, offers suggestions on how to create a festive atmosphere for each room of your home.

Find more information and innovative ways to use paint and decorating and color trends from the web site of the Paint Quality Institute at www.paintquality.com



Courtesy of The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute

With busy holiday schedules, a homeowner's time may be limited. A quick room update can be accomplished by adding color and shine to trim work and doors. Highlight these areas with semi-gloss or gloss paint in a complementary hue to the wall color.

Glossy finishes add sparkle and interest and assist in differentiating one space from another. They also provide the added benefit of durability and long-lasting wear especially in busy family gathering spaces. Artwork is always improved with the addition of a beautiful frame and your wall space is no different. Allow baseboards, crown moldings and other trim work to provide the "frame" around your room.



Courtesy of The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute

Incorporating several colors into a space is often a stumbling block for many do it yourselfers. By simply perusing the gift bag aisle, you will find exciting and unusual combinations that are often easily transferable to your space. This tip works especially well when contemplating hues for tweens and teens.



Courtesy of The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute

This holiday season let your ceilings and chandeliers sparkle. Add shine and sophistication to dining spaces by painting these often bland areas with a high sheen product. If you are not quite ready to change your entire ceiling add a stencil pattern in a glossy hue for a touch of high style.



Courtesy of The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute

Take a cue from this season's fashion runway and integrate texture into your space for added interest and appeal. "When working with a monochromatic or single color scheme, wall texture will provide depth and warmth", states Zimmer. The addition of bead board, paintable wall coverings or glazing over an already painted surface will provide subtle interest and a three dimensional appearance.