And to continue with some painting tips for our readers...

Now that you hopefully have your paint and your supplies you are ready to prepare for your painting project. To get the best results, take the time to ensure that the surface to be painted is clean, dry and smooth and coated with the correct primer. Here are some other prep suggestions based on the surface that you will be painting:

Bare Wood:
* Fill nail holes, joints and cracks with patching paste.
* Sand smooth and remove sanding dust with a tack cloth.
* Prime all bare wood and patched areas with a primer.

New Plaster Walls:
* These must be clean and completely cured.
* Textured or swirl types and soft, porous or powdery plaster must be:
* Treated with a solution of one pint household vinegar in one gallon of water.
* Repeat the treatment until the surface is hard.
* Rinse with plain water.
* Let dry and apply primer.

New Drywall:
* Panels must be securely nailed or glued in place.
* All panel joints must be taped and filled before painting.
* When joint cement and/or patching materials are thoroughly dry, sand smooth, wipe away dust, then prime.

Wallpaper:
* Always remove wallpaper before painting. Use a chemical wallpaper remover or rent a steamer, if necessary.
* Once the paper is removed, wash off old adhesive. Rinse with water and allow the wall to dry before priming.

Previously Painted Surfaces:
* Wash off dirt, grease, soap and oil buildup with the appropriate cleaner. Rinse thoroughly.
* Remove loose paint and powdery substances.
* Patch holes and cracks with spackling or patching compound. Allow to dry, then sand smooth.
* For glossy or nonporous surfaces, lightly sand to a dull finish or use an abrasive cleanser.
* Remove sanding dust or cleanser residue.
* Make sure to prime all bare areas prior to applying topcoat.

Now that you have prepared the surface you are going to paint, make sure you have also taken care of the following items:
* Remove draperies, pictures, mirrors, area rugs, hardware (if possible), and switch and receptacle cover plates.
* Move all furniture to the center of the room or the room, if possible. Cover all furniture with drop cloths.
* Tape off woodwork and tape down plastic drop cloths.
* Wrap plastic around light fixtures, and use masking tape to cover any hardware you can't remove.
* Open a window or door to ensure good ventilation.
* Gaps between walls, ceilings, crown moldings and other interior trim can be filled with the appropriate caulk after priming the surface.

You are ready to paint now! You may want to first note though, it's important to paint a room in the right order. Even the best painters using the best paints have drips, splatter and occasional spills. Make sure you try to follow the painting order below.

Ceilings:
* Paint a 2-inch wide strip on the ceiling where it meets the wall.
* Using a roller with an extension pole, start in a corner and work across the short side to maintain a wet edge.

Walls:
* Paint a 2-inch strip along ceiling, floor and woodwork with a brush.
* Use a roller, coming as close to the edges as possible to create a clean, uniform appearance.

Woodwork:
* Paint all trim around doors, windows, ceilings and floor.

Floor:
* Start in a corner diagonally opposite the room exit.
* Paint a 2-inch wide strip on the floor where it meets the wall or trim.
* Using a roller with an extension pole or a wide brush, start in a corner and work across the short side to maintain a wet edge.