QLP Group's Helpful Tips and Hints

Knowing what's "out" as well as what's "in" is an important aspect to remember when you are redecorating.
Here are some trends to move away from this year,
The modern farmhouse
Expensive furniture updates
Millennial pink
Plants, plants everywhere
Word art
Bold graphic wallpaper
Gray walls
Subway tile back splashes
Extreme minimalism
Accent walls
White counter tops
Mid-century overload
Scandinavian-inspired design
Over commercialized boho-look
Industrial accents
Interior design trends are constantly evolving. That constant evolution can often bring about trends that might seem chic for a moment but end up not being able to stand up to the test of time. Take the aspects you like most about a trend and adapt them. Begin small, try to replace small items to move with the trends rather than changing large pieces frequently.
Here are some trends to move away from this year,
The modern farmhouse
Expensive furniture updates
Millennial pink
Plants, plants everywhere
Word art
Bold graphic wallpaper
Gray walls
Subway tile back splashes
Extreme minimalism
Accent walls
White counter tops
Mid-century overload
Scandinavian-inspired design
Over commercialized boho-look
Industrial accents
Interior design trends are constantly evolving. That constant evolution can often bring about trends that might seem chic for a moment but end up not being able to stand up to the test of time. Take the aspects you like most about a trend and adapt them. Begin small, try to replace small items to move with the trends rather than changing large pieces frequently.

Pastel colors are comforting and whimsical. Though they have been used in homes for years, pastel colors have become a popular color palette of 2019.
Dusted heathers, baby blues, frosted greens, dusky pinks, peachy peaches, pastels are in, and can add a sense of calm and simplicity to any room.
A great way to introduce pastel colours are by adding;
soft furnishings, such as cushions and throws will help keep a harmonious ambiance
a range of pastels in different textures and finishes will bring a fun aspect to any room
one large hero piece like a sofa in a pastel tone
simple accessories will add interest and stop a pastel scheme from looking too saccharine-sweet. Touches of pale grey will also provide balance
fresh flowers, have fun filling bud vases with anything from sprigs of lilac to pale rosebuds to bring nature's take on the pastel trend to your tabletop or mantelpiece
Once you feel confident with your choices you can move to a daring alternative, painting! A room is probably the boldest and most noticeable way to use pastels in your home. If you’re still undecided about whether you want to do the entire room in a certain color, you can always start with one accent wall to get a preview of how it feels.
Thinking about adding some pastel difference in your home? Get in touch with our team and we can help you choose and execute your vision.
Dusted heathers, baby blues, frosted greens, dusky pinks, peachy peaches, pastels are in, and can add a sense of calm and simplicity to any room.
A great way to introduce pastel colours are by adding;
soft furnishings, such as cushions and throws will help keep a harmonious ambiance
a range of pastels in different textures and finishes will bring a fun aspect to any room
one large hero piece like a sofa in a pastel tone
simple accessories will add interest and stop a pastel scheme from looking too saccharine-sweet. Touches of pale grey will also provide balance
fresh flowers, have fun filling bud vases with anything from sprigs of lilac to pale rosebuds to bring nature's take on the pastel trend to your tabletop or mantelpiece
Once you feel confident with your choices you can move to a daring alternative, painting! A room is probably the boldest and most noticeable way to use pastels in your home. If you’re still undecided about whether you want to do the entire room in a certain color, you can always start with one accent wall to get a preview of how it feels.
Thinking about adding some pastel difference in your home? Get in touch with our team and we can help you choose and execute your vision.

It might occur to some that painting should only happen in summer when we are in our warmest months. In fact there are many factors that contribute to the best time to paint your home. It isn't as simple as it may seem.
Summer may feel like the perfect time to go outside and get some work done on the house. However, while summer is great for lawn mowing and weed whacking, it may not be the absolute best time to paint.
Here are a few tips that might help you decide when to hire a painting expert for your home renovations.
In summer you could consider;
Putting time off to good use. January is often down time, it's a good time to look for your expert painter.
Being the busiest time of the year for holidays, while you are away you can have a refresh to return to.
In spring you could consider;
You don’t want to paint your exterior while it’s raining outside, if humidity levels are too high, moisture from the air can get trapped behind the paint. Consider your interior in the higher humidity months, where the damp is kept out of the home.
Spring is often a popular time for homeowners to put their house on the market. Getting ready for the market in this time is a great idea.
In winter you could consider;
Taking advantage of the early light!
By completing your interior paint projects in the winter, you will have more time to focus on external remodeling projects such as gardening and deck repairs in summer.
Choosing the right paint and tools during winter is a crucial step, leave this to the professionals to get perfect every time.
In Autumn you could consider;
You don’t want to paint when the temperature outside is extremely cold in winter or hot in summer. Extreme temperatures can cause paint to dry unevenly, lead to clumps, or expose brush strokes in the paint while it’s drying.
Cooler temperatures and lower humidity levels make finishing a painting project a whole lot easier in autumn.
Keep in mind paint drying is related to temperature and moisture, the optimum environment is when the temperature is 15-20°C, humidity 70-80% and a very gentle breeze for exterior jobs.
Contact us today to find your perfect time of the year for your refresh!
Summer may feel like the perfect time to go outside and get some work done on the house. However, while summer is great for lawn mowing and weed whacking, it may not be the absolute best time to paint.
Here are a few tips that might help you decide when to hire a painting expert for your home renovations.
In summer you could consider;
Putting time off to good use. January is often down time, it's a good time to look for your expert painter.
Being the busiest time of the year for holidays, while you are away you can have a refresh to return to.
In spring you could consider;
You don’t want to paint your exterior while it’s raining outside, if humidity levels are too high, moisture from the air can get trapped behind the paint. Consider your interior in the higher humidity months, where the damp is kept out of the home.
Spring is often a popular time for homeowners to put their house on the market. Getting ready for the market in this time is a great idea.
In winter you could consider;
Taking advantage of the early light!
By completing your interior paint projects in the winter, you will have more time to focus on external remodeling projects such as gardening and deck repairs in summer.
Choosing the right paint and tools during winter is a crucial step, leave this to the professionals to get perfect every time.
In Autumn you could consider;
You don’t want to paint when the temperature outside is extremely cold in winter or hot in summer. Extreme temperatures can cause paint to dry unevenly, lead to clumps, or expose brush strokes in the paint while it’s drying.
Cooler temperatures and lower humidity levels make finishing a painting project a whole lot easier in autumn.
Keep in mind paint drying is related to temperature and moisture, the optimum environment is when the temperature is 15-20°C, humidity 70-80% and a very gentle breeze for exterior jobs.
Contact us today to find your perfect time of the year for your refresh!

The number of interior design trends that have come and gone over the years is astonishing. Some have been ground breaking and then others have been questionable. Some may stand the test of time but those that don't will become pinterest faux pas.
Have you ever entered a room and felt like something in it was off? Even if the furniture is beautiful or the art is just right? If it’s not pulled together or styled correctly, it won’t evoke a sense of wonderment, awe or comfort.
Here are some of the trends we have seen that you might like to avoid in your future decorating plans.
Matching mania.
One rather common trend is people feeling the urge to visually match everything. From the carpet to the drapes to the furniture and accessories and everything in between, all the colours chosen are in the same colour group. Be it blue, grey or red, this tends to produce sterile and boring interiors that date very quickly and tend to reflect none of the owners personality.
Bold and nothing more.
And on the other end of the scale, there is using too much of your favorite bold choice. Just because you like polka dots, floral patterns or stripes, that does not mean you have to slap them onto every surface of your home. Mixing textures in a room brings depth but too many textures add confusion. Be careful and thoughtful about layering the room and just like a bed, add too many blankets and it becomes a hot mess.
Themed themes.
Another sin you cannot afford to commit is messing up your chosen theme by over or under doing it. Not all designs will have a common theme but when you do make that choice, research it well and execute it even better. In other words, it should be an authentic reflection of who you are and it should be planned well to consider all dimensions of your taste.
Hotel Hell.
Try not to mirror a hotel room you may have seen on holiday. There is a reason that hotels are dressed the way they are. They reflect the many travelers that stay in a hotel and nothing more. Use your taste and style to your advantage and stay away from bland and uninviting trends.
For as long as there’s been great design, there’s been really, really bad design. The list is long and ever growing but follow these simple tips and you will come out on top of your interior dreams.
Have you ever entered a room and felt like something in it was off? Even if the furniture is beautiful or the art is just right? If it’s not pulled together or styled correctly, it won’t evoke a sense of wonderment, awe or comfort.
Here are some of the trends we have seen that you might like to avoid in your future decorating plans.
Matching mania.
One rather common trend is people feeling the urge to visually match everything. From the carpet to the drapes to the furniture and accessories and everything in between, all the colours chosen are in the same colour group. Be it blue, grey or red, this tends to produce sterile and boring interiors that date very quickly and tend to reflect none of the owners personality.
Bold and nothing more.
And on the other end of the scale, there is using too much of your favorite bold choice. Just because you like polka dots, floral patterns or stripes, that does not mean you have to slap them onto every surface of your home. Mixing textures in a room brings depth but too many textures add confusion. Be careful and thoughtful about layering the room and just like a bed, add too many blankets and it becomes a hot mess.
Themed themes.
Another sin you cannot afford to commit is messing up your chosen theme by over or under doing it. Not all designs will have a common theme but when you do make that choice, research it well and execute it even better. In other words, it should be an authentic reflection of who you are and it should be planned well to consider all dimensions of your taste.
Hotel Hell.
Try not to mirror a hotel room you may have seen on holiday. There is a reason that hotels are dressed the way they are. They reflect the many travelers that stay in a hotel and nothing more. Use your taste and style to your advantage and stay away from bland and uninviting trends.
For as long as there’s been great design, there’s been really, really bad design. The list is long and ever growing but follow these simple tips and you will come out on top of your interior dreams.

Unlike the exterior of your home that faces the brutal elements, the interior faces bumps, knocks, dampness, grease, marks and simple living wear and tear. Although interior walls don’t require as much maintenance as your exterior, they still need to be repainted.
Repainting depends entirely on which surface, where it is in your home and the quality of workmanship it has received. All of your interior surfaces face their own hard task of staying fresh against wear and tear.
Here is our guide to the different time frames and spaces you might have in your home.
Hallways and Corridors
This space should be repainted every two to three years, since hallways and corridors see the most traffic, they typically have the most scuff marks, scratches, and dings.
Kitchens
The busiest hub of the home sees a lot of grease splatter, steam, and smoke, which builds up on paint over time. Kitchens should be repainted every four to five years to eliminate built-up from stains and odors.
Baseboards or Skirting Boards
The most battered and bruised of the home should be repainted every two to three years to maintain their appearance.
Bedrooms
Kids’ bedrooms are a high-traffic, high drawing and high toy area and generally need painting every two or three years. Where as main bedrooms may only need a new coat of paint once every decade.
Living rooms and Dining Rooms
Typically these spaces need repainting every five to seven years. They are low traffic areas and you would typically repaint to adjust to your style.
Bathrooms and Laundry's
Both of these rooms are high in humidity, this causes paint to wear at the highest rate. Generally, these rooms need to be repainted every two to four years.
Sun room
With this room collecting the most sun in your home, this is where paint is most likely to peel. We recommend painting every two to three years.
Windows and Door Frames
Your trims don’t require paint as often as any other space in your home. However, if you don’t clean these areas periodically, dirt and dust can degrade the paint over time. We suggest repainting your trims every five to six years.
You could take a look around your home and ask yourself these few questions as well.
Does the paint look scuffed, chipped or damaged?
Has the paint been exposed to high humidity or sunlight?
Do you need a décor refresh?
Are you getting ready to sell your home?
And lastly, the lifespan of interior painting isn’t just about wear and tear. It can greatly vary depending on the quality of the initial prep work and materials used, the paint products, the condition of the particular room and the application process. To ensure longevity, we can help here at QLP, we use quality long wearing products and guarantee our workmanship.
Give us a call today for your free quote.
Repainting depends entirely on which surface, where it is in your home and the quality of workmanship it has received. All of your interior surfaces face their own hard task of staying fresh against wear and tear.
Here is our guide to the different time frames and spaces you might have in your home.
Hallways and Corridors
This space should be repainted every two to three years, since hallways and corridors see the most traffic, they typically have the most scuff marks, scratches, and dings.
Kitchens
The busiest hub of the home sees a lot of grease splatter, steam, and smoke, which builds up on paint over time. Kitchens should be repainted every four to five years to eliminate built-up from stains and odors.
Baseboards or Skirting Boards
The most battered and bruised of the home should be repainted every two to three years to maintain their appearance.
Bedrooms
Kids’ bedrooms are a high-traffic, high drawing and high toy area and generally need painting every two or three years. Where as main bedrooms may only need a new coat of paint once every decade.
Living rooms and Dining Rooms
Typically these spaces need repainting every five to seven years. They are low traffic areas and you would typically repaint to adjust to your style.
Bathrooms and Laundry's
Both of these rooms are high in humidity, this causes paint to wear at the highest rate. Generally, these rooms need to be repainted every two to four years.
Sun room
With this room collecting the most sun in your home, this is where paint is most likely to peel. We recommend painting every two to three years.
Windows and Door Frames
Your trims don’t require paint as often as any other space in your home. However, if you don’t clean these areas periodically, dirt and dust can degrade the paint over time. We suggest repainting your trims every five to six years.
You could take a look around your home and ask yourself these few questions as well.
Does the paint look scuffed, chipped or damaged?
Has the paint been exposed to high humidity or sunlight?
Do you need a décor refresh?
Are you getting ready to sell your home?
And lastly, the lifespan of interior painting isn’t just about wear and tear. It can greatly vary depending on the quality of the initial prep work and materials used, the paint products, the condition of the particular room and the application process. To ensure longevity, we can help here at QLP, we use quality long wearing products and guarantee our workmanship.
Give us a call today for your free quote.

It can be a difficult task, painting your home , with pets around.
Here are some handy tips to consider:
If they can go outside, set them in the backyard with plenty of water, food, shade and someone to keep an eye on them. Keeping the painting area free of animals will prevent curious pets from getting into the paint and supplies.
Put away the paint cans, rollers, tarps, brushes and anything else in your painting kit when you’re done for the day. Even clean brushes and rollers could pose as potential choking hazards.
Not only will cleaning up the paint supplies keep your pet safe, it will also prevent them from accidentally walking through your work space and tracking painted paw prints through the house.
After all that hard work, you’ll want to keep your walls as clean as possible, the higher the sheen of the finish of a paint, the more durable it is.
Although higher sheen protects your walls from pet damage, a matte finish is a great option as well, it can be washed and is better at masking imperfections.
Here are some handy tips to consider:
If they can go outside, set them in the backyard with plenty of water, food, shade and someone to keep an eye on them. Keeping the painting area free of animals will prevent curious pets from getting into the paint and supplies.
Put away the paint cans, rollers, tarps, brushes and anything else in your painting kit when you’re done for the day. Even clean brushes and rollers could pose as potential choking hazards.
Not only will cleaning up the paint supplies keep your pet safe, it will also prevent them from accidentally walking through your work space and tracking painted paw prints through the house.
After all that hard work, you’ll want to keep your walls as clean as possible, the higher the sheen of the finish of a paint, the more durable it is.
Although higher sheen protects your walls from pet damage, a matte finish is a great option as well, it can be washed and is better at masking imperfections.

Interior trends in 2019 are going retro with rattan, floral's, bright colours, and believe it or not, Macrame!
But how can you incorporate this trend in your own way and in your own style?
Floral's, be them printed on wall paper or dried.
You can give a new spin to this trend with interesting decor pieces, wallpaper designs and fabrics that bring out the floral print or vase in a space.
Rattan.
From dining chairs to sideboards, lampshades to baskets, 70s-style Rattan is now so popular it's almost inescapable. While original pieces from the 70's are becoming hard to locate, new pieces can be found at local op shops, Briscoes and the like. The range can be extensive as well. From small to large making it scalable to your taste and style.
Yellow and all its shades or brilliance.
Yellow as you may have begun to notice is everywhere. From mellow pastels to rich mustards, these hues have graced our homes with their outgoing presence. Perfect for colour pops rather than going all-out with the shade, it’s a fabulous non-committal hue to dip your toe into the vibrant colour pool to see how your feel before adding more.
Macrame.
Macrame wall hangings are the perfect way to spice up your wall decor and add a bohemian style to any space. If you are on the look out for relaxing your space, this could be a great option.
Terrazzo.
Terrazzo comes in varying degrees of subtle textural styles through to high-contrast patterns. This is a good option to move away from the traditional tile and onto something safe but edgy.
Patterned Carpets.
Bold and graphic patterns that really make a statement on bare wooden floors is a great statement and a simple way to be bold in small stints.
Like the look of these? Share them below on your social media platform.
If you need help designing a modern look for the interior of your home , contact the friendly team at QLP Group today!
But how can you incorporate this trend in your own way and in your own style?
Floral's, be them printed on wall paper or dried.
You can give a new spin to this trend with interesting decor pieces, wallpaper designs and fabrics that bring out the floral print or vase in a space.
Rattan.
From dining chairs to sideboards, lampshades to baskets, 70s-style Rattan is now so popular it's almost inescapable. While original pieces from the 70's are becoming hard to locate, new pieces can be found at local op shops, Briscoes and the like. The range can be extensive as well. From small to large making it scalable to your taste and style.
Yellow and all its shades or brilliance.
Yellow as you may have begun to notice is everywhere. From mellow pastels to rich mustards, these hues have graced our homes with their outgoing presence. Perfect for colour pops rather than going all-out with the shade, it’s a fabulous non-committal hue to dip your toe into the vibrant colour pool to see how your feel before adding more.
Macrame.
Macrame wall hangings are the perfect way to spice up your wall decor and add a bohemian style to any space. If you are on the look out for relaxing your space, this could be a great option.
Terrazzo.
Terrazzo comes in varying degrees of subtle textural styles through to high-contrast patterns. This is a good option to move away from the traditional tile and onto something safe but edgy.
Patterned Carpets.
Bold and graphic patterns that really make a statement on bare wooden floors is a great statement and a simple way to be bold in small stints.
Like the look of these? Share them below on your social media platform.
If you need help designing a modern look for the interior of your home , contact the friendly team at QLP Group today!

A beautiful paint job can make all the difference in how a home looks and feels. A fresh coat of paint also offers a wide range of benefits that go above just a face-lift.
Here are some of those benefits;
Increase the resale value of your home.
The value of your home is important to you but it is also important when you decide to sell.
Personalize Your Space
Give your space, the character you believe it deserves.
Inexpensive Remodel
Remodeling can be a very expensive task. Using a simple coat of paint can really liven up, calm or welcome you into a space, at a fraction of the cost. Choosing light colours will help make smaller spaces seem bigger. Bright colours can make a family room more welcoming while pastels can make your bedroom calming.
Clean and Protect Your Walls
We often clean our floors and carpets, but do we do the same for our walls? Repainting can clean up those unsightly stains and marks while new paint can actually protect your walls from damage and prevent the progression of wear and tear.
And finally maybe the most important reason to have your interior walls painted , is that you will get to enjoy your home more.
Here are some of those benefits;
Increase the resale value of your home.
The value of your home is important to you but it is also important when you decide to sell.
Personalize Your Space
Give your space, the character you believe it deserves.
Inexpensive Remodel
Remodeling can be a very expensive task. Using a simple coat of paint can really liven up, calm or welcome you into a space, at a fraction of the cost. Choosing light colours will help make smaller spaces seem bigger. Bright colours can make a family room more welcoming while pastels can make your bedroom calming.
Clean and Protect Your Walls
We often clean our floors and carpets, but do we do the same for our walls? Repainting can clean up those unsightly stains and marks while new paint can actually protect your walls from damage and prevent the progression of wear and tear.
And finally maybe the most important reason to have your interior walls painted , is that you will get to enjoy your home more.

It takes confidence to choose deep, dark, rich colours, but once you do, you'll wonder why you took so long in the first place. It creates amazing depth and drama, and artwork and accessories look fantastic against a dark background.
Here are some tips to get you started,
START SMALL. If you’re nervous about playing with a deep, dark hue, limit the color to the inside of cabinets, backs of bookshelves or a painted floor,
TEST IT OUT. When you’re ready to tackle a whole room, start with a color family that is already dominant in the home and select two to three shades that you feel makes a statement,
EMBRACE THE DARKNESS. A deep, rich color goes an especially long way in a room without a lot of natural light, as dim rooms look particularly dull in lighter colors,
KEEP IT SIMPLE. If you’re tempted to go dark and bold on the walls, but you prefer a restrained aesthetic, try keeping the furniture neutral
REMEMBER. If you change your mind later, dark colors are just as easy to paint over as light ones. Dark doesn’t mean gloomy, but it can mean cozy.
If you aren't sure what the perfect colour is for your room, contact our friendly team and let us paint your interior for you .
Here are some tips to get you started,
START SMALL. If you’re nervous about playing with a deep, dark hue, limit the color to the inside of cabinets, backs of bookshelves or a painted floor,
TEST IT OUT. When you’re ready to tackle a whole room, start with a color family that is already dominant in the home and select two to three shades that you feel makes a statement,
EMBRACE THE DARKNESS. A deep, rich color goes an especially long way in a room without a lot of natural light, as dim rooms look particularly dull in lighter colors,
KEEP IT SIMPLE. If you’re tempted to go dark and bold on the walls, but you prefer a restrained aesthetic, try keeping the furniture neutral
REMEMBER. If you change your mind later, dark colors are just as easy to paint over as light ones. Dark doesn’t mean gloomy, but it can mean cozy.
If you aren't sure what the perfect colour is for your room, contact our friendly team and let us paint your interior for you .

When selecting colours for an exterior it is important to realise that colour will look up to 30% lighter in the natural sunlight. Get a large sample or test pot of the colours you are considering and view the colours in the light and shade. Often you need to select a paint colour one tone darker to achieve the actual colour you like.



