Press Room

2010 Press Releases

May 1, 2010

VISIT DUTCH BOY'S NEW RESTOREMYDECOR.COM WEB SITE TO ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN PERSONALIZED DECORATING ADVICE. Win a Grand Prize, In-Person Room Makeover from Home Design TV Star, Danielle Hirsch, Or Online Decorating Advice from Hirsch and Dutch Boy's Design Panel

CLEVELAND — No doubt, decorating our homes is one of the most personal ways we express ourselves. From the color palette, to the furniture and the accessories, the way we decorate is truly a reflection of our individuality. As a growing number of consumers turn to the Internet for the most up-to-date decorating advice, there's a new online contest and decorating Web site that provides the opportunity for visitors to connect with a decorating expert on a personal level. Dutch Boy announces the launch of the Restore My Décor! online contest and web site (restoremydecor.com).

Featuring designer Danielle Hirsch, the Restore My Décor! contest offers one lucky restoremydecor.com visitor the opportunity to receive one-on-one, personal decorating and painting advice from Hirsch in the form of a private design consultation and room makeover. As part of the Grand Prize, Danielle will travel to the winner's home to design and decorate one room — a total prize package valued at $5,000. In addition to the Grand Prize, visitors can also enter to win monthly decorating guidance from her. Each month, one winner will be chosen to receive an online consultation from Hirsch, which will be provided through an online video posted on restoremydecor.com. Three other monthly winners will be awarded decorating advice from Dutch Boy's Design Panel of experts.

Aside from the prizes offered, the web site also serves as a comprehensive decorating resource by allowing users to share design tips and real-world advice with each other, view Hirsch's monthly decorating tips, and even log into her monthly chat sessions held the first Tuesday of every month at 9:00 p.m. EST.

“With the creation of the Restore My Décor online contest and web site, we're providing participants with the opportunity to personalize the decorating process through the use of today's technology,” said Mary Ward, Dutch Boy Paints senior product manager. "Dutch Boy is extremely excited to be working with a designer of such high caliber, who possesses as much expertise and knowledge as Danielle does. We're very eager to present one lucky Restore My Décor! winner with the opportunity to work with her, in person, to make his or her design dreams a reality. Additionally, one monthly winner will also receive decorating advice through Danielle's online video segments.”

“I'm extremely excited to be part of the Dutch Boy Restore My Décor! initiative and to have the opportunity to lend my decorating expertise through my monthly video segments, chat sessions and the Grand Prize room makeover,” Hirsch said. “Providing the opportunity to personalize the decorating experience is what truly sets the Restore My Décor! contest and restoremydecor.com apart from the other contests and decorating web sites. Through this approach, I'm looking forward to bringing design dreams to life.” To be eligible to win the Grand Prize Danielle Hirsch design consultation and room makeover, or one of several monthly Dutch Boy Design Panel consultations being awarded, from April 12, 2010 to September 30, 2010, participants can post up to three “before” photographs of a room for consideration and review by Danielle and the Dutch Boy Design Panel. The room most in need of a makeover will be selected as the Grand Prize winner and the visitor who submitted it will enjoy the Danielle Hirsch Grand Prize design consultation. Four other entrants, and their rooms, will be chosen each month throughout the six month time period. One will receive an online consultation from Hirsch, and three others will receive a personal Dutch Boy Design Panel consultation.

Visitors who have taken a room from boring to brilliant can also win by simply posting before and after photographs of a room they've restored. Once posted, they're eligible to win a $50 gift card. Finally, visitors who choose to post comments and decorating advice for others will be eligible to be randomly chosen to receive a $25 gift card.

Dutch Boy Restore My Décor! entries will be accepted from April 12, 2010 to September 30, 2010. The Grand Prize winner will be announced on, or around, October 1, 2010. For additional details, or for the official rules, log onto www.restoremydecor.com.

For more information on Dutch Boy products, or to locate a Dutch Boy retailer, log on to www.dutchboy.com, or call 1.800.828.5669.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: For high-resolution digital images of Dutch Boy's products or logos, please contact Julie Brosien at 216-696-0229, or via e-mail atjbrosien@fallscommunications.com.<

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2010 Articles

May 1, 2010

At some point in time, we all have them: house guests. Whether visitors are spending just one night or an entire week in your home, the situation can be stressful for everyone involved. Never fear. You can do a few simple things long before your company arrives to ensure their stay is a comfortable one. In fact, they might even mistake your guest bedroom for a luxury hotel room.

Holidays, birthdays, graduations or even just weekend visits, you can expect house guests to pop in sometime this year. Whether visitors are spending just one night or an entire week in your home, the situation can be stressful for everyone involved. Never fear. You can do a few simple things long before your company arrives to ensure their stay is a comfortable one. In fact, they might even mistake your guest bedroom for a luxury hotel room.

First, remember that less is definitely more when it comes to guest bedroom clutter. While you might enjoy your vintage doll collection that sits on top of the dresser, visitors might not share that sentiment. Remove all unnecessary items in the room, other than some stylish accent pieces, to give your guests a restful, clutter-free home away from home.

Of course, it goes without saying no one wants to stay in a room that isn't fresh and clean. Make sure your guests stay in a tidy bedroom. Clean the room thoroughly from top to bottom, starting with the ceilings, and systematically work your way down to the floors until everything is spotless.

There's also nothing worse than having no place to put your clothes and personal items while visiting friends or relatives. You feel as if you're living out of a suitcase, and you are. While the guest bedroom closet might be a convenient place to store your family's off-season wardrobe, this is the time to find a new place to store it, at least until your company leaves. Once you remove the clothes, be certain there are enough hangers in the closet for your guests to use. don't forget about clearing out dresser drawers, too.

Once cleaning and storage are addressed, it's time to focus on the room's decor. Create a comfortable, calming environment for your guests, starting with the color of the room. The use of paint color is one of the quickest, easiest and most cost-effective ways to dramatically change the look and feel of any space. One option is to begin with hues that tend to relax and soothe such as neutrals, light greens, pale blues or even creamy yellow, then give it your personal style with coordinating paint accents in fresh, vibrant colors.

If you're having trouble deciding on a color, check out the new Better Homes and Gardens Editors' Choice Paint Colors (https://www.bhglivebetter.com) at Walmart. Tinted in Dutch Boy paint, the palette offers 160 colors handpicked by the magazine's editors. Plus, the paint also coordinates with a variety of other Better Homes and Gardens (https://www.bhglivebetter.com) products available at Walmart, including window treatments, bath products and bedding.

Speaking of bedding, carry that feeling of tranquility through to one of the most important parts of a guest bedroom: the bed. Don't scrimp on a cheaper mattress; choose a high-quality one that will last for several years. Your guests will definitely thank you for it.

Beyond the mattress, offer plush, inviting bedding that further enhances that feeling of a quiet, hotel-like retreat. A high thread-count sheet set, featherbed mattress topper, oversized pillows and a down comforter can help create a feeling of serenity. Don't forget to top things off with an equally luxurious bedcover and matching throw pillows.

While creating a beautiful and cozy bed is important, if your guest bedroom has ample space, you might want to also consider creating a small sitting area. Placing a comfortable chair, an ottoman and a side table in your guests' room will allow them to relax and unwind without having to sit on the bed. Make sure there's lighting in case they decide to read. Go one step further and place some magazines or books you think might interest them in the room. Or, if they'll be sightseeing, provide them with books about the region and tourist information.

Also offer special extras that show you've taken the time to personalize their stay with you. Lay out two plush robes and matching slippers for them. Guests can also get the munchies long after you've retired to bed, so have water, drinks and their favorite snacks on the nightstand when they arrive. Find out what types of movies and music they enjoy and stock the room with a variety of DVDs and CDs they might like. If you don't have wireless in your home, make sure they have access to a computer so they can check their e-mail.

Finally, don't forget the most important part of your guests' visit will be spending quality time with you. The visit can be a blur of activity, so kick back, relax and enjoy each other's company while it lasts.

For more information on Dutch Boy products, or to locate a Dutch Boy retailer, log on towww.dutchboy.com, or call 1.800.828.5669.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: For high-resolution digital images of Dutch Boy's products or logos, please contact Julie Brosien at 216-696-0229, or via e-mail atjbrosien@fallscommunications.com.<

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May 1, 2010

Paint is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to completely change the look of a living space, helping make your beach decor a reality. Just be sure you choose the right colors, so you can be happy with your revamped rooms for years to come.

Bring the beach back with you, creating cottage style in your home.

(ARA) — Nothing's harder to face than packing up your belongings after a week at a cozy beach house and heading back home to the real world. Sure, it's hard to leave paradise behind, but who says you have to? Why not just transform your own living space to a beach-inspired haven that lets you get away from it all, even if you aren't on vacation? It's easy and inexpensive to do.

With some clever use of all those shells, beach glass and driftwood you've picked up during your travels, as well as scenic vacation photos and a little paint, you can transform your home into the ultimate beach cottage, creating an inviting, relaxing haven away from the real world outside your front door.

First, clear out the clutter. Cottage style is clean, bright and fuss-free because, if you think about it, beaches are simple, wide-open spaces — that's where cottage design gets its inspiration. The beach experience is stress-free. Clutter equals stress, and you want to create an atmosphere that's serene and fresh. A massive purging of extraneous clutter will give you a blank palette on which you can apply the true essence of the seashore.

Paint is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to completely change the look of a living space, helping make your beach decor a reality. Just be sure you choose the right colors, so you can be happy with your revamped rooms for years to come.

“Cottage style is all about taking cues from nature, so think sand, clear skies, sea glass and sparkling water when selecting the ultimate beach-inspired palette,” suggests Mary Ward, Dutch Boy Paints' senior product manager. “To create a cottage-ready scheme use pale blues, aquamarines, periwinkles, sea-tinged greens, sandy tan, and bright whites reminiscent of ocean foam and fluffy, cottony clouds. All of these colors, in any combination, can work to create a picture of rest and relaxation that's reminiscent of a day at the beach.”

Serenity rules in walls painted in soft pastels or sandy neutrals with ultra-white trim. It's clean. It's clutter free. It's fresh and airy. It says beach house, even if you are miles away from the one of your dreams.

You also can easily add a bit of beach chic to your furniture, further creating a feel of a distant getaway. Slipcovers give any room that easy-living feel that is so important to cottage style. Cover upholstered pieces in slip-on, easy-to-wash covers made from light canvas, cotton duck or sailcloth. Paint dark furniture white to add a year-round summery glow to the space, or invest in a few inexpensive, fun wicker pieces to lighten up tired rooms.

Don't stop here. Keep digging for ideas and inspiration using the vast array of decorating books and websites. One new site, Dutch Boy's Restore My Decor! (https://www.restoremydecor.com ) offers DIY tips and inspiration from professional designers, such as TV design personality Danielle Hirsch, as well as homeowners, all of whom can help you find more ways to add cottage appeal to any restored room in your home.

For example, consider incorporating these other ideas for adding beach-worthy serenity to your living space:

* Window treatments — Less is more. Think wooden blinds, plantation shutters or airy sheers.

* Floor coverings — Natural or painted wood floors with throw rugs are the hallmarks of cottage style. Think basic. Think organic. Think sisal and textures. Or paint your own canvas throw rug with sea-inspired motifs, such as shells and starfish.

* Lighting — Think soothing versus overly bright or dimly lit. Recessed lighting works like magic in any room. If you want to go for a more quirky look and make lighting a focal point, display inexpensive figural lamps in the shape of lighthouses or anchors. Or perhaps find one made from driftwood or shells.

* Souvenirs — Make use of those shells, sand, beach glass and driftwood you collected during your week away in paradise. Fill decorative bowls and jars with sand and shells. Display beach glass in vases of fresh flowers. Paint driftwood with beach-inspired images and hang it on the wall as art.

* Artwork — Make use of those vacation pictures, especially the ones you took of gorgeous ocean sunsets, lighthouses and sailboats. Use existing snapshots and enlarge some of your favorites, framing all to create a collage that not only says beach living, but also reminds you of a great time your family spent together at the seashore. Why buy artwork when you can make use of something that brings back such great memories?

“It all comes down to thinking light and breezy in everything you do decor-wise,” Ward says. “Use your imagination to create a true feeling of openness that beaches offer. Beach-inspired cottage style is casual, comfortable and fun — and reminds you of vacation, even if you're miles away from the nearest beach.”

For more information on Dutch Boy products, or to locate a Dutch Boy retailer, log on to www.dutchboy.com, or call 1.800.828.5669.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: For high-resolution digital images of Dutch Boy's products or logos, please contact Julie Brosien at 216-696-0229, or via e-mail atjbrosien@fallscommunications.com.<

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January 1, 2010

With a little planning and a lot of imagination, it's easy to create a playful space for kids that pops with color and some personalized magic, even on the tightest budget

(ARA) — Most parents can relate: Redecorating your child's room often turns out to be far more challenging than freshening up the decor in other areas of your home. After all, kids have their own personalities and tastes — and what you like might not mesh with their ideas of the world's coolest bedrooms

Obviously, as parents, we want the best for our kids but we also need to be budget-conscious these days. And, redecorating projects often spiral into endeavors that not only gobble up your budget but also your sanity. Often, what started out as a fun redecorating project can quickly turn into an overwhelming task that everyone in the family dreads finishing.

But, if you do it right and with some thoughtful pre-planning, redecorating kid spaces doesn't have to be draining to your bank account or your patience, notes Donna Schroeder, Dutch Boy color marketing and design manager.

“There are a few basic decorating foundations that can have a huge impact on a child's room, with color being at the forefront,” Schroeder says. “Aside from floors and window treatments, the largest area where color is used is on the walls. Lucky for parents, painting their child's room is a fun, easy and very inexpensive way to update a living space. It's also a great way to involve your child in the decision process so they can help create a memorable space to call their own.”

When choosing paint, a little forethought and some fundamental knowledge on color selection are all that's needed. Don't make the mistake of thinking there are “right or wrong colors.” Let creativity — and your child's tastes — be your guide.

To lend a helping hand, Crayola and Dutch Boy offer a complete, 96-color palette of Crayola colors tinted in Dutch Boy Paint. It features fun, unique color chips sure to generate any child's enthusiasm for a room makeover, as well as 16 inspiration cards featuring exciting room themes and designs that can help jump-start the creative process. With so many choices, chances are your child's “favoritest” color will be among the mix.

Redecorating a fresh, new space for children goes beyond selecting paint colors and decorating themes. If you're planning a significant revamping of a room, or are perhaps welcoming a new baby, look into double-duty furniture, such as changing tables that convert easily into a bureau, so once a baby is out of diapers, the table can still serve a purpose in the room.

If your children are older, there's nothing wrong with refurbishing hand-me-down furniture to give their rooms a new look – and save some money. A little ingenuity, paint and some old-fashioned elbow grease can turn a beat-up, dated old armoire, bookshelf or desk into a whimsical piece of expression in any room, not to mention handy storage for toys, clothing, books and more.

Speaking of storage, more is always better: over-plan rather than installing just enough for current belongings. Let's face it: kids come with lots of stuff that seems to multiply nightly. The cabinet that can hold a few blankets and books today likely will end up stuffed with clothes, toys and collectables even a year or two down the road. There are plenty of cost-effective and colorful storage and closet units available at a variety of home improvement retailers.

And don't forget extending creativity to the finishing touches: accessories like window treatments and novelty throw rugs. Create fanciful designs on plain, inexpensive roman shades or room-darkening blinds by decorating them with patterns from fun stencils or stamps, using paints that coordinate with the wall and trim palette. From flowers or cars to trains or fairies, the possibilities for livening up plain window treatments are endless — and far from costly. Area rugs add another bit of special personalization to a child's bedroom. A lively, patterned rug can add a lighthearted feel to any space.

“With a little planning and a lot of imagination, it's easy to create a playful space for kids that pops with color and some personalized magic, even on the tightest budget,” Schroeder says. “In fact, they might like it so much when you send them to their room; they might not want to leave.”

Quick read:

The Land of Make-Believe: Creating Playful Kids' Rooms on a Budget

(ARA) — Most parents can relate: Redecorating your child's room often turns out to be far more challenging than freshening up the decor in other areas of your home.

“If you do it right and with some thoughtful pre-planning, redecorating kid spaces doesn't have to be draining to your bank account or your patience,” notes Donna Schroeder, Dutch Boy Color Marketing and Design Manager.

“There are a few basic decorating foundations that can have a huge impact on a child's room, with color being at the forefront,” Schroeder says. “Luckily for parents, painting their child's room is a fun, easy and very inexpensive way to update a living space. It's also a great way to involve your child in the decision process so they can help create a memorable space to call their own.”

Crayola and Dutch Boy offer a complete, 96-color palette of Crayola colors tinted in Dutch Boy Paint. It features fun, unique color chips sure to generate any child's enthusiasm for a room makeover, as well as 16 inspiration cards featuring exciting room themes and designs that can help jump-start the creative process. With so many choices, chances are your child's “favoritest” color will be among the mix.

###

EDITOR'S NOTE: For high-resolution digital images of Dutch Boy's products or logos, please contact Julie Brosien at 216-696-0229, or via e-mail atjbrosien@fallscommunications.com.<

Download PDF

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Media Contacts

To arrange an interview, or for more information, please contact:


Rebecca Suhy

akhia communications for Dutch Boy Paints

Rebecca.Suhy@akhia.com


Morgan Jupina

akhia communications for Dutch Boy Paints

Morgan.Jupina@akhia.com

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