Period Paints & Finishes

Explore these articles to learn more about finding, caring for and choosing the perfect paint and finish for your old house.

Product of the Week

Products of the Week

Ward Clapboard Mill

Period Paints & Finishes

The Complete Guide to Painting Your House

Expert advice on painting your house: prepping, paint types, tools, and cleanup.

Period Paints & Finishes

How To Restore Painted Wood Floors

Does your old house restoration project include sprucing up painted wood floors? A few days’ work and a little know-how can leave wide boards beautiful for decades.

Period Paints & Finishes

Exterior Paint Color Schemes

Help for one of the biggest decisions homeowners have to make: choosing paint colors for the outside of your house.

Period Paints & Finishes

Creating an Exterior Paint Scheme

Creating a paint-color scheme, and the importance of placement.

Period Paints & Finishes

Guide to Period-Appropriate Historic Paints

From historic color palettes to old-fashioned paint formulas, find the right fit for your house’s walls with this source list.

Period Paints & Finishes

Plaster walls are like a thin skin applied over wood or steel lathe, so is it any wonder they yield as buildings settle or traffic vibrations wiggle them loose? While plaster is a remarkably resilient material, it’s inevitable that it will gain a few cracks over time.

Period Paints & Finishes

A Fix for Foul-smelling Paint

The case of the foul-smelling can of paint, and a fix.

Period Paints & Finishes

Expert Advice: Wallpaper & Paint

Experts lend advice on getting patterned wallpapers and trim colors to coexist for maximum effect.

Period Paints & Finishes

The Changing Landscape for Household Paint

New regulations will affect what types of household paints you can buy.

Period Paints & Finishes

Guide to Period Paints

From historic color palettes to old-fashioned paint formulas, find the right fit for your house’s walls with this source list for period paints.

Period Paints & Finishes

Deck Paint vs. Stain

Finish options for porch flooring.

Period Paints & Finishes

Easy Fixes for Curb Appeal

So-called curb appeal is a common concern among real-estate agents—but it also matters to those of us staying put. Here are some low- to medium-cost improvements that’ll brighten the neighborhood.